Cologne

Polar Archive

Drilling into the past: located at the outer edge of northeastern Siberia is Lake El'gygytgyn, which was formed 3.6 million years ago by a meteorite strike. The sediment layers at the bottom of the lake represent an invaluable climate archive of the Arctic: they provide us with information on how the continental Arctic responded to past climate changes. With the knowledge that is gained, it will be possible to take a look into the future: researchers from the Institute of Geology and Mineralogy at the University of Cologne are asking themselves "how will the Arctic respond to renewed climate change and what implications will that have for the rest of the planet?"

Polar Archive
 

Run, Lola, Run

Stick insects are sluggish animals that live in bushes and trees. In science however, they are being used as a model for constructing robots designed to walk on two legs like a human being. JOHNNIE is a robot that can walk at speeds of over 2 kph. But now the researchers have a new goal: LOLA. And LOLA should even be able to run. But before that can happen there is plenty of work to do....

Run, Lola, Run
 

Stone-Age Giants

What inspired people to move large objects? Some 5,500 years ago, our ancestors began to shape erratic blocks and use them to construct giant monuments. The archaeologists at CAU Kiel working with Professor Müller and at the RGK in Frankfurt working with Professor Lüth assume that both human cohabitation and human thought underwent a fundamental change at the same time. Did these structures, made of megaliths, serve as gravesites, as meeting points or were they intended to serve as markers on the open landscape? What can the stone legacies tell us about social differences within Neolithic mankind?

Stone-Age Giants
 

Temple Restoration

The temple complex of Angkor is one of the most important buildings in the world, but the elements and environmental pollution have taken their toll on this architectural legacy of the Khmer culture. In a race against time, researchers are working one stone at a time to rescue the temple dancers and wall reliefs from decay. As we accompany them, we also learn about Cambodian history and culture.

Temple Restoration
 
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