Author: Serkadis

Filed under: Crossover, Subaru, Reviews

Even in the face of a bleak economy and dreadful auto sales, Subaru managed to have a breakout year in 2009. Products like the Forester and the Impreza helped Subaru achieve consistent year-over-year gains while the Japanese automaker continues to post stellar quality ratings through J.D. Power and Consumer Reports. And the accolades don’t stop there. The new-for-2009 Forester was crowned the 2008 Motor Trend SUV of the year, and this year Subaru accomplished a surprise repeat taking the award for the second straight year with the 2010 Outback.

However, the new Outback isn’t the capable, milquetoast lifted station wagon we’ve come to know and respect over the years. It’s now bigger. Quite a bit bigger, performing a similar wagon-to-crossover transformation that the Forester pulled off a year earlier. Granted, the Outback is only two inches taller and wider, and a mere three inches longer between the wheels, but the result is a wagon that looks much larger than the model it replaces. We’ve come to expect that kind of growth in a world of constant size and weight one-upping, but we had to wonder – has increased functionality come at the expense of entertainment once again? We snagged a six-cylinder Outback to find out.

Photos by Chris Shunk / Copyright (C)2009 Weblogs, Inc.

Continue reading Review: 2010 Subaru Outback adds size, power and refinement for a big wagon winner

Review: 2010 Subaru Outback adds size, power and refinement for a big wagon winner originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 22 Dec 2009 11:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Every year for the past few, Google has rewarded its AdSense and AdWords customers with all sorts of gifts ranging from memory cards to coffee mugs. In the early days, the company would get pretty generous with its gifts but this year, it remained quiet for a while, leading many to ask whether the economy hadn’t gotten the better of Google’s generosity.

It turns out that the economy did have something to do with the missing gifts but the reason wasn’t the obvious one. The search giant has decided to give the money it normally used for gifts, not an insignificant sum, to charities, which have had one of the worst years in history.

The publishers who would have received the swag got an email instead directing them to a special site set up for the campaign. It reads, “This gift is for someone very special: Everyone. Because charities are experiencing their toughest year in decades, we have committed $20 million to helping those who help us all. Our gift to you is a gift to them. Happy Holidays.”

That’s pretty much all the information on the site except for a list of the charities that have received donations from Google from these funds so far. The charities are broad in scope, from humanitarian aid organizations to free-speech and environmental advocates. Among the 25 charities that have … (read more)

Every day from Monday 7th December to a special closing edition on Saturday 19th December IPS published an online TerraViva from Copenhagen. You can find them all available for download.

The international IPS team did a tremendous work in less than ideal circumstances, led by one of our new Editors-in-Chief, Diana Cariboni. Managed by IPS Latin America with the largest contingent of reporters coming from IPS Africa, and Darryl D’Monte president of our partner IFEJ strengthening the Asian dimension, the team was South-South co-operation in action, with colleagues from Canada and Romania adding their expertise too.

Kumi Naidoo, Kerry Kennedy, Mohan Munasinghe, Ashok Khosla, Saleemul Huq, Laura Tuck, Bill McKibben and Nnimmo Bassey are just a few of the experts who contributed opinion pieces or granted interviews to TerraViva.

New and old partnerships helped IPS to get stronger visibility for our Copenhagen coverage. The Guardian picked up our stories on biofuels and indigenous peoples. The Media Consortium featured TerraViva regularly in their blog, syndicated across the progressive media of North America, with their latest edition picking up our story about civil society preparations for Mexico 2010. Thomson Reuters AlertNet Climate Change portal picked up every story we wired. AllAfrica focused especially on IPS coverage of adaptation and on the African negotiating position. The Stakeholders Forum newsletter used our copy in Spanish, and one of our special features on the gender dimensions of climate change.

Through our own newsletter lists we sent tens of thousands of special newsletters to keep our constituencies updated on our ongoing coverage. Copenhagen-focused editions of Tierramerica ensured that our Latin American audiences were in the picture. Translated stories in the 24 languages of IPS found their way to printed and online media in many countries, strengthening our profile and image.

