DNA from an ancient, unidentified ancestor was passed down to humans living today
New algorithm suggests that early humans and related species interbred early and often.
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Cover Stories
An iconic Native American stone tool technology discovered in Arabia
The recovery of distinctive fluted points from both America and Arabia provides one of the best examples of 'independent invention' across continents.
Ancient shell llama offering found in lake Titicaca
Cooling of Earth caused by eruptions, not meteors
Analysis of sediment found in Hall's cave shows volcanic eruptions responsible for cooling of Earth around 13,000 years ago.
Most of Stonehenge’s Large Boulders Share Origin in West Woods, Wiltshire
Accelerated bone deterioration in last 70 years places remains at famous Mesolithic peat bog in peril
Results suggest similar decline may be happening across equivalent sites.
Lead white pigments on Andean drinking vessels provide new historical context
Isotope analysis suggest clues to the manufacture and distribution of qeros.
Big brains and dexterous hands
Primate study has implications for human evolution.
Researchers find evidence of smallpox in the viking age
Foxes have been eating humans’ leftovers for 42,000 years
Ancient fox diets might be good indicators of human impact on past ecosystems.
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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.
