Abstract
The paper explores, from an archeological perspective, how a hunter-gatherer society might nourish themselves in a desert. The paper focuses on the traditional lifestyle of the San people who live in the Kalahari desert. The paper describes how the San people have survived on a limited diet of animals and plants that is lacking in nutritional variation.

Outline:
Bushmen of the Kalahari
History of the San
Traditional San Culture
Analyzing Diets from an Archeological Perspective
Conducting An Assessment of the Primitive Diet

From the Paper
"Archeologists spend much time conjecturing about how a certain group of people survived in a particular area. Often, the only clues they have are in the artifacts, or if they are lucky, an intact body. However, it is easy to forget that we have a valuable resource in our search for the hunter-gatherer "secrets" of how to survive in an inhospitable climate. The San, otherwise known as the Basarwa people, live in the Kalahari desert. The Kalahari is a vast desert that stretches over South Africa, Botswana, and Namibia. The San are often referred to as the "Bushmen" of the Kalahari."

Tags:Kalahari, predators, plants, vitamins, protein, fat

Abstract
This paper explains that the first of two parts of the film concentrate on William Mulholland's dream to bring water to a thirsty Los Angeles, while the second part concentrates on the Colorado River, once mighty, now tamed for tap water. The author believes that this film makes the viewer stop and think about where water really comes from and how much we really use every day. The paper relates that the film also shows the small Hopi tribe, who lives on the mesas of northern Arizona and has survived for thousands of years as an agricultural society with no irrigation or water other than rainfall.

From the Paper
"In the 1980s' Mono Lake became a battle cry between Northern and Southern California. California's aqueduct tapped into the lake, and drained it nearly 40 feet. This desert lake with its' unusual tufa formations was in danger of disappearing, and local residents and environmentalists waged a vocal campaign against the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power. They won. Los Angeles had to leave Mono Lake alone, and the lake is gradually making a recovery. "Mulholland's Dream" shows the desperate need for water in the American West, but it also shows the political influence of a powerful man and a big city over small town farmers. Mulholland took advantage of Owens Valley residents for the good of Los Angeles. Politically, Mulholland was a nightmare, yet he was a visionary who saw the water needs of Southern California long before most did, and knew how to create a workable, if not politically correct, solution."

Tags:hoover, hopi, angeles, mulholland, tap

Abstract
This paper examines some suggestions for outdoor professionals on how to survive in extreme environments. It discusses the essential elements of water, shelter and food necessary for survival in the desert, in the arctic, in the tropics and at sea. The paper aims to offer strategies at locating and exploiting resources necessary for survival.

From the Paper
"The elements necessary for survival in extreme environments are much the same for survival in a conventional one. Without water, shelter and food death is imminent. However, one essential difference separates the two. In conventional environments the resources are plenty and quite accessible. In extreme environments resources are harder to find and are more difficult to exploit. Following are suggestions and strategies to survive in the desert, in the arctic, in the tropics and at sea. These suggestions primarily focus on the location..."

Tags:desert survival, arctic survival, tropics survival, survival at sea, outdoor professionals

From the Paper
"The term, creosote bush, actually refers to widespread species of the genus, Larrea. In the warm deserts of North America, creosote bush is dominant over large areas. The branched shrubs may range in height from 2 to 10 feet. Its stems are black and its leaves are resinous and green. Creosote bush growth is typically limited by water and nitrogen availability. Various adaptations have enabled the Larrea species to survive the drastic climatic changes that have occurred since the last ice age. For one, the shrubs are extremely drought tolerant. Second, the species also possess chemical defenses designed to reduce herbivory. Creosote bush resins are largely composed of the lignan, nordihydroguaiaretic acid. This compound appears to function as a feeding deterrent for phytophagous insects. The..."

Abstract
This paper explains that crocodiles, which are now cold-blooded reptiles that seek water, were once, during their earliest prehistoric days, warm-blooded creatures that walked on land. The author points out that this transformation is observable in changes in the Crocodilian body over time. The paper relates that it is not known why crocodiles grew to accommodate to a water-based environment, but their adaptations helped them survive the Ice Age. The author states that, having once dominated both arid and water regions, today, crocodiles gravitate toward regions, which provide access to water; however, warming global climate conditions and human interference have reduced their numbers to dangerous levels. The paper relates that several small communities of crocodiles living on the southern edge of the Sahara Desert in Africa may be a sign of things to come.

Table of Contents:
Outline
Introduction
The Developmental History of Crocodiles
Motivators for Adaptation
Distribution Over the Ages
Conclusion

From the Paper
"The reason for near-extinction of the Florida Crocodile, the Cuban Crocodile and other Crocodilian species is typically owing to environmental and climate changes (i.e. loss of ample wetlands) and loss of habitat due to human development. In Florida in particular, the building of human homes on areas which were once crocodile habitats have affected the nesting range and distribution of crocodiles. True to their modern adaptations and features, crocodiles gravitate towards the remaining wet, swampy regions. However, awareness of their vulnerability has lead to recent conservations acts that have been mostly successful."

Tags:legs, heart, fossil, junggarsuchus, estuarine, desert

Abstract
This paper discusses the central motif of the desert and the imagery of fire, air, water and earth in Michael Ondaatje's novel "The English Patient". The writer uses quotes from the novel to illustrate the significance of the elements in revealing the uncertain lives of Ondaatje's characters who are struggling to survive passion and war in North Africa during World War II.

