Doggerland
Since the 1930s, fishermen have occasionally found ancient objects made from stone or bone in their nets when fishing in the sea between Britain and northern Europe. Many of these objects were made around 9,000 years ago. Historians used to believe this area was underwater at that time, like it is now. There was also little evidence that ancient Europeans regularly traveled on the sea. ( 21 ), experts had difficulty explaining how these manmade objects had ended up at the bottom of the ocean.
The only possible explanation was that sea levels must have been much lower in the past. In fact, research shows that Britain did not become an island until about 8,000 years ago. Before that, people ( 22 ) the European continent. The huge piece of land that once connected Britain and the European continent has been given the name Doggerland. As the last ice age ended, sea levels rose. Britain was separated from the rest of Europe when most of Doggerland was covered by the sea. By about 7,000 years ago, sea levels had risen further and covered Doggerland completely.
Researchers want to learn more about the people who lived in Doggerland. They have created 3D maps from data that has been collected by companies searching for oil at the bottom of the sea. The researchers are using these maps to choose sites where humans probably lived. At one of these sites, the researchers ( 23 ). As a result, they are hopeful that they will continue to make discoveries about the culture and lifestyles of the people of Doggerland.
The Science of False Starts
A shot is fired at the beginning of a running race to tell athletes to start moving. If one of the athletes moves before the shot is fired, it is known as a “false start,” and the athlete is removed from the race. Interestingly, if an athlete moves before 0.1 seconds have passed after the shot is fired, this is also a false start. Athletics organizations argue that no human can ( 24 ). They say that such an athlete must have been guessing when the shot would be fired rather than waiting to hear it.
To learn more about false starts, scientists have carried out experiments on human response times. One experiment in the 1990s found that athletes responded to the sound of the shot after 0.12 seconds ( 25 ). Some were slightly quicker, while others were slightly slower. However, the athletes who took part in this experiment were amateurs. A more recent experiment showed that some professional athletes might be able to respond in just 0.08 seconds. Both studies, however, involved a small number of athletes.
Some people think that the false start rule is too strict. In some other sports and trackand-field events, athletes ( 26 ) if they break a rule. For example, in the long jump, if an athlete’s foot goes over the line on their first attempt, the athlete still has two more opportunities to try. Some people suggest that instead of removing athletes who make false starts, their start position should be moved back a few meters, and this would make the races fair for everyone.
Dear Staff,
One of my goals as the director of Wigby Public Library is to make it a popular place for families. Reading is important for everyone, especially children. If parents and children read books together, they will share happy memories and build better relationships. Also, reading is a great way for parents to help with their children’s education. Our library can play a surprisingly important role in making Wigby an even smarter and more caring town!
With this in mind, I have decided to start a weekly storytelling session for children and parents, and I need your help to make it fun. Of course, I want your suggestions for stories. I also need someone to make posters to advertise the sessions and someone to look for items that the person telling the story can use to make the stories more fun. Finally, I think we should take turns telling the stories.
Please let me know if there is something you would really like to do for these sessions. If you have any ideas that could help make them better, I would like to hear them, too. Also, if you have any ideas that will encourage more families to come to the library, please feel free to tell me about them. You can either send me an e-mail or come to my office to talk to me in person.
Best regards,
Melissa
Director, Wigby Public Library
Purple Straw Wheat
Wheat is an important crop in the United States, and its seeds are used for making bread, pasta, and other foods. It has been the country’s main food grain since the 18th century. Wheat production in the United States, however, has faced challenges throughout its history. During the late 18th century, many types of wheat were attacked by diseases and insects that came from Europe. One type of wheat called purple straw wheat, though, was able to resist these dangers, and for a long time, it was the best choice for many farmers to plant.
Purple straw wheat seeds can be used to make whiskey or produce soft and delicious flour that is good for making cakes and bread. It has been grown since the 18th century, especially in the southern United States. What made purple straw wheat particularly important was its ability to survive winter weather. Unlike other types, purple straw wheat could be planted in late autumn and harvested in early spring. This meant that it avoided summer diseases and insects. As a result, purple straw wheat continued to be widely grown until the mid20th century.
In the 1960s, scientists developed new types of wheat by mixing the genes of existing ones. These new types produced more seeds per plant and were better able to resist diseases. By using modern farming technology, chemicals that kill insects, and these new types of wheat, farmers could produce large quantities of wheat seeds more cheaply than before. Although flour from purple straw wheat is tastier and healthier, this type of wheat almost completely went out of use.
Some researchers wanted to bring back purple straw wheat. However, its seeds were not easy to obtain because there were only a few sources. The researchers finally managed to get a few grams of purple straw wheat seeds and planted them at Clemson University in South Carolina. They have been gradually increasing the amount of wheat that they can produce, although it is still not enough to make and sell flour. Many chefs, bakers, and whiskey makers are looking forward to being able to use purple straw wheat in their products.
Venice’s Books
During the Middle Ages, the Italian city of Venice was famous for international trade. Not only was the city’s location important, but also there were fewer laws controlling people’s behavior than in other parts of Europe. This freedom attracted writers, artists, and craftspeople to the city. Following the invention of printing machines in the 15th century, these people combined their abilities to make Venice the center of the printing and bookmaking industry in Europe. This tradition of making high-quality books by hand survives in the city to this day.
Paolo Olbi is helping to keep this tradition alive. He makes use of techniques that have existed for centuries to produce beautiful books, diaries, and photo albums. The paper inside them is cut by hand, and their covers are made of hand-printed paper, leather, wood, and even a kind of Italian glass called Murano. When Olbi began learning his craft in 1962, there were about 20 bookstores in Venice that made handmade books. Now, though, Olbi’s store is one of only three such places that remain.
One of Olbi’s heroes is a man called Aldus Manutius. Manutius founded a printing company in 1494 that became one of the most famous printing companies in Venice. Until the late 15th century, books were large, heavy, and very expensive. They were mostly about religion and law. Manutius developed techniques to produce smaller, lighter, and cheaper books. Moreover, he printed novels and books about art and philosophy. These developments made books more popular and easier to buy for ordinary people.
Olbi has a picture of Manutius on the wall of his store. Like Manutius, he loves books and believes they should be beautiful. Over the years, Olbi has taught his skills to many people. In 2018, a former student invited Olbi to display his books at an exhibition of handmade objects. This gave Olbi a chance to get more people interested in traditional bookmaking. Olbi wants to expand his store into a cultural center where tourists can see how he makes books and young people can learn his techniques. By doing so, he hopes to prevent the tradition of bookmaking in Venice from being lost.
