Science: River of Discoveries

Pushing through the steaming jungle, a Venezuelan army major named Franz Antonio Rísquez Iribarren scrambled to the top of a high cliff in the Parima Mountains and proudly planted his flag at the summit. He measured the cliff's map coordinates and radioed to his superiors: "In the name of Almighty God, glory to the brave people, we have accomplished our mission. An embrace of admiration and gratitude to all . . ." From the same spot, last week the American Geographical Society in New York got word from Dr. José Cruxent, archaeologist for the...

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