Science Circle

Classical Concert
2023-09-17 07:00 - 08:00, 2023-09-10 07:00 - 08:00, 2023-09-03 08:00 - 17:00, 2023-08-27 07:00 - 08:00, 2023-08-20 07:00 - 08:00, 2023-08-13 07:00 - 08:00, 2023-08-06 07:00 - 08:00, 2023-07-30 07:00 - 08:00 (America/Los_Angeles) and 5 more dates | The Lighthouse Café

International Equal Pay Day
2023-09-16 21:00 - 22:00 | SC East Meeting Spot
International Equal Pay Day
Join us as we discuss situations of Equal pay on our respective countries! How has your country improved over the years, does it still have room for improvement?

Is this the first time you will attend a presentation with us?
Follow this link first.

Maternity Hospital: A Metaphor for Human Fertilization
2023-09-16 10:00 - 11:00 | Auditorium
Maternity Hospital: An Metaphor for human fertilization from gametogenesis through implantation
A presentation by Phil Youngblood, PH.D

I remember a video the teacher showed in biology class back when I was in secondary school in the 1960s in which an army of wiggly sperm swam at high speed in some kind of race, through the bends and divisions of cavernous tunnels, seeming to know the way, until the vast majority of them surprised and attacked a defenseless egg cell. I was surprised to find this same video on YouTube the other month (albeit with freshened graphics and a hint in the narration of what else might be going on).

What goes on during human fertilization has proved difficult to study because of bioethics, namely the possibility of endangering a pregnancy. What scientists have discovered however has led to a paradigm shift away from this male-dominated view of fertilization, at least among the scientifically literate population. Yet, talking about how the human body works from about the lungs down to the knees is still not something you do in ‘polite’ company in many cultures, even among educated people, and not even among intimate partners in more misogynistic cultures. So, like so many subjects about which our first and last factual exposure to them occurred when we were teenagers, old-fashioned and incorrect views about human fertilization persist in the general population, at least until something goes wrong ‘down there.’

‘Maternity Hospital’ is a way that I have devised to discuss the fascinating details of human fertilization without the use of graphic illustrations or descriptions. In fact, the video about the sperm racing to attack the egg is as close to resembling what the physical environment looks like as I will get. The rest of the explanation is through use of metaphors about an environment that most of us have experienced sometime in our lives, in-person or in media, that of what happens in various rooms in a hospital and interactions among people with different roles within those rooms. A hospital run entirely by woman, by the way.
Come join me to discover how much you know, or have not yet learned, about the intricate and fascinating way in which gametes are created, how they meet, and how the egg is made ready to create a new human. NOTE: Gametogenesis will be covered lightly as a separate presentation following this one will go into the details of that initial part of the human fertilization process.

World Suicide Prevention Day
2023-09-09 21:00 - 22:00 | SC East Meeting Spot
World Suicide Prevention Day
In observation of World Suicide Prevention Day on September 10th, we invite you to discuss your experiences/stories where you, or someone you love, has been confronted with the tragedy of suicide.
Is this the first time you will attend a presentation with us?
Follow this link first.

BB: Generative AI - Promise or Peril?
2023-09-09 10:00 - 11:00 | The Lighthouse Café
Beragon’s Bistro: GENERATIVE AI – PROMISE OR PERIL?
The next step in the evolution of artificial intelligence technologies called Generative AI has certainly generated a lot of discussion.

In this first Bistro of the 2023-2034 season, let us together explore some of the following topics:
—What can Generative AI software technologies do?
—What technologies does it borrow from or improve upon that make it innovative?
—What does Generative AI require to accomplish its work?
—What types of outputs can Generative AI create?
—How are these outputs currently used and what are some of their potentials?
—How might it benefit certain type of businesses?
—Why might there be so much hype about this technology? Have there been past examples where this happened?
—What are some of the speculations about its potential social impacts?
Join us for what promises to be an exciting conversation!
References:
IBM. (April 2023). What is Generative AI?
NVIDIA. What is Generative AI?

