#dam excavation

[reasonsforhope]

The Klamath River’s salmon population has declined due to myriad factors, but the biggest culprit is believed to be a series of dams built along the river from 1918 to 1962, cutting off fish migration routes.

Now, after decades of Indigenous advocacy, four of the structures are being demolished as part of the largest dam removal project in United States history. In November, crews finished removing the first of the four dams as part of a push to restore 644 kilometres (400 miles) of fish habitat.

“Dam removal is the largest single step that we can take to restore the Klamath River ecosystem,” [Barry McCovey, a member of the Yurok Tribe and director of tribal fisheries,] told Al Jazeera. “We’re going to see benefits to the ecosystem and then, in turn, to the fishery for decades and decades to come.” ...

A ‘watershed moment’

Four years later, [after a catastrophic fish die-off in 2002,] in 2006, the licence for the hydroelectric dams expired. That created an opportunity, according to Mark Bransom, CEO of the Klamath River Renewal Corporation (KRRC), a nonprofit founded to oversee the dam removals.

Standards for protecting fisheries had increased since the initial license was issued, and the utility company responsible for the dams faced a choice. It could either upgrade the dams at an economic loss or enter into a settlement agreement that would allow it to operate the dams until they could be demolished.

“A big driver was the economics — knowing that they would have to modify these facilities to bring them up to modern environmental standards,” Bransom explained. “And the economics just didn’t pencil out.”

The utility company chose the settlement. In 2016, the KRRC was created to work with the state governments of California and Oregon to demolish the dams.

Final approval for the deal came in 2022, in what Bransom remembers as a “watershed moment”.

Regulators at the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) voted unanimously to tear down the dams, citing the benefit to the environment as well as to Indigenous tribes...

Tears of joy

Destruction of the first dam — the smallest, known as Copco 2 — began in June, with heavy machinery like excavators tearing down its concrete walls.

[Amy Cordalis, a Yurok Tribe member, fisherwoman and lawyer for the tribe,] was present for the start of the destruction. Bransom had invited her and fellow KRRC board members to visit the bend in the Klamath River where Copco 2 was being removed. She remembers taking his hand as they walked along a gravel ridge towards the water, a vein of blue nestled amid rolling hills.

“And then, there it was,” Cordalis said. “Or there it wasn’t. The dam was gone.”

For the first time in a century, water flowed freely through that area of the river. Cordalis felt like she was seeing her homelands restored.

Tears of joy began to roll down her cheeks. “I just cried so hard because it was so beautiful.”

The experience was also “profound” for Bransom. “It really was literally a jolt of energy that flowed through us,” he said, calling the visit “perhaps one of the most touching, most moving moments in my entire life”.

Demolition on Copco 2 was completed in November, with work starting on the other three dams. The entire project is scheduled to wrap in late 2024.

[A resilient river]

But experts like McCovey say major hurdles remain to restoring the river’s historic salmon population.

Climate change is warming the water. Wildfires and flash floods are contaminating the river with debris. And tiny particles from rubber vehicle tires are washing off roadways and into waterways, where their chemicals can kill fish within hours.

McCovey, however, is optimistic that the dam demolitions will help the river become more resilient.

“Dam removal is one of the best things we can do to help the Klamath basin be ready to handle climate change,” McCovey explained. He added that the river’s uninterrupted flow will also help flush out sediment and improve water quality.

The removal project is not the solution to all the river’s woes, but McCovey believes it’s a start — a step towards rebuilding the reciprocal relationship between the waterway and the Indigenous people who rely on it.

“We do a little bit of work, and then we start to see more salmon, and then maybe we get to eat more salmon, and that starts to help our people heal a little bit,” McCovey said. “And once we start healing, then we’re in a place where we can start to help the ecosystem a little bit more.”"

-via Al Jazeera, December 4, 2023

[whencyclopedia]

A Gallery of Jordan

The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan was established in 1946, but the region has a history stretching back thousands of years. From the megalithic dolmens through the rise of cities, the reign of the Akkadian Empire, and on through the Kingdom of Nabatea and annexation by Rome, Jordan is among the most historically significant regions in the world.

Amman, the capital city of modern-day Jordan, dates to c. 7500 BCE, and archeological excavations in the Black Desert unearthed remains of charred bread dated to c. 11,600 BCE, suggesting Jordan as the region where bread was first baked (though this claim has been challenged). The oldest dam on earth is the Saad Jawa Dam, dated to c. 3000 BCE (though the oldest still in use is Lake Homs Dam in Syria), and there are over 100,000 other archeological sites throughout the region, including Petra, easily the most famous, which was popularized by the 1989 film Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade.

Equally famous, at least in some quarters, is the ancient site of Qumran, where, in 1947, the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered. Jordan is also well-known from the many references to it in the Bible; 180 times in the Old Testament and 15 times in the New Testament.

The following gallery presents a brief sample of some of the most striking images of Jordan, illustrating its impressive past and the diversity of those who lived, and still live, in the region.

Continue reading...

[archaeologicalnews]

Nearly 400 ancient medical tools from Turkey hint at rare Roman doctors' offices

Hundreds of Roman-era medical instruments now being examined by scientists may come from one of the earliest known examples of a group medical practice, or at least a place where health care workers congregated to treat people.

A total of 348 artifacts linked to medicine were found at the site of Allianoi, an ancient town that also hosted a large spa-like bath in what is now Turkey. The vast number of the 1,800-year-old artifacts may indicate the site once featured an ancient medical center. The instruments were discovered during rescue excavations that were carried out between 1998 and 2006, before the construction of a dam that flooded the site. Most of the artifacts, which have been studied over the years, were found within two buildings in a larger complex. Read more.

[chattahoochiecoochie]

theres been a lot of sadness in recent days obviously, I've felt so deeply for appalachia, having called it home for so many years. there have been so many bright spots though and I thought it might be nice to highlight some of those.

a local man, and master operator, took his own set of master keys and commandeered several pieces of heavy equipment to begin shifting debris. stating to his wife he intends to work first, and ask for forgiveness later.

private pilots across the region are using personal aircraft to deliver supplies and move people out of unsafe areas.

mountain mule packer ranch have moved into rural areas and are bringing supplies in by mule to hard to reach places

the nolichucky dam held. taking on an estimated 1.3 million gallons of water per second at the height of the storm, the dam survived the storm and remains under emergency monitoring.

the wnc nature center has reported that their animals are safe and accounted for.

more than 700 canadian linemen have been deployed to assist north and south carolina to restore power.

the unites states national guard has deployed over 5500 service members from 11 states to support areas affect by helene.

the north carolina national guard has activated five hundred service members and allowed over 200 vehicles and aircraft to move into the western region to begin relief efforts.

search and rescue teams from around the country are making their way east to assist in rescue and recovery.

neighbors are helping neighbors. a woman has been able to make contact, and while doing so has taken it upon herself to catalogue the names of surviving locals in several areas, easing the efforts of local officials as they try to conduct wellness reports.

in cashiers, north carolina, a group of locals have taken their personal off road vehicles in the mountains to excavate debris and deliver supplies to those in need.

people in the south take care of their own. for generations, these communities have stuck by one another and bonded through good fortune and hardship alike. there is light at the end of this hideously long tunnel.

