***MEDIA ALERT - Major Scientific Discovery

Oct 27, 2004

NB: Strict embargo on coverage of this announcement until Thursday 28 October

A media conference will be held in Sydney tomorrow (Thursday 28 October) at 11am re the announcement of a major discovery by Australian and Indonesian scientists.

It is being heralded as one of the most important archaeological discoveries in 100 years and involves a previously unknown species of human - a "lost world" of little people. Please note the strict embargo regarding the announcement of this discovery is timed with the cover story release in the British scientific journal, Nature.

Media conference venue: Theatrette, (located to the right of the Admissions desk), The Australian Museum, 6 College Street, Sydney

Scientists from the University of New England and the University of Wollongong who worked with Indonesian counterparts on this discovery will explain its significance.

Visuals will include a painting illustrating what the human species would have looked like; a cast replica of the bones discovered; and a comparison of skulls between modern man and the newly-discovered species.

Note: A media kit including copy outlining the discovery in more detail will be available at the conference. This information cannot be issued ahead of tomorrow's conference.

Media inquiries: Lydia Roberts on (0438) 234 152 and Bernie Goldie on (0412) 454 124

For more information, contact:

media@uow.edu.au
University of Wollongong
Ph: (02) 4221 5942; fax (02) 4221 3128