THE BIG QUESTIONS
There’s something that has long bothered me – just where do we get talcum powder from? – G
Talcum powder is made from talc, a naturally occurring mineral largely made up of the elements magnesium, silicon, and oxygen, and is mined from rock deposits.
Most of the world’s talc comes from the western United States, the Alps (especially in Italy), and the Himalayan mountain range, particularly in Pakistan, India, Nepal and Bhutan.
I’ve just started to research my family tree and have found relatives as far back as the early 18th Century. I’d be interested to know who can trace their lineage back the furthest? – P
That is probably the three million descendants of the Chinese philosopher Confucius, who from 479BC to 551BC.
The Guinness Book of World Records recognise the Confucius genealogical line as the longest family tree in history, with 86 recorded generations over 2,500 years.
In fact, his lineage can be traced another three generations back to his His great-great-great-great grandfather, Kung Chia, who lived in
the 8th Century BC.
Where was the earliest human settlement in Scotland? – H
That was probably at Cramond, near Edinburgh, which dates back 8,500 years.
Pits and holes dug into the ground seem to suggest that it was an encampment used by hunter-gatherers.
Some stone tools were also found at the site.
Other sites along the east coast and at lochs and rivers build up a picture of highly mobile people.