[rjzimmerman]

Remaking the Klamath River. (Sierra Club)

The story of the removal of the dams on the Klamath River and the emerging restoration of the river is good, but I know it's behind a paywall. So, I'll show you some photos from the story, which really tells the story anyway.

But this one extract sort of says it all:

The dismantling of the dams signals much more than the removal of physical fish barriers. To reconnect the river is to plug in life support, to couple past with future, to reenergize an ancient circuit. Once again, ocean energy stored in salmon flesh and bones can nourish the forests along the Klamath’s veins and capillaries. Once again, the river can transport silt and sand downstream, and trees can fall across creeks and trap those particles to create nursery pools where young fish flourish before they brave the broad river and embark on their ocean lives.

An excavator chips away at the Copco 1 Dam shortly after the drawdown of the reservoir last January.

In late August, the cofferdam at Iron Gate was breached, freeing the Klamath River for the first time in over 100 years. It took about four months for crews to remove approximately 1 million cubic yards of earth from the massive structure. The gate tower, on the left, was the last piece to be removed.

Over the past two years, the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife has been collaborating with the Klamath Tribes and other tribal, state, federal, and NGO partners to release spring Chinook salmon into the upper Klamath Basin. Tracking where they go and how they fare will help inform future habitat restoration.

 Chinook salmon were discovered spawning above the former dam sites less than three weeks after the river was fully freed.

A fall Chinook salmon leaped up Puppy Falls in Indian Creek, a tributary of the Klamath River. 

Poppies and lupines bloomed in the reservoirs’ footprints in May 2024, just a few months after they were emptied. The vegetation will help prevent invasive species from colonizing the newly exposed soil. The planting will continue for several years.

The Klamath River winds freely through the reach above the former Iron Gate Dam, the shadow of the reservoir still visible.

[hebuiltfive]

Sooo the prompt thingy I misread and tried to make a prompt - most were kind of romantic which given the pair was a no but then as I cycled through this one came up…

Alan holding Scott's hands when they are shaking.

Which might be rather interesting if it grabs you!?!

Better late than never, right? Sorry it's taken me months to get back to you on this. I'm hoping it's worth the wait. The prompt definitely grabbed me!

Disclaimer to say this is a three chapter story, with no current plans on continuing it, and it does end on a cliffhanger. Also, we don't actually get to the prompt until the last chapter... There was a bit of exposition that needed doing first.

I hope you enjoy it though! 💙 AO3 here

Specter: The Discovery

Ch.1 - The Lunar Expansion And Underground Land Identification Corporation

“Thunderbird Five, do you copy? John, can you… Please, can you hear me?”

He wouldn’t break down into tears, no matter how badly the dams wanted to break. Crying would solve nothing and Alan really, really needed to get this situation solved before it got any worse.

Tapping his comms again, trying not to let his frustration and fear get the better of him, Alan sniffled, faking his best smile. “John, I really could use some of your insanely wise wisdom right about now.”

But the line remained stone cold dead.

14:05

John had relayed the call regarding the four trapped lunar miners at lunchtime.

Alan had launched Thunderbird Three not twenty minutes later, Scott on his left acting as his co-pilot.

There had been nothing in the mission brief to suggest they approach the disaster zone with any more caution than normal. It was, from the information John had received from the ground team, a fairly simple extraction mission. In hindsight, the lack of information that John had been given should have had alarm bells ringing in all their heads.

“What were they even excavating down there?” Scott had asked the valid question once John had given them the very quick lowdown.

“They weren’t clear with me on that.” John replied, the irritation evident in his voice. “All they mentioned was something about a colony.”

Alan had scoffed at that. “On the Moon? Do they not know there’s a successful and vibrant civilisation being built on Mars right now? Who would want to make a new base on the Moon?”

“Uncle Lee still has a fondness for the Moon.” Scott had commented without taking his eyes off the colourful screen of readouts in front of him. He flicked through the various bits of data, his expression growing more and more taut with each swipe. There was not one report that was fully completed, all having various black lines and CLASSIFIED — DO NOT READ signs strewn across the pages. The holograms were a jigsaw of information, no one piece fully complete and legible, and Scott was not happy about it.

“That’s more sentimental.” John pointed out. “Besides, bases and colonies are two very different things. The Moon is a great half-way point to Mars to set up a base, Alan, but that isn’t what they seem to be doing.”

Defeated, Scott had banished the data away from his view with an exasperated sigh. “What did you say the name of this company was again, John?”

“I didn’t. It’s some new start-up, I think. I hadn’t heard about until we got the call. Apparently their business is called ‘The Lunar Expansion and Underground Land Identification Corporation’. If you’re pressed for time, they also go by ‘The Lunar Expansion Co.’ for short.”

Alan hadn’t been impressed with the company’s choice of name and had fought back his urge to eye-roll upon hearing it. Whoever was responsible for creating that mess of a title needed a serious lesson in how to name a company properly. Take their two family businesses — Tracy Industries and International Rescue — they were short, sweet and to the point. Bonus points for their acronyms being easy to remember; TI and IR. They virtually roll off the consumer’s tongue!

LEULIC, however? What kind of an acronym was that? Alan didn’t claim to know much about business, and often left the more complicated matters to his older brothers, but even he knew catchiness was a key selling point when it came to a name! This company’s was too much of a mouthful, and nobody was going to remember LEULIC!

“So, they’re identifying land to expand upon?”

“That’s the idea, Scott, at least from the limited information they’ve given me. No-one on their end has been willing to divulge anything else.”

“Keep talking with them. See if you can get them to open up a bit more. The more we know, the better it’ll be when we get there.”

“F.A.B.”

15:23

Thunderbird Three’s retros fired as they entered the Moon’s orbit.

The sight was one Alan was sure he’d never get used to. He wasn’t sure he wanted to get used to it.

Being International Rescue’s main astronaut, Alan had flown his red rocket to the likes of Mars and Europa, and he had set foot on Haley’s Comet. One day, he dreamed he’d travel to the edge of the solar system in his faithful Thunderbird.

But the Moon?

The Moon meant so much more to him. The Moon was far more special.

Earth’s natural satellite, along with the stars that shared the night-sky, had been the first celestial object that Alan had ever set his eyes upon. With all her swirls and craters, it had been the foundations of all of Alan’s astronaut dreams as a child. Unlike the other planets in the solar system, where one needed a telescope to fully appreciate their beauty, the Moon was almost always visible from Earth with the naked eye. Alan had never mistaken the Moon for a bright star, as he had so often done with the other planets. Even during the light of day, the familiar rock could sometimes be seen, still visible despite the hour.

