Smithsonian names Ellen Stofan Under Secretary for Science and Research
Ellen Stofan is currently director of the Smithsonians National Air and Space Museum. Photo by Jim Preston, Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum.
WASHINGTON, DC
.- Ellen Stofan, director of the Smithsonians National Air and Space Museum, has been named the Smithsonians Under Secretary for Science and Research, effective March 14.
In this role, Stofan will lead the Institutions collective scientific efforts and commitment to research. The position oversees the Smithsonians science museums, science research centers and Smithsonian Libraries and Archives. This includes the National Museum of Natural History, the National Zoo and Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute, the Museum Conservation Institute, the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory, the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center and the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute. Stofan will report to Meroe Park, Deputy Secretary and
Cave Paintings and Sculptures
A map of decorated caves in western Europe with the names of a few notable or outlying sites. The broken line encloses caves decorated in the distinctive Mediterranean Style which seems to have been little influenced by the master artists of France and Spain. It often features simple, stark animal representations together with quite elaborate geometrical designs. There are important caves decorated in the Mediterranean style in southeast Spain, the Ardèche canyons in southern France, the heel of Italy, and in Sicily.
There are now some 200 Painted caves known in southern France and northern Spain. Several new discoveries in the remote Spanish Basque country appear to be closing the gap between these two main regional groups which, in any case, certainly share many correspondences of style and theme.
Credit: N. Hanacek/NIST
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