National Geographic Live comes to PSU
Tuesday, March 17, 2015 2:00 AM
News
Pittsburg, KS
Pittsburg State University’s Bicknell Family Center for the Arts will welcome Albert Yu-Min Lin, National Geographic emerging explorer, research scientist and engineer, to the stage at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, March 27, for a special program of exploration and technology entitled, “Chasing Ancient Mysteries: A Digital Expedition.”
“Dr. Lin’s research has taken him to some of the most remote places in the world,” said Dixie Smith, chair of the PSU’s Department of Biology. “But rather than using a shovel, Dr. Lin uses technology to explore some of the world’s most mysterious archaeological sites. It’s an innovative method of using modern scientific technology and old-fashioned archaeological research to solve some of our greatest scientific questions.”
Lin is as comfortable on horseback as he is in the laboratory and he’s made important discoveries from both settings. An expert in merging remote exploration with citizen science, he’s harnessed both the latest advances in digital technology and the power of crowds to find innovative solutions to mysteries both ancient and modern.
His program, “Chasing Ancient Mysteries: A Digital Expedition,” will take audiences on a journey to Mongolia, where Lin has been searching for one of archaeology’s Holy Grails: the long-lost tomb of conqueror Genghis Khan. Because tradition forbids opening Genghis’ tomb, Lin devised non-invasive methods for investigating possible sites. More than 28,000 people around the world accepted Lin’s invitation to join in the search by examining satellite images for signs of ancient structures. Then Lin and his team saddled up, literally as well as figuratively, to verify the leads in Mongolia.
“Exploration has always been about going where we haven’t been able to go before,” said Lin. “Today, technology helps us navigate past those old barriers.”
Other projects to which Lin has applied his unique approach include a search for new Maya sites in Guatemala and a crowd-sourced search for a recently downed Malaysian jetliner.
Tickets for Lin’s presentation are available at the PSU Ticket Office in the Weede PE Building, 1701 S. Homer, 620-235-4796, or online at bicknellcenter.com. Prices range from $5 for PSU students (with ID) to $15 for the general public.