Always constant, always there.

The Moon.

Beyond that, however, the Moon had been Dad and Uncle Lee’s home for a while. His brothers used to call it ‘Dad’s Office’ and, whenever Alan was missing him, he had taken comfort in the ability to see the rock upon which his Dad had been living and working.

The Moon would never not be special for Alan. He would never tire of visiting it, nor would he ever grow bored of observing it.

As final preparations were made to land and the grey surface spread across Thunderbird Three’s cockpit windows, Alan couldn’t help the small smile that gently formed on his lips.

Three hit the dusty surface with a soft thud.

Scott wasted no time in unbuckling himself from the co-pilot chair. He attached his helmet and checked his wrist unit. A hologram of data emerged, hovering in the air above his arm. Parts were still blocked off, much to Scott’s annoyance, but he swiped through until he found the page he was looking for.

A map that John had managed to wrangle from the Lunar Expansion company.

“We only have two hours until those workers run out of oxygen.”

As Alan followed Scott’s lead, unclipping his helmet from his belt and assessing his own equipment, four blips on the map began to flash; the four trapped miners.

Scott pointed to it. “We’re approximately five miles south of the disaster zone. We’ll take the Explorer Pod and travel north until we meet them. We need to work fast. Time isn’t on our side.”

“Relax, Scott. This is as simple as a mission can be.”

His brother scowled. “You should know better than to use the S word, Alan.”

“Oh, come on! The company with the stupidly long name, trying to create a colony on the Moon?” Alan clicked his helmet into place. The oxygen from his own tank hissed as his suit became airtight. “We’ll be home in time for dinner!”

16:04

The red shell of Three grew smaller and smaller as they travelled across the dusty lunar terrain. Alan tried not to look back. Upon leaving Three’s cockpit, a gnawing sense of doubt over the mission began to rear its head. No matter how much he tried to shake it, the feeling refused to leave him. Glancing back towards his Thunderbird, towards their only ride back home, and watching it shrink in the distance didn’t help matters.

By the time they arrived at the base — if it could even be called such; one lunar rover transporter, two mobile units and a very large drill could hardly be taken seriously as a base! And these people were supposedly trying to build a colony? — Scott and Alan were surprised to see the Lunar team having already begun rescue operations. It was a relief to see that the work done by the Lunar team hadn’t been a complete botch job.

The drill, specially crafted to break apart the lunar surface, had been deployed cautiously in an attempt to burrow a new hole. According to Meg, the leader of the group of miners, the new hole had been excavated beside the first one, but Alan had a hard time figuring out exactly where this initial hole had supposed to have been. Either the team had already done a good job at covering it back over, knowing they wouldn’t be needing it again, or… Alan wasn’t sure what the or was. All he knew was that his rising sense of dread was deepening with each passing second.

The Lunar team had managed to reach the collapsed cavern, where the four trapped miners had been cowering, in less than an hour. Scott had scanned the area briefly, sending his data back to Thunderbird Five. He didn’t bother waiting for John to reply, jumping straight into the action with easy commands and direct instructions for the rest of them, Alan included.

A winch secured. A line tightened. Scott hooked in.

The first two miners were an easy score. Alan had opened comms to inform John that Scott was like the claw in an arcade machine and the miners were the prizes he was winning, only there was no sarcastic retort about how Scott was terrible at the claw machines and that he’d believe it when he saw it.

There was no reply at all. John’s communications were silent.

The situation wasn’t dire, the mission was running smoothly, so why was John so quiet? Alan thought back to the data that Scott had sent him earlier. There had been no response to that message either.

“Hey, Scott…” Alan began as his brother ascended from the hole for the third time, slightly wounded miner under his arm.

“Can’t stop, Allie. The last one’s disappeared.”

Alan ceased his prodding and poking of his wrist unit to glance up at Scott. His brow creased, perplexed. “What do you mean ‘disappeared’? It’s a cave-in. Where else could he have gone?”

Scott rose both his arms up in an exasperated shrug. “All I know is that he was there when I was retrieving Miner Two but he was gone when I went back for this one.”

“Does she not know where he went?”

“Shock.” Scott explained, tugging again on the rope strapped to his waist. “Couldn’t get anything from her.”

The comms situation could wait, Alan decided. He lowered his wrist and began to set up his own winch system.

“No, Alan, you stay here.”

“Two pairs of eyes are better than one.”

“Yes, but it’s better if you remain top-side for now.”

“If you’re expecting trouble, it’s probably better if I come down with you.”

“Who said I’m expecting trouble?”

“Your face, your voice, your general ‘must keep Alan out of harm’s way’ schtick.”

Once upon a time, Alan resented his older brothers for trying to keep him out of the loop. Even at the age of ten, when they tried to keep the worst parts of Dad’s explosion from him, Alan had insisted he’d been old enough to deal with it all. Nowadays, he understood, even if he still didn’t always agree with it.

Scott chuckled. “I’m not apologising for it, Alan.”

“I don’t like this, Scott.”

He had dropped his voice down to a whisper so only his brother could hear. Scott strolled over to him, placing a hand on his shoulder. Despite Alan’s growth spurt a few years prior, he still wasn’t quite at Scott’s height, and so his brother tilted his head down. “Like you said, simple mission, right?”

“I definitely think I spoke too soon.”

“Also like you said,” Scott continued, not allowing Alan the chance to feel guilty for accidentally jinxing their mission, “it’s caved-in. There’s hardly many places he could be. I’ll be out again before you know it, missing miner in tow, alright?”

Alan could feel his goosebumps rising. His cheek twitched.

“Hey?” Scott patted his shoulder before letting go. “Time is running out.”

His brother had tried to reassure him, but Alan felt no more reassured than he did twenty seconds before. He gave Scott his best smile regardless. Scott’s returning smile was doubtful in itself. Alan knew his brother too well for Scott to hide the concern in his eyes.

He watched as his brother lowered himself over the edge of the hole, as the blue and grey of his uniform slowly descended down into the dark abyss, with his gut instincts screaming at him to pull him back up.

Jeff had always taught his boys to never discount their instincts, to always trust what they felt, no matter how ridiculous it might have been. Alan ignored those words of wisdom. He ignored his instincts entirely, opting instead to tend to the shocked miners. His mind, he decided, just needed something else to occupy it until Scott got back.

Only Scott wasn’t coming back, and Alan’s realisation of that came all too late.

[sarah-scara]

Venture x Reader comfort fic

A short little selfship fic I wrote the last couple days to make myself feel better after feeling down. Sloan comes home and comforts a reader who is worried they aren't good enough. (I mostly wrote this to make myself feel better, but I figured this might be nice for others to read too.) Hope you enjoy. Sloan loves you.