Maths Club: Paul Erdős(SC East timeslot)
2023-09-02 21:00 - 22:00 | Auditorium
Paul Erdős and the INFINITUDE of the PRIMES
– from the annals of MathsClub of Science Circle
Presentation by Tagline – Robert A. Hendrix, M.D.

Great progress in mathematics was achieved during the tumultuous 20.century. There was such a plethora of new, conceptual mathematics that of necessity,

there is always a great deal they never get around to teaching you in your PhD programs regardless of your discipline.

Among other things, it was the century of the eccentric, Budapest-born Paul Erdős (pronounced “Pal Air-dush”, b. 26 March 1913 – d. 20 September 1996). Over his lifetime, Erdős became the most published mathematician in history (around 1,500 mathematical papers as well as six books). We will take a close look at the life lived by this man – this unusual, “homeless” mathematician, described as the “MAN WHO LOVED ONLY NUMBERS”.
And we will consider the breadth of his contributions to modern mathematics.
A series is a countably INFINITE SUM of numerical terms. We will define how such a series can have a definite total, in which case it CONVERGES, or if not, then it DIVERGES. Firstly, we will reflect on convergence vs divergence of a few infinite series; secondly, a quick look at the Harmonic Series; then we will focus on the question of CONVERGENCE of the “HARMONIC SERIES OF THE PRIMES“:

Now ask yourself, “Does this infinite series actually converge? Does it actually equal a real number?”
This question was first settled by Swiss mathematician, Leonhard Euler around 1740, but his proof involved analytic functions such as the natural logarithmic function, as well as some “sleight of hand” using intuitive mathematics that “crossed the line”. Paul Erdős has an extraordinary and clever proof that further settles this question, and his proof does NOT call on any special or analytic functions, but rather depends on pure, indisputable logic based on a deep dive into the properties of numbers. Consequently, the very approachable Erdős proof is a CLASSIC – we will deconstruct this proof step-by-step such that any audience member with a cup of coffee in hand can follow it. Erdős himself stated “a mathematician is a machine that transforms coffee into equations.”
Once you see the brilliance and depth of Erdős proof, you will come away with a sense of awe for the depth and cleverness of pure number theory.
We will also discuss the INFINITUDE OF THE PRIMES and EUCLID NUMBERS as a subset of Natural (counting) Numbers. Finally, we will discuss the Ancient Greek LIMITATIONS in their understanding of NUMBERS. In closing, we will state a couple of UNSOLVED PROBLEMS IN MODERN MATHEMATICS for members of the Science Circle audience to work on.

Is this the first time you will attend a presentation with us?
Follow this link first.

Maths Club: Paul Erdős
2023-09-02 10:00 - 11:00 | Auditorium
Paul Erdős and the INFINITUDE of the PRIMES
– from the annals of MathsClub of Science Circle

Presentation by Tagline – Robert A. Hendrix, M.D.

Great progress in mathematics was achieved during the tumultuous 20.century. There was such a plethora of new, conceptual mathematics that of necessity,

there is always a great deal they never get around to teaching you in your PhD programs regardless of your discipline.

Among other things, it was the century of the eccentric, Budapest-born Paul Erdős (pronounced “Pal Air-dush”, b. 26 March 1913 – d. 20 September 1996). Over his lifetime, Erdős became the most published mathematician in history (around 1,500 mathematical papers as well as six books). We will take a close look at the life lived by this man – this unusual, “homeless” mathematician, described as the “MAN WHO LOVED ONLY NUMBERS”.
And we will consider the breadth of his contributions to modern mathematics.
A series is a countably INFINITE SUM of numerical terms. We will define how such a series can have a definite total, in which case it CONVERGES, or if not, then it DIVERGES. Firstly, we will reflect on convergence vs divergence of a few infinite series; secondly, a quick look at the Harmonic Series; then we will focus on the question of CONVERGENCE of the “HARMONIC SERIES OF THE PRIMES“:

