Research stories
More mysterious jars of the dead unearthed in Laos
ANU archaeologists have discovered 15 new sites in Laos containing more than one hundred 1000-year-old massive stone jars possibly used for the dead. The jars of Laos are one of archaeology's enduring mysteries. Experts believe they were related to disposal of the dead, but nothing is known about…
ANU sociologist's new book examines social mechanisms of self-harming
Content warning: Discussions of self-harm and mental health Almost a quarter of Australian youth have self-harmed at least once in their life, a 2010 survey in the Medical Journal of Australia estimated1. This behaviour reflects a reaction to social expectations such as family pressures to be…
New study finds family violence is often poorly understood in faith communities
By Dr Mandy Truong, Dr Bianca Calabria, Dr Mienah Zulfacar Sharif, and Associate Professor Naomi Priest, all of ANU. We learned this month that Prime Minister Scott Morrison has pledged A$10 million in the federal budget for couples counselling and mediation for families impacted…
Mapping Greek myths
The Greek mythic world is a messy place. Depending on which account you read, the twin gods Apollo and Artemis were born on the islands of either Delos, Ortygia, or Paximadia. Helen of Troy had two tombs – one near Sparta, the other on Rhodes – and she was also said to live as an immortal on the…
New species of early human found in the Philippines
An international team of researchers have uncovered the remains of a new species of human in the Philippines, proving the region played a key role in hominin evolutionary history. The new species, Homo luzonensis is named after Luzon Island, where the more than 50,000 year old fossils were found…
10 Memes Explain How Game of Thrones’ Cersei Lannister is Blowing Up the Patriarchy
Everyone’s favorite b- queen is actually doing her bit for feminism. By Tania Evans Content Warning: spoilers, violence Cersei Lannister is one of the most hated characters in the immensely popular fantasy series Game of Thrones, the television adaptation of George R. R. Martin’s A Song of…
RSSS scholar appointed to National Data Advisory Council
An Australian National University scholar plans to use his appointment to the new National Data Advisory Council to advocate on behalf of researchers who use data in ways that contribute to public policy debates. Associate Professor Nicholas Biddle, Associate Director of the ANU Centre for Social…