http://www.actionscript.org/forums/archive/index.php3/t-124859.html

loader.load(new URLRequest((root.loaderInfo.url.substring(0, (root.loaderInfo.url).lastIndexOf(“/”) + 1 ) ) + “trefle.png”));

Among the recent news in archaeology two topics attracted my attention: new fossils and evidence of hominins and Chinese archaeology. Although the new discoveries about our early ancestors cannot be understated, we all know that greater care in excavations and DNA techniques will advance our very patchy current knowledge fast. There is little to say: it is an exciting time in the field. In recent weeks several news concerning Chinese archaeology have circulated, and while that is also a field that is booming, it is also one that did not receive much coverage in our blog. So here we go.

We all know that China is a large country, and archaeological discoveries can match that size: we only have to think of the Great Wall or the tomb of the first Chinese emperor, Qin Shi Huangdi, born Ying Zheng. Chinese archaeologists have recently raised from the sea a 600 years-old ship that probably was on route between China and India and it has been reported in Science and the media (e.g. CCTV) that they are now preparing to study it piece by piece. The discovery is significant by itself, as this is the first complete ship found on that route, but the daring technique of lifting it complete with the silt and study it comfortably in a water tank rather than exploring it underwater is exciting underwater archaeologists.

An entire rural village, Sanyangzhuang, buried by a flood of the Yellow River in year 10 or 11 BC has also made the news in Science. An entire area of 1800 square kilometres was actually flooded and several sites may be preserved in the region.

Cave art was until recently considered a European phenomenon. A forthcoming conference intends to address this view. In the meantime, news has come from China that 6,000-year-old coloured paintings with fingerprints have been found in north China caves. Not as much old as European Palaeolithic art, but clearly a sign that China is also a place to consider.

DNA analyses on mummies discovered in Xinjiang suggest that people of European and Siberian descent intermixed with Chinese people as early as 4,000 years ago.

There are many more discoveries being reported. This short selection however proves one thing: Chinese archaeology is maturing, and is opening up a land where archaeology may still surprise and discoveries can be really huge. Intute has in its catalogue some of the best websites to keep in touch with archaeological news in China, and perhaps it is time to start following what happens there, if nothing else to marvel at archaeological discoveries asit was possible for Egypt and Europe  not too long ago.

Here is the latest update from Intute and LSE Library staff

In the news this week elections.
Election 2010: History & Policy

An interesting site created by the History & Policy Network, an organisation which seeks to connect historians with the media and policy makers. It aims to offer historical insights into the UK 2010 general elections. Users can read online papers and comment from historians. Topics covered include analysis of the history of parliamentary debates and developments in election campaigning.

See more on our Elections in the news blog

HHARP (the Historic Hospitals Admission Registers Project),
This excellent site (originally called Small and Special) offers a wealth of information for family and social historians. It contains a free searchable database of over 100,000 individual admission records for children who were treated at the Hospital for Sick Children at Great Ormond Street, the Evelina Hospital and the Alexandra Hospital for Children with Hip Disease, between 1852 and 1914. Also provided are historic photos of doctors, nurses and hospital buildings and a selection of typical case studies which give the flavour of medical provision at this time. Links are provided to other websites for family and medical historians.

Race online 2012
A project supported by the UK government and led by  Martha Lane Fox, it aims to get the majority of the UK population connected to the Internet by the London Olympics in 2012. The website contains background information on the project and news about its implementation. It is also a good source for tracing full text reports and research on matters relating to digital inclusion and exclusion in Britain. These includes case studies of community projects.

Greendex: National Geographic Survey of Sustainable Consumption.
A survey conducted in 2008/2009 which measured the impact on the environment of consumer habits in 17 countries worldwide. (Argentina, Australia; Brazil; China; France Germany ; Hungary; India; Japan ; Mexico ; Russia; South Korea ; Sweden ; Spain ; United Kingdom, United States). The survey includes questions on food source and consumption, transportation, energy use, waste disposal, purchase of environmentally friendly products, and attitudes toward Green issues. Data tables can be downloaded from the website. There is also a useful interactive section where users can compare their own behaviour with other consumers.