Now ask yourself, “Does this infinite series actually converge? Does it actually equal a real number?”
This question was first settled by Swiss mathematician, Leonhard Euler around 1740, but his proof involved analytic functions such as the natural logarithmic function, as well as some “sleight of hand” using intuitive mathematics that “crossed the line”. Paul Erdős has an extraordinary and clever proof that further settles this question, and his proof does NOT call on any special or analytic functions, but rather depends on pure, indisputable logic based on a deep dive into the properties of numbers. Consequently, the very approachable Erdős proof is a CLASSIC – we will deconstruct this proof step-by-step such that any audience member with a cup of coffee in hand can follow it. Erdős himself stated “a mathematician is a machine that transforms coffee into equations.”
Once you see the brilliance and depth of Erdős proof, you will come away with a sense of awe for the depth and cleverness of pure number theory.
We will also discuss the INFINITUDE OF THE PRIMES and EUCLID NUMBERS as a subset of Natural (counting) Numbers. Finally, we will discuss the Ancient Greek LIMITATIONS in their understanding of NUMBERS. In closing, we will state a couple of UNSOLVED PROBLEMS IN MODERN MATHEMATICS for members of the Science Circle audience to work on.

Aging, part 6
2023-08-26 07:00 - 08:00 | Auditorium
We will discuss the science and implications and potential approaches to better aging. Hosted by a molecular biologist with experience relevant to the field. Specific videos TBD.
Stephen Gasior (Xootfly). Stephen is an expert in DNA repair and highly knowledgeable about human genomics and has published in those fields. Please join him as he curates a selection of relevant videos and leads discussion on aging topics.

Use of Senolytics as Modifiers of Aging Trajectory – James Kirkland, MD, PhD
– Presenter: James Kirkland, MD, PhD
– Lecture: Use of Senolytics as Modifiers of Aging Trajectory
– Presented in Session 1: Biological Aging

David Sinclair at ARDD2022: Great release of unpublished data from David Sinclair’s Lab
The Aging and Drug Discovery Conference (ARDD) 2022 is pleased to present David Sinclair from Harvard Medical School, who shares new unpublished results from his lab at Harvard Medical School.
Held in Copenhagen at the glorious Ceremonial Hall, this meeting gathers the most prominent figures of the aging and longevity research field, from scientists to clinicians, investors, developers, and everything in between.

Aging, part 5
2023-08-19 07:00 - 08:00 | Auditorium
We will discuss the science and implications and potential approaches to better aging. Hosted by a molecular biologist with experience relevant to the field. Specific videos TBD.
Stephen Gasior (Xootfly). Stephen is an expert in DNA repair and highly knowledgeable about human genomics and has published in those fields. Please join him as he curates a selection of relevant videos and leads discussion on aging topics.

“Healthy Brain Aging” by Kaitlin Casaletto, PhD, at MAC Research Education Event, Jun 11, 2019
At the 2019 UCSF Memory and Aging Center Research Education Event, clinician-scientists share their findings.

A precision approach to end Alzheimer’s Disease | Dale Bredesen | TEDxManhattanBeach
Dr. Dale Bredesen believes this is the last generation to fear Alzheimer’s and shares how a precision approach to treatment can reverse cognitive decline.
Dr. Dale E. Bredesen received an undergraduate degree from Caltech, medical degree from Duke, and served his residency and chief residency in Neurology at the University of California San Francisco (UCSF). Prior to joining the UCLA faculty and then being recruited by the Burnham Institute to direct the Program on Aging, he earned a postdoctoral fellowship in the laboratory of Nobel laureate Professor Stanley Prusiner.
He served as the founding President of the Buck Institute for Research on Aging and as Adjunct Professor at UCSF before returning to UCLA to direct the Easton Center for Alzheimer’s Disease Research, and as Professor of Molecular and Medical Pharmacology at the David Geffen School of Medicine.

