Elephant Fossil Co-op?

At Lake Nojiri in Shinano, Nagano Prefecture in Japan there was found over 50 years ago, the fossils of Naumann elephants. They have employed what is now called the “Lake Nojiri Method” to excavate the 83,000 fossils and other items they have found since: anyone can participate.

Families with five-year-old children, troops of secondary school students, the elderly aged up to 78 have all contributed to the findings.

Perhaps someone with more expertise in archaeological digging could explain to me how “precious fossils” of 40,000 to 60,000 year old creatures can be allowed to be dug up by the inexpert hands of a 5 year old? I thought there was more delicacy and precision involved in digging up relics – you know, in case they get damaged.

Someone care to clear this up?

[Read about the dig at SBS World News]



“The Most Absurd 3D-printable iPhone accessory”

Recently, Engineer vs. Designer challenged the world to make the most absurd iPhone accessory that could be made using a 3D printer. The prize was to win a Makerbot Replicator, with a retail value of $1999.

Contestants were to upload their designs to thingiverse.com and tag their entries with ‘EvD’.

Unfortunately, the deadline was 19th March so you won’t be able to get in on the action, but it is rather amusing to browse through the 180 entries posted. I’ve collected some of the geekier (or just too awesome not to post) designs:

Anyone gonna print any of these on their home 3D printer?

See them all at thingiverse.com.

[Via DVICE]

Awesome Tardis iPhone Case

So…cool.

Case Features
-Compatible with iPhone 4 & 4S
-Hard snap-on case
-Maintains a slim profile
-Easy access to all buttons and ports
-High quality graphics that won’t fade, smudge or rub off

Skin Features
-Premium Quality Vinyl
-No residue left behind
-High resolution graphics
-Precision cut for a perfect fit

Matching Wallpaper
-You will receive a a download code and instructions to get a matching digital wallpaper that is made to lineup perfectly with your skin!

[Yours for 24.95USD on Etsy]



Cool LARP Weapons in Melbourne @ Of Science and Swords

Of Science and Swords may not be the largest company around, but they’re pretty freaking awesome.

Of Science & Swords is Melbourne’s premier Science Fiction and Fantasy bookshop, specialising in hard-to-find, back catalogue and out of print books.

Their Facebook page is often updated with their cool content like their epic LARP weaponry:

Their Facebook merchant portal has their latest books, t-shirts and sometimes LARP stuff but you should call them (+61 3 96400299) if you’re really keen on something because the availability is always changing.

Keep up the awesome work glorifying geekdom down-under!

Military Robots Showcase [Video]

Robotic arms precise enough to lift a light bulb, yet strong enough to lift a set of weights. Robots that can search suspicious territory first without requiring a human being. Robots that can push around suspicious cars, break into them and take out the explosive device, safely away from any humans.

Looks like the US Military are getting some really cool tech from the geek world, and it was all showcased at an annual robotic conference which was held this year on Harbor Island.

[CNN Via SBS World News]

Nerdy And I Know It [Music Video]

In line with the He-Man’s sexy rendition and College Humor’s Party Rock Anthem for Geeks, the Starcraft lovers at Husky Starcraft are nerdy and they know it.

Anyone else love the dancing unicorn at 2.23?

There is also Roll a D6 by Broken Record Film which I personally think is like 3000 times better. That might be because I’m more into D&D than Starcraft…but I mean c’mon…this one has an actual dragon.

“When we play we go all night eating Twizzlers.” – So much sexier than getting slizzard.

[Via League of Hot Geeks]