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THE MATERIAL WORLD
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Quentin Cooper reports on developments across the sciences. Each week scientists describe their work, conveying the excitement they feel for their research projects.
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"For me science isn't a subject, it's a perspective. There are fascinating scientific aspects to everything from ancient history to the latest gadgets, outer space to interior decorating; and each week on The Material World we try to reflect the excitement, ideas, uncertainties, collisions and collaborations as science continues its never-ending voyage into the unknown".
Quentin Cooper |
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Prehistoric sea level rise
Archaeological and geological evidence has shown that ten thousand years ago the Severn Estuary didn't exist.
The River Severn flowed into a bay near Lundy through a forest covered plain. Then the sea level rose rapidly, inundating the woodland, forcing our ancestors back inland.
Quentin talks to environmental archaeologist Professor Martin Bell, from Reading University and wetland archaeologist Dr. Nigel Nayling from the University of Wales Lampeter about the evidence they have found that helps us to understand how our ancestors lived on and coped with the changing coastline.
Evidence from the tree rings of ancient forests, footprints preserved in the sediment, butchered animal bones and charcoal have shed light on how Mesolithic humans thrived on the rich coastal plains and how they adapted to an increasing rise in sea level over the past 10,000 years.
Working in such an environment is not easy - some of the sites are only exposed for one and a half hours at Spring tides and not at all at neap tides. So the scientists must act quickly in a race against the tide to gather evidence and study the sites before they are covered over by the sea forever.
Wearable computers
Computers that you can wear were first introduced in the 1970s, before the age of personal computing had even begun. At the time, it was a way of compensating for the fact that computers weren't very user-friendly.
But the research and products that have been emerging since the mid 1990's are very different from these early 'Wearable Computers'.
We now live in an age where we personally rely on technology on a daily basis and convenience is key.
Quentin talks to Paul Gough from Phillips Research Laboratory who are researching 'wearables' - wearable technology that could mean that in the future we'll be wearing clothes that incorporate computers, mobile phones, music players and even devices that test your heart rate.
Taking it one step further is Sharon Baurley a former textile designer from Central St Martins who's looking into the future of smart fabrics and textiles, incorporating and weaving the technology into the actual fabric of the clothes rather than just holding the technology and this is really starting to bring fashion and computing together. |
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RELATED LINKS
Archaeology - Reading University
Nigel Nayling
Somerset Levels and Moors Project
Severn Estuary Partnership
English Heritage
Cadw
Severn Estuary Levels Research Committee
Smart Textiles Network
Wearable Computers Information
Central Saint Martin's College of Art and Design
BBC Science & Nature
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