I idly stirred my coffee, sitting on the couch. Little white wisps of cream faded away into the drink as words from the television failed to pierce my mind. I couldn’t make sense of what they were saying - the algorithm was doing its thing and I hadn’t had the energy to pay attention to whatever was being said in a while. With both hands clasping the mug, I took a sip of the coffee and sunk deeper into the cushions. The warm orange sun over Vancouver streamed through the small apartment’s windows, but it provided little comfort. At least Sloan’s salary gave me a comfortable place to rot. I breathed out a deep heaving sigh, my head lolled back and eyes closed.

Moments - or was it minutes? The time started to blend together - later, a telltale sound of the footfalls of heavy boots in the hallway broke through the malaise, causing my eyes to flutter open. After some shuffling and fiddling with the door, Sloan entered the apartment with a beaming smile.

“Good evening, mi amor,” They called from the door. I tried to respond, but failed to summon the energy, instead merely managing a grunt. Raising an eyebrow in concern, Sloan threw off their coat and came over to the couch. They rummaged between the cushions for the remote and turned off the television set. “Everything okay, babe?” They asked, now clearly concerned.

With some effort, I shook my head, hair flinging around my face. “I’m fine, sweetheart. How was your day?”

Trepidatiously, they let their guard down and put a hand on their chin. “I think it went pretty well! Presenting at conferences may not be my favorite part of the job, but I’m always happy to spread knowledge and inspire others!” They hummed happily. “There were a few other interesting talks. A group of Wayfinders are finally doing a big excavation at the castle grounds of Eichenwalde!”

I brought a weary smile to my face. “That sounds nice. Are you going to join them?”

They shook their head. “I don’t think I have time, sadly. I really wanted to be there, but with the discovery of Anubis, I think I should probably be there instead.”

“I’m going to miss you while you’re away.”

“Aw, shucks.” They smiled bashfully. “I’ll be back before you know it, babe! Plus, the Internet that the Wayfinders put out at digs is getting better; we can definitely video call.”

“That sounds nice.” I couldn’t bear to bring my gaze up to them, and instead I looked down sullenly at the couch. “Sloan?”

“‘Sup?” They drummed their fingers on the side of the couch, gazing out over the skyline.

My voice cracked as I said it. “Am I… good enough for you?”

Their head snapped, suddenly fixated on me. “Wha- Of- Yes!” They stammered out, immediately wrapping me in a tight embrace. “What’s got you thinking otherwise, doofus?”

The emotional dam burst, and I started crying into their shirt sleeve. “I just- Everyday you work with so many incredible people. I can’t do anything on the level of the Wayfinder Society.” I paused to take a breath and wipe my face. “And now you even sometimes end up with the people from Overwatch…” The sadness reached a peak, and I wailed a little harder. “I just don’t feel like I’m interesting enough to deserve someone like you.”

They ran their fingers through my hair for a moment, considering their next words carefully. “Cariño…” They pulled their embrace a bit tighter. “You are the only person I’d want to have by my side at all times. You’re plenty interesting.” They brushed my hair out of my face to make eye contact. “Besides, how boring would it be to date someone exactly like me? You care about what I do - you don’t have to become a Wayfinder for me.”

The tears stopped, and I sniffled. “Thanks, Sloan. I’m sorry.”

They shook their head vigorously. “Ah ah ah, no apologies. I’m happy to make you feel loved whenever you need it, and if you ever need to hear that again, even if I’m six thousand kilometers away, I’ll drop everything to remind you.”

I buried my head in their chest. “Thank you,” I said, muffled by their body.

They gave my head a few pats before pulling out their phone. “I’m ordering us pizza. You deserve a little treat.” They said with a grin, showing off their chipped tooth and adorable smile. “After that, you wanna watch a movie? Play a game? It’s Friday, the conference is over, and I want to make sure you have an awesome weekend.”

I hesitated. “I’m fine with whatever.”

“I want you to do something you want.” They insisted.

“In that case, a new game came out recently, I’ve been wanting to play it…”

“Sounds good! I’ll, uh, try not to focus too hard on the inaccuracies in the stonework in this one’s buildings.” They said sheepishly.

Though my face was still red and hot from crying, I managed to laugh at that. “No, please do! I love hearing you be passionate.”

They dramatically put one fist into the other hand. “Then I’ll do just that!” They planted a kiss on my forehead. “I love you, babe. I don’t want you to ever forget that, no matter how much I have to remind you.”

[mariacallous]

A Mayan city lost in the dense jungle of southern Mexico has been revealed. The discovery occurred in the southeastern state of Campeche, and archaeologists have named it Valeriana, after a nearby freshwater lagoon.

“The larger of Valeriana's two monumental precincts has all the hallmarks of a classic Mayan political capital: enclosed plazas connected by a broad causeway; temple pyramids; a ball court; a reservoir formed by damming an arroyo (a seasonal watercourse); and a probable E-Group assemblage, an architectural arrangement that generally indicates a founding date prior to AD 150,” says the study, published in the journal Antiquity.

The city's discovery didn't require breaking through the jungle with machetes or patiently excavating with brushes and spatulas. Nor did researchers need tape measures, binoculars, or compasses to find their way through the thick foliage. Instead, they employed state-of-the-art technology: lasers, drones, and satellite maps. With these tools, they discovered a city hidden for centuries beneath the thick Mexican jungle, unearthing pyramids, enclosed plazas, and an ancient reservoir.

Luke Auld-Thomas, an anthropologist at Northern Arizona University, made the discovery. His analysis revealed a huge network of previously unexplored settlements.

Auld-Thomas and his fellow researchers have succeeded in mapping the city beneath the jungle thanks to airborne laser scanning, better known as lidar (light detection and ranging), a remote-sensing technique that uses pulsed lasers and other data collected through flyovers that can generate accurate three-dimensional models of surface features, revolutionizing the way archaeologists explore the hidden past.

Laser pulses generate a topographic map in a manner similar to how a bat uses echolocation: Laser light is fired from an aircraft, bounces off objects on the ground, and returns to the detector located on the underside of the aircraft. In Mexico, although only a small fraction of the pulses pass through the dense jungle, the large number of pulses emitted allows enough light to reach the ground, creating a map with a resolution of up to 1 meter. Based on the timing and intensity of the returning pulses, the detector can map the contours of the terrain, revealing hills, ditches, and ancient ruins covered in vegetation. The technology is also being integrated into autonomous cars to help them avoid crashes.

“For a long time, our understanding of the Mayan civilization was limited to an area of a few hundred square kilometers,” Auld-Thomas says. “This limited sample was obtained with great effort, with archaeologists painstakingly scouring every square meter, hacking away at vegetation with machetes, only to discover they were standing on a pile of rocks that might have been someone's house 1,500 years ago.”

