Exploring the Past from Space: The Future of Archeology

Welcome to the Global Kalinga e-Rotary Club for the week of Sunday, August 21 through Saturday August 27, 2016. We are an Internet based Rotary Club based in Quezon City, Philippines with core groups of members in Southern California and elsewhere. We serve our local and nearby communities as well as projects in the Philippines.

Invocation and Pledge

Because it was difficult to hear Ernie Delfin say the invocation, the following has been added to reflect a readable invocation.

Creator and sustainer of all that is or will ever be, accept our thanks for this day and all its blessings. We ask that you guide and direct our club, its leaders and our actions. Grant that each of us may feel our responsibility to Rotary, to our community, to our country, and indeed to all countries and peoples. Amen.

BTW, the talking you hear were from others patronizing the restaurant--not Rotarians.

Rotary 4-Way Test

Of the things we think, say or do: 1. Is it the TRUTH? 2. Is it FAIR to all concerned? 3. Will it build GOODWILL and BETTER FRIENDSHIPS? 4. Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned?”

By building your team's self-esteem and encouraging them, the entire team becomes stronger.

FYI, Frank was reciting the 4-Way Test from memory as he flubbed up on the 3rd test. He apparently had a slight senior moment :).

Sing-Along Song—R O T A R Y

Take your time and sing-along (wherever you may be).

Fine Master

Traditionally, Rotary clubs have Fine Masters who are responsible for collecting fines/happy dollars. The clipart to your left is our e-club Fine Master. Do you have happy dollars, a birthday, an anniversary, a promotion, opening a new business, new car, new child, new grandchild, etc. Please feel free (and perhaps obligated) to click on our Rotary Fine Master button to your right.

The minimum fine is $3.00 to ensure a sufficient amount to take care of the PayPal fee. The purpose of the fines can be viewed by clicking on [View Fines/Happy Dollars] from the [Weekly Meetings] main menu

Program—Exploring the Past from Space: The Future of Archeology

Sarah Helen Parcak is an American archaeologist, Egyptologist, and remote sensing expert, who has used satellite imaging to identify potential archaeological sites in Egypt, Rome, and elsewhere in the former Roman Empire. She is the associate professor of Anthropology and director of the Laboratory for Global Observation at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. In partnership with her husband, Dr. Greg Mumford, she directs survey and excavation projects in the Fayoum, Sinai, and Egypt's East Delta.

Professor Parcak spoke to Rotary's 2016 convention on "Exploring the Past from Space: The Future of Archeology."

From 2003 to 2004, Parcak used a combination of satellite imaging analysis and surface surveys to search for 132 potential sites of archaeological interest, some dating back to 3,000 B.C.

If interested, Professor Parcak gave an interesting TEDx talk. It less than 6 minutes long.

In partnership with her husband, Dr. Greg Mumford, she directs Survey and Excavation Projects in the Fayoum, Sinai, and Egypt's East Delta. They have used several types of satellite imagery to look for water sources and possible archaeological sites. According to Parcak, this approach reduces the time and cost for determining archaeological sites compared to surface detection. In 2007 she founded the Laboratory for Global Health Observation at the University of Alabama at Birmingham.

In 2015 she won the $1 million TED Prize for 2016 [which she mentions in the video].

A discovery in Newfoundland in 2016 demonstrates that her space-based surveillance can not only spy out artifacts in barren desert landscapes, but also in regions covered by tall grasses and other plant life.

Club Business

Our Southern California group met last Sunday. The agenda, minutes and treasurer's reports are available on our Members Only section of our web site.