"Shield of Babbasoon"digital collage by Mick Mather
MINISTRY of ANCIENT ANTIQUITIES, Jericho - The archaeological digs near the old Mud City ruins have given up at least one valuable secret. While there are a handful of examples of the Ancient Shield of Babbasoon, this is the first shield ever discovered that is made from wood. Most are carved assemblages of animal bone taken from the now extinct babbaso. The animal is similar to the Terran baboon with sub-specie markers related to other Terran animals such as the African feral cat and the meerkat. It is known that indigenous peoples of Jericho had a detrimental reliance on wood for every aspect of daily life and the planet has been devoid of any meaningful mature growth for centuries. Hence, the only ceremonial shields that remain are of bone since the wood was either used, in desperation, for fuel or through natural decomposition. Dig teams are rotated on a regular basis due to the harshness of Jericho's climate and volunteers are always welcome. If you have an interest in anthropology and archaeology, now would be a good time to contact your tourist agent for a vacation you won't soon forget!
