Found: Skeleton of sister who Cleopatra got killed

The remains of Princess Arsinoe, put to death in 41BC on the orders of Cleopatra and her Roman lover Mark Antony to eliminate her as a rival, are the first relics of the Ptolemaic dynasty to be identified.

The breakthrough, by an Austrian team, has provided pointers to Cleopatra's true ethnicity. Scholars have long debated whether she was Greek or Macedonian like her ancestor the original Ptolemy, a Macedonian general who was made ruler of Egypt by Alexander the Great, or whether she was north African. Evidence obtained by studying the dimensions of Arsinoe's skull shows she had some of the characteristics of white Europeans, ancient Egyptians and black Africans, indicating that Cleopatra was probably of mixed race, too. They were daughters of Ptolemy XII by different wives.

The forensic evidence was obtained by a team working under the auspices of the Austrian Archeological Institute, which is set to detail its findings at an anthropological convention in the United States later this month.

Spider bite helps paralyzed man walk

If you know about the brown recluse spider, you know its bite can be deadly, but for one California man, the bite helped him walk again.

David Blancarte was paralyzed 20 years ago in a motorcycle crash. In 2007, he was bitten by a brown recluse spider outside his Manteca home.

Knowing the spider can produce deadly results for its victims, Blancarte's family immediately took him to the hospital for treatment. He spent 8 months in physical therapy.

During one of his sessions, a nurse noticed a spasm in his legs and called the doctor. They proceeded with tests and learned that the once dead nerves in Blancarte's legs were reacting again. Doctors say just five days after the tests, David was on his feet walking.

Original story at http://www.abc2news.com/mostpopular/story/Paralyzed-man-walks-after-spider-bite/H_aXWMNas0q1UpDmJCR4MA.cspx

Hellhound stalking Cannock Chase?

Forget Bigfoot, panthers and UFOs...there’s something even more chilling on Cannock Chase.

It’s time for the fabled Hellhound – a portent of doom – to take a bow-wow.

Reports have been received on paranormal websites of the demonic dog roaming our area.

The hound, also known as the ‘ghost dog of Brereton,’ has been seen on numerous occasions stalking the roads leading into Brereton.

The apparition has been described as large, black, muscular, with sharp pointed ears and strangly glowing eyes. British folklore indicates that the black dog forewarns death.

The most prominent sightings happened in the 1970s, and early 1980s. Whilst driving through the Chase in 1972, Nigel Lea described seeing a ball of light crash into the ground.

He slowed down to take a closer look and was confronted by ‘the biggest bloody dog I have ever seen.’

Read complete story at http://www.chasepost.net/news-in-cannock/cannock-burntwood-news/2009/03/12/hellhound-stalking-cannock-chase-93633-23130526/

Mystery of the Elongated Skull

As a new discovery is unearthed, the puzzle gets even bigger for the elongated skulls of the ancients. A video has recently surfaced online featuring what claims to be a very strange find - elongated skulls - in Russia. The skulls have been reportedly discovered in burial mounds by archaeologists digging in a forest, near the southwestern Siberian city of Omsk.

Scholars at the Omsk Museum of History and Culture don't have a conclusive answer as to the origins of the skulls, but they have dated them and concluded that they're at least 1,600 years old.

'This really shocked and even frightened people, because the skull's shape was unusual for a human,'' said Igor Skandakov, director of the Omsk Museum of History and Culture.

They go on to say that the most likely explanation is that ancient communities deliberately deformed the skulls of infants, by applying force to the skull through a head press. What their intentions were, is not clear. Speculation is that the ancients believed elongated skulls would increase their mental abilities.

"It's unlikely that the ancients knew much about neuro-surgery," stated archaeologists Alexei Matveyev, "but, it's possible that somehow they were able to develop exceptional brain capabilities."

