In this edition, a fascinating report on "The Culture of Chimpanzees," based on studies of chimps across Africa. The authors are Andrew Whiten and Christophe Boesch. Also, another report about unraveling traits of a culture - this time the focus is on the area that is present-day Syria and skilled blademakers of the Iron Age. John Verhoeven investigates how the craftsmen there made the remarkable Damascus Blade. Gary Stix reports in the article "The Triumph of Light" about the future of optical networks. And how will data sent through optical networks arrive at the proper destinations? Optical switchers, of course...Daniel Blumenthal explains how they would work in "Routing Packets with Light." Columnists Philip and Phylis Morrison look at the development of the written word some five millennia ago in their article called "Information Technology, 2500 BC." James Burke's "Connections" column is titled "Class Acts" - he ties together Stonehenge, stamps, clear air and tea...
Listen to Part 1 of Scientific American: January 2001.
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