We often overlook the role of children in prehistory, assuming they were naive figures free of responsibility. But recent research is revealing the way Ice Age children contributed meaningfully to their community, from herding animals to making stone tools. Take for example a roughly 10,000 year old child’s burial in France, where hundreds of tiny beads made from Dentalium shells were found around their body. It likely would have taken 15-20 hours to produce the nine metres of beads found embroidered onto the child’s clothing, showing the grief their community must have felt at their passing. Read full article here
Societal Issues
To curb drug deaths, communities turn to Reddit, texts and wastewater
With drug overdose deaths on the rise, authorities are attempting to curb the epidemic by tracking and sharing information in real time. In one unique effort, a nonprofit in New York City is using drug-testing equipment and stamping or marking habits of dealers to identify drug batches that may endanger users. Other approaches are also being used, such as monitoring drug-related chatter on Reddit and analyzing local wastewater for opioid and other drug levels. With the combination of these efforts, researchers hope to put a dent in the opioid crisis and reduce overdose deaths. Read full article here
Merv
June 1, 2023