For years now, there've been people inclined to believe that the strange skulls belonged to aliens who visited our planet ages ago, and influenced ancient cultures. "There are myths about gods who descended from the heavens and who had elongated heads. They were very special and were revered," said Skandakov.

Read complete story at http://www.thirdeyeconcept.com/news/index.php?page=386

Experts gather to investigate ghosts in Edinburgh

Experts from across the globe are taking part in a series of spooky investigations in Edinburgh to find out if ghosts really do exist.

The first international study into paranormal experiences was launched in the vaults of the capital's Nicol Edwards pub, with experts keen to hear the nation's spookiest tales.

Professor Richard Wiseman from the University of Hertfordshire is involved in a project into the psychology of the paranormal. Asked if he believes in ghosts, he replied: "I am a bit of a sceptic. I think there has to be a scientific explanation for most things."

He added: "Over the years we have carried out a number of investigations in vaults around Edinburgh with tales of people feeling a presence, hearing footprints, seeing shadows."

In 2001 Mr Wiseman was involved in a ten-day study of the Edinburgh Castle vaults, which involved some 240 members of the public. The team used scientific equipment to measure phenomena including temperature, magnetic fields and light levels.

Tests took place in vaults which had a reputation for being haunted and others that did not. Although those involved were unaware which was which, they reported strange results from the chambers that were reputedly haunted.

REad complete story and watch the video at http://news.stv.tv/scotland/81384-experts-gather-to-investigate-ghosts-in-edinburgh/

Do You Want To See A UFO

The one time in my life I witnessed Unidentified Flying Objects, they were so close and in such a clear daylight sky that I couldn’t even rationalize it away. I thought … this is a once in a lifetime experience!
Well, I was wrong; it has happened to me again… but this time I went looking for them. Although these craft were witnessed at night, they were no less convincing and spectacular.

How would you like to see a UFO… not by accident… but on purpose?

On Thursday, February 28th 2009, I saw dozens of crafts fly over a locally known scenic view, near Laughlin, Nevada ( hardly your UFO hotspot).

The person showing us around this nightspot was Ed Grimsley, a pioneer, and all time good person. Now, not a lot of people believed Ed at first, but they do now. Ed basically said anyone can see UFOs with the right equipment. They only hide in the visible light.

These excursions into the night were sponsored by the 2009 International UFO Congress. Ed received room and tickets to the conference for his nightly adventures. The purchase of the very costly eight night-vision scopes came out of Ed’s pocket/
Thanks to Mr. Grimsley, one of my lifelong dreams has been fulfilled 20 times over.
That dream was to see another genuine UFO craft before I passed.
Not only did we see single objects, we saw groups of objects. They changed directions; they would hover; they would accelerate at great speed.
When I was a young man I had my own scope and was an amateur astronomer. I know what planets, stars and meteors look like. “these sirs… were not none of those” I am not saying everyone is going to see what we saw… because given time, you’ll probably see more.

I want one like these. night-vision scopes.

“Old man Shouts at Cloud” nope. “Old Man shouts at UFOs”

Read complete story at http://ufomedia.blogspot.com/2009/03/do-you-want-to-see-ufo.html

Famed pastor predicts imminent catastrophe

A respected pastor, best-selling author and founder of a major ministry to teens predicts an imminent "earth-shattering calamity" centered in New York City that will spread to major urban areas across the country and around the world – part of what he sees as a judgment from God.

David Wilkerson, author of "The Cross and the Switchblade," a book about his ministry to troubled New York street kids that was later made into a movie starring Pat Boone, tells readers of his blog this weekend that he is "compelled by the Holy Spirit to send out an urgent message" about his prediction.

"An earth-shattering calamity is about to happen," he writes. "It is going to be so frightening, we are all going to tremble – even the godliest among us."

Wilkerson's vision is of fires raging through New York City.

