Innholdsfortegnelse for Issue 6 - 2016 i ASIAN Geographic

You begin this way: this is your hand, this is your eye, this is a fish, blue and flat on the paper, almost the shape of an eye This is your mouth, this is an O or a moon, whichever you like. This is yellow. Outside the window is the rain, green because it is summer, and beyond that the trees and then the world, which is round and has only the colours of these nine crayons. This is the world, which is fuller and more difficult to learn than I have said. You are right to smudge it that way with the red and then the orange: the world burns. Once you have learned these words you will learn that there are more words than you can ever learn.…

“I think the terracotta warriors may be inspired by Western culture, but were uniquely made by the Chinese” A recent study has revealed that Europeans may have been in China some 1,500 years prior to Marco Polo. However, a subsequent distortian of facts has fuelled a row as to whether the design of the Terracotta Army was influenced by the West In 1974, east of Xi’an in Shaanxi Province, farmers stumbled upon a human face staring up at them macabrely from the soil. They had unknowingly discovered the terracotta warriors safeguarding the tomb of Qin Shi Huang, the first emperor of China (259–210 BC). The now-famous funerary art exhibit consists of 8,000 statues armed with their weapons, horses and chariots cast in extraordinary detail, sporting intricate hairstyles and elaborate detailing…

Rock art dated to a minimum of almost 40000 age , years has been discovered in the Maros region of southern Sulawesi, Indonesia. This is an incredible finding, first published in Nature in 2014, because one of the biggest challenges in rock art research is dating. Consequently, every time we get dates for rock art, wherever from and no matter how old or young, it is important. But when we get really old dates outside Europe, it is both highly significant and very exciting. Specifically, the earliest minimum age for a hand stencil was found to be at least 39,900 years at the site of Leang Timpuseng, and the oldest animal painting, of a babirusa “pig-deer” at the same site, dates back at least 35,400 years. A second animal painting…

1 ARCHICEBUS ACHILLES A primate fossil known from a well-preserved skeleton from China around 55 million years ago 2 EOSIMIAS A primate fossil from China around 45 million years ago, possibly ancestral to monkeys, apes and humans 3 AFRASIA DIJIJIDAE A primate fossil discovered from four teeth from Myanmar which are around 36 million years old, possibly ancestral to monkeys, apes and humans 4 SIVAPITHECUS Discovered from Indian fossils (12 million years old); a genus of apes; possible an early human ancestor 5 OURANOPITHECUS TURKAE Three fossil skulls found in Turkey estimated at eight million years old; part of a genus that was once considered ancestral to the great apes and the hominids 6 LUFENGPITHECUS Three proposed species of hominoid primates from southwest China between 11 and six million years…

The prehistoric roots of Zoroastrianism are to be found in northern Iran, and what is now Azerbaijan, in the early second millennium BC Adam and Eve, if they existed, would have known God in the wonder of the natural world, the earth, the air, and water. Jesus Christ was not a Christian, but a Jew, and he knew better than anyone that God is multifaceted. Although Jewish scholars and theologians name Abraham as the first Jew because he rejected idolatry and recognised one god, the concept of monotheism – which passed from Jews to Christians, and then to Muslims, too – was not something new. Abraham just happened to be the man who made it famous, and whom popular history has recorded as the originator, the first believer. But before…

Scientists have long theorised that matter emerged from primordial soup. But it now appears that we may have been wrong about the origins of life… Where this energy comes from and how it gets there can tell us a whole lot about the universal principles governing life’s evolution and origin For nearly nine decades, science’s favourite explanation for the origin of life has been the primordial soup. This is the idea that life began from a series of chemical reactions in a warm pond on Earth’s surface, triggered by an external energy source such as lightning strike or ultraviolet (UV) light. But recent research adds weight to an alternative idea, that life arose deep in the ocean within warm, rocky structures called hydrothermal vents. A study published this year in…

