Critical assay methods and applications

Science, in spite of its division into multiple areas of specialization, remains as a whole dedicated to uncovering the mysteries of the universe. Biologists, paleontologists, geneticists, physicists, and archaeologists each work within their field to help explain the questions children ask: Who are we? Why are we here? Where are we going? No two branches of science, and perhaps no two scientists, view the universe in quite the same way, allowing for a rich diversity of opinion, perspective, and research. Occasionally science turns reality on its head and challenges people to revisit their hard-held assumptions about that which we take for granted, including time, space, and the origins of humanity. For example, Paul Davies shows how physics and quantum mechanics dismiss the flow of time as a complete illusion. Dennis Drayna discusses the phenomenon of founder mutations to show how anthropologists can trace patterns of human population migration over time. In an in-depth article about paleontologist Mary Higby Schweitzer, Barry Yeoman shows how religion and science can intersect peacefully rather than being at odds about issues such as evolution. Richard Stone investigates the Amesbury Archer, noting that archaeology remains a living science, continually revealing new information about the origins of human civilization. Finally, in his book review, Roger Atwood shares archaeologists' remorse over the material losses suffered by the Iraq Museum. The differing focus of each of these science articles allows readers to understand the practical benefits of science in helping humans make sense of the mysteries of the world. However, religion and science are often at odds, especially regarding core issues such as the nature of time, the origins of humanity, and the nature of religion itself. Rather than be at odds with one another, science and religion should cultivate a shared interface, complementing each other in their mutual endeavors.

Time is a touchy subject, broached delicately by both scientists and religious devotees. Davies notes that "nothing in known physics corresponds to the passage of time," and that what humans experience as past-present-future may be little more than an illusion (p. 6). Moreover, physicists deny the existence of a here-and-now, an issue completely at odds with Buddhist practice. Buddhist meditation is based on a rich appreciation of the present moment: to be here now is to unlock the key to inner peace, according to the Buddhist. Focusing on the breath, the Buddhist meditator shakes off the illusions associated with attachment to the past or the future. Yet Buddhism, with its open-minded embrace of scientific thought, must now contend with the problem raised by physicists. If the present moment is neither sacred nor significant, then "being-here-now" might in itself be a powerful illusion. Science now tells the Buddhist meditator that not only is the past and the future an illusion but so is the present, potentially turning the nature of meditation on its head but also possibly opening the door for an even richer understanding of reality.

One of the most pressing questions in both religion and science is the nature of disease. Geneticists have been trying to unearth so-called founder mutations: one original genetic mutation that subsequently caused generations of people to carry and/or suffer from a serious illness like sickle cell anemia. Unlike many other mutations, founder mutations can be traced to one original ancestor. The discovery and study of founder mutations allows anthropologists to research the general patterns of human migration, providing a more complete understanding of history. Religion views genetic mutations in a different light. Many fundamentalist Christians, for example, might propose that disease is God-given. Yet if Mary Schweizer, an Evangelical Christian scientist, can unite religion with science then anyone can. Her devotion to fundamental Christian thought is not at odds with her scientific endeavors, according to Yeoman. In fact, Schweizer views science as a spiritual endeavor, as a means to discover the meaning of life, death, and seeming anomalies. Religion and science share common goals and objectives even when their theoretical underpinnings are in conflict with one another.

The "mystery man of Stonehenge" raises key questions about the origin of human religion and civilization. His grave is largely an anomaly, according to archaeologists, because of his relative wealth and mastery of metallurgy. However, the Amesbury Archer can also teach archaeologists and historians more about the purpose of Stonehenge. Stonehenge, one of the most mysterious ancient structures on Earth, has been a playground for New Age thinkers as well as for anyone fascinated by ancient cultures. The megaliths were erected from stone that must have been dragged a nearly impossible distance away and thus the construction of Stonehenge is an enigma not unlike that of the Egyptian pyramids. Moreover, the purpose of Stonehenge remains a mystery because it may have been used for astronomical or religious functions. Scientists hope the Amesbury Archer can unlock at least a few of Stonehenge's secrets, even while New Agers continue to come up with Stonehenge theories of their own.