"It will engulf the whole megaplex, including areas of New Jersey and Connecticut. Major cities all across America will experience riots and blazing fires – such as we saw in Watts, Los Angeles, years ago," he explains. "There will be riots and fires in cities worldwide. There will be looting – including Times Square, New York City. What we are experiencing now is not a recession, not even a depression. We are under God’s wrath. In Psalm 11 it is written, "If the foundations are destroyed, what can the righteous do?"

Read complete story at http://www.worldnetdaily.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=91097

ROSWELL FIREMAN CONFESSES- IT WAS A FLYING SAUCER! by Anthony Bragalia

A firefighter who was with the Roswell Fire Department in 1947 has confirmed that the mysterious crash in the New Mexico desert that Summer was in fact of an unearthly craft!

The firefighter, now age 90, related stunning information to this author in a lengthy interview conducted recently. Respected Roswell author Kevin Randle also talked with the involved fireman to confirm the details of his story.

Some time ago I located the son of Rue Chrisman. Rue was the Fire Chief for the Roswell Fire Department in 1947, passing in 1981 at age 98. Chrisman's son explained to me that he knew that the town's Fire Department was somehow involved in the crash event. But the son was sparse in his conversation, not really wishing to elaborate. When pressed, the son said, "It did happen. There was a big coverup. The crash was real." I asked him how he knew of this, he paused and said, "I knew too many who knew."

I then asked him if any Roswell Firemen from 1947 are still alive. He replied that there was still "one left." He only mentioned the surviving fireman's surname as "Smith" and that one of his family members attends the same church as the involved fireman. Working with Kevin Randle, we identified and located the elderly gentleman and sought his testimony.

When reached, the Fireman was somewhat hesitant to discuss the matter. But after some "small talk" he warmed up to discussion. In a far-ranging conversation, the Fireman related these incredible details:

Read complete story at http://ufocon.blogspot.com/2009/03/roswell-fireman-confesses-it-was-flying.html

'Vampire' discovered in mass grave

A SKELETON exhumed from a grave in Venice is being claimed as the first known example of the "vampires" widely referred to in contemporary documents.
Matteo Borrini of the University of Florence in Italy found the skeleton of a woman with a small brick in her mouth (see right) while excavating mass graves of plague victims from the Middle Ages on Lazzaretto Nuovo Island in Venice (see second image here).
At the time the woman died, many people believed that the plague was spread by "vampires" which, rather than drinking people's blood, spread disease by chewing on their shrouds after dying. Grave-diggers put bricks in the mouths of suspected vampires to stop them doing this, Borrini says.
The belief in vampires probably arose because blood is sometimes

Read complete story at http://www.newscientist.com/article/mg20126985.200-vampire-discovered-in-mass-grave.html?DCMP=OTC-rss&nsref=online-news

Nasa launches search for second Earth

NASA launched its Kepler spacecraft just before 11 p.m. Friday in a mission that the agency says may fundamentally change humanity's view of itself.

The Kepler spacecraft blasted into space on top of a Delta II rocket from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida.
The telescope will search our corner of the Milky Way galaxy for Earth-like planets.
"This is a historical mission. It's not just a science mission," NASA Associate Administrator Ed Weiler said during a prelaunch news conference.
"It really attacks some very basic human questions that have been part of our genetic code since that first man or woman looked up in the sky and asked the question: Are we alone?"
Kepler contains a special telescope that will stare at 100,000 stars in the Cygnus-Lyra region of the Milky Way for more than three years as it trails Earth's orbit around the Sun.
The spacecraft will look for tiny dips in a star's brightness, which can mean an orbiting planet is passing in front of it -- an event called a transit. Watch how astronomers will try to find 'Earths' »
The instrument is so precise that it can register changes in brightness of 20 parts per million in stars that are thousands of light years away.
"Being able to make that kind of a sensitive measurement over a very large number of stars was extremely challenging," Kepler project manager James Fanson said.
"So we're very proud of the vehicle we have built. This is a crowning achievement for NASA and a monumental step in our search for other worlds around other stars." See what the telescope looks like and which part of the galaxy it will monitor »
Are we alone?
The $600 million mission is named after Johannes Kepler, a 17th-century German astronomer who was the first to correctly explain planetary motion. His discoveries combined with modern technology may soon help to answer whether we are alone in the universe or whether Earth-like worlds inhabited by some type of life are common.