All the coverage, including stories, picture galleries, videos and podcasts are at the TerraViva COP 15.

The work in Copenhagen was supported by COM+, FANRPAN, the Dutch MDG3 Fund and Tierramerica.

Tim K alerts us to the news that phone maker HTC has sent a cease & desist nastygram to the developers of an Android widget that certainly had a similar look and feel to HTC’s own Sense UI. Except, many people claim that this newer widget, from LevelUp Studios, was actually better. LevelUp apparently has no interest in fighting this, and are ditching the widget, but it seems that they could have a decent argument here. The bigger question, though, is why HTC is bothering? I’m actually a big HTC fan. My last two mobile phones have both been from HTC, and I had been expecting my next one to be from HTC as well. But this sort of bullying for no good reason makes me wonder why I’d want to support a company like that. Honestly, what was HTC “losing” by letting this widget be created? This seems like bullying just for the sake of bullying.

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Taptu, the mobile search engine, announced a partnership with OneRiot last month to provide real time search results in their mobile-friendly web site. This worked from any mobile client, not just the iPhone. But one of the points of using a smartphone is the use of native applications. Today Taptu announced that they’ve rolled the real-time search results into their iPhone app.

With the new version, we have added integration with OneRiot, including:

• Real-time hot topics right on the home page
• Real-time search results that appear alongside other search results
• Filter for Real-time results

In addition to OneRiot integration, we added a few other things in to this 1.6 update :

• Thousands of new Touch-friendly sites
• Re-tuned the engine to improve relevancy including one-tap access to the most popular site
• Super fast pre-loading of source sides while connected via Wi-Fi
• Bug fixes & memory leak fix

Crunch Network: CrunchBase the free database of technology companies, people, and investors

Filed under: Hybrid, Japan, Hatchback, Honda

A couple of weeks back, the world got a look at some leaked Honda CR-Z brochure images. Today is more of the same, although these images are bigger and clearly. We also get some interior shots that were absent from the first brochure leak go-round. Not a bad looking place to spend some economical time.

To recap, the Honda CR-Z is the much-anticipated CRX spiritual successor from Honda. The leaked brochure states the power will be 112 horsepower from the gas engine, plus an additional 12 ponies from the electric assist motor. There will also be 107 pound-feet of torque from the 1.5-liter gas engine coupled to 57 electric lb-ft. of the stuff. You might be scoffing, but remember that the original CRX made around 60 hp and was much loved by enthusiasts.

Why? Weight. As in, the CRX didn’t have any. In fact, when introduced in 1984, it weighed less than a Lotus Elise does today – about 1,800 pounds. Meaning it’s freakishly light. Sadly, this new batch of images gives us no indication of the CR-Z’s curb weight. Odds are the CR-Z will get a bit more beef when it comes here to the States.

And hey… let’s not overlook the very good possibility of an Si or Type-R version at some point down the road.

[Source: Temple of VTEC]

Even more Honda CR-Z leakage, this time with interior shots originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 22 Dec 2009 11:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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the poster is developed using foil stamped and embossed to create alphabets taken from famous and infamous logos of all time. this thing can be yours for $50. each poster comes with autograph and limited run-number. although i cannot say that i recognize all of these so-called famous logos.

Before we get to today’s actual post, I have a challenge. At the risk of sounding like a carny barker, guess my body fat and win a Damage Control Master Formula. The winner will be the one who, before tomorrow’s post, guesses what the “gold standard” hydrostatic test showed my body fat percentage to be – to the nearest tenth of a percent without going over. (Submit your best guess in the comment board.) If several people guess the same number, we will draw a winner from that group. Malibu gym members are specifically excluded from this competition (’cause that’s where I had the test done). This photo was taken around the same time.

UPDATE: THIS CONTEST IS NOW CLOSED

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Related posts:

1. 10 Primal Plyos for the Upper Body
2. Dear Mark: Body Composition Through the Years
3. Dear Mark: Healthy Body Weight?

