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Environmental and health effects of early copper metallurgy and mining in the Bronze Age
Get PDFCopper was a vital metal to the development of the Bronze Age in Europe and the Middle East. Many mine locations and mining techniques were developed to source the copper and other elements needed for the production of arsenic or tin bronze. Mining came with many associated health risks, from the immediate risk of collapse to eventual death from heavy metal poisoning. Severe environmental pollution from mining and smelting occurred, affecting the local mining community with effects that can still be felt today. This essay aims to establish that copper mining and manufacture had dramatic effects on the environment and health of people living in Europe and the Middle East during the Bronze Age. It goes on to speculate that heavy metal poisoning may have contributed to the increase in fractures seen between the Neolithic and Bronze Age. 
The course of thinking on the taxonomy of woolly monkeys (Lagothrix) and its effect on their conservation
Get PDFWoolly monkeys provide an example of the connection between conservation and taxonomy. Whether there is one woolly monkey genus (Lagothrix), or two (Lagothrix and Oreonax), has been debated over the last decade. The outcome of this debate is not only that there is one genus (Lagothrix), but also an emphasis on the need for, and influence of, taxonomy in conservation. By splitting genera or species, population figures decrease, stressing the need for action. To group genera or species, genetic diversity and phylogenetic past must be explored, promoting further research into the species. Either classification should promote conservation. The yellow-tailed woolly monkey (Lagothrix flavicauda) is an example of this process, as the academic debate surrounding its classification highlighted the need for recognition in conservation.The aim of this paper is to provide a background on the taxonomic history of the yellow-tailed woolly monkey and discuss the outcomes within a conservation context. By doing so, I suggest that the debate surrounding the taxonomy of the woolly monkeys promoted the publication of new papers documenting the species and encouraged new conservation programmes. The yellow-tailed woolly monkey is still a Critically Endangered species; now that there is a relative consensus on its genus, focus should be put on continuing conservation efforts
The Return to a Cold War Bipolar Environment?
Get PDFThe Cold War was a period of tension and hostility between the West, led by the United States (US), and the Soviet Union (USSR). This conflict formed the foundation and structure of world order for the latter half of the twentieth-century. The comparable, but externally unmatched, military, political and economic power of these states is widely accepted as exemplifying bipolarity. Although Cold War bipolarity collapsed following the fall of the USSR, it has recently been suggested that the world is returning to a similar environment. The common justification for this suggestion is the re-emergence of animosity between the US and Russia, driven by Russian attempts to reassert its power. However, I will argue that the return to bipolar world order has implications beyond opposition alone, and therefore the world is not returning to a Cold War bipolar environment. Interrogation of the parallels between the past and present world order have become more important and necessary in recent years. This is a consequence of significant upheavals in the international political landscape. As the world becomes increasingly unpredictable, the past becomes increasingly helpful for providing insight into what the future might hold
Identity Theory
Get PDFThe identity theory of mind attempts to provide a solution to the mind-body problem – the question of how the mind relates to the brain. In this essay, I will outline the merits of this theory, consider the effectiveness of the multiple realisablity objection, and examine its consequences for the future of identity theory. I will argue that while this objection is unsuccessful in defeating identity theory outright, it is successful in weakening it to the point where functionalism can be considered a superior explanation of the mind-brain relation
The effect of body mass on the mass specific metabolic rate of Pseudemoia entrecasteauxii and Eulamprus quoyii
Get PDFMeasuring metabolic rate is important to understand energy acquisition, transfer and expenditure within an organism. Mass specific metabolic rate is also known as metabolic intensity. The metabolic intensities of Pseudemoia entrecasteauxii and Eulamprus quoyii were measured within a closed system through the amount of oxygen depleted when at rest. There was found to be a negative correlation between the mass of the skink and the metabolic intensity, or the oxygen consumption per hour. The average mass of P. entrecasteauxii was found to be lower than E. quoyii, and P. entrecasteauxii was found to have a lower metabolic intensity than E. quoyii, which follows Kleiber’s law. The difference in metabolic intensity may be influenced by the climate of the microhabitats that the skinks live in
Effects of male power and status on polygyny, extramarital sex, and parental investment
Get PDFPrevious research has found, with the support of biolgical theories, that males who are high-status or dominant in a society have more sexual partners available to them and, therefore, are more likely to engage in extramarital sex (EMS) and polygyny, and are likely to be less invested in child rearing. The current research used the Standard Cross-Cultural Sample to test two hypotheses: first, that high-status males would engage in more EMS and polygyny, and second, that in societies with higher rates of EMS, males would be the less-invested parent. Cross-tabulations were run on the SPSS statistics software for each hypothesis. The findings showed a greater occurrence of EMS and polygyny in male-dominated societies, supporting the first hypothesis. Findings relating to the second hypothesis were inconclusive –there did not appear to be a correlation between freqeuncy of EMS and male parental-investment. The results of the present study are consistent with previous findings regarding male status, EMS, and polygyny and also demonstrates the need for further research investigating the relationship between male parental-investment and EMS
Has the Spread of Western Values through Globalisation had an Impact on the Remarriage of Widows and Divorce in India?