Read complete story at http://www.cnn.com/2009/TECH/space/03/06/nasa.kepler.launch.planets/index.html

World's 'oldest' spider web found

Two brothers have discovered what is thought to be the world's oldest recorded spider's web encased in amber on an East Sussex beach.

The amber, which was found in Bexhill, was formed about 140 million years ago in the Cretaceous period.

Amateur fossil hunter Jamie Hiscocks and his brother Jonathan also found the fossilised remains of an Iguanodon jaw bone on the coastline.

The spider web thread is now being studied at Oxford University.

Trapped in resin

Professor Martin Brasier, a palaeobiologist at the university, said: "You can see where the web is attached to the surface.

"If it is confirmed - and we think we have got good evidence for it - then it would be the oldest preserved spider's web and the oldest fossil silk, I think, in the fossil record."

Fossilised charcoal was also found in the fossil beds near to the amber at low tide on the coast between Hastings and Cooden.

Scientists think the web became trapped in conifer resin after a forest fire and then became fossilised inside the resulting amber.

Jamie Hiscocks, who has been hunting for fossils for more than 10 years, said: "The strata beds are actually being broken up all the time.

"Most of the pieces are actually just lying there on the surface. You pick it up, just bend down and pick it up."

Read more at http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/sussex/7925629.stm

V-shaped UFO group low over PA

DOYLESTOWN, PA, - Three meandering V-shaped UFOs moved low and silently over this Bucks County town late on March 3. A witness said she saw the first object from inside her home - what looked like two very bright car headlights. Outside as the object flew directly over her back yard, she noticed "mesmerizing" lights on a gray underbelly - strobe-style lights flashing white and blue/green.

As the object passed over her front yard, it gained altitude and was joined by two identical crafts. The woman said the objects were close enough that there should have been the sound of an engine - but that they were silent.

Also on March 3, a witness reported a "massive" UFO over an apartment complex in Ohio, with five white lights and a single red light. The woman said the object was the size of her apartment building or larger.

Read complete article at http://www.examiner.com/x-2363-UFO-Examiner~y2009m3d4-Vshaped-UFO-group-low-over-PA

New Da Vinci portrait uncovered

Scientists uncover portrait of the artist Leonardo as a young man

• Nick Squires in Perugia
• March 2, 2009

IT SOUNDS like a plot from a Dan Brown thriller but Italian researchers believe they have discovered a previously unknown self-portrait by Leonardo da Vinci drawn when the artist was a young man.

The delicate pencil sketch has emerged after being hidden for 500 years in one of the Renaissance genius's most famous manuscripts, Codex On The Flight of Birds, written between 1490 and 1505.

An Italian scientific journalist who was studying the document noticed, concealed by lines of bold ink handwriting, the faint outline of a nose which struck him as being similar in shape and drawing style to a later self-portrait of Leonardo.

Piero Angela enlisted the help of art historians, Carabinieri police forensic experts and graphic artists to tease out more detail from the ghostly image. Over months of micro-pixel work, graphic designers gradually "removed" the text by making it white instead of black, revealing the drawing beneath.

What emerged was the face of a young- to middle-aged man with long hair, a short beard and a pensive gaze.

Angela was struck by similarities to a famous self-portrait of Leonardo, made when the artist was an old man about 1512. The portrait, in red chalk, is kept in Turin's Biblioteca Reale.