From the Paper
"Water and fire are frequently juxtaposed. Katherine and Almsy experience the fire of passion. Each interlude fuels the desire for more as possession and jealousy, both fiery qualities enter the scene. They are possessed as if by the flames of hell. Katherine has married her best friend from childhood to avoid passion and pain. She tells Almsy (while in the bath with him) that what she likes most is to swim alone, and to take baths alone. Thus ironically, her attempt at emotional aridity is overcome by her passion for Almsy. The first time Hana sees Almsy, he is to her: "A man with no face. An ebony pool" (48). She "swims" under her wool blankets as he moves "in his cloth placenta" (49). Hana uses a candle to read to Almsy at night. "The candle flickers over the page . . .He listens to her, swallowing her words like water" (5). Water, so essential to desert survival becomes a symbolic oasis, symbolizing emotion and nurturance, and representing hope of life. Burned, transported by Bedouins, Almsy, "could smell the oasis before he saw it. The liquid in the air. . .The banging of tin cans whose deep pitch revealed they were full of water" (6)."

Tags:africa, war, world, emotion, desert

Abstract
This paper explains that William Golding's "The Lord of the Flies", which recounts the survival instincts of a group of school boys deserted on an uninhabited tropical island, depicts what could happen if man lived without laws, moral codes, ethics, and established religion. The author points out that Golding believed that, because morals come directly from one's environment, without the presence of civilization in this environment, man is doomed to lose any moral values. The paper discusses Golding's use of allegories, themes, symbols and metaphoric language to convey his morality tale. The paper includes some long quotations.

Table of Contents
The Sinful Nature of Man
The Descent into Savagery
A Telling Tale

From the Paper
"The island itself is represented by a microcosm that portrays the world; while the "scar" is the mark of man's sin, depicting the capacity of man's 'destructive forces'. Ralph and the conch, both symbolized democracy and justice; Jack represented savagery and anarchy. Roger, the second-in-command of the hunters, depicted pure evil and Satanist tendencies; Piggy's glasses portrayed power. In the character of Simon, we see an image of the Christ; whereas, sinfulness and the dark nature of man is depicted through the Beast. And, the Lord of the Flies is Satan himself."

Tags:characters, allegory, survival, environment, judeo-christian

Abstract
Through an examination of the actual immigrants crossing border, Charles Bowden uses the short story "Blue" to minimize the life and death struggle of crossing the desert by portraying it as a game. Bowden uses the game mentality to hide the narrator?s fears of dying while out in the desert.

From the paper:

"The Mexican population is ?stereotyped as being lazy, shiftless, passive siesta seekers, people who patronized manana? (Metz 395). But how could a lazy person hike treacherous terrain while only surviving off one gallon of water? This stereotype is not holding true to the thousands of Mexicans that try to cross the US/Mexico border every year. The hardship of crossing the desert is for a reason: money. The poverty that exists in Mexico is one of the main reasons that drive Mexicans to leave their family in search for a better life. The people leave their job because of the small wages and lack of representation to fight off the hardships they must face."

Tags:blue, border, bowden, charles, context, immigrants, mexico, text, us

Abstract
This paper discusses and analyzes the topic of the functions of myth, as defined by author Joseph Campbell in his book, "The Power of Myth". Specifically, it explains Campbell's four functions of myth and show how they are demonstrated in Native American Hopi culture. The Hopis of Northern Arizona epitomize the four functions of myth in their culture and society. Their society is based on myth, religion and spiritual celebration and they have held on to these myths when many other tribes have turned away from their spiritual and mythical past. The paper shows that the Hopi's myths relate to the earth, the natural world surrounding them and their dependence on this natural world for their survival. They understand the importance of myth in a healthy society and, because of this, they have one of the longest surviving Native American societies in the Southwest desert.

From the Paper
"The priests in the ceremony carry the snakes in their mouths as they circle a central plaza in the village where the ceremony is performed. After several groups of priests make their way around the plaza with the snakes, the snakes are gathered up by "snake gatherers," and carried out into the desert below the mesas, where they are released. If the dance is performed correctly, the Hopis believe it will bring rain (O'Kane 196-205). The Snake Dance is an excellent example of myth in its purest form, as it is the physical acting out of only one of the most important and vital Hopi myths. The myth relates directly to the health and well being of the community, and celebrates the wonder of the rain and the snakes and their relationship to the natural (and unnatural) world. It is their belief the snakes can communicate with the spirits who will send the rain, and to make the spirits happy, they must use just the right snakes, and then send them home (their release in the desert) to carry their message."

Tags:Arizona, Mesa, Snake, Dance

Abstract
This paper discusses The Red Planet, Mars. The author examines the conditions, life, and gives detailed information about the planet's atmosphere and its two moons. The paper also looks at the possibility of life surviving on Mars' desert-like environment.

From the Paper
"Mars, it is the fourth planet from the sun. It is closet planet to the planet that we live on. Mars is the planet with more solar exploration than any other planet in our universe. Mars is the one planet that has an atmosphere similar to ours. Mercury, Venus, and Pluto have had all of their atmospheres burned off and Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune all have atmospheres that are hundreds of time more violent than the calm atmospheres of Earth and Mars. Mars is also the only planet in which we have identified that there was once water on the surface of the planet. We have discovered huge canyons that resemble the ones on Earth. This is also the reason why we believe that the Red Planet might have once had or still does have life on it."

Tags:red, planet, carbon, dioxide, oxygen, life, water, olympus, mons, phobes, deimos