Earth Science Club of Northern Illinois - ESCONI

Stone Age Tool Find

Acheulean is the name given to an archaeological industry of stone tool manufacture associated with prehistoric hominins during the Lower Paleolithic era across Africa and much of West Asia and Europe.  Acheulean tools are typically found with Homo erectus remains.

 

I picked this particular handaxe up on a public beach in Cape Town.  One of the local experts said that the find had no particular scientific value because the origin of the artifact could never be determined.  Despite this expert opinion, removing it from South Africa would be illegal (subject to imprisonment).  So, it will make a nice paperweight.  The length is approximately 18cm and the handaxe is water-worn and smooth.

 

It was the dominant technology for the vast majority of human history and

Secret Archeology

"How scientists and Native Americans pulled off a major dig before the feds triple border fence destroyed everything.... "(via San Diego CityBeat)

Fuzzy Dinosaurs

From Nature via BBC News...

A discovery in China has prompted researchers to question the scaly image of dinosaurs.

Previously, experts thought the first feathered dinosaurs appeared about 150 million years ago, but the find suggests feathers evolved much earlier.

This has raised the question of whether many more of the creatures may have been covered with similar bristles, or "dino-fuzz".

The team describe the fossil in the journal Nature.

Archaeology Meeting, Sat. 3/28 7:30, What Is Buried Under the Dunes?

Archaeology Meeting, 7:30 pm, College of Dupage, Building K, Rm 131, "What Is Buried Under the Indiana or Michigan Dunes?" by David and Sheila Bergmann

New Photos Posted for 2009 Show

Andrew Young sent in these photographs from his time spent at the ESCONI show this year.(Photo by Andrew Young)

Nyiragongo Volcano Lava Identical to Ancient Astroids

 From Science News:

Nyiragongo, an active African volcano, possesses lava unlike any other in the world, which may point toward its source being a new mantle plume says a University of Rochester geochemist. The lava composition indicates that a mantle plume—an upwelling of intense heat from near the core of the Earth—may be bubbling to life beneath the soil of the Democratic Republic of the Congo...

Basu analyzed the lava, which resides in the world's largest lava lake—more than 600 feet wide inside the summit of Nyiragongo—and found that the isotopic compositions of neodymium and strontium are identical to ancient asteroids. This suggests, says Basu, that the lava is coming from a place deep inside the Earth where the source of molten rock is in its pristine condition.

geo.arizona.edu has a further discussion of the rift.  (Photo: Jenny & Randy)

Paleontology Meeting - Saturday 3/21 at 7:30 pm

The Paleontology Study Group meets this Saturday, 3/21 at 7:30 pm at College of Dupage, Building K, Rm 131. Ordovician fossils will be discussed.

Smallest Meat-Eating Dinosaur

 Canadian paleontologists have found a skeleton for the smallest meat-eating dinosaur - Hesperonychus elizabethae. (BBC via Geology.com)(AP Photo/Nicholas Longrich, University of Calgary)

2009 ESCONI Gem, Mineral and Fossil Show

WHEN:  March 14-15; Saturday 10 am - 5 pm and Sunday 10 am - 4 pm 

WHERE:  College of Dupage, Building K, Commons Room

ADMISSION:  Free :)

ABOUT:  Have you ever allowed your talents and interests to take you out of your daily routine to share with others just a taste of the excitement that you experience?  What makes up the best moments in your time that's "uniquely you."  Is it found in archaeology, paleontology, mineralogy, or some other related hobby?  Do you wire wrap, cut, or carve rocks of any kind?  Do you pound, melt, bend, roll or mix metals?  Do you have a collection of some kind?  Why not display it and share it with others who enjoy the same thing.  The Earth Science Club of Northern Illinois (ESCONI) is always looking for ways to gather and interact with people of all ages

Chicago Rocks and Minerals Society Silent Auction Sat. 3/14 5:30-10:00 pm

The Chicago Rocks & Minerals Society will conduct its 2009 Silent Auction of rocks, minerals, fossils, handmade jewelry and lapidary treasures Saturday, March 14, 5:30 to 10 p.m. at the Salvation Army--Irving Park Corps building, 4056 N. Pulaski in Chicago.

 The event is open to the public. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Admission is free. Refreshments will be served.

For more information, call Jeanine N. Mielecki at (773) 774-2054 or e-mail [email protected].

Burpee PaleoFest March 7 and 8th

BURPEE MUSEUM PALEOFEST

Saturday – Sunday 3/7 – 3/8

10:00 am – 5:00 pm

Burpee's 11th annual dinosaur & fossil festival returns March 7 & 8, 2009. Keynote speaker Dr. Robert T. Bakker returns to Rockford to present as only Dr. Bakker can. He will be speaking about his latest discoveries and research at our annual Dinner Lecture Saturday night March 7th.

Speakers in the Lecture Series include: Dr. Christopher Brochu, Nancy Englehart-Moore, Dr.Scott Foss, Dr. John Pojeta, Dr. Robert Reisz, Mike Triebold, and Holly Woodward.

Family Workshops and DinoBlast Activities start at 11am both days.

LECTURES:

• 2-DAY LECTURE PASS: $70/non-member, $60/member
  Includes admission to all lectures in the RMP auditorium and the festival activities at Burpee Saturday & Sunday.
• 1-DAY LECTURE PASS: $40/non-member, $30/member
  Includes admission to all lectures in the RMP auditorium and the festival activities at Burpee on either Saturday or Sunday.
• Individual Lecture Tickets: $10/non-member, $9/member. Includes admission to selected lecture ONLY.

WORKSHOPS:  (All Workshops take place in Burpee's Mahlburg Auditorium)

• 1-DAY WORKSHOP PASS: $20/non-member, $12/member
  Includes admission to both workshops in the Mahlburg auditorium and museum admission on either Saturday or Sunday.
• Individual Workshop Tickets: $10/non-member, $8/member Includes admission to selected workshop ONLY.

Museum admission = $6 per person  (Admission is included with One & Two Day Passes, Burpee Members are FREE)

VIP Reception & Mixer and Buffet Dinner Passes also available. 

See all available payment options as listed in the Burpee Paleofest brochure.