Iconic ‘Dragon Man’ Skull Offers First Glimpse of What a Denisovan’s Face Looked Like, New Genetic Studies Suggest
The mysterious ancient humans were only known from fossil fragments. Now, two papers argue a skull uncovered in China belongs to this group, after examining preserved DNA and proteins
These 15 Dynamic Photos Will Make You Want to Dance
Get footloose with these Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest dance scenes
Smithsonian Photo Contest Galleries
Get Your Day Back on Track With These 22 Photos of Trains Around the World
Take to the rails with inspiring images of life on and around train lines
The Smithsonian Transfers Rare 2,300-Year-Old Silk Manuscripts to China
The Zidanku Silk Manuscripts were smuggled into the United States in the 1940s. Scholars say they provide remarkable insights into ancient Chinese philosophy and religion
These Scientists Say They’ve Identified the Oldest Known Star Chart in the World
A new preprint suggests that an ancient Chinese star catalog dates to 355 B.C.E. But other researchers aren’t convinced, arguing that the original coordinates are misaligned by one degree
Ancient Chinese Poems Reveal the Decline of a Critically Endangered Porpoise Over 1,400 Years
Researchers looked at poetry dating as far back as the Tang dynasty to find that the Yangtze finless porpoise’s range has decreased by 65 percent
Humanoid Robots Just Raced Alongside Human Runners in a World-First Half-Marathon. Here’s How It Went
The race, held in China on Saturday, showcases the country’s advancements in humanoid technology. Still, only 6 of the 21 robot contestants made it across the finish line
The Moon’s Far Side Is Strangely Dry—Lunar Samples Suggest It’s Much More Parched Than the Side That Faces Earth
Chinese researchers analyzed the first-ever soil samples returned from the far side of the moon, but further samples will be needed to verify their findings
Stone Tools Discovered in China Resemble Neanderthal Technology Used in Europe, Creating a Middle Stone Age Mystery
Archaeologists previously assumed that East Asia did not see considerable tool development during the Middle Paleolithic, but new findings might change that widely held idea
A New Study Finds That Domestic Cats Traveled the Silk Road to China About 1,400 Years Ago
The animals were likely gifted to some elites, then spread throughout the region
The Great Wall of China Might Be Older Than We Thought
New research suggests that some sections of the wall were constructed during the Western Zhou dynasty between 1046 and 771 B.C.E.
Will the Traditional Chinese Medicine Industry End the Pangolin?
The creature is being trafficked across Africa and Asia to fuel a steady demand for their scales, an ingredient in unproven remedies
Scientists Discover ‘Groundbreaking’ Jurassic Fossil That Could Overhaul the Evolutionary History of Birds
Researchers in China found Baminornis zhenghensis, which lived at roughly the same time as the famous Archaeopteryx but looked much more like modern birds due to its short tail
The Asian Game of Mahjong, Which Creates Order Out of Chaos, Is Trending in the West
The 200-year-old tile game is popping up in clubs, hotels and parties as a way for Gen Zers and millennials to connect
On This Day in 1900, the Bubonic Plague Hit the Continental United States, Spiraling Into an Epidemic That Killed 119 People
California officials denied—and tried to hide—the first plague epidemic that reached U.S. shores
Untold Stories of American History
The Spy Who Exposed the Secrets of the Black Chamber, One of America’s First Code-Breaking Organizations
In 1931, Herbert O. Yardley published a tell-all book about his experiences leading a covert government agency called the Cipher Bureau
Six Clever Snakes to Celebrate as We Slither Into the Lunar New Year
These fascinating serpents embody acclaimed qualities including cunning and intelligence
The National Zoo’s Giant Pandas Are Finally Making Their Public Debut
Bao Li and Qing Bao, both 3 years old, are the latest black-and-white bears to call the nation’s capital home
Rare Jaw Fossil Found in China Might Belong to the World’s Smallest Cat
Scientists placed the extinct species, which may date back more than 300,000 years, in the same genus as modern leopard cats in Asia
Ten Must-See Museums Opening Around the World in 2025
New institutions dedicated to artificial intelligence, West African art, barbeque and more are expected to welcome visitors this year
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