Radiocarbon dating and food production

1. Explain to the best of your ability how radiocarbon dating works, and what some of the problems inherent with this type of testing are (pages 94-96)?
Radiocarbon dating is the method of using "naturally ocurring" carbon to determine the age of a material dating back to 50,000. To be honest I don't quite understand how it works. I do know that there can be some flaws in the process though. For example you must have a large amount of carbon to use radiocarbon dating. The carbon from the plant or animal body can sometimes be mixed with that of another plant or animal or the charcoal from a fire as it emitts carbon. Another problem with radiocarbon dating is that the ratio of carbon in the tmosphere can change sometimes due to temperature. This effects the way the carbon is measured resulting in wrong date.



2. What part of the world would you have wanted to live on if you were alive 1,000 years ago?
Well, if I wanted to live in any part o f the world 1,000 years ago, I would probably live in Mesoamerica. This is because, based on the chart in the book guns, germs, and steel, Mesoamerica produced the most different variety of foods. Therefore meaning you would have a healthy an complete meal almost everyday. It domesticated corn, beans, squash, and turkey.

The war from an Incan view

April 18, 2010,
Scientist Greg Presley has found the diary of an Incan Warrior. It tells of the war form another point of view. The book will be in my possession as of tomorrow.
Signed
Day Benet

April 19, 2010,
I have the diary. It explains the war in intricate detail.
"We gathered around our king not knowing what was to come. Fear was present in all the eyes of our men. After around twenty minutes a thing that looked somewhat similar to us came carrying a book that was engraved with different signs. He approached Atahullapa without permission, and started to make strange sounds as if it were crying. Atahullapa was amazed that someone would do something in front of the king himself, but like all great men, showed it courtesy and took the thing's book instead its life. The thing probably had not known of Atahullapa's importance for if the creature did, it might not have tried to grab the book from Atahullapa's hands. Furious, our lord slapped the thing, and threw the book to the ground, not wanting anything that came from such a piece of filth. The next thing we knew, hundreds of them came pouring from passage ways, and gates surrounding the city. Some of the things had bodies that reflected the sun while others looked like white dots. They carried sticks that made loud noises that echoed around. Most of our men, including I had not seen anything before, like this. The men were terrified and began climbing on top of one another, forming towers of 6 or 7. Slowly the pile would collapse and all but 1 or 2 of the men would die or be seriously injured. Many men died, but luckily I managed to reach high ground. From there I could see my city demolish thanks to these beings. Atahullapa was taken by these things, along with the lives of my fellow men. After the violence had ended and it was safe to come from my place of hiding, I climbed down the arch and saw what was left of my home. Not one was alive, and we had been robed of our treasures. If only there was something we could have done to stop this destruction.”
Tests have been done and the diary dates back to the 1830s. The tale of the Incan war against the Spaniards is complete.
Signed
Day Benet.

Maori and the Moriori

What role did ‘geography’ play in the story of the Maori and the Moriori?
Geography played a great role in the story of the Maori and the Moriori. The Maori came from a population of farmers, therefore meaning they depended on farming for food. The land in which they lived was not the type, durable to grow tropical crops due to the cold climate. Unlike the Maori, the land of the Moriori was fertile and suitable for growing tropical plants. To the Morioris the fertile land was not of much use, as the Moriori were hunters and gatherers. When the Maori heard of the Morioris tropical islands, they killed all of the Moriori and claimed their land for themselves.

Neanderthals vs. Cro-Magnon

Long ago , on the continent of Eurasia, south of Germany, lived the Neanderthals. The Neanderthals were a species similar to humans today, but with larger brains. They used crude and unpolished tools, and their hunting skills were unimpressive. Among the Neanderthals lived a young, cowardly boy named Gemo. Gemo was very selfish, and only thought of himself. One day Gemo went to the pond to gather some water to last the evening. As he filled his bucket with the clear warm water, he heard a noise come from the bush a few feet ahead. Seconds later hundreds of Cro-Magnons came pouring from behind the bush. Gemo looked around in freight for he had heard about the evil ways of the Cro-Magnons. (The Cro-Magnons were a species similar yet very different from the Neanderthals. Firstly they were far more advanced than the Neanderthals. They made tools of distinctive shapes, and weapons with multiple tools.) Gemo, not knowing what to do, quickly tried to run, but was easily captured by the soldiers.
"Show us were you're people are." Said the man who was supposedly the leader. Though Gemo was a coward, he was not easily fooled. "Why? If I show you, you will kill them and I. What's in it for me?"
"If you show us, we will spare your life." Was their response. He thought about the offer and decided to accept as he was likely not to get a better deal.
"We will leave at night," said Gemo, proud he was in control.

Night crept upon the village and quickly it was dark.Gemo, followed by the group of Cro-Magnon soldiers, travelled through the forest towards the village of the Neanderthals. After about an hour of walking, they reached the outskirts of the peaceful village. Not one soul was awake and all sources of light were extinguished. Silently the soldiers tiptoed into the village. suddenly a noise came from behind! One of the soldiers had trampled over a bundle of tools. The clanking of the tools woke the sleeping villagers. When looking around to find the source of the noise, they were puzzled to find Gemo with the Cro-Magnon men.
"Attack!" Said the leader as loud as he possibly could. One by one, men, women,and children were slaughtered....
After all had been killed, Gemo looked around in amazement, for he thought his men would not have gone so easily and chances were that they would win. He was mistaken.