'Scientific American' Shines Spotlight On SC Dig (Topper Site - TV Tonight)

The State.com ^ | 7-20-2004 | Doug Nye

[blam]

‘Scientific American’ shines spotlight on S.C. dig

By DOUG NYE
Television Editor

Posted on Tue, Jul. 20, 2004

About 12,000 years ago, the first people to journey to the American continents did so by crossing the Bering land bridge from Asia. At least, that’s what archaeologists have long believed. But tonight’s edition of “Scientific American Frontiers” examines five archaeological sites that could prove that humans walked this land much earlier.

Among the digs spotlighted is USC’s Topper excavation site in Allendale County, supervised by archaeologist Albert C. Goodyear, director of the Allendale Paleo-Indian Expedition of the S.C. Institute of Archaeology and Anthropology.

Goodyear thinks the findings there could prove that people set foot in America as many as 25,000 years ago.

“If, in fact, these newly discovered sites date back to 25,000 years — which they could — we won’t stop hearing about it for another 10 years,” Goodyear said. “This has put us with both feet into the issue of how and when our species radiated out from the Old World. The very idea that humans could have gotten here before the Paleo-Indians 12,000 years ago is like saying we’ve found life in outer space. It’s so contrary to the last 75 years of research.”

Tonight’s program also shows the impact this new theory has had on the archaeological world and the heated debate that has ensued. 9 p.m., PBS, WRLK-35, cable ch. 11, digital ch.801

[blam]

Does anyone know what channel PBS is on a Directv system?

[Renfield]

Rats!!! That's going to be on at the same time Ann Coulter is on Hannity & Colmes.

By the way, I know where this site is, and I know who discovered it. (I did some soil survey work in that part of the world.)

[blam]

GGG Ping

Another very interesting site

Bye, Bye Beringia (8,000 Year Old Site In Florida - Windover)

European DNA Found In 7-8,000 Year Old Skeleton In Florida (Windover)

[blam]

Iberia, Not Siberia

[blam]

"By the way, I know where this site is, and I know who discovered it. (I did some soil survey work in that part of the world.)"

Excellent. Who discovered it?

[Dysart]

Cool! Thanks for the warning. On my DirecTV lineup, they keep the local channel designation(13 in DFW); not sure how it's handled elsewhere.

I've been following the latest thinking on the first Americans(being a GGG pingee and all) for some time-- hope they have some new stuff. Does this warrant a live thread? :)

[Betis70]

Grrr, my local PBS is showing this at 11:00 PM.

Will have to set the VCR.

[Blue Screen of Death]

Does this warrant a live thread?

They have been dead for 25,000 years and you have the insensitivity to ask about live threads?

[blam]

"Does this warrant a live thread? :)"

I don't understand, Isn't this a live thread?

[Dysart]

They have been dead for 25,000 years and you have the insensitivity to ask about live threads?

Well, I am behind schedule on my sensitivity training this year.

[Old Professer]

Only if you're logged on.

[Renfield]

A semi-retired soil scientist by the name of Jack Brown, of Statesboro, Georgia, who was working on contract for us on the Allendale County soil survey back then. If we ever meet (and we ought to, because I have lots of stories to tell) I'll tell you some about Jack, who was one of the wittiest, gentlest, and most interesting people I ever met.

Jack was a man of the Old South, and grew up on a plantation that was like something out of Gone With the Wind. He had an easy manner and sense of grace that few modern people had; possessed an encyclopedic knowledge of wildflowers and other native plants; and was, perhaps, the funniest person I ever met.

[blam]

" On my DirecTV lineup, they keep the local channel designation(13 in DFW); not sure how it's handled elsewhere."

I found a PBS on Directv channel #384 but, it does not show this program at 8:00 or 9:00pm our time. Are you saying that I should find it on a local channel?

[farmfriend]

“This has put us with both feet into the issue of how and when our species radiated out from the Old World.

Hmmm, I may be more native than I thought. Do I get to build a casino now?

[Dysart]

"I found a PBS on Directv channel #384 but, it does not show this program at 8:00 or 9:00pm our time. Are you saying that I should find it on a local channel?"

Yes. There is a PBS channel 384, but I think if you live in a metro area,(as I do) it's not available to you. So you must find it on your broadcast system. Now if you live in a rural area, you should be able to receive 384. However, just checked the live guide and 384 is not showing it as you stated...The reason i get PBS on 13 is because I receive local stations on DrecTV, but they keep the same lineup here for locals. Just pick it up on your broadcast station if you can.

[blam]

"Just pick it up on your broadcast station if you can."

Thanks. It doesn't look like I'll be watching this show. If there's anything new, please communicate on this thread, thanks.

[Dysart]

Oh no! Sorry bout that. I'll record it and summarize as needed. Maybe that "simulthread" isn't such a bad idea after all.

[blam]

Okay. How was the program?

[Dysart]

Glad you asked. I don't know that there was anything presented that you aren't already familiar with but to see it in video was illuminating. They actually showed Arlington Springs Woman's leg bone impacted in rock! Spent a great deal of time focusing on various stone tools, spear points,etc. The main thrust of the show dealt with the issue of Clovis people and whether they were the original inhabitants and where they came from. They spent time on The Topper site in SC, Monte Verde, Cactus Hill, VA, and the Nebraska find.

The Smithsonian director(Dennis?) proposed that Clovis people overlapped with the Solutrian people from Europe, and suggested that they were the ancestors of the Clovis. He believes that they took the Atlantic Ice Shelf route by boat to N America, based on the findings at Cactus Hill, VA which showed very similar arrow points.(This site is dated about 18K years ago.) The arrow points found evidence common traits of both the Clovis and Solutrian people. They also documented common cultural traits. That is the Smithsonian guy's theory but they offered the Beringia Corridor travel route, Pacific Coastal route, along with the Atlantic Ice Shelf theory. Ultimately, they admitted that any of these is plausible, and indeed, maybe all of them!

It concluded with an insigthful notion: "think of the ocean as a highway rather than a barrier" when speculating about how the first Americans arrived here. I think for too long we have sold ancient people short with regard to their capabilites. That was it... wish it had been a miniseries, but what can you do?

[blam]

Excellent, thanks. Maybe I'll catch it on another broadcast some day.