------------------------------------------------------------------------


After digging to a depth of 100m last year, Russian scientists 
found traces of copper wiring dating back 1000 years and came to 
the conclusion that their ancestors already had a telephone network 
1000 years ago.

So as not to be outdone, American scientists dug to 200m, and
headlines in the US newspapers read: "US scientists have found  
traces of 2000 year old optical fibres and have concluded that
their ancestors already had advanced high-tech digital telephone
1000 years earlier than the Russians."

One week later, the South African press reported the following:
"After digging as deep as 500m, South  African scientists have
found absolutely nothing. The government has concluded that 5000
years ago their ancestors were already using cellular phones due
to cable theft problems.


------------------------------------------------------------------------


[Again, thanks to Peter for this new version...]