“My argument is that history is made by men and women, just as it can also be unmade and rewritten, always with various silence and elisions, always with shapes imposed and disfigurements tolerated” A contemporary understanding of Asia would be found deeply wanting had it not been for the influential work of critic Edward Said, author of the seminal text Orientalism in 1978. Born in Palestine, raised between Cairo and Jerusalem, and educated in the US, the shrewd intellectual put his unique multicultural position to the project of improving understanding between Western and Eastern schools of thought. Not one to shy away from controversy, Said was fiercely critical of the romanticised Western representations and perceptions of people from the Orient, particularly from the Middle East. He held this exoticism as…

From the rare Amur tigers of Siberia, to the gangly gibbons of Borneo, Asia has a wealth of wildlife. Some animals freely roam the wild, whereas others rely on human intervention to stop them from teetering into extinction 1 YALA NATIONAL PARK, SRI LANKA Yala is the second largest national park in Sri Lanka, home to Panthera pardus kotiya, a native leopard. The 130,000 hectares of diverse landscape consists of forestry, grasslands and lagoons. Visitors will also be able to spot the Sri Lankan sloth bear, elephant and water buffalo during their treks. The park houses Sithulpawwa, an ancient monastic settlement and former pilgrimage site, which was home to around 12,000 people some 2,000 years ago. To get to Yala, you can take an organised tour, or a local bus…

“The greatness of humanity is not in being human, but in being humane” (Mahatma Gandhi) What makes us human? Is it our accidental genetic advantage owing to evolutionary fortune? Our mental faculty for reason? Our imagination? Is it our faith – our respective religious beliefs in the power of a higher order? Or is it our capacity for morality, and our equal predisposition for immorality, allowing us to wage war, conquer, destroy – even each other? Aristotle called us “rational animals”, set apart by our pursuit of knowledge, inspired to create. But beyond the bounds of reason, and the social controls of law and order, are we merely running on caveman software? We trace our origins on the tree of life, investigating how we diverged from our common ancestors over…

CHINA Pottery C. 18,000 BC The oldest piece of pottery discovered was found in Jianxi, a district of Henan, China, and dates to about 18,000 BC. The earliest attempts at pottery were not fired; instead, the clay was pressed into a mould and then sun-dried. As a result, early pottery was not very durable. All that remains of these ancient relics are crumbly bits of pots and figurines. The first fired pottery was simply placed in a pit, and a bonfire was built around it. Pit-firing began around 10,000 BC. The kiln, an enclosed oven specifically designed for firing pottery, was invented in Mesopotamia around 1,500 BC. SYRIA Farming C. 9,000 BC Humans are thought to have gathered the seeds of wild grasses for food for thousands of years. Around…

Map Key Homo erectus 1.8million years ago (YA) The African Model Homo heidelbergensis evolved into Denisovans and Neaderthals, later producing hominins in China Modern humans emerged from Africa around 200,000 years ago, arriving in the Middle East between 120,000 to 80,000 years ago, and later spreading through Europe and Asia The Asian Model Homo erectus descendants from the Middle East worked their way into Europe and Asia, giving rise to hominin populations and Homo heidelbergensis in Africa Modern humans evolved in Africa from Homo heidelbergensis or a hominin from the Middle East, and moved into Eurasia over the course of several waves EVOLUTIONARY ROUTES Homo erectus evolved some 1.8 million years ago. Trace the two models of the evolutionary journeys of Homo erectus’ descendents. The more commonly accepted…

An ambassador travels to distant parts of the world and brings stories with them from their homeland. Today, Asia – Earth’s supercontinent – is home to many important animal groups that have deep genetic roots tied to the region’s ancient landscapes. Finding the geographical localities of these species in compiling a map of their evolutionary origins is something of a puzzle. Our tools are primarily rare, often minimal, fossil remains, with additional insights offered by the relative distributions of related species; we can also employ genetic dating techniques to place their origins. These animal ambassadors may surprise you: Some of these species are no longer found in Asia, having travelled in different migratory trajectories; others are remembered only through their fossilised remains, leaving their stories for us to interpret millions…