For people with a chronic health concern, claims of coffee’s benefits and dangers have essentially canceled each other out. However, new research on coffee and Hepatitis C tips the scale for those with this illness.

by Nicole Cutler, L.Ac.

Besides water, coffee is the world’s most popular beverage. While at least half of Americans drink one cup or more per day, we are still uncertain if drinking coffee is a boon or peril to our health. Since the liver must process everything we eat or drink, those with advanced liver disease from chronic Hepatitis C are especially wary of any type of habitual consumption. However, new research demonstrates that those with chronic Hepatitis C have a lot to gain from a several cup per day coffee habit.

The Bitter Beverage
When a cup of black, relatively strong coffee is consumed, there is no doubt that bitterness dominates its flavor profile. Even though many people don’t care for bitterness overwhelming their palate, the chemical compounds responsible for a bitter flavor are often beneficial to the liver. Bitter substances are known to aid a liver with chronic Hepatitis C, because they help keep the gallbladder and liver free from unnecessary obstruction by:

· Stimulating the gallbladder to release bile for fat digestion
· Stimulating detoxification activity in the liver

Thus, many liver supportive foods, medications and herbs are bitter. Chemists in Germany and the U.S. believe they have identified the chemicals that are largely responsible for coffee’s bitterness. In their collaborative study, researchers found that two main classes of compounds produced during the roasting process, chlorogenic acid lactones and phenylindanes are responsible for coffee’s bitterness. Both compounds are antioxidants and are not present in green, unroasted coffee beans.

New Research
Over the past several years, population studies have demonstrated that high levels of coffee consumption are associated with a decreased incidence of liver disease. However, the recipients of coffee’s benefits now specifically include those with Hepatitis C.

Research released by Neal Freedman and colleagues from the National Cancer Institute examined the relationship between coffee consumption and liver disease progression in those with Hepatitis C. In 766 individuals who had Hepatitis C-related bridging fibrosis or cirrhosis (as determined by liver biopsy), and who did not respond to antiviral therapy, the following was found:

· Compared with non-coffee drinkers, people who drank more coffee had significantly healthier livers as seen by several standard liver tests.

· Study participants who drank three or more cups of coffee per day had up to a 53 percent reduction in risk for liver disease progression.

· The liver protective effect exerted by daily coffee consumption was reduced as the number of cups per day decreased.

According to Freedman, “Given the large number of people affected by HCV (Hepatitis C), it is important to identify modifiable risk factors associated with the progression of liver disease. Although we cannot rule out a possible role for other factors that go along with drinking coffee, results from our study suggest that patients with high coffee intake had a lower risk of disease progression.”

Cause for Coffee Caution
Based on Freedman’s research, it might seem logical for those with Hepatitis C to double their coffee intake. However, coffee does have some caveats that are worth reviewing first:

· Caffeine, coffee’s main ingredient, is a mildly addictive stimulant with cardiovascular effects such as increased heart rate, increased blood pressure and occasional irregular heartbeat.

· Coffee is believed to aggravate previously existing gastritis or gastrointestinal ulcers.

· The caffeine in coffee can cause nervousness, rapid heartbeat, palpitations, sleeplessness and irritability.

· While not considered a significant risk factor for osteoporosis, high doses of coffee can impair calcium absorption, which weakens bone strength.

Besides the possible side effects listed above, the greater risk of coffee consumption lies with the ingredients typically added to it. To reduce coffee’s bitterness, creating a light and sweet drink carries an entirely separate set of hazards. Because they add calories, fat and/or manmade chemicals, whipped cream, flavored syrups, half-and-half, sugar, sucralose and aspartame all contribute to health conditions that will worsen Hepatitis C.

Individuals with Hepatitis C have become accustomed to learning what they should avoid because it can damage their liver. Thus, it is a welcome change for Hepatitis C sufferers to discover that multiple, daily cups of coffee can actually prevent liver disease progression. Besides the health conditions that could be aggravated by coffee and the additives that reduce its bitterness, a majority of people with Hepatitis C have every reason to indulge in their favorite hot morning beverage.