While Auld-Thomas knew that lidar could be a valuable tool, he was also aware of its high cost. Funders are often reluctant to invest in lidar surveys in areas where there is no visible evidence of Mayan settlement, despite the fact that this civilization reached its peak between 250 and 900 AD.

Campeche: A Center of Dense Urbanization Since the Mayan Era

In this case, the lidar data was originally collected over a decade ago, for completely unrelated purposes. The scans were completely in 2013 by the Mexican firm CartoData, using a Riegl LMS-Q780 sensor. Processing was carried out by the Woods Hole Research Center (WHRC), and the data was made publicly available a few years later by the M-REDD+ Alliance.

The dataset includes three transects and three study blocks. The transects have an approximate width of 275 meters and a total length of 213 kilometers, covering an area of 58.3 square kilometers. The survey blocks cover a total area of 64.1 square kilometers, distributed in three locations: south of the town of Xpuhil, near the archaeological site of Río Bec; near the villages of Dos Lagunas and Bel Ha; and near the town of Ucum, in northern Campeche.

The study mentions that the analysis of 6,764 structures in the lidar data blocks reveals a settlement density of 55.3 structures per square kilometer, comparable to other research in the region. These data are useful for assessing settlement density on a regional scale and exceed values recorded in Belize and Guatemala. However, they do not provide a complete picture of the level of urbanization, which requires analysis of local variability and density gradients. For this purpose, a kernel density estimation was applied to the study blocks, the results of which are consistent with the densities recorded in other Mayan archeological sites such as Oxpemul and Becan.

Archeologists in the 20th century were correct in stating that the interior of Campeche is a substantially anthropogenic landscape, i.e., human-modified, with urbanized areas where rural populations interacted with dense cities. Settlement density data, ranging from 49 to 61 structures per square kilometer, indicate that cities and dense settlements are common in large parts of the central Maya lowlands. New discoveries, such as the city of Valeriana, reinforce this view, showing that urbanization was a widespread phenomenon in the region.

Archaeologists increasingly recognize that the world's tropics and subtropics hosted a wide variety of urban forms in antiquity. Many of these settlements followed a pattern of spatial dispersion, commonly called “low-density urbanism.” However, it is now being recognized that these urban landscapes were not uniform, but exhibited significant variations in settlement density, both within and around cities and between subregions.

At the same time, the growing body of research has revealed a greater abundance of settlements and cities than had previously been contemplated. This has generated a tension between two developments: On the one hand, the recognition of high variability in settlement density and, on the other, evidence of a more densely urbanized past than previously thought.

Although lidar was developed in the 1960s to study clouds and atmospheric particles, its application in archaeology is relatively recent. It was not until the last decade that archaeologists began employing it to unearth hidden landscapes. In 2009, archaeologists Diane and Arlen Chase of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, pioneered the use of lidar to map a Mayan city, revolutionizing the way ancient civilizations are detected and studied.

According to the study, some researchers argue that the discovered landscapes reflect a high population density, while others suggest that the surveys are biased and overrepresent the most densely populated areas. This leaves open the question of whether as yet unexplored areas could confirm the existence of a higher urban density or show less dense occupation.

[sunmoonyandstars]

Euphrates River

Hey, I got a new lesson for you about ancient Mesopotamia

(Eu-) The Euphrates River and the Tigris River formed the cradle of civilization

Akkadians long ago conquered Sumer, took control

Sargon led his armies in chariots they rolled

By the Euphrates River

By the Euphrates River

By the Euphrates River

By the Euphrates River

By the Persian Gulf's where they found

Ancient ruins underground

Archaeologists did lots excavation down

By the Euphrates River

By the Euphrates River

By the Euphrates River

Both the Euphrates River

And the Tigris River used to flood

Bringing lots of fertile mud

But the problem was that water washed away the crops

Dams and levees made it stop

When it was dry they'd irrigate

Fighting over water led to war between the city states

Cuneiform is ancient writing

That tells the Sumer city states were always fighting

They were the first civilization in Mesopotamia

Then came the Akkadians who started empire mania

Akkadians long ago conquered Sumer, took control

Sargon led his armies, in chariots they rolled

By the Euphrates River

By the Euphrates River

By the Euphrates River

By the Euphrates River

Near the Persian Gulf's where they found

Ancient ruins underground

Archaeologists did lots excavation down

By the Euphrates River

By the Euphrates River

By the Euphrates River

By the Euphrates River

King Sargon got real old

Told his sons to take the throne

But the huge Akkadian Empire would fall out of their control

Then came Hammurabi who would take full command

Hammurabi was the king of the Babylonians

Man, Babylonia was the land where they told ya

"You obey Hammurabi's code"

"Praise Hammurabi's code"

Break Hammurabi's code and you'll be saying, "Oh no"

Akkadians long ago conquered Sumer, took control

Sargon led his armies, in chariots they rolled

By the Euphrates River

By the Euphrates River

By the Euphrates River

By the Euphrates River

Near the Persian Gulf's where they found

Ancient ruins underground

Archaeologists did lots excavation down

By the Euphrates River

By the Euphrates River

By the Euphrates River

Babylonians built roads

They traded grain for gold

They kept themselves united under Hammurabi's code

Hammurabi's code, Hammurabi's code

Hammurabi's code, Hammurabi's code

Which was a bunch of laws, they believed that had no flaws

They obeyed it just because

They thought Hammurabi was chosen by the gods (woah)

Chosen by the gods (woah)

Akkadians long ago conquered Sumer, took control

Sargon led his armies, in chariots they rolled

By the Euphrates River

By the Euphrates River

By the Euphrates River

By the Euphrates River

Near the Persian Gulf's where they found

Ancient ruins underground

Archaeologists did lots excavation down

By the Euphrates River

By the Euphrates River

By the Euphrates River

By the Euphrates River

Eu-

Mesopotamia

I really don't want to guess what this is and be embarrassingly wrong 😭 hello?

[fatehbaz]

A major interest in that work [...] was the era of post-war decolonization, and how archaeology connected with it (or not). As the territory of what became the Arab Republic of Egypt emerged from various forms of British rule and Egyptian monarchy, I wanted to know how that process impacted upon archaeology, a field that had been dominated by Euro-Americans (and whose major official institution, the Egyptian Antiquities Service, had been run entirely by French men). [...] The book revolves around, but is not limited to, a major event in the development of what became World Heritage, at least in UNESCO’s -- and, put bluntly, many other people’s -- telling.

