Illinois scientists find rare coin in Kenya

My Fox Spokane Biz
Illinois scientists find rare coin in Kenya

CHICAGO (AP) - Scientists from Illinois have found a rare, 600-year-old Chinese coin on the Kenyan island of Manda.

The Field Museum in Chicago announced the find Wednesday. The joint expedition was led by Chapurukha Kusimba of the museum and Sloan Williams of the University of Illinois-Chicago. Researchers say the coin proves trade existed between China and eastern Africa decades before European explorers set sail.

The coin is made of copper and silver. It has a square hole in the center so it could be worn on a belt. Scientists say it was issued by Emperor Yongle of China and his name is written on the coin.

Scientists from Kenya, Pennsylvania and Ohio also participated in the expedition. They also found human remains and other artifacts predating the coin.

___

Online: http://www.fieldmuseum.org

Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Most Popular Stories

Obama To Visit Tornado-Ravaged OK Town

Obama To Visit Tornado-Ravaged OK Town
WASHINGTON (AP) - President Barack Obama will travel to tornado-ravaged Moore, Okla., on Sunday.    That's according to a White House official, who wasn't authorized to publicly discuss the trip ahead of the official announcement and requested anonymity.    A

Flooding forces evacuation of 1,300 in ND town

Flooding forces evacuation of 1,300 in ND town
By BLAKE NICHOLSON and DAVE KOLPACKAssociated Press BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) - A dam that threatened to give way and flood a North Dakota town was holding back the water on Wednesday, though the 1,300 residents of Cavalier were still being told to stay away from their homes. Steady rainfall between

Protesters march against Monsanto in 250 cities

Protesters march against Monsanto in 250 cities
LOS ANGELES (AP) - Protests against seed giant Monsanto are getting under way across the U.S. and in dozens of other countries. "March Against Monsanto" organizers say they're calling attention to the dangers posed by genetically modified food and the companies that produce it. Protests are