Read complete article at http://www.smh.com.au/world/scientists-uncover-portrait-of-the-artist-leonardo-as-a-young-man-20090301-8lim.html

Analyzing the Patterson-Gimlin film

A note from the author: My name is Noah David Henson. I’ve been studying human muscular and skeletal anatomy since 1984, both as a professional illustrator and as a student of physical anthropology. I studied collegiate anthropology, including primatology and human evolution, from 1988 – 1993, with enough hours to establish a minor in the subject attendant to my BFA from Texas State University. I’ve been examining the bigfoot phenomenon, skeptically and with an emphasis on the aforementioned skills, in earnest since 2003. My intellectual interest in the subject goes back to my childhood in the 1970s and 80s.

This paper constitutes a skeptical analysis of a digitized, B&W video version of the 1967 Patterson-Gimlin film available on youtube, here (and embedded above). It’s 1:06 (m:s) in length, as posted by Youtube member Squatchinc on December 23, 2007, sourcing a digitally restored and enhanced video made by MK Davis.

This paper also references Part Two of the 1997 NASI Report on bigfoot, written by J. Glickman, Part Two, available at www.bigfootencounters.com.

Here is a breakdown of the progression of the 1:06 video, of which only the first thirty-three seconds are of interest for the purposes of this paper:

• :01 - :04 – Forward-then-reverse playback of the figure in forward ambulation
• :05 - :06 – Figure in forward ambulation
• :07 - :12 – Freeze-frame : Extreme close-up of figure’s facial profile (no crown visible)
• :13 - :17 – Freeze-frame : Extreme close-up of figure’s frontal face (with visible crown)
• :18 – :20 – Figure in forward ambulation with arms spread, turning back to look at camera
• :21 – :23 – Forward-then-reverse playback of figure in forward ambulation
• :24 - :26 – Figure in forward ambulation behind and between two vertical white trees
• :27 - :30 – Extreme close-up of figure’s right hand, with visible thumb flexion
• :31 - :33 – Figure in forward ambulation

Read complete article at http://www.anomalymagazine.com/2009/03/02/the-patterson-gimlin-film-an-analysis/

Do these mysterious stones mark the site of the Garden of Eden?

For the old Kurdish shepherd, it was just another burning hot day in the rolling plains of eastern Turkey. Following his flock over the arid hillsides, he passed the single mulberry tree, which the locals regarded as 'sacred'. The bells on his sheep tinkled in the stillness. Then he spotted something. Crouching down, he brushed away the dust, and exposed a strange, large, oblong stone.

The man looked left and right: there were similar stone rectangles, peeping from the sands. Calling his dog to heel, the shepherd resolved to inform someone of his finds when he got back to the village. Maybe the stones were important.

They certainly were important. The solitary Kurdish man, on that summer's day in 1994, had made the greatest archaeological discovery in 50 years. Others would say he'd made the greatest archaeological discovery ever: a site that has revolutionised the way we look at human history, the origin of religion - and perhaps even the truth behind the Garden of Eden.

A few weeks after his discovery, news of the shepherd's find reached museum curators in the ancient city of Sanliurfa, ten miles south-west of the stones.

They got in touch with the German Archaeological Institute in Istanbul. And so, in late 1994, archaeologist Klaus Schmidt came to the site of Gobekli Tepe (pronounced Go-beckly Tepp-ay) to begin his excavations.

As he puts it: 'As soon as I got there and saw the stones, I knew that if I didn't walk away immediately I would be here for the rest of my life.'

Schmidt stayed. And what he has uncovered is astonishing. Archaeologists worldwide are in rare agreement on the site's importance. 'Gobekli Tepe changes everything,' says Ian Hodder, at Stanford University.

David Lewis-Williams, professor of archaeology at Witwatersrand University in Johannesburg, says: 'Gobekli Tepe is the most important archaeological site in the world.'

Some go even further and say the site and its implications are incredible. As Reading University professor Steve Mithen says: 'Gobekli Tepe is too extraordinary for my mind to understand.'

So what is it that has energised and astounded the sober world of academia?

Read more at http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-1157784/Do-mysterious-stones-mark-site-Garden-Eden.html