UNESCO promotes its International Campaign to Save the Monuments of Nubia, which took place in the adjoining regions of Egyptian and Sudanese Nubia from 1960 until 1980, as central to the development of the 1972 World Heritage Convention. The campaign -- to a large, but not total, extent staffed by teams from the Euro-American institutions who had long excavated in Egypt -- sought to preserve and record ancient temples and archaeological sites in Nubia. Those sites were due to be flooded by the construction of the Aswan High Dam, which, despite having been planned many years earlier, became a centerpiece of Nasser-era modernization plans. Among them the temples at Abu Simbel and Philae, the monuments on the Egyptian -- but not Sudanese -- side of the Nubian border were listed as part of the second tranche of World Heritage sites in 1979, and today Nubian temples are located around the world: “gifts-in-return” for financial contributions to UNESCO’s project, perhaps most famous among them the temple of Dendur at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. The World Heritage Convention, meanwhile, remains the major international piece of legislation in the heritage arena, and at the time of writing has been ratified by 194 States Parties. Oddly, however, beyond an official history published in the 1980s, there has never been a book-length, critical treatment of the Nubian campaign, nor have the articles and book chapters written about the event really addressed it in terms of the “local” (which is to say Egyptian and Sudanese) perspective, let alone the Nubian one.

Flooded Pasts discusses how, in combination with the politics of irrigation and development, UNESCO’s Nubian campaign built on and transformed colonial-era archaeological understandings of Nubia as a region of picturesque ruination: a place filled with ancient, Nile-side ruins, and not a place where people -- Nubians -- lived.

---

During the early decades of the twentieth century (and before and after the British declaration of nominal Egyptian independence in 1922), the building and heightening of the original Aswan Dam had, to increasingly destructive levels, flooded Nubian settlements on the Egyptian side of the Nubian border. These settlements were located alongside the many ancient ruins located in the region, which were also increasingly submerged. Eventually receiving some compensation from the Egyptian government, Nubia’s population were forced to move their homes higher up the Nile’s banks, and many Nubians moved to Cairo and Alexandria to work in domestic service. Meanwhile, Egypt’s antiquities service launched two archaeological surveys directed by colonial officials that sought to record ancient sites before they were flooded.

This process, I argue, made it much easier to separate an ancient Nubian past from the region’s present: one dominated by a territorially novel kingdom of Egypt whose permanence was extrapolated backwards in time.

---

Accordingly, as Egypt and Sudan signed the Nile Waters Agreement of 1959 and confirmed the impending construction of the High Dam, that process precipitated a continuation of earlier archaeological work [...]. Simultaneously, separate “ethnological” surveys either side of the newly hardened Egyptian-Sudanese border prepared for the relocation of the now-separated Nubian population to new, government-planned settlements elsewhere (the Egyptian survey was supported by the Ford Foundation and based at the American University in Cairo; the Sudanese one was supported by the Sudan Antiquities Service).

Even in the face of Nubian demonstrations -- particularly strong in Wadi Halfa in the very north of Sudan -- this forced, state-backed process of migration made the job of archaeological survey easier, constituting further representations of the desolate desert dotted by ancient monuments that earlier work had made possible.

That those monuments -- and that “desert” -- clearly had a far more complex history was a fact elided by most involved.

To a great extent, too, that elision continues, even as the Nubian diaspora has in recent years become much more vocal about its plight. [...]

---

[T]here is no doubt that the Nubian campaign, and the Nubian archaeological surveys before it, affected tens of thousands of lives for the worse. [...] I would hope that Flooded Pasts enjoys a readership beyond the academic, not least because issues around heritage -- what it is, who has a say in it, how its governance operates -- have become so salient in the last few years [...]. There has been a growing amount of work on the histories of archaeology and heritage -- and a corresponding amount of discussion around what it might mean to decolonize those fields [...]. More pressingly, then, I hope that the book catalyzes discussion around the lives of contemporary Nubians [...].

---

All text above are the words of William Carruthers. As interviewed by staff at the Jadaliyya e-zine. Transcript titled “William Carruthers, Flooded Pasts: UNESCO, Nubia, and the Recolonization of Archaeology (New Texts Out Now).” Published online at Jadaliyya. 22 December 2022. [Image from the cover of the book. Bold emphasis and some paragraph breaks/contractions added by me. Presented here for commentary, teaching, criticism purposes.]

[distant--shadow]

The rain continues to fall for three days straight - like a dam had broken in the skies – causing canyons to flood and rivers to break their banks.

Their surroundings thrive; moss and grass and shrubs spilling out with lime-green sapling growth from crevasses and cracks in the sand and rock, weeds taller and denser and displaying flowers like technicolour plumage, frogs and newts venturing further from bodies of water thanks to the drenched and newly made boggy environment.

Tangles of roots are left exposed by the displacement of wet and landslided-soil, excavating steps for the two of them to traverse, ascending over crest of hills and descending as if following man-made blue prints to zig-zag down like stairs to the bases of valleys.

From the excess of rain fruits start to bloom and ripen on the branches and brambles - and on the ground too - mushrooms in large circles and clusters and smattered between wildflowers in the patches where grass grew, or on the trunks of fallen trees.

 Laudna’s skin is textured like bark, swollen and wrinkled from all of the water in the atmosphere - and she finds herself panicking, slightly, on that third afternoon of rainfall, with her skirts soaked in mud to over the height of her knees - when she can’t find the lifeline in her palm, has lost the signature of her fingerprints to their wish to be raisins.

Fruits preserved past their lifespan,

should have been plucked by birds,

eaten by slugs - should they have grown heavy and fallen to the ground.

But there is salt. Brine.

Sugar.

The heat of the sun(tree).

Perhaps a bit of magic-

(whislt I'm here, let me be a responsible fic co-parent.

this chapter's illustration featuring sensual mushroom touching)

[one-of-many-journeys]

Day 37 (1/2)

Song’s Edge

As I was getting ready to leave the village, I caught sight of Laulai again, kicking stones, murmuring under her breath about music lost in the flood. I was going to try and scope out the Bandit camp on the flats today but…I should go down to the facility under Deep Din first. 

Riding uphill against the rush of the river, I came to a place where the wall was cracked open. Camping gear, tools for excavation, and a fire still burning low. Oseram materials. Wouldn't be the first time they've broken something sacred to the Banuk. I slipped through the hole in the stone and climbed up into the ruin.

The cold didn’t penetrate far inside. Shafts of sunlight streamed in, feeding plant life, but the snow couldn’t settle through the seal. In close quarters with all that moving machinery, I was sweating through my furs. Stripped down a few layers.

It quickly became clear what the problem was. Even without my Focus, the colour coding was generous. Red means bad, and this whole facility was lit up with it. Drainage gates open, letting water flow freely through the dam, and no way to trigger the rusted mechanisms remotely. I also spotted the glowing silhouette of a panicked looking Oseram trapped somewhere downstairs. I pried and unlocked the doors between us and set him free.

