Humans Evolve From "MOUSE"

A mouse-like creature that scurried about in bushes and trees 160 million years ago gave rise to humans, say scientists. The small, furry placental mammal lived in what is now north east China during the Jurassic era when dinosaurs ruled the Earth. Its remarkably well preserved remains were dug up in the fossil-rich region of Liaoning Province which has also produced ancient evidence of feathered dinosaurs and primitive birds.

Penis Tree Painting Ruined By Restorers

Art restorers have sparked fury by touching up a 746 year old fresco called The Tree of Fertility and removing some of its most prized assets. The painting by an unknown artist was discovered in an Italian cave and illustrates a tree from the branches of which are hanging dozens of very realistically drawn penises. Underneath the tree, waiting for the them to fall, a small crowd of women are gathered, with two appearing to be ready to fight over one of the twenty five 'fruits'.

The work is said to be a symbol of fertility and controversy erupted after restorers appeared to 'castrate' the tree by removing or painting over several of the phalluses.  Many critics have complained that the fresco's spirit and intention has been destroyed. The intriguing work of art was discovered in 1999 in the Tuscan town ofMassa Marittima in walls which adorn a local spring known as the Fountain of Abundance, carved out of solid rock.

Marco Polo Never Went to China?

One of history’s greatest explorers, may in fact have been a conman, it was claimed yesterday.

Far from being a trader who spent years in China and the Far East, he probably never went further east than the Black Sea, according to a team of archaeologists. They suspect the Venetian adventurer picked up stories about the mysterious lands of the Orient from fellow traders around the Black Sea who related tales of China, Japan and the Mongol Empire in the 13th century.

Marco Polo may have fabricated his experiences by using other people's stories