Two ancient populations that diverged later 'reconverged' in the Americas, according to a new genetic study. The study challenges previous research suggesting a single ancestral branch for Native Americans.
Research suggests that Indigenous peoples in Central and South America retain DNA from the northern branch, which originated from eastern Canada. The study reveals a 'reconvergence' of two ancestral branches around 13,000 years ago.
Ancient DNA analysis of Icelandic populations reveals a strong connection to Scandinavian and British-Irish Isles, whereas modern Icelanders show less similarity. A second study explores the genetics of first Americans, suggesting a deep split in North and South American populations occurred south of the Laurentide ice sheet.
Researchers used historical aerial imagery and modern airborne laser scanning to locate and contextualize archaeological features in Jerash, Jordan. The study revealed previously unmapped structures and refined the city's water supply system, providing insights into ancient society.
Researchers studied the Grand Caillou mound in coastal Louisiana, uncovering a timeline of natural and human events that shaped its construction and abandonment. The study provides insights into how Native peoples selected their villages' locations, using methods such as sediment coring and radiocarbon dating.
The study identifies at least three major waves of human migration into Southeast Asia, shaping the genetics of the region to a remarkable extent. The research complements archaeological, historical and linguistic studies, illuminating another critical portion of the story of ancient population dynamics around the world.
A new study finds that lead pollution in Greenland ice closely tracks known plagues, wars, social unrest and imperial expansions during European antiquity. The team's detailed analysis reveals that lead emissions rose and fell along with historical events, including the rise of the Roman Empire.
Researchers analyzed ancient genomes to shed light on historical migration, language spread and horse domestication in Asia. Genetic data suggests that people migrated eastward through Central Asia before settling in the eastern regions.
A 34-million-year-old fossil discovery in Antarctica has provided significant insights into the evolution of baleen whales. The ancient whale, Llanocetus denticrenatus, had well-developed teeth and gums instead of baleen, suggesting a transition from biting to filter feeding occurred over time.
The study found that the Tsimshian population's genetic diversity recovered after a collapse, with intermarriage increasing genetic diversity in some individuals. This contradicts previous notions of Native American populations expanding until European colonization.
Researchers must consult with Indigenous communities before analyzing ancient DNA to avoid harming descendants and stigmatizing their communities. Collaboration with communities strengthens analysis and allows for better questions to be asked, guided by community narratives.
DNA analysis of ancient latrines reveals past diets, animal domestication, and hunting practices in Northern Europe and the Middle East from 500 B.C. to 1700 A.D., with parasite eggs reflecting raw or undercooked fish and pork consumption.
Researchers Adam Frank and Gavin Schmidt propose a new definition of civilization based on its energy use, exploring the potential for detection in the geological record. They discuss various signs left behind by industrial activities, such as fossil fuel emissions and global warming, to determine if human beings existed.
Scientists warn that human brains may be overlooking signs of extraterrestrial life due to cognitive biases. Researchers conducted an experiment where participants failed to detect artificial structures in images, mirroring the famous gorilla suit test.
A multinational team led by Universidad de San Martin de Porres analyzed DNA of modern Inka descendants to reconstruct their ancestry. The study found two patrilineal clusters linked to the Lake Titicaca and Southern Cusco region, supporting long-held myths about the Incas' origins.
A team of researchers from institutions at the leading edge of palaeoproteomics have published guidelines to support good practices in the field and ensure robust, reproducible results. The guide aims to provide consistency to a new field, addressing issues such as data reporting standards, authentication measures, and lab contamination.
Researchers studied 15,000-year-old human DNA from Morocco's Iberomaurusian culture, finding no European ancestry. Instead, they identified genetic ties to ancient Near Easterners and sub-Saharan Africans, suggesting a pre-agricultural connection between the regions.
Researchers have developed a new method to estimate ancient atmospheric water content based on fossil plant leaf waxes, which can help predict future climate changes. By studying the chemistry of these compounds in soils and sediments, scientists can reconstruct past climates and test their understanding of global warming.
Researchers at Washington State University have developed a method to extract nicotine from ancient dental plaque, allowing them to trace tobacco use in prehistory. This breakthrough could help answer questions about who consumed tobacco and how it was used in ancient societies.
A new study using ancient DNA analysis has found that human populations have been migrating and mixing extensively throughout history, with the Yamnaya people from Central Asia expanding rapidly to Europe, Britain, and beyond. The research also reveals a biased genetic exchange between farmers and hunter-gatherers in northern Europe.
A recent study of ancient DNA has found that the Bell Beaker culture in Europe comprised two genetically distinct populations, challenging previous assumptions about their spread. The research also revealed a significant genetic shift, introducing variants for paler skin and lighter-colored eyes, as well as genes for digesting lactose.
