Monday, December 6, 1999
The University Daily Kansan
Section A·Page 7
KU museum profiles Neandertals
Exhibit explains misconceptions about primates
By Todd Halstead
writer @kanson.com
Kansan staff writer
An exhibit at the Anthropology Museum at Spooner Hall is exposing students to some old and interesting family history.
The free exhibit, "Neandertals in Kansas!" displays information on fossil evidence, cultural practices, and the image of Neandertals in pop culture. Neandertals were hominids, part of the primate family of which the homo sapiens species also belongs.
The exhibit opened last Saturday and will run through Feb. 6. On Dec. 12, professors of anthropology, David Frayer and Anta Monte-T White, will give a presentation.
"We just wanted people to get a better idea of what Neandertals were and what they were capable of," Frayer said. "I think it's important for people to recognize that there are tools here that were actually made by Neandertals."
Neandertals inhabited Europe and the Near East as far as Afghanistan, from about 130,000 to 30,000 years ago. A male's average height was 5-foot-5, while females averaged 5-foot-1. They had sloping foreheads, recessive chins and short forearms and shins.
They also were the first of the hominids to intentionally bury their dead. Information on a burial site in Iraq where pollen samples were found in the grave of a Neandertal may be indicative of ritualistic behavior.
Moreover, a display of six Neandertals' bones that were found fragmented, like those of animals, is strong evidence for cannibalism, Frayer said. He said the fragments suggested Neandertals processed them for marrow.
Alfred Johnson
"There were lots of different ways that Neandertals treated dead people," he said. "All the way from eating them to burying them. Some modern human groups also practice cannibalism. In some respects, it makes Neandertals more like us."
"There is a great deal of confusion and misunderstanding of what Neandertals were about. I hope people will go away with a much better understanding of the scientific knowledge that archaeologists and biological anthropologists have put together."
Director of Spooner Hall Anthropology Museum
In addition to giving the dead special treatment, Neandertals assisted the disabled. One display showed how a crippled arthritic Neandertal was assisted by others.
A display of an eclectic assortment of ape-like images, drawings and reconstructions showcased the misconceptions associated with Neandertals — slouched posture, drooping heads and perpetually bent knees.
Alfred Johnson, director of the museum, said the entire exhibit addressed misconceptions that people had concerning Neandertals.
"There is a great deal of confusion and misunderstanding of what Neandertals were about." Johnson said. "I hope people will go away with a much better understanding of the scientific knowledge that archaeologists and biological anthropologists have put together."
Andy Willis, O'Neill, Neb., junior
said he found the exhibit informative and interesting.
"I've learned a lot of this in my anthropology class," he said. "But there is some stuff I didn't know."
Among the more controversial material was information on the linguistic abilities in Neandertals and a comparison of DNA between Neandertals and modern humans.
An example of the complexity of Neandertals was their ability to create various stone tools and weapons from shaping rock.
"This shows that Neandertals were capable of complex behavior," Frayer said. "They were not stumbling, bumbling fools walking across the landscape. They were smart and could get a B.A. from KU, just like anybody else."
Edited by Katie Hollar
Evolution teaching supported at 24-hour reading
By Jim O'Malley
Special to the Kansan
Charles Darwin has been taking a beating in Kansas, and some KU faculty and students came to his defense Friday under a white tent in front of the Natural History Museum.
A 24-hour reading of Charles Darwin's "Origin of Species" started Friday at 10 a.m. More than 70 people volunteered as readers.
Kansas Board of Education member Bill Wagon read Friday morning. Wagon voted against removing evolution from the state's science education standards. He said he wanted to promote science literacy by calling attention to Darwin's work.
"It's unfortunate that people
have made enemies of science and religion," he said.
Professors who have criticized the board were among the readers, including Doug Ruden, assistant professor of molecular biosciences, who nominated the board for the "Ig Nobel" prize awarded at Harvard University for "remarkably goofy accomplishments."
Tim Miller, professor of religious studies, read Friday despite his participation in FLAT — Families for Learning Accurate Theories. FLAT conducts tongue-in-cheek advocacy of a literal interpretation of the Bible and flat earth theory.
Steve Case, director of the Kansas Collaborative Research Network volunteered for two slots. Case was on the committee
appointed by the board to draft science standards. The board rejected the committee's work because it included evolution.
Museum di Krishtalka read to 10 die-hards just before midnight. By then, rain and cold had driven readers and listeners into the museum lobby.
Museum director Leonard
The evolution debate
A few braved the cold and stopped to listen outside Friday. Although Leonard Magruder, president of Vietnam Veterans for Academic Reform, counter demonstrated against Darwin, most of those who stopped Friday morning
supported the event.
Amy Grammer, biology lab instructor, said a lot of people who criticized evolutionary theory didn't know anything about it.
Billy Price, Lawrence junior, said it was crazy to take evolution out of the curriculum.
Karla Waters, Overland park junior, called the board's action a great tragedy.
She said creationism was not science and Darwin never denied the existence of God.
Adam Niall, El Dorado senior,
said the evidence for evolution was
overwhelming but didn't conflict
with religion.
"Evolution highlights God's work," he said. "He lit the fire, and evolution went from there."
- Edited by Becky Stauffer
Red Lyon Tavern
*ONE WAY - ROUND TRIP NOT REQUIRED
DALLAS /
FT. WORTH
$39
4 non-stop daily
CHICAGO  MIDWAY $39
5 non-stops daily
MINN/ST. PAUL $59
4 flights daily
Show your Jayhawk spirit every time you use your KU Visa credit card — available exclusively from INTRUST Bank.
- Account information online
- No annual fee
- Contributions made to Kansas Alumni Association with each card purchase
Apply TODAY at www.intrustbank.com or call 1-800-222-7458
INTRUST Bank
ONE LOVE. ONE HEART. ONE GREAT PARTY.
It's that time of year when thousands of students come to Jamaica and feel all right—for an unbelievable price.
YOUR SPRING BREAK PACKAGE INCLUDES
- Round-trip airfare
- 7 nights hotel accommodations
* travel to New York E hotel旅
- hondo-trip airport & hotel transfe-
free welcome, beach & evening portions
- free welcome, beach & evening parties
* free admission to night club
- Packages available to Negril and Montego Bay
- Discounts on restournants, water sports & side excursions
- Professional on-site tour reps
- Complete weekly activities program offering options
- Complete weekly activity program offering optional sunset cruise, booze cruise, toga party & more
Sun Splash Tours | 800426710
sunset cruise, booze cruise, toga party & more
* free hours on week day
Student Travel Services 108006484849
Price is per person based on quad occupancy, from select departure cities. Other cities may qualify for reduction or surcharge US and Jamaica departures (currently $65) and 12 handing charge additional. Rates increase $30 on 12/19/99. Peak-week surcharge/kill-off-week discounts may apply. Rate does not include meals, gratuities or airfare.
Holiday Hours! Starting December 6 thru Christmas:
Mon-Thur: 10-8, Fri-Sat: 10-6, Sun: 12-5
804 Massachusetts St., Lawrence, Kansas, (785) 843-5000