Seabird poop does whaaat? And more…

This episode of Quirks and Quarks explores a range of fascinating scientific discoveries, from ancient human symbolism to the long-term impacts of environmental disasters and the surprising role of seabird poop in shaping ecosystems and civilizations. The show begins with a groundbreaking study suggesting that Stone Age markings on artifacts from southwestern Germany may represent a 40,000-year-old precursor to written language, with Dr. Christian Benz using computational tools to show these symbols have the same information density as early proto-cuneiform. The program then shifts to the enduring legacy of the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill, where Dr. Lori Swacky reveals that dolphins in Barataria Bay still suffer from lung damage and impaired stress responses 16 years later, making them more vulnerable to boat strikes and hindering population recovery. The episode also revisits the 1987 discovery of a rare naked-eye supernova by Canadian astronomer Ian Shelton, highlighting its significance in astrophysics. A listener question about beaver tree selection is answered by Dr. Glynnis Hood, who explains that beavers are 'choosy generalists' that taste-test trees and prefer sweet, nutrient-rich species like aspen. The episode concludes with a deep dive into the ecological power of seabird guano, showing how it fertilizes barren islands like Surtsey, transports seeds across oceans, and even fueled the rise of the ancient Chincha Kingdom in Peru through its use as a high-nitrogen fertilizer. Dr. Will Percival discusses the Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument (DESI), which has produced the most detailed 3D map of the universe to date, revealing clues about dark energy’s possible evolution over time. Throughout, the show underscores how small, overlooked phenomena—like a bird’s poop or a Stone Age carving—can hold profound insights into human history, ecology, and the cosmos.