References:

http://www.ehow.com/about_4572236_how-many-americans-drink-coffee.html, How Many Americans Drink Coffee?, Shelley Moore, Retrieved October 31, 2009, eHow, Inc., 2009.

http://www.haltctrial.org/overview.html, HALT-C Overview, Retrieved October 30, 2009, National Institutes of Health, 2009.

http://www.highlighthealth.com/food-and-nutrition/bitter-coffee-better-health/, Bitter Coffee, Better Health, Walter Jessen, Retrieved October 30, 2009, Highlihght Health, 2009.

http://www.hivandhepatitis.com/hep_c/news/2009/102309_a.html, Coffee Slows Progression of Liver Disease in Hepatitis C Patients with Advanced Fibrosis or Cirrhosis, Retrieved October 30, 2009, hivandhepatitis.com, October 2009.

http://www.liversupport.com/wordpress/2006/06/coffees-liver-benefits/, Coffee’s Liver Benefits, Nicole Cutler, L.Ac., Retrieved October 30, 2009, Natural Wellness, 2009.

http://www.prodigalgardens.info/bitter%20herbs.htm, Bitter Herbs, Retrieved October 30, 2009, Prodigal Gardens, 2009.

http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/journal/122511224/abstract?CRETRY=1&SRETRY=0, Coffee intake is associated with lower rates of liver disease progression in chronic hepatitis C, Neal D. Freeman, et al, Retrieved October 30, 2009, Hepatology, July 2009.

Owning a small business in this economy is tough, but it’s a whole different ballgame in California:

LA Times: As credit lines have shrunk and consumers have cut back on spending, thousands of small businesses have closed their doors over the last year. The plight of struggling firms has been aggravated by the reluctance of banks to lend money, said Brian Headd, an economist at the Small Business Administration’s office of advocacy.

California has been particularly hard hit. The latest data show small-business bankruptcies up 81% in the state for the 12 months ended Sept. 30, compared with the previous year. Filings nationwide were up 44%, according to the credit analysis firm Equifax Inc.

Read the rest of this story ->

Join the conversation about this story »

See Also:

• The Small Business Carnage That Shows The Real Reason Jobs Aren’t Being Created In America
• Small Business Optimism Swoons
• Only 20% Of Small Business Owners Think The Worst Is Over

First we got the bad GDP report, and now the New York Fed brings new unpleasentness about the region.

—-

Regional Indexes of Coincident Economic Indicators
Our Indexes of Coincident Economic Indicators (CEI) for November show a contraction in economic activity in New York State, New York City and New Jersey. While there had been preliminary indications of some leveling off of activity in the region during the summer, subsequent data releases point to continued declines.

Join the conversation about this story »

See Also:

• 70% Of The Q3 GDP Growth Was Cash For Clunkers
• Q3 GDP Revised All The Way Down To 2.2%, Much Lower Than Expectations

Atlus Japan has a new game in development. It hasn’t been officially announced, but they are recruiting a lot of debuggers for it. A new Weekly Famitsu scan seems to have narrowed it down a bit. Reportedly,

The total passenger transport volume of 300,000 person-times per day, the Taiwan¡¦s largest transport transit center which consist of 6 levels above ground and 4 levels under ground and has pedestrian underpass connected with Taipei Intercity Bus Terminal, Taipei Main Station is the junction station for Taiwan Railway System, Taipei Metropolitan Rapid Transit System and Taiwan High speed Railway System.

¡§The Railway Shop¡¨ is a convenient store located in the main building of the Taipei Main Station and offers snack foods, bottled beverage, take-away and souvenirs to passengers who are rushing for their trains or buses.

