Ancient DNA Reveals Comprehensive Genomic History of the “Cradle of Civilization”
A comprehensive genomic history of the so-called “Southern Arc,” a region spanning southeastern Europe and Western Asia and long considered to be the “cradle of…
Anthropology News
The Southern Arc: Vast Genetic Study Reveals Insights Into Migration Patterns and Language Development
Vast paleogenetic study reveals insights on migration patterns, the expansion of farming, and language development from the Caucasus over western Asia and Southern Europe from…
Accurate Hominin Data: Getting the Fossil Record Right on Human Evolution
Uncovering the evolution of any set of living creatures is a complex and highly meticulous task for researchers, and various theories and approaches that may…
Early Human Evolution: Hominin Fossils in “Cradle of Humankind” May Be a Million Years Older Than Thought
Famous Sterkfontein Caves deposit is 1 million years older than previously thought. New dates for Australopithecus-bearing Sterkfontein Cave deposit places South African hominin fossils at…
Human Ancestor Fossils in the “Cradle of Humankind” May Be More Than a Million Years Older Than Thought
The earth doesn’t give up its ancient secrets easily – not even in the “Cradle of Humankind” in South Africa, where a wealth of fossils…
Ancient Proteins Show First Australian People Ate Giant Eggs of Huge Flightless Birds
Researchers settle fierce debate surrounding ‘Thunder bird’ species, and whether its eggs were exploited by early Australian people around 50,000 years ago. Proteins extracted from…
In Defense of Bread – The “Staff of Life” Throughout History
Bread, that simple “staff of life,” has gotten a bad reputation in recent years, mainly from those who advocate low-carb or gluten-free diets. However, foregoing…
Ancient Tooth From Young Girl Discovered in Cave Unlocks Mystery of Denisovans, a Sister Species of Modern Humans
Denisovans, a sister species of modern humans, inhabited Laos from 164,000 to 131,000 years ago with important implications for populations out of Africa and Australia….
Remote Community in Ireland Survived a Millennium of Environmental Change
Study finds social conditions key to long-term resilience during times of dramatic change. A remote community in Ireland was adaptable enough to persevere through a…
Before Stonehenge Monuments, Hunter-Gatherers Made Use of Open Woodland Habitats
Research study investigates habitat conditions encountered by first farmers and monument-builders. Hunter-gatherers made use of open woodland conditions in the millennia before Stonehenge monuments were…
How Prehistoric Humans Adapted to Intense Climate Change – Revealed by Marine Mollusk Shells
Current global climate warming is having, and will continue to have, widespread consequences for human history, in the same way that environmental fluctuations had significant…
New Ancient DNA Study Reveals 5,000-Year Population History of Xinjiang, China
Xinjiang, in northwest China, lays at an important junction between east and west Eurasia and has played a historically important role in the exchange of…
Clear Evidence Links Astronomically-Driven Climate Change and Human Evolution
Early Human Habitats Linked to Past Climate Shifts A study published in Nature by an international team of scientists provides clear evidence for a link…
Research Supports “Drunken Monkey” Hypothesis: Humans Inherited Love of Alcohol From Primate Ancestors
Monkeys routinely consume fruit containing alcohol, shedding light on our own taste for booze. For 25 years, UC Berkeley biologist Robert Dudley has been intrigued…
East Asian Lineages in Europe 45,000 Years Ago Explained by Population Hub Out of Africa
The ancient human remains unearthed in the Bacho Kiro cave (in present-day Bulgaria) and recently genetically described were surprisingly reported to be more closely related…
1,400-Year-Old Mysterious Origins of the Avar Elite Elucidated With Ancient DNA
Multidisciplinary research team sheds light on the 1,400-year-old mystery about the genetic origins of the Avar elite. In the 560s, the Avars established an empire…
Scientists Find Ways To Reconstruct Ancient Scents
In recent years, millions of people worldwide have suffered the loss of smell due to COVID-19. Even those who have avoided infection with the new…
Archaeologists Find One of the Most Significant Carved Stone Monuments Ever Uncovered in Scotland
Rare Pictish symbol stone found near potential site of famous battle. Archaeologists have uncovered a Pictish symbol stone close to the location of one of…
