HISTORY OF EARTH

Taranaki Daily News, 2 September 1933, Page 15 (Supplement)

HISTORY OF EARTH

CENTRAL ASIA DISCOVERIES. SVEN HEDIN EXPEDITION. London, Aug. 10. Important discoveries, which throw fresh light on the history of the earth, have been made in Central Asia by the Sino-Swedish expedition led by Dr. Sven Hedin, distinguished geographer .and traveller, reports the Peking correspondent of “The Times.” The expedition explored an area of 2600 miles in six years. Dr. Hedin is collecting the results, which it is expected will fill thirty volumes. The discoveries include gossamer insects, preserved in rocks 100,000,000 years old, and fossils of the Mesozoic period of 20,000,000 years ago, so perfectly preserved that the antennae <?£. 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. Bohlin, on examining the mountains of Nanshan, found fossils of unknown animals, and ostrich egg-shells, 2,000,000 years old, in a regio: where it is believed the ostriches were imprisoned by mountains which ros: 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 became desolated, and now only clay walls remain. Dr. Ambolt, who was missing for nine months in the north of Tiber after losing his caravan in a blizzard, .made experiments relating to the earth’s gravity, including pendulum tests measured to one-millionth of an inch. He worked fifty-five hours, and could snatch only a few minutes sleep at a time. Stone-age implements have been found, but no fossils of ancient man, who Dr. Hedin believes witnessed the great earth movements which Dr. Bohlin’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 Christinas tree.