The war on drugs has raised controversial public scrutiny on drug policy in Asia. And yet, drug control is a relatively modern phenomenon After decades of wars and violence, from the Vietnam War to the Killing Fields of Cambodia, peace now reigns across Southeast Asia. Even in Myanmar, war-torn for decades, peace negotiations are underway. But one war stubbornly remains: It is brutal and merciless, backed with the harshest laws and toughest police action, but is nevertheless apparently intractable and unwinnable. This is the drug war. In the Philippines, since President Rodrigo Duterte took office four months ago, close to 4,000 drug suspects have been gunned down by police and vigilantes. Innocent people and children killed in the crossfire were, in Duterte’s words, “collateral damage”. Elsewhere in Asia, gunfire on…

“The important thing for the survival of the Thai society is that the majority of those who work, both in the government and the private sector, still strive to work in the same direction; this is why the Thai nation still stands” Thailand’s beloved King Bhumibol Adulyadej, the world’s longest-reigning monarch, passed away at the age of 88 on October 13, 2016 after 70 years as head of state. A statement was released by the royal household that the king had “passed away peacefully” at Siriraj Hospital in Bangkok after battling poor health for some years. His son, Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn, was announced as the new monarch to succeed his father’s rule – a somewhat controversial choice. Many people in Thailand viewed Bhumibol as semi-divine. At the news that…

According to the 2016 World Wildlife Fund’s global tiger census, an estimated 3,900 tigers are left in the wild The past 13 years have taken me on several journeys through many parts of India. These opportunities to experience the rich biodiversity of Nature on the subcontinent has led me to return again and again, begging for more. My first encounter with the most sought-after species of wildlife in India – the tragically endangered royal Bengal tiger – was in Nagarhole National Park in the Western Ghats, home to the Kabini River Lodge. One late afternoon, the late John Wakefield – who was also fondly known as “Papa John” – radioed the safari jeeps while on his daily leisure drive, having spotted the stealthy “king of the jungle”. Without hesitation, our…

Lord Buddha spoke of the four sacred places that every believer should visit: Lumbini, where he was born; Bodh Gaya, where he found enlightenment; Sarnath, where he gave his first sermon; and Kushinagar, where he attained beatification Lumbini THE BIRTHPLACE Lumbini is where Lord Buddha was born as Prince Siddhartha in 623 BC. Today, this is one of the holiest shrines for Buddhists. Its archaeological history is also of interest to non-believers. The holy site near the Indo-Nepalese border is surrounded by a zone where only monasteries are allowed to be built; the eastern zone houses the Theravadin monasteries, whereas the western area is home to the Mahayana and Vajrayana monasteries. Lumbini has numerous ruins, as well as the sacred bodhi tree, an ancient bathing pond, the Ashokan pillar and…

Print Digital ASIAN Geographic has a consistent editorial focus aimed at showcasing the best of Asia to the world. From culture and heritage to environmental issues and social trends, we are proud to bring you Asia in all its beauty and complexity. AG PASSPORT magazine is now incorporated into the flagship title, ASIAN Geographic. While bound together, AG PASSPORT will continue to maintain its own identity, giving readers a new approach to travel appreciation. AG JUNIOR is a magazine for youngsters growing up in Asia. This bi-monthly title is the only magazine that showcases Asia and opens an infinite world of possibilities for youths aged 7 to 13. The biggest supporters of the magazine, however, are the parents who welcome new ideas and activities that keep their children occupied and…

Born in the golden age of Muslim civilisation as Abu Ali al-Hasan ibn al-Hasan ibn al-Haitham – often called Alhazen by Western theorists – in 965 in Basra, Iraq, Ibn Al-Haytham was one of the earliest scientists to study the characteristics of light and the mechanics of vision. During his years in Egypt, he spent 10 years living under house arrest for turning down a project to help build a dam along the Nile. Instead, he proceeded to write one of the most renowned works of his time, the Kitab al-Manazir, translated as the Book of Optics or the Book of Vision. Ibn Al-Haytham was a pioneer in marrying optics, mathematics and astronomy. He experimented endlessly to advance the knowledge of optics, looking to prove his theory that light travelled…

