Archaeologists in northern Israel recently unearthed the 12,000-year-old skeleton of a female Natufian shaman, among the oldest ever found and the only shaman grave discovered thus far in the region.

The woman, estimated to be 45 years old at the time of her death, was buried in an unusual position, on her side with her back pushed up against the curved wall of an oval-shaped grave. Her legs were spread apart and folded inward at the knees.

The Natufians were a Mesolithic culture that existed in the eastern Mediterranean region between 14,500 and 11,500 years ago. It was unusual in that Natufians built stone architecture before developing agriculture.

In keeping with her presumed role in life, Hebrew University scientists said the shaman was buried with a host of artifacts reflecting her status, most notably animal parts that would represent matching animal spirits.

Researchers found 50 complete tortoise shells, the near-complete pelvis of a leopard, the wing tip of a golden eagle, the tail of a cow, two marten skulls and the forearm of a wild boar. They also found a severed human foot from a larger adult.

The significance of the foot isn't known.

PRIME NUMBERS

1,000 — Speed, in miles per hour, that British researchers hope to attain with a car powered by a jet engine and a rocket

5,023 — Number of U.S. patents this year deemed to be militarily sensitive and not open to public scrutiny

17 — Number of images of windmills symbolizing clean energy used by federal candidates in 2006 campaign ads

54 — Windmill images used by federal candidates in 2008 campaign ads

1,637 — Garbage, in pounds, generated annually by the average American (That's first in the world; Norwegians are second.)

Sources: New Scientist; U.S. Patent and Trademark Office; League of Conservation Voters; "The World's Worsts" by Les Krantz and Sue Sveum (2005)

BLOGOSPHERE

It's alive!

zayzayem.wordpress.com

An Australian blog that focuses upon biology-based news, both straight and weird.

JUST ASKING

Why do scientists call it research when they're looking for something new?

THERE'S A WORD FOR THAT

Blype — skin that peels off after a sunburn

QUIRKS OF NATURE

It's estimated the Niagara Falls have eaten their way seven miles upstream since their formation 10,000 years ago. If this erosion rate continues, the falls will disappear into Lake Erie in 22,000 years.

BRAIN SWEAT

The topic is "minalas," with a related list featuring "shore, kesan, malec, braze, conocar, nippocure and lomalaird." Can you unscramble the words?

'TRUE FACTS'

According to the World Health Organization, there are currently 400 million people worldwide who are obese, and 1.6 billion who are overweight. By 2015, those numbers are projected to grow to 700 million and 2.3 billion, respectively.

BRAIN SWEAT ANSWER

Animals; horse, snake, camel, zebra, raccoon, porcupine, armadillo.

VERBATIM

I was divorced, without a word of warning. That made me angry.

— A Japanese woman referring to her virtual persona or avatar in the interactive game "Maple Life." The woman discovered her avatar's marriage to another player's avatar had been ended. She was subsequently arrested on suspicion of computer hacking after allegedly using the other player's login details to kill off his avatar.

To find out more about Scott LaFee and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.

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