Aging, part 4
2023-08-12 06:00 - 07:00 | The Lighthouse Café
We will discuss the science and implications and potential approaches to better aging. Hosted by a molecular biologist with experience relevant to the field. Specific videos TBD.
Stephen Gasior (Xootfly). Stephen is an expert in DNA repair and highly knowledgeable about human genomics and has published in those fields. Please join him as he curates a selection of relevant videos and leads discussion on aging topics.

Reframing Health and Ageing Looking at Reproductive Longevity with Jennifer Garrison | WIRED Health
Jennifer Garrison is one of the world’s top experts in the science of reproductive ageing and, as the co-founder of Global Consortium for Reproductive Longevity & Equality, she’s also the pioneer in the new movement to advance science focused on female health.
In this talk she discusses the functional decline in the female reproductive system, the impact on this on women’s health and well being as well as the further research needed to understand the correlation between reproductive span and lifespan.
‘A women’s reproductive span, which is the age at which she goes through menopause, is linked to her overall lifespan. Now this is a correlation we have absolutely no idea what is causing this but it’s a real correlation. It’s been shown in many studies that a women going through menopause later will tend to live longer.’

How menopause affects the brain | Lisa Mosconi
Many of the symptoms of menopause — hot flashes, night sweats, insomnia, memory lapses, depression and anxiety — start in the brain. How exactly does menopause impact cognitive health? Sharing groundbreaking findings from her research, neuroscientist Lisa Mosconi reveals how decreasing hormonal levels affect brain aging — and shares simple lifestyle changes you can make to support lifelong brain health.

Aging, part 3
2023-08-05 07:00 - 08:00 | The Lighthouse Café
We will discuss the science and implications and potential approaches to better aging. Hosted by a molecular biologist with experience relevant to the field. Specific videos TBD.
Stephen Gasior (Xootfly). Stephen is an expert in DNA repair and highly knowledgeable about human genomics and has published in those fields. Please join him as he curates a selection of relevant videos and leads discussion on aging topics.

The Formula for Successful Aging | Gary Small | TEDxUCLA
Recent scientific evidence is compelling that lifestyle habits have a significant impact on cognitive health and successful longevity; but the many reports are sometimes confusing and contradictory. This session will explain and highlight relevant new discoveries and translate them into practical strategies for improving memory performance, optimizing brain health, and living better longer.
Parlow-Solomon Professor on Aging and Professor of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA; Director, UCLA Longevity Center; Director, UCLA Division of Geriatric Psychiatry, Jane and Terry Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior at UCLA This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community.

Peter Attia: What if we’re wrong about diabetes?
As a young ER doctor, Peter Attia felt contempt for a patient with diabetes. She was overweight, he thought, and thus responsible for the fact that she needed a foot amputation. But years later, Attia received an unpleasant medical surprise that led him to wonder: is our understanding of diabetes right? Could the precursors to diabetes cause obesity, and not the other way around? A look at how assumptions may be leading us to wage the wrong medical war.

Aging, part 2
2023-07-29 07:00 - 08:00 | The Lighthouse Café
We will discuss the science and implications and potential approaches to better aging. Hosted by a molecular biologist with experience relevant to the field. Specific videos TBD.
Stephen Gasior (Xootfly). Stephen is an expert in DNA repair and highly knowledgeable about human genomics and has published in those fields. Please join him as he curates a selection of relevant videos and leads discussion on aging topics.