Researchers recreated prehistoric projectiles and points from ancient sites in Alaska to understand technological choices made by early humans. The study found that composite microblade points were more effective on smaller prey, while stone and bone points had strengths for larger game.
An international team analyzed ancient DNA from 38 northern Europeans, uncovering that Scandinavia was settled via southern and northern routes. Agriculture arrived in northern Europe through migrating farmers and pastoralists. The study provides new insights into population dynamics of prehistoric northern Europe.
Researchers at Harvard developed a novel 3D printing method that enables control of short fibers in polymer matrices, resulting in enhanced strength, stiffness, and damage tolerance. This breakthrough has broad applications in materials engineering.
Researchers discovered evidence of Phoenician settlement and integration with indigenous communities in Monte Sirai, as well as unique mitochondrial lineages indicating female mobility to Sardinia and North Africa. The study provides new insights into the inclusive nature of Phoenician society.
Researchers used a new method to date ancient Mogao Grottoes paintings by analyzing their drawing styles, which were learned through deep learning. The technique successfully dated six paintings and revealed the creation era of other works, reducing uncertainties in dating ancient paintings.
Researchers have discovered an ancient irrigation system in northwestern China that allowed farming communities to cultivate crops in one of the world's driest desert climates. The system, built around 3rd or 4th century A.D., used check dams, irrigation canals, and cisterns to feed small farm fields and support livestock production.
A new study provides direct genetic evidence that the first Native Americans arrived in the continent via a single migration event, with the Ancient Beringians being an offshoot of the same ancestral population as Northern and Southern Native American groups. The findings suggest people entered Alaska before 20,000 years ago.
A new population of ancient Native Americans has been identified through genetic analysis of a 6-week-old infant found in an Interior Alaska archaeological site. The Ancient Beringians are believed to have split from East Asians around 35,000 years ago and lived in the Far North for thousands of years.
Researchers propose a mechanism for ancient culture evolution tied to environment change and technological development, with varying influences at local, regional, and global scales. The study suggests that sudden disasters, climate change, and technological innovations drove social evolution.
Researchers found that shark skin's dermal denticles develop from neural crest cells, just like teeth, supporting the theory that these primitive scales were carried into jawed vertebrates to form teeth. This discovery suggests a deep evolutionary relationship between ancient fish scales and vertebrate teeth.
New research from Washington University in St. Louis suggests ancient barley took a southern route to China, adapting to seasonal challenges along the way. The study, published in PLOS One, analyzed radiocarbon data and DNA evidence from ancient grains in China, India, Kyrgyzstan, and Pakistan.
A recent study published in Scientific Reports has revealed that ancient Egyptian scribes used carbon-based inks containing copper, a previously unidentified element. The analysis of 2,000-year-old papyri fragments found consistent composition across different geographical regions and time periods.
Researchers found that prehistoric migration rates increased in three distinct pulses, coinciding with the spread of agriculture, Bronze Age advancements, and Iron Age population growth. This suggests a strong link between technological innovation and human mobility.
A recent study has reshaped the understanding of climate change's impact on early societies, focusing on ancient Egypt. The research, published in Nature Communications, explores how large volcanic eruptions affected Nile river flow, reducing summer flood heights and causing social stress that could trigger unrest.
A 40,000-year-old man's genome provides insights into human genetic diversity in East Asia. The study reveals a complicated separation for ancient Europeans and Asians, suggesting multiple genetically distinct populations existed in Asia until the present.
Researchers analyzed ancient DNA from Rapa Nui samples, finding no genetic links to South Americans; instead, they suggest Native American ancestry may be a result of recent history. The study highlights the value of ancient DNA for testing hypotheses about past interactions.
Ancient African genomes show human populations diverged around 350,000-260,000 years ago. The study analyzed 7 ancient genomes, including a Stone Age hunter-gatherer and Iron Age farmers, finding correlations with fossil records.
A large-scale study of ancient human DNA from sub-Saharan Africa has shed light on the identity of prehistoric populations, their movements and genetic adaptations. The research found evidence of a population replacement in Malawi and identified a mysterious group that spanned from southern Africa to the equator.
Researchers reconstructed African population structure using ancient DNA from 15 individuals, revealing a more complex history than previously thought. The findings show that populations related to indigenous people of southern Africa had a wider distribution in the past, contributing to ancestry of modern-day populations.
Researchers used 3-D scans of fossil canid mandibles to determine whether they belonged to dogs or wolves. The study found that the skull changed shape but the evolution of the mandible lagged behind, making it unreliable for identifying early dog fossils.
