Human Evolution
Skulls With 'Surfer's Ear' Suggest Ancient Pearl Divers in Panama
Thought to occur mainly in cold-water environments, a new study shows "surfer's ear" bone spurs can grow even in the tropics
What We Learned About Our Human Origins in 2018
From an upper jaw to red ocher paintings, two Smithsonian scholars note the significant discoveries in human evolution this trip around the sun
Neanderthal Genes Influence Contemporary Humans’ Skull Shape, Brain Size
Individuals carrying these ancient ancestors' DNA are more likely to have slightly elongated, rather than rounded, brains
Why Did Humans Lose Their Fur?
We are the naked apes of the world, having shed most of our body hair long ago
Parrot Genes Reveal Why the Birds Are So Clever, Long-Lived
Researchers say the avian creatures are as genetically distant from other birds as humans are from other primates
The Ten Best Science Books of 2018
These titles explore the wide-ranging implications of new discoveries and experiments, while grounding them in historical context
Evidence Suggests Humans Reached "Roof of the World" 40,000 Years Ago
Over 3,000 stone tools show human presence in Tibetan plateau 20,000 years before previously thought
A Fresh Look at These Stone Tools Reveals a New Chapter of Ancient Chinese History
Archaeologists thought these ancient tools, 80,000 years old at least, were brought to China by migrants—but now it appears they were invented locally
This Week Has Offered a Slew of Insights on the Western Hemisphere’s First Humans
Studies reveal rapid yet uneven movement south in at least three migratory waves, complicating story of the Americas' settlement
World’s Oldest Known Figurative Paintings Discovered in Borneo Cave
Dated to at least 40,000 years old, the depiction of a cattle-like animal has striking similarities to ancient rock art found in other parts of the world
Did Rampant Inbreeding Contribute to Early Humans’ High Rate of Skeletal Deformities?
Researcher identified 75 skeletal or dental defects in sample of just 66 sets of ancient remains
Male Gorillas That Babysit End Up With Larger Brood of Their Own
Male gorillas that participated in child-rearing were also more successful breeders
Ancient Teeth With Neanderthal Features Reveal New Chapters of Human Evolution
The 450,000-year-old teeth, discovered on the Italian Peninsula, are helping anthropologists piece together the hominid family tree
Neanderthals Used Their Hands for Precision, Not Just Power
Researchers suggest that the early human ancestors’ hand usage places them in line with tailors, painters rather than brute-force laborers
Human Gene Mutation May Have Paved the Way for Long-Distance Running
Mice with engineered versions of the CMAH gene exhibited 30 percent better endurance than those without
Chimps and Toddlers Use Same Gestures to Get Attention
A new study shows 12 to 24 month old children and chimps use 46 of the same movements to communicate, including stomping, pointing and clapping
For Men, Gains in the Gym May Come at a Cost to Sperm
There might be a tradeoff between how strong men look and sperm count
Meet Denisova 11: First Known Hybrid Hominin
The 13-year-old girl’s mother was a Neanderthal while her father was a Denisovan
Researchers Suggest Big Toe Was Last Part of Foot to Evolve
Early hominins' big toes were equipped for life on the ground and in the trees
Laziness May Have Contributed to the Decline of Homo Erectus
Researchers suggest early humans pursued “least-effort strategies” when crafting tools, collecting resources
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