His name's Gildun, and he was....a lot, and in remarkably high spirits for someone who'd been trapped in a flooding ruin for the past few days. He'd broken the control panel and flooded the place while trying to get at some sort of trinket behind a locked door in the same room—a looking glass, he said. He seemed really set on fetching it. He also took the final power cell needed to operate the door and accidentally dropped it into the river rapids churning through the rusted hollow. Not the luckiest, or the brightest, but he makes up for it in enthusiasm. He'd also had plenty of time to study the place.

Together we moved through the ruin gate by gate, operating each locking mechanism in tandem to seal off the flood. Of course, I was the one scaling scrap piles swinging by frayed cabling to get at the hard to reach places. I normally wouldn't give those jumps a second thought—maybe not even a first—but Gildun was amazed, or alarmed. Guess I'm only used to Rost watching me, who trusted me not to fall.

Once we drained most of the water from the basin, a Snapmaw surfaced that had been languishing on the floor. Lucky I was there; Gildun was less than comfortable around machines. I took down the Snapmaw and retrieved the missing power cell from its gullet, because of course it was there.

I manually adjusted the pipes in another drainage room to force it's flow away from the rest of the ruin, draining the basin dry. Then Gildun and I headed back up to the entrance. Reinstalling the power cell and opening the locked door, Gildun discovered that the looking glass he thought he saw was only a reflection on a shattered clock face. The looking glass was some heirloom, he told me, from his mother. He'd never found anything like it again. He quickly regained his high spirits, but I could see how disappointed the loss left him.

At least I found what I needed—a spare part to repair the console and reactivate the dam's control system. I let Gildun do the honours, and just like that the place was back in function.

I left the dam, layering on my furs as another blizzard rolled in. I rode back down the river to the sound of Deep Din's pipes thrumming from beneath, ringing and rattling. Laulai was already back at her instrument.

Snuck past a few Snapmaws wondering where their river went, then climbed down into the din.

Laulai was overjoyed. I sat and listened to her for a while, letting the sound scrape and rattle me. Throughout the delve I came across datapoints too, left by people who used to work in the facility. They played music, rusty and loud, right here where Laulai stands. I wonder if they ever tried the pipes.

Climbing for more Bluegleam. Now that my limbs aren't going to freeze off, I've set my eyes on a striker bow I saw for sale back in Song's Edge. I've got to admit, the Banuk are the finest bow-makers I've ever come across. Maybe it's time to retire this old Carja thing.

Riding on, I came across an ancient shelter emanating the voices of old recordings.

Inside I met Enjuk, a Shaman studying the beasts of the Old World, those who were lost when their age fell. He'd found a figurine in the wilds of an animal and brought it here, placed it on the altar, and its image appeared in the light of a false forest. Something like a Focus projection, I guess. I'd already found a couple similar figurines in the wilds. My penchant for collecting random artefacts rewards me once again.

Enjuk said he was studying the works of a great scholar named 'Montana Recreations', who claimed ownership of the images. I suspect it was one of the Old Ones' corporations, not a person, but Enjuk seems happy with the role he's imagined for himself. I'll be sure to bring him any other figurines I find. I'd do it just to see the creatures for myself.

Harvesting pigments for Sekuli as I made my way to the three hunters' encampment to help them on their next harvest. It's a strange landscape here, jets of hot water spurting from the ground, the colour-stained, steaming waters...From what I've gathered from old data, it was a place people would visit just to witness its beauty. There were no cities here.

The hunters were already scoping out the machine site when I arrived, complete with Daemonic tower, a smattering of Watchers and Scrappers, and two Stalkers. I couldn't get close to the tower to override it this time because of the Stalkers' noise traps, so I destroyed its power source from afar. Knocked off the Stalkers' cannons as soon as I could and kept them tied while dealing with the smaller machines, then froze them and took them down, stripping their sinew in pristine condition that even Burgrend couldn't complain about.

The hunters told me of Nukoni, their mentor of sorts, who challenged their cruel, lug-headed Chieftain back in Ban-Ur. Instead of returning victorious, as the hunters knew she would, she was found with her neck snapped as their Chieftain all but gloated. As Nukoni's known allies—disciples, even—they knew they'd be next and were forced to flee.

Their debts nearly settled, the hunters headed west to another machine site. I poked around the ruins and found another figurine, explored the springs a bit too. The wilds are still full of surprises, even with as far as I've traveled. I rested under shelter for a short while before heading west myself.

[lollipencil]

The Dark Side of The Moon: Part 2

Finally, an excuse to do some more of this one.

Enjoy and be gentle. ---

Marc groaned more in frustration than pain as he clenched at the bullet wound on their abdomen.

It was supposed to be a treat for Steven: a little excavation of a temple in Egypt, to help expand his network when he finished his course. Now, Marc sat under the statue that had been the main attraction of the dig, about to die so very far away from home.

At least, the three of them were together. All they could do was wait and pray that they could still be buried in the family graveyard. "Such a waste," an impossibly deep voice suddenly stated. "Who's there?" Marc asked. "Is it not obvious?"

At these words, a great wind began to surge through the chamber. Blood-stained sand danced in a small hurricane, and at the epicentre, formed a figure. Weathered bandages clung to long limbs, a tattered cloak failed to hide the dulled bronze crecent on their chest. While reduced to a floating skull, the figure's head made their identity very clear. At least to Steven. "Khonshu," he fronted to whisper in awe. "Indeed, and we have business to discuss."

Jake pressed forward slightly in curiosity. "Do we? Well then, how can we help you?" Steven chirrped, clapping his blood-soaked hands together. "Your body is dying," Khonshu noted, pausing briefly at their collective lack of reaction, "But this doesn't have to be the end for you." "Ok, with you so far." "I can grant you the power to avoid this death and, in exchange, you would serve me, as my fist of justice, my Moon Knight." "What workplace benefits do you offer?"

Khonshu wasn't sure what confused him more, the question or the swiftness it was delivered with: "I'm sorry?" "What's the full list of benefits you'll provide in exchange for our services?" Steven rephased, Marc and Jake nodding along. "... A suit which offers increased healing, strength, speed, among other attributes such as flight and weapon creation," Khonshu listed quickly, mindful of the blood still draining from their body. "May we discuss this among ourselves?" "...I suppose."

With a polite nod, Steven turned his attention fully inward. "What do we think then, chaps?" "I think we should go for it," Marc stated. "Yeah?" Jake raised a mental eyebrow. "It means we can see the family again, and think about it. Having an ancient god as our patron, no other member of our family has had one in centeries." "Ah, Grandmama would be thrilled," Steven added. "Are we all agreed then?" Jake asked.

"We accept," Marc said aloud. "Do you three vow to protect the travellers of the night?" Khonshu asked dramatically, just about remembering to address them all. "We do," they stated, physically and mentally. "Then rise my Moon Knights."

Like a dam bursting catastrophically, the coldfire of moonlight flooded their veins. Ice and fire warred in the wound as it was forced to close up, pushing the bullet out like it was being shot in reverse. Shuddering gasps of delight rippled between them all, as the bandages began to appear and wrap around every inch of mortal flesh, holding the power underneath their skin.

