Early North Americans may have been more diverse than previously suspected
Four late Pleistocene-early Holocene skulls from Tulum in Mexico show surprising diversity.
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Cover Stories
New study debunks myth of Cahokia’s Native American lost civilization
Ancient poop levels point to repopulation of iconic pre-Columbian metropolis.
Neanderthal dispersal into Siberia
Study reveals 2 writers penned landmark inscriptions in 8th-century BCE Samaria
Discovery illuminates bureaucratic apparatus of ancient kingdom of Israel, say Tel Aviv University researchers.
Late Neolithic Italy was home to complex networks of metal exchange
Analysis reveals where prehistoric Italian communities got their copper, from Tuscany and beyond.
First ancient DNA from West/Central Africa illuminates deep human past
Climate (not humans) shaped early forests of New England
Historical insight alters rationale for modern land management.
Human-caused biodiversity decline started millions of years ago
Beach-combing Neanderthals dove for shells
Pachacamac Idol of ancient Peru was symbolically painted
Chemical analysis of the statue reveals its age and original polychromatic design.
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Other Stories
Multispectral imaging reveals ancient Hebrew inscription undetected for over 50 years
Military correspondence from the First Temple period discovered on reverse side of well-studied artifact at The Israel Museum, Tel Aviv University researchers say.
New research reveals earliest directly dated rock paintings from southern Africa
Scientists have pioneered a technique to directly date prehistoric rock paintings in southern Africa, which revealed dates much older than previously thought.
Springs were critical water sources for early humans in East Africa, Rutgers study finds
Scientists show how groundwater-fed springs may have influenced human evolution.
Shared genetic heritage from Sicily to Cyprus
A new genomic study on southern Mediterranean reveals a genetic continuity across geographic and national borders.
Bonobos may be better representation of last common ancestor with humans
Study examined muscles of bonobos and found they are more closely related to humans than common chimpanzees.
Secrets of the paleo diet: Discovery reveals plant-based menu of prehistoric man
A collection of 780,000-year-old edible plants found in Israel is the largest and most diverse in the Levantine corridor linking Africa and Eurasia.
Bitumen from Middle East discovered in 7th century buried ship in UK
Presence of rare tar-like material may suggest trade between Middle East, British Isles.
Bone scans suggest early hominin ‘Lucy’ spent significant time in trees
Australopithecus afarensis arm bones were strong relative to leg bones; walking gait was likely inefficient.
A National Treasure Tells the Story of Hawaii’s Heritage
Archaeology meets the public at the Bernice Pauahi Bishop Museum.
Neanderthal inheritance helped humans adapt to life outside of Africa
Traits inherited for skin and the immune system may have helped buttress survivability through the ages, new study suggests.
Middle Stone Age ochre processing tools reveal cultural and behavioral complexity
Range of ochre processing techniques produced powder of varying color and coarseness.
The Once and Future Cobá
Best known for its Maya ruins, today’s living community of Cobá is set to get a major face lift.
Study finds earliest evidence in fossil record for right-handedness
Teeth striations of Homo habilis fossil date back 1.8 million years.