For handling almost 100 or more transactions per hours and zero margin of error is allowed, The Railway Shop needs a robust, reliable and low MRT POS system to handle such high-loaded operation requirement, and the EBN SolidPOS 615 is the chosen one.
In the space limited retailing shops like The Railway Shop, to increase the value on every selling floor is the vital consideration. Thanks to the Solid POS 615 with small footprint, The Railway Shop can maximum every inch of space to offer service to customers and earn the revenue.
Highest reliability design, using proven technology from The Railway Shop, EBN is the best POS solution partner of The Railway Shop to offer fast and high quality service to customers, and also yours.

SolidPOS 60 Series Features
-Built-in with Intel ULV Celeron M 1GHz low power consumption and high performance technology being the fanless terminal.
-Integrated with 8.4¡¨ / 12.1¡¨ / 15¡¨;5-wire resistive touch screen for interactive interface.
-Stylish touch POS terminal with remarkable visibility
-Compact size designed for space-crucial applications
-Tool-free and modular design – easy upgrade and assembly/disassembly
-Optional Programmable Keyboard, Customer Display, MSR

The series is used for many applications; it can be fitted under charts and trolleys of any kind, with light and standard carrying capacity. It can be used also for outdoor applications.
Typical usage: trolleys for indoor and outdoor industrial handling, bin containers.

Technical features
LOAD CAPACITY: 65-390 daN
WHEEL TREAD: standard rubber tread; hardness 83 Shore A.
CENTRE: made of two riveted galvanizec pressed steel discs

Usage conditions
Suitable for humid environments and outdoors; not suitable for applications where organic solvents, chlorinated substances, hydrocarbons and mineral oils.

Aerotech’s new PRO165LM linear stages are built for high throughput high precision, industrial positioning

• Low cost stage builds on well proven hard top & side sealed design
• Linear motion guide bearings, direct-drive linear motors and high resolution linear encoders make for exceptionally high reliability and long life time positioning systems

Aerotech has launched a new range of high precision linear positioning stages for high throughput industrial production and test applications. The low-cost PRO165LM series features and improves upon Aerotech’s time-tested hard-top and side sealed stage design with a powerful direct-drive brushless linear motor, micron level linear encoder feedback and long-life linear motion guide bearings for extremely smooth motion and exceptional servo system sensitivity.

With a nominal width of 165 mm and ten travel range options from 100 mm to 1 metre, the new stages can handle payloads up to 45 kg, speeds to 2 m/sec and acceleration to 3g with sub-micron level repeatability. Available in standard accuracy grade to ± 4 microns or with Aerotech’s certified HALAR option to ± 1.5 microns, the PRO165LM series is aimed at challenging applications such as laser processing and MEMS micromachining where superior manufacturing quality, rapid production throughput, long service life and low maintenance are of primary importance.

A choice of standard linear encoders includes 0.1 micron line driver or amplified sine output alternatives to provide a practical system resolution down to 250 nanometres. Aerotech’s cog-free brushless servomotors provide exceptionally high force output combined with very smooth motion and excellent in-position stability. Matched performance servo drives with ±320 VDC bus voltages are available across Aerotech’s range of motion controllers.

Sealed linear motion guide bearings and a high stiffness base plate system help to guarantee the load handling capability, the rigidity and the long service life capability of the PRO165LM series. MTBF life is specified at 20 000 hours across the range.
The rugged Teflon® impregnated tabletop and hard top way cover provides full protection from hot sparks and machining debris, and tensioned side straps effectively seal the internal bearing system, motor and encoder. The hard top sealing system has been used extensively across Aerotech’s range of linear positioning stages and has proven to be much more effective that bellows type stage sealing.

The PRO165LM series can be supplied in X-Y, XZ or YZ configurations with orthogonality certified to 5 arc-secs. The versatility built into the stage design includes a selection of tabletop plates that include mounting patterns with steel inserts for Aerotech ADRS and AGR series rotary stages as well as standard metric (or inch) plates. All stage travel and mounting configurations have a chain type cable management option for ease of installation into the customers’ system.