Emerging aging research | Nir Barzilai | TEDxBoston
Dr. Barzilai’s research interests are in the biology and genetics of aging. One focuses on the genetic of exceptional longevity, where we hypothesize and demonstrated that centenarians have protective genes, which allows the delay of aging or for the protection against age-related diseases. In a Program he is leading we take full advantage of phenotypes, DNA, and cells from the Ashkenazi Jewish families with exceptional longevity and the appropriate controls and his group have established at Einstein (over 2600 samples of which ~670 are centenarians) and discovered underling genomic differences associated with longevity. Longevity Genes Project (LGP) is a cross-sectional, on-going collection of blood and phenotype from families with centenarian proband. LonGenity is a longitudinal study of 1400 subjects, half offspring of parents with exceptional longevity, validating and following their aging in relationship to their genome. The second direction, for which Dr. Barzilai is holding an NIH Merit award that focuses on the metabolic decline of aging, and his team hypothesize that the brain leads this decline. His lab has identified several central pathways that specifically alter body fat distribution and insulin action and secretion by intraventricular or hypothalamic administration of several peptides that are modulated by aging including: Leptin, IGF-1, IGFBP3 and resveratrol.

Champalimaud Research Symposium 2022 – Vera Gorbunova
Vera Gorbunova – Mechanisms of longevity and cancer resistance in long-lived mammals

Aging
2023-07-22 07:00 - 08:00 | The Lighthouse Café
We will discuss the science and implications and potential approaches to better aging. Hosted by a molecular biologist with experience relevant to the field. Specific videos TBD.
Stephen Gasior (Xootfly). Stephen is an expert in DNA repair and highly knowledgeable about human genomics and has published in those fields. Please join him as he curates a selection of relevant videos and leads discussion on aging topics.

How young blood might help reverse aging. Yes, really | Tony Wyss-Coray
Tony Wyss-Coray studies the impact of aging on the human body and brain. In this eye-opening talk, he shares new research from his Stanford lab and other teams which shows that a solution for some of the less great aspects of old age might actually lie within us all.
Is Aging Reversible? A Scientific Look with David Sinclair | David Sinclair
Have you ever wondered how long you will live? And if so, how could you change that number to live drastically longer? The science might be in your favor: follow David Sinclair, Australian biologist and professor of genetics at Harvard University, as he shares his research on slowing and reversing the process of aging in mice, and how the same technology may someday be transferable to humans. David Sinclair, Australian biologist and professor of genetics at Harvard University, shares his insightful research into the science of age reversal and anti-aging medicine.
David Sinclair, Australian biologist and professor of genetics at Harvard University, shares his insightful research into the science of age reversal and anti-aging medicine. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community.

Human Evolution
2023-07-15 10:00 - 11:00 | The Lighthouse Café
It seems like we constantly learn new things about Neanderthals that suggest they were more like us than we thought. We have also discovered more types of early humans such as Denisovans. Neanderthals and Denisovans are much older (that is, they arose much earlier) than we did and lived in Europe or Asia, but we came out of Africa. This is a little confusing. Please join us at the SC Lighthouse venue to try to unpack what to make of this new information and to learn about the evolution of humans more broadly.

Resources:
A Neanderthal Perspective on Human Origins – 2014
The complex evolution of homo sapiens – 1,000,000 to 30,000 years ago
Neanderthal symbolism and ornament manufacture: The bursting of a bubble?
Birch tar production does not prove Neanderthal behavioral complexity
Meet the Ancestors

Discussion led by Matt Burr (Beragon Betts)

Second Life Birthday 20 YEARS
2023-06-24 21:00 - 22:00 | Jude
Second Life’s 20th anniversary also marks Science Circle’s 15th anniversary.
Today at 10 AM and 9 PM PDT we will take you on our last field trip.
This year’s theme is Our Fantastic Future.

“We are pleased to announce our Birthday theme for this year: Our Fantastic Future. The cornerstone of this idea is what we would define as eco-futurism including sustainability, a focus on our environment, and the next generation of our world. Some might call this science fiction, but what is science fiction except a dream for a possible future? In Second Life we build worlds. Our worlds, our way.”

