Around 400,000 years ago human ancestors began to innovate. Suddenly the large hand axes that their predecessors had manufactured for more than a million years weren’t enough anymore. From this point they began fashioning sophisticated new kinds of stone tools. A site on Indian subcontinent became one of the centers of such innovation, a kind of Middle Paleolithic Silicon Valley. Read More
Photos by Alexey Alexeyev.
During the restoration work in the Assumption Cathedral built in early XV century in Zvenigorod Russian archaeologists found numerous birds’ nests built throughout several centuries under the decayed roof. Researchers were surprised when during the decomposition of the nests they started finding paper documents from different periods in the addition to birds’ bones and eggshells. In particular, they found XVIII century manuscripts and notes from early XIX century. Read More
Ballet and space were considered to be showcases of the Soviet Union. In modern Russia ballet is rarely mentioned but space news regularly make the headlines. Russia and China are negotiating joint projects of Mars and Venus exploration, as Russian Federal Space Agency official declared last year. Not sure if space official is aware, but the USSR had similar plans in early 1960s. Read More
Most people have never heard of him during his lifetime. Before his death he was often referred to only as The Chief Designer, because the Soviet leadership feared that the United States would send agents to assassinate him. Engineer and spacecraft designer Sergei Korolev quietly developed the revolutionary rocket technology that we still use today. He is considered by many as the father of practical astronautics. Read More
Equine physiologist Chris Mortensen studies the influence of exercise and stress on mare fertility. His laboratory at University of Florida conducts research on reproductive function in horses and other mammals. Dr. Mortensen also teaches marvelous The Horse Course at Coursera, which is absolutely essential for anyone interested in equids. In his interview for metkere.com Chris Mortensen explained why horses are man’s and woman’s best friends and talked about their role in modern economy. Read More