Get PDFAmongst the many definitions and explanations of globalisation, one view is that globalisation encourages the spread of Western values around the globe. Globalisation has origins dating back to Christopher Columbus’ discovery of the Americas, and hence this process has manifested itself in a global setting for an extended period of time. In India specifically, it can be said that a significant spread of Western values – those values that are widely accepted in Western society, including divorce and remarriage – began in the 16th century, when the British first colonised India. However, more recently, trends across India are showing that society is changing its stance on the remarriage of widows, and the acceptability of divorce. Both concepts were once considered taboo in Indian society, however these issues are now being discussed and change has occurred at a legal level. I will explore whether globalisation – as the spread of Western values – has had an influence on this change in societal sentiment in India. Inherently, the caste system will be discussed, along with mainstream Bollywood media and the differing impact globalisation has had on different groups in Indian society
The Grub
Get PDFYou have nothing else to say; this is much harder than your mum made it seem. The woman raises her eyebrows at you over the desk, somehow staring you down from a stunted swivel chair. Eyes fixed on your belly, she oscillates in her seat, head unmoving and birdlike, atop a swivelling body. Remember when your mum bought those chickens to keep you busy? It’s the same look. She’s saying something. It’s too late to listen. Just nod; that usually works
Constellations Behind Closed Doors
Get PDFMy photographs are portraits of people I know intimately, and deeply cherish in my life. I strove to capture a visual manifestation of the depth and complex nature of the individual. There is a quintessential darkness to my photographs as I wanted to explore the way people can be oppressed by their environment or surroundings and that there are so many layers to humans, which can be hidden by a front one puts on in public. I aimed to orchestrate narrative, whimsical set ups which capture an essence of my subject. I tried to capture subtle characteristics I have observed in my subjects, by the conscious inclusion and arrangement of things from their house, making order of chaos until I felt the arrangement captured a glimpse of these people I know
Salt-seeking behaviour of mammals and ants in a low-sodium Australian alpine environment
Get PDFSalt is an essential nutrient that is found in low concentrations in alpine areas. Salt is thought to be sought by animals through a variety of behaviours including chewing wood, using salt licks, digging and eating plants with high sodium concentrations. We conducted three experiments to investigate whether animals in a low-sodium Australian alpine environment would show a preference for sodium chloride over other salts. Our experiments tested whether 1) alpine mammals would chew on sodium chloride–soaked wooden stakes, 2) ants would be attracted to salt grains and 3) the sodium concentrations in alpine plants are lower compared to plants in other Australian environments. We found that herbivorous mammals, such as rabbits, chewed a greater number of wooden stakes treated with sodium chloride than those treated with other salt solutions. No significant preference was recorded by ants for salt or sugar. Lastly, we found sodium concentration of vegetation decreases with increasing elevations, but the relationship was not statistically significant. Our study was conducted at three locations at elevations of 920 m, 1,200 m, and 1,860 m within Kosciuszko National Park in the Snowy Mountains, New South Wales, Australia