IMPORTANT:
Since most of us are Region hoppers, it is recommended that you clear your Cache before TP-ing to the location.
Me > Preferences > Advanced > Clear Cache > Ok

We start at our home location and would be delighted if you join us!

Second Life Birthday 20 YEARS
2023-06-24 10:00 - 11:00

Abyssinia (in Open Sim)
2023-06-17 21:00 - 22:00 | Abyssinia
Abyssinia (in Open Sim)

Abyssinia, which is intended as a living museum & educational resource on the Science Circle’s OpenSim grid, is my reconstruction of archaeological & historical sites in Tigray (northern Ethiopia) & Eritrea that date from at least 1000 BCE through roughly 800 CE. I excavated at or visited several of these sites decades ago (1969-1972), & now am restoring parts of them virtually to recreate their prominence during their heyday. I had created a similar project on Second Life more than a decade ago, but technical & financial issues prevented its continuation, so I am grateful to have been able to created it again.

The first site reconstructed included two major buildings & other parts of Yeha, capital of the kingdom then known as Di’amat, located in Tigray, that was a major power for a few hundred years beginning around 3000 years ago.

My next project was Metera, one of the most significant archaeological sites in Eritrea. Metera dates back at least as far as Yeha, & became a major city in the trade route between the Red Sea coast & Aksum, the city that rose following the fall of Yeha. My Metera site includes a palace from the Aksumite period, representative of several that have been excavated there, with some additional features taken from palaces excavated at Aksum.

Subsequently I have added a number of other sites. Aksum itself is represented by the huge royal palace, a pair of royal burial chapels, & several other features characteristic of the city.

The Red Sea port is seen in two periods: first, as Punt, the region famously visited by Egyptian traders, & then as Adulis, the port city that enabled Aksum to become one of the 4 great powers of the 3rd century according to the historian Mani, along with Rome, Persia, & China.

I also have added Qohaito, another important Eritrean site, & a major city on the Aksumite trade route some distance north of Metera. It is famed now for the ancient dam which still provides water for local cattle.

Debre Dammo, the important monastery in Tigray, has been extensively recreated, including the 9th Century church & the monks’ quarters atop the flat mountain, which is only accessible by a climb up a vertical cliff, pulling oneself up on a thick braided rawhide rope.
Barentu, a site in western Eritrea, is included to show some ancient technology that is still in use there. Nearby are examples of houses traditional to Eritrea, distinct from those in Tigray. Still under construction is Bahar Dar, the city on the shore of Lake Tsana, the source of the Blue Nile, & the Blue Nile Falls which are nearby.

Also still in preparation are delivery systems at each site that will provide notecards containing a self-tour of that region.
The Home Area, which is the primary landing place for all of Abyssinia, contains information, illustrations, & teleport buttons to all of the regions, along with some seats for resting or discussion in the shade of a Bedouin tent.
Throughout all regions there are displays with multiple photos being displayed in slide show fashion showing illustrations of related subjects in the region. They are best viewed by taking the time for each in turn to cycle through its entire contents.
Barentu, a site in western Eritrea, is included to show some ancient technology that is still in use there. Nearby are examples of houses traditional to Eritrea, distinct from those in Tigray. Just completed are Bahar Dar, the city on the shore of Lake Tsana, the source of the Blue Nile, along with the Blue Nile Falls which are nearby, & the 500 year old bridge over the Blue Nile built by Emperor Susenyos.
Still in preparation are delivery systems at each site that will provide notecards containing a self-tour of that region.
Some regions have arrows in the ground indicating the way to points of interest within easy walking distance. In others, there are secondary teleport buttons (indicated by smaller fonts for the labels) that take the visitor to more distant points of interest within the region.