 If nothing else, 2016 has demonstrated the unexpected power of a popular mythology to capture people’s hearts, minds, and wallets. Among the more lighthearted demonstrations of this fanaticism is Pokemon Go, a GPS-based, augmented reality smartphone game that rebooted the global pop culture phenomenon of Pokemon. Even before it was released in its home country, Japan, Pokemon Go had become the most-downloaded phone application in a single week – in history. Reports of its enthralled players exploring their city for the first time, entering churches and graveyards in pursuit of Pokemon, and even becoming seriously injured whilst playing the game, caused equal bemusement and moral panic. Japanese religion has been integral to the making of global popular culture – including Pokemon Go. From its animist origins, this global gaming phenomenon…

Kenyanthropus 3.5 TO 3.2 MYA This hominin fossil was discovered in Lake Turkana in Kenya in 1999. It is suspected that they were the earliest tool users Homo habilis 2.8 MYA The “handy man” was the first from the Homo genus, to which we belong. Found in 1955 at Olduvai Gorge in Tanzania Homo erectus 1.8 MYA Found in Java, Indonesia in 1891, this key transitional species shows the first definite sign of an upright posture, and bipedality Homo neanderthalensis 0.4 MYA They were closely related to Homo sapiens, sharing around 99.7% of our DNA; their cranium was larger than ours Homo sapiens 0.2 MYA Descended, like the Neanderthals, from Heidelbergensis, the oldest specimen was found at Omo River, Ethiopia, in 1967…

He laid the groundwork for modern warfare, from the Blitzkrieg strategy of the Nazis, to the use of chemical weapons. Subotai the Valiant was the pioneer of war. You have heard of Alexander the Great and Hannibal, but it’s likely that the greatest general and military strategist of all has passed you by. He led the largest and most devastating horse-borne force ever seen, and conquered territories stretching from Hungary and Syria in the West, to Vladivostok and the Sea of Japan in the East. He pioneered siege engines and battlefield explosives, and devised new longbow designs. He laid the groundwork for modern warfare, from the Blitzkrieg strategy of the Nazis, to the use of chemical weapons and improvised explosive devices (IEDs). His name was Subotai the Valiant, and whilst…

1927–1928 Bhumibol is born on December 5, 1927 in Cambridge, Massachusetts to HRH Prince Mahidol Adulyadej, the Prince of Songkla, and HRH Princess Srinagarindra, the Princess Mother. In 1928, Bhumibol is brought to Thailand. His father passes away a year later 1946 His brother, King Ananda Mahidol, dies from a gunshot wound, which begins a 100-day mourning period. Bhumibol Adulyadej, 18, is named the new king, but returns to Switzerland to continue his studies while his uncle acts as regent 1949–1950 Bhumibol becomes engaged to Mom Rajawongse Sirikit Kitiyakara on July 19, 1949 in Lausanne. On April 28, 1950 Bhumibol marries Sirikit. On May 5, Bhumibol returns to Bangkok and is crowned king at age 22 1970s–1980s On October 14, 1973, students campaign for the end of the rule of…

WHEN Between October and April is the best time to visit the park. Avoid the peak season in December and January WHERE Nagarhole National Park is about 220 kilometres southwest of Bangalore in Karnataka State HOW There are numerous direct flights to Bangalore from major cities in Asia. Hire a taxi from the airport for the five-hour trip to the park WHAT TO SEE Aside from tigers and leopards, Nagarhole’s highlights include elephants, Indian bison, sloth bears, crocodiles, and various deer species. On the way to the park, stop off at Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary for spotted open-billed storks, Eurasian spoonbills, river terns, spot-billed pelicans, pied kingfishers and marsh crocodiles…