MY LAST FIELD TRIP

My last field trip was two months ago in northern of Chile, specifically in the Tarapaca Valley, near the andean town of San Lorenzo. The reason for this trip was the realization of the second fieldwork corresponding to the methods and tecniques class with Luis Cornejo, a relevant central Chilean archaeologist. This field trip, obligatory in our academic formation, was made in the context of the archaeological research project FONDECYT by Mauricio Uribe, one of the most important archaeologists of the desert region.

During the two weeks we were in San Lorenzo, we make a lot of activities archeological research. In Pircas, an archaeological early formative site, the different research teams make a intensive record of the architecture of different stone structures in the area. Also make activities of superficial collection prehistoric cultural materials over many miles. Finally, in Pircas and Caserones, another archaeological early formative site near Pircas, we make excavations inside the stone structures. In addition to this, during our fieldwork we make registration activities of the topographical characteristics in the study area.

In general, the results of fieldwork were very successful. We accomplished the architectural register of the stone structures in a 100%. It was possible, moreover, to recognize three types of structures: simple, double and complex. Also, the research teams were able to collect a large amount of cultural remains in the surface collection.
We found many stone artifacts, pottery fragments and human and animal bones. Finally, the excavation of stone structures was very productive. We were able to recognize the walls of prehistoric’s houses and remains of food, clothes and tools of the ancient inhabitants. Moreover, in an excavation in which I was present appeared an ancient burial, possibly of a child.

These investigations are very important in the field of archeology. Thanks to this research is possible to achieve a better understanding of the lifestyles of past cultures, as well as test the falsity or veracity of the old theories about the ancient inhabitants of Tarapaca.

IMPROVING MY FACULTY FACILITIES

The situation of our faculty is a shame. The classrooms are small, laboratories seem nineteenth century and the computer room is terrible. All wrong! All horrible! I am very angry!! Furthermore, our faculty building looks like a mall, the "Juan Gomez Millas Mall". Finally, the electrical system is very bad, generates many electric explosions and there are many mice (guarenes) in bathrooms. In our bathrooms are transmitted many epidemics. Last year many students had fever.

In my opinion, everything must be rebuilt. It should bring a tractor to pull down the faculty to construct a new building. In this building, the Faculty of Social Sciences 2.0, rooms should be big, with reclining seats and personal computers included. Also, laboratories should have high-tech system of various kinds. Similarly, the library should be three levels with an elevator, equal to the Faculty of Philosophy (adjacent to the Faculty of Social Sciences!).

The steps towards a transformation of this kind are 1- discuss and vote this in the assembly of students, 2-raise the money for transformations and 3-...do it! I think, the benefits of these changes would be very important. It would be a great increase in quality of life of students in the Faculty of Social Sciences. In other words, the impact of these changes would be very beneficial for all students, especially those with fewer resources.

However, I think ... anyway ... the situation in our faculty is not so bad. Maybe I have been exaggerating a bit (or not???), although the improvement of laboratories is needed!

The discovery of the second Stonehenge?

An article in The Guardian newspaper describes the discovery of an important archaeological site in England. This site, called 'Bluestonehenge', is located less than two miles from the famous site of Stonehenge. Its name is due to the important similarities that exist between these sites: for example, the circular pattern of stones, the great antiquity of the remains (about 2400BC approximately), its proximity to the River Avon, among other. However, a more particular feature of Bluestonehenge is the blue color of the stones of its buildings, unlike the gray color of the stones of Stonehenge.

According to the researchers, Stonehenge and Bluestonehenge have been part of the same complex ritual, being connected at the time of the performance of rituals and religious ceremonies. For archaeologists, the discovery of Bluestonehenge allow greater knowledge about the type of religious beliefs that were the inhabitants of the Neolithic in England. Moreover, the study of Bluestonehenge allow a better understanding of the use of Stonehenge and the reasons they would have been the prehistoric inhabitants to build these large stone structures. In other words, these studies will allow a better understanding of the lifestyle of some of Europe's oldest inhabitants, the ancestors of today's British.

To read this interesting article, you must visit the following website: http://www.guardian.co.uk/science/2009/oct/06/second-stonehenge-discovered

The classification of Chile to the World Cup

Chile ranked second in the South American tournament for the World Cup. This is important because Chile had never won such place in the qualifiers for this tournament. Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay, Colombia, are below us. Brazil alone is beyond us! Cool no? Among other things, this is important since the World Cup is one of the sports tournaments in the planet. In this respect, is important to say that soccer is the most popular sport around the globe. The importance of access to a world cup is so much greater. Finally, it is important for Chile have entered the World Cup because now Chile can ... win the world cup!

Chilean soccer team has many good players. My favorites are el mago ("The magician") Valdivia and Alexis Sanchez, el niño maravilla ("the boy wonder"). Another player I like is el chupete (“pacifier”) Suazo. I like them because they are very adept at handling the ball and great goal scorers. Suazo is the player who made more goals in qualifying for South Africa South America 2010! Another important player was Marcelo Salas, el matador (“the killer”), although already retired from soccer. However, because of his great technique and footballing skills, marcelo always be remembered as one of the largest Chilean soccer players. Moreover, their contribution to South Africa 2010 qualifiers were lots of goals.

Personally, I see the world via televisión. I will support the team from afar. South Africa is too far away, the plane ticket and stay in that country is very expensive and I do other things in Santiago. Although, anyway, of course I like to go to 2010 World Cup. In South Africa, besides soccer matches, I'd like to visit the tourist attractions of the country ... and the jungle! I do not think there is a danger that lions eat me! ¿or not?

Presidential Elections 2009 (Another Farce)

The presidential election of Chile for the period 2010-2014 will be made on December 13, 2009. These elections will be made in parallel to national elections of members of the upper and lower chamber. Possibly, there will be a second election, probably because no candidate will have an absolute majority.

The elections will be all day from 7.00 am to 17 hrs, in the previously established votation places. Generally, thise votation sites are school and stadiums. These are places where a large number of people can make their civic duties. The voting system is present in the votation place, sign the register for access to the secret place of voting and deposit the vote in the votation box. Care! The vote is totally secret !!... can’t sell or buy IT. That would be a crime.

Presidential Candidates 2009 are Eduardo Frei (that boring!), Sebastian Piñera (puaj), Enrique Ominami (an idiot) and Jorge Arrate (mmmm, too friendly with the goverment). Frei is the candidate of the current government, the government of the heirs of the military government. Piñera, worse, is the representative of the right, the children of the dictatorship. These are the two candidates most likely to win. On the other hand, Marco Enriquez Ominami (MEO) is a fake. It's like Frei and Pinera, only ... with another pack! Finally, Jorge Arrate is the most decent candidate, but also... is an ally of the government Coalition. All are part of the political system. There isn’t a true representative of workers and people.

Because of this, my vote will NULL!