CENTRAL ASIA.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 53, Issue 272, 29 August 1933, Page 5

CENTRAL ASIA.

INTERESTING DISCOVERIES.

LONDON, 9.

Important discoveries, which threw fresh light on the history of the earth, have been made in Central Asia by the Sino-Swedish expedition led by T‘r. Sven Hedin, distinguished geographer and traveller, reports the Pek.ng correspondent of “The Times.” ‘yhe expedition explored an area of 2600 miles in six years. Dr. Hedin is collating the results, which it is expected will fill 30 volumes. The discoveries include gossamer insects, preserved in rocks 100,000.0::3 years old, and fossils of J ’be Mes'itcTe period of 20,000.-000 years ago. so perfectly preserved that the antenna© cf a giant dragonfly can be observed distinctly..

Writings 2000 years old have been found inscribed on wooden strips used before paper was invented, describing a campaign against Huns who were raiding the silk route to Rome. Dr. Bolilin, on examining the mountains of Nanshan. found fossils of unknown animals, and ostrich eggshells, 2,000,000 years old, in a region where it is believed the ostriches were imprisoned by mountains which rose during earth movements. Dr. Hoerner has discovered proof of wandering lakes, the migrations of which isolated the once flourishing city of Edsina, which Marco Polo describes. The city decame desolated, and now onlte clay walls remain. Dr. Ambof;, who was missing for nine months in the north of Tibet- after losing his cur avail in a blizzard, made experiments relating to the earth’s gravity, including pendulum tests measured to one-millionth of an inch. He worked 55 hours and could snatch only a few minutes sleep at a time. Stone-age implements have been found, but no fossils of ancivv man,who Dr. Hedin believes witnessed the great earth movements which Dr. Boldin’s studies suggest occurred in comparatively recent times. The expedition was practically separated from civilisation for the six years.

One of the few links was an aeroplane making a trial air mail flight from China to Europe, which alighted alongside a small group gathered to celebrate Christmas, and presented them with a Christmas tree.