As their eyes opened to an intense light, their mouth grinned wildly at their new patron.

---

Honey-sweetened tea was passed around the living room as everyone settled. But Khonshu's eyes were firmly on his statue.

To say the overwhelmingly positive reaction to his Avatars (the plural was suprisingly easy to remember) was unexpected would be somewhat true. At one point in time, he would have expected it, but that had been many, many decades ago. And if humans were consistant on one thing, it was change.

As soon as the words "godly avatar" were spoken, they were a rush of activity.

Everyone was planning something. The father was planning something privately, while helping his wife with her idea of a grand party. The grandmother cackled with glee, and planned to make his avatars' favourite for dinner. And the children were scheming something, "favour" was being muttered around their little huddle.

And, merely a week later, Khonshu's statue had been moved from his temple to the living room. The blood had been reluctently cleaned from it, and a small table sat close by. The possible zombie butler was placing a small cup of tea on it. The father smiled knowingly up at it: "Welcome to the family."

[azukokarisma]

modern things fantasy dwarves would go apeshit for

- metal folding chairs

- nuclear reactors

- bulldozers/excavators/etc

- hydroelectric dams

- subway tunnels

- jackhammers

- prescription testosterone

- hydraulic presses

[evokedholavira]

Gujarat’s Pride: Dholavira’s Archaeological Site, Culture, and History | Evoke Dholavira

Introduction:

Dholavira is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the largest Harappan site in India. It is located in the Kutch Desert of Gujarat and was discovered in the early 1900s. Excavations at the site have revealed a wealth of information about the Harappan civilization, including its architecture, engineering, and social and economic structure.

Dholavira is a significant archaeological site that offers insights into the Harappan civilization, culture, and history of Gujarat. The site is well-preserved and there is a museum on-site that houses a collection of artifacts from the city.

The Archaeological site of Dholavira:

The Dholavira archaeological site is known for its impressive fortifications, water conservation systems, and public buildings. The Dholavira Fort is one of the largest and most well-preserved Indus Valley Civilization forts in India. It has a massive rampart wall that is over 7 kilometers long and 10 meters thick.

Dholavira is also known for its sophisticated water conservation system. The city had a number of reservoirs, dams, and canals that were used to collect and store rainwater. This system allowed the city to survive during the dry season.

Other notable features of the Dholavira archaeological site include:

The Citadel: The Citadel is the highest point in the city and is thought to have been the center of political and religious power.

The Lower Town: The Lower Town is where most of the city’s inhabitants lived. It contains a variety of residential areas, workshops, and public buildings.

The Great Bath: The Great Bath is a large rectangular pool that is thought to have been used for ritual bathing.

The Signboards: Dholavira is home to a number of inscribed stone slabs that are thought to be signboards. These signboards are in a language that has not yet been deciphered, but they may provide insights into the Harappan civilization.

Some of the key aspects of Harappan culture that are evident at Dholavira include:

Art: Dholavira is home to a variety of art objects, including pottery, seals, and sculptures. The art of Dholavira is known for its geometric designs and animal motifs.

Architecture: The architecture of Dholavira is characterized by its use of brick and mudbrick. The city’s buildings were well-planned and well-constructed.

Religion: The Harappan people practiced a variety of religious beliefs. There is evidence of both Hindu and Buddhist worship at Dholavira.

Trade: Dholavira was a major center of trade and commerce during the Indus Valley Civilization. The city traded with other Harappan cities in India and Pakistan, as well as with Mesopotamia and Persia.

The History of Dholavira:

Dholavira was founded around 3000 BC and flourished during the Harappan civilization. The city was abandoned around 1500 BC, but the ruins of the city were rediscovered in the early 1900s.

Dholavira is a significant site in the history of Gujarat. It is the largest Harappan site in the state and it offers insights into the Harappan civilization, culture, and history of Gujarat.

Conclusion:

Dholavira is a must-visit destination for anyone interested in Indian history and culture. The Dholavira archaeological site offers visitors a unique opportunity to learn about the Harappan civilization and its many achievements. Dholavira Tent City provides all the luxurious facilities and amenities, making it the perfect place to stay while exploring this fascinating site.

Book your stay at Dholavira Tent City today and experience the magic of Dholavira!

[rjzimmerman]

Excerpt from this story from The Revelator:

The removal of four hydroelectric dams on the Klamath River in southern Oregon and Northern California has been recognized as the largest dam removal in U.S. history. More notably, it’s also the largest salmon-restoration project to date.

In late September I watched an excavator take large bites out of the cofferdam at Iron Gate, the most downstream of the dams.

Just over two weeks later, a crew spotted a pair of salmon spawning in one of the tributaries above Iron Gate, where the fish had not previously been able to reach. On Oct. 16 biologists spied fall Chinook salmon at the mouth of a tributary in Oregon. This spot, 230 miles from the ocean, is above all four of the former dam sites.

The speed of the salmon’s return has astonished even the most seasoned biologists.

“Even though we’ve been anticipating the moment, it’s not until you see that first Chinook…I don’t know; I’m still in shock,” says Mark Hereford, project leader of the Klamath anadromous restoration program at Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, who found the fish in the Oregon tributary.

News of the salmon’s return prompted a flurry of texts and excited phone calls among fish advocates. Their return is especially poignant to members of the Klamath Tribes, whose ancestral lands include the upper Klamath Basin above the dam sites. With the construction of the dams, salmon, or c’iyaals, had been absent from the Upper Basin for over 100 years.

Now attention is shifting from the massive dam-removal project to the equally enormous task ahead: restoring the Klamath watershed. Biologists will look to the fish themselves for guidance.

The Klamath River supports fall and spring Chinook, coho, and steelhead, along with other important species like Pacific lamprey. All are expected to benefit from dam removal.

Biologists are using every means possible to detect and track salmon as they explore their new habitat. The California Department of Fish and Wildlife has installed “video weirs” to capture images of salmon in key tributaries; the agency also has crews on the ground surveying spawning salmon. Also in California, the nonprofit Cal Trout has installed a sonar monitoring station just above the former Iron Gate dam. Cal Trout is also leading a project to sample fish using special nets near the Iron Gate dam site; these hands-on surveys will provide a week-by-week snapshot of fish in the river. The crew are fitting some of these fish with radio tags and passive integrated transponders, or PIT tags, so they can track them as they move upstream.

In the upper basin, ODFW is working with the Klamath Tribes, university researchers, and other partners to conduct spawning surveys and set up monitoring stations to detect tagged fish.

“It will help us answer the question: Are fish moving into the new habitat, and if so, what species?” says Hereford.

This intensive monitoring will continue for at least four years. Besides informing restoration, the efforts will also reveal how fish respond to some of the challenging conditions in the upper basin.