DOE Green Energy
A useful portal launched by the United States Government Department of Energy. It provides a single access point to locating US government funded reports, projects, surveys and statistics relating to all aspects of energy policy and the environment. Key topics include renewable energy, wind power, solar power, hydropower

Haiti reconstruction Platform- Plateforme pour la refondation de Haiti
An online portal covering the reconstruction of Haiti has been launched with the support of the Haitian government and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). It provides free access to news statistics on foreign aid, documents from international aid agencies and the Haitian government and the progress of the post disaster reconstruction. Some items are offered in French only.

Hugo Chavez twitter.

The latest political leader to get his own Twitter channel. Read the latest from Venezuelan leader Hugo Chavez. Comment in Spanish on political, economic and world events.

For more information Intute also has some links to other websites by and covering Chavez. These include his TV broadcasts

Ethics and Integrity Project
A research project funded by the ESRC and the British Academy and lead by the University of Essex which is conducting a 3 year examination (2009-2011) into public perceptions of standards of political ethics in UK politics. It includes coverage of what members of the public think about recent scandals involving MPs expenses. The website includes background information on the methodology of the project, plus working papers datasets and reports.

Biblioteca italiana delle Donne
Biblioteca Digitale delle Donne (Women’s Italian Digital Library). Is an initiative of the (“Italian Women’s Library”) in Bologna, Italy. The website has 3 separate sections digitized books digitized posters section and a historical journals section.
The books section has library has about 4,000 works digitized. Most were published in Italian before 1945. They include examples covering the role of women, domestic life
The posters section of the Digital Library of Women contains posters related to initiatives, meetings and events promoted in Bologna from 1981 to 2005.
The Journals section contains 11 digitized historical newspapers mostly Italian magazine of the 20th century including: Effe, Orsa Minore, Vita femminile, La Vie Heureuse, La Donna, Cordelia, Almanacco della donna italiana, Quotidiano donna, Reti, Memoria and the Giornale delle Donne. See this example of the La Donna Fascista from the 1940s which contains information in Italian about the relationship between women and the 1940s political regime.

Citizens Council
A new online resource for students and researchers of American civil rights history. Maintained by the Southern Poverty Law Center . It will free online access to back runs of the Citizens’ Council. This magazine was published by the Citizens’ Council of Mississippi between October 1955 and September 1961.The organisation was run by white conservatives and sought to create propaganda which opposed black civil rights many materials therefore contain materials that are racist and discriminatory in attitude but which might be considered of historic significance for understanding contemporary attitudes.
Material is being added to the site on a rolling basis, including a bibliography of further readings.
And oral histories which set the materials in context.

Other materials on African American civil liberties can be viewed online via Intute

Australian policy and History.

Following the example of the famous UK History and policy website
A group of leading Australian historians have now created their own version. The purpose of which is to connect the work and findings of leading academics with the media, public and policy makers. Partners currently include University of New England, Deakin University, History Council of New South Wales and the Australian National University. It is possible to read a large and growing collection of original articles on the website. These discuss issues of current Australian policy from a historical perspective. Topics covered include New labour and History, Like Phoenix Rising from the Ashes: the Role of the Australian Red Cross and the Victorian Bushfires — a Return to the Future?

Higher Education Academy- Islamic Studies Network

A specialists sub network of the Higher Education Academy (an independent organisation funded by grants from the four UK higher education funding bodies) which seeks to promote research and education covering Islamic studies. This is defined broadly to include the economics, culture, politics and religion of Islam, Muslim cultures and societies and Islamic knowledge. The site includes news, documents and publications relating to available grants, forthcoming events, and resources (key websites lists of online theses) there are also links to a specialist email list.

International Social Science Council – relaunches website

The International Social Science Council (ISSC) is an international organisation that aims to promote the social and behavioural sciences. It was founded in 1952, under the auspices of UNESCO. Its website provides free access to information About its purpose, membership and recent events. Key features of the site include a calendar of social science events worldwide, a resource centre with links to major free online resources of social science papers.

Here is the latest updated list of links for new research from the LSE Library and Intute

More on the elections in the dedicated blog

International organisations
Environment
Politics

Education
Economics