To complement the performance of the PRO165LM series stages, Aerotech manufactures a wide range of advanced motion controls and servo amplifiers. The A3200 Digital Automation Platform is a Windows™ based software-only controller for up to 32 axes of Firewire® interfaced high performance motion and machine control and includes optional HMI, PLC and vision control modules. It is programmable in a choice of languages including powerful .NET, RS-274 G-code, high level AeroBASIC™ or optional LabVIEW™.

The A3200’s distributed control architecture delivers fully deterministic motion updates to Aerotech’s Ndrive® servo drives that process motion and I/O commands at bandwidths up to 20 KHz. Additional Ethernet 10/100 Base T interfaced third party I/O and PLC’s may be added to Ndrives for further system expansion.
The PRO165LM is also available for use with Aerotech’s multi axis Ensemble™ Epaq – a desktop or 19 inch rack mounted system with integral linear or PWM stage amplifiers, or stepper drives and a full complement of machine I/O. It is capable of controlling up to 6 axes of motion and machine control internally with the possibility of adding a further three external drives. For single axis applications, Aerotech’s Soloist™ can provide high performance motion control with integrated servo drive and the possibility for Ethernet based multi-axis control.

Aerotech motion systems are delivered fully tested with all motor power and encoder cables plus performance and calibration related documents. For straightforward commissioning, a delivery pack with interconnection drawings and all motor parameter set-up data for the system is provided along with product training and comprehensive on-line technical support.

The latest generation of hydraulic tie rod cylinders from Parker Hannifin, the global leader in motion and control technologies, incorporate a number of innovative features designed to minimise machine assembly and maintenance times, resulting in considerably increased productivity levels. In particular, Parker’s HMI hydraulic cylinders are now available with four-face spanner flats for simplified maintenance in confined spaces, while specially designed thrust keys can be specified to ensure secure mounting and make machine assembly easier, faster and safer than ever before.

The option of four-face spanner flats on each piston rod end, rather than the standard two, for both ISO and DIN versions of the HMI cylinders, makes each piston rod easier to hold and rotate in confined spaces. As a result, both installation and maintenance are quicker, while the risk of damage to equipment is significantly reduced; just as importantly, this latest development to the proven HMI tie rod cylinders helps to reduce downtime and operating costs.

Similarly, the design of the thrust key mechanism has been enhanced for use with Parker’s foot-mounted HMI cylinders, and helps to eliminate the problems caused by rotational forces applied to the cylinder body during cylinder operation. Engineers now have the option of an integrated thrust key, formed as part of the front retainer plate, or a separate key that locates within keyways machined in the foot mounting at the head end of each cylinder and the machine bed. The integrated key is supplied as standard on HMI cylinders between 25mm and 32mm, while the separate unit is intended for use with cylinders of 40mm bore or greater; this version complies with the most recent version of the ISO 6020/2 standard.

Additionally, all bore sizes of Parker foot mounted cylinders now feature slotted mounting holes in the cap end feet. The mounting holes allow for the dimensional variations that result from tolerance build-up that can occur during cylinder construction, making assembly to the machine simple and fast, and helping to reduce installation time and costs still further.

The latest Parker range of ISO and DIN tie rod cylinders have been developed for applications of up to 210 bar, in bore sizes from 25 to 200mm, with piston rod diameters of 12 to 140mm. Both single and double rod designs are available, with an almost unlimited choice of stroke lengths and a wide variety of options, including cushions and seal materials.

Full details of the latest Parker cylinders can be found in the new version of the HMI/HMD catalogue, HY07-1150, which is currently available in English and German, with French and Italian versions to be released shortly.

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Europe, Aston Martin, Luxury

Move over Jaguar XJ220. At 217 mph, your top end is just too slow. Hell, move over Batmobile. Why? The Aston Martin One-77, Britain’s most expensive car ever, is now nearly its fastest. If not for the pesky, eternal problem of the McLaren F1 and its 241 mph top end, the One-77 would be the fastest production car in the history of Old Blighty. As it stands, or in this case flies, a One-77 has just crested 220 mph.