Note: it is recommended that for the clearest view of the site’s details, at least during one’s first visit, environment controls be set to Midday. Feel free to change to a more artistic lighting on subsequent visits.
A field trip with Archaeologist Skip Dahlgren

Note: Make sure you have an OpenSim account and avatar ready, days before the field trip. Starting this process on the day itself does not guarantee access!
Are you new to our own Grid, follow the instructions here.
SC Grid Interface

Abyssinia (in Open Sim)
2023-06-17 10:00 - 11:00 | Abyssinia
Abyssinia, which is intended as a living museum & educational resource on the Science Circle’s OpenSim grid, is my reconstruction of archaeological & historical sites in Tigray (northern Ethiopia) & Eritrea that date from at least 1000 BCE through roughly 800 CE. I excavated at or visited several of these sites decades ago (1969-1972), & now am restoring parts of them virtually to recreate their prominence during their heyday. I had created a similar project on Second Life more than a decade ago, but technical & financial issues prevented its continuation, so I am grateful to have been able to created it again.

The first site reconstructed included two major buildings & other parts of Yeha, capital of the kingdom then known as Di’amat, located in Tigray, that was a major power for a few hundred years beginning around 3000 years ago.

My next project was Metera, one of the most significant archaeological sites in Eritrea. Metera dates back at least as far as Yeha, & became a major city in the trade route between the Red Sea coast & Aksum, the city that rose following the fall of Yeha. My Metera site includes a palace from the Aksumite period, representative of several that have been excavated there, with some additional features taken from palaces excavated at Aksum.

Subsequently I have added a number of other sites. Aksum itself is represented by the huge royal palace, a pair of royal burial chapels, & several other features characteristic of the city.

The Red Sea port is seen in two periods: first, as Punt, the region famously visited by Egyptian traders, & then as Adulis, the port city that enabled Aksum to become one of the 4 great powers of the 3rd century according to the historian Mani, along with Rome, Persia, & China.

I also have added Qohaito, another important Eritrean site, & a major city on the Aksumite trade route some distance north of Metera. It is famed now for the ancient dam which still provides water for local cattle.

Debre Dammo, the important monastery in Tigray, has been extensively recreated, including the 9th Century church & the monks’ quarters atop the flat mountain, which is only accessible by a climb up a vertical cliff, pulling oneself up on a thick braided rawhide rope.
Barentu, a site in western Eritrea, is included to show some ancient technology that is still in use there. Nearby are examples of houses traditional to Eritrea, distinct from those in Tigray. Still under construction is Bahar Dar, the city on the shore of Lake Tsana, the source of the Blue Nile, & the Blue Nile Falls which are nearby.

Also still in preparation are delivery systems at each site that will provide notecards containing a self-tour of that region.

The Home Area, which is the primary landing place for all of Abyssinia, contains information, illustrations, & teleport buttons to all of the regions, along with some seats for resting or discussion in the shade of a Bedouin tent.

Throughout all regions there are displays with multiple photos being displayed in slide show fashion showing illustrations of related subjects in the region. They are best viewed by taking the time for each in turn to cycle through its entire contents.

Barentu, a site in western Eritrea, is included to show some ancient technology that is still in use there. Nearby are examples of houses traditional to Eritrea, distinct from those in Tigray. Just completed are Bahar Dar, the city on the shore of Lake Tsana, the source of the Blue Nile, along with the Blue Nile Falls which are nearby, & the 500 year old bridge over the Blue Nile built by Emperor Susenyos.

Still in preparation are delivery systems at each site that will provide notecards containing a self-tour of that region.

Some regions have arrows in the ground indicating the way to points of interest within easy walking distance. In others, there are secondary teleport buttons (indicated by smaller fonts for the labels) that take the visitor to more distant points of interest within the region.

Note: it is recommended that for the clearest view of the site’s details, at least during one’s first visit, environment controls be set to Midday. Feel free to change to a more artistic lighting on subsequent visits.
A field trip with Archaeologist Skip Dahlgren

Note: Make sure you have an OpenSim account and avatar ready, days before the field trip. Starting this process on the day itself does not guarantee access!
Are you new to our own Grid, follow the instructions here.
SC Grid Interface