The city of Teotihuacan in Central Mexico stands alone with its innovative apartment compounds and well-planned residential areas. Its design was previously unknown until Michael E. Smith's study revealed its uniqueness.
Researchers have discovered a new type of glycan that survives in 4 million-year-old animal fossils from Kenya. This breakthrough could reveal human origins and diet, including the consumption of red meat. Gc-CS detection may classify ancient hominin fossils into two groups.
Researchers develop new scale to measure civilization advancement, emphasizing the importance of sustainable planet management. Earth may reach Class V in future if humanity adopts renewable energy sources.
A new classification scheme for planetary stages based on non-equilibrium thermodynamics categorizes worlds by energy flow and life's effect. This framework, proposed by researchers, places Earth in Class IV due to its thick biosphere and strong impact from human activities.
A study by Hugo Delile and colleagues used high-resolution geochemical and isotopic analyses to reconstruct Rome's urban development. The analysis of a sediment core from Ostia harbor revealed the installation of ancient Rome's lead pipe system was around 2nd century BC, with a peak during the early-high Imperial period.
The discovery of Plimpton 322 reveals the ancient Babylonians' use of a novel kind of trigonometry based on ratios, not angles and circles, to calculate shapes of right-angle triangles. The tablet predates Hipparchus' trigonometric table by over 1000 years, offering new possibilities for modern mathematics research and education.
Chemical analysis of ancient pottery from Monte Kronio in Sicily reveals the presence of tartaric acid and sodium salt, characteristic of winemaking processes. The discovery provides a new perspective on the economy of ancient Italy, challenging traditional views on wine production.
Geologists at MIT found that ancient Earth's mantle was up to 200 degrees Celsius hotter, causing subducting plates to sink all the way to the bottom of the mantle. This led to a 'graveyard' of slabs atop the Earth's core, suggesting a significant change in how mantle convection and plate tectonic processes occurred.
Scientists at IBS conceptualized an ideal material that could store data for an exceptionally long time, bringing new hints for future quantum memory technologies. The material has a special architecture of energy levels for its electrons, enabling exponentially longer storage than current devices.
Researchers used a portable macro X-ray fluorescence instrument to analyze an ancient Roman painting, revealing elements such as iron-based pigment and green earth pigment used in the underpainting. The study could help conservators restore the image and preserve ancient artistry for future generations.
The Mars 2020 mission utilizes advanced techniques developed from studying early life on Earth to detect biosignatures in ancient Martian rocks. By mapping elemental and organic composition at high spatial resolution, scientists aim to determine if these features were formed by life.
A 3,000-year-old female statue was discovered at the Tayinat archaeological site in Turkey, measuring over 1 meter long and 0.7 meters wide. The statue features intricate carvings and is believed to represent a prominent matriarchal figure, possibly Kubaba or Kupapiyas, wife of King Suppiluliuma.
The study analyzed ancient DNA from remains of 19 individuals and compared their genomes to over 330 other ancient genomes and 2,600 present-day humans. It found that Minoans and Mycenaeans were genetically similar, descending mainly from early Neolithic farmers who migrated thousands of years prior to the Bronze Age from Anatolia.
Scientists have obtained and analyzed genome sequences from ancient Minoans and Mycenaeans, shedding light on their origins and relationships. The research suggests that the Minoans and Mycenaeans share a significant amount of genetic heritage from the first farmers of the Aegean Sea.
Ancient DNA sequencing of 4,000-year-old Canaanite individuals and present-day Lebanese reveals that more than 90% of Lebanese ancestry is likely to be from the Canaanites. The study also discovered a mixture of local people and eastern migrants in the ancient Canaanite population.
A Cornell-led project has identified modern, ancient, and heritage wheat varieties best suited for organic growing in the Northeastern and north-central climates. The results show that these varieties are in high demand, with consumers willing to pay more for bread, pasta, and baked goods made from them.
Researchers found evidence of wooden stage equipment at ancient Greek City of Messene, suggesting mobile stages existed in Hellenistic period theaters. The discovery supports the theory that rotating stage devices were used in both Greek and Roman theaters.
Researchers analyzed ancient and modern mitochondrial genomes in the South Caucasus, finding genetic continuity for at least 8,000 years. The study suggests that documented cultural shifts in the region had little genetic impact on the local female population.
Researchers discovered an ancient antiviral defense system in human cells that could be used to deliver targeted therapies using engineered viruses or simple self-replicating RNAs. This system, which dates back billions of years, was originally designed to defend against viral infection and may hold the key to new treatments for diseases.