Can the latest and no question greatest from Aston Martin go even faster? Probably, as AM was quick to point out, that the 220 mph velocity was achieved in “dry, but windy conditions.” Never forget the amount of power this 7.3-liter V12 beastie makes – between 700 and 740 horsepower, and around 553 lb-ft of torque. For the sake of national pride, the McLaren F1 produced “just” 627 hp and 480 lb-ft of torque. Obviously, the 2,514 pound F1 is much lighter than the 3,308 pound One-77, however, which actually makes 220 mph run all the more impressive.

0-60 mph? Quarter mile? Lateral acceleration? We don’t know yet, but we do know that Aston Martin will keep us up to date as soon as all that information gets logged. For its part, the matte gray beauty you see above is at a “top secret proving ground in southern Europe” where its being flogged about in anticipation of the One-77’s mid-2010 release. If not for the £1.25 million price tag (just shy of $2M Yankee bucks), we’d be losing sleep. Full press release after the jump.

[Source: Aston Martin]

Continue reading Aston Martin One-77 closes in on being fastest car in marque’s history, breaks 220 mph

Aston Martin One-77 closes in on being fastest car in marque’s history, breaks 220 mph originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 22 Dec 2009 10:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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drhawass.com

Press release (with photo):

On Thursday, the Minister of Culture, Farouk Hosni, and the Secretary General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities (SCA), Dr. Zahi Hawass, witnessed the extraction of a red granite tower, originally part of a pylon, from the Mediterranean seabed at the archaeological site of Alexandria’s eastern harbor.

Hosni described the pylon’s tower as unique among Alexandria’s antiquities. The Minister explained that it was discovered in 1998, along with 400 other artifacts, by a Greek archaeological mission in collaboration with divers from the Underwater Archaeology Department in Alexandria while conducting a comprehensive archaeological survey along the coastal area of Qaitbey. Hosni added that the tower is 2,25 meters tall, weighs 9 tones, and is cut from a single piece of red granite.

Hawass announced that although the SCA has prohibited the removal of submerged artifacts since 2002, the tower is considered an exception – it is intended as the centerpiece for the future Underwater Museum to be constructed in the Stanley area of Alexandria. The museum will exhibit over 200 objects taken from the seabed of Alexandria’s eastern harbor and from Abu Qir.

Hawass explained that the SCA has prohibited the extraction of submerged pieces because on the one hand, the SCA is conducting an extensive archaeological and cultural project with UNESCO, studying all the procedures necessary to build a new underwater museum in Alexandria. Visitors will be able to enjoy an underwater tour walking along special tunnels among the different sunken artifacts. On the other hand, extracting further pieces would require a great amount of time as would the cleaning the objects from accumulated salts.

According to Harry Tzalas who headed the 1998 mission, the tower was part of an entrance to a temple dedicated to Isis Lochias located on Cape Lochias. According to ancient sources, Cleopatra’s Mausoleum was near this temple – a door lintel and a coin bearing the image of a similar tower were among objects discovered in 1998.

At the eastern harbor is where Mark Antony died after being defeated by Octavian. It is also where Cleopatra tragically ended her life. However, we do not think the couple was buried here.

eTurboNews (Hazel Heyer)

On December 17, Egypt’s Culture Minister, Farouk Hosni, and the secretary general of the Supreme Council of Antiquities (SCA), Dr. Zahi Hawass, unveil yet again an important find in Egypt’s Mediterranean coast.

The precious artifact is to be the centerpiece in the future Underwater Museum to be constructed in the Stanley area of Alexandria. The museum is set to display over 200 objects excavated from the Mediterranean over the past several years.

Media attending an international press conference at the Qait Bey Citadel on the eastern harbor in Alexandria – Egypt’s historic city on the Med will be given the first view of the relic. Both Hosni and Hawass will unveil a unique, sunken artifact from the Mediterranean’s seabed. This piece is said to be a granite pylon tower of Isis temple found beside the Cleopatra Mausoleum off the royal quarter at the eastern harbor.

Egyptology News Blog, Andie Byrnes