Researchers propose that social systems arose as a group defense mechanism against predators, citing studies on male muriqui networks and affiliative hormones in primate species. Positive behaviors like grooming and physical touch increase levels of social bonding hormones.
Researchers suggest that productive kelp forests in the Pacific Rim may have facilitated human coastal migrations around 35,000 to 15,000 years ago. This theory is supported by findings of kelp forests near earliest coastal archaeological sites in the Americas.
Primates, including early humans, evolved to avoid predators, not hunt them. This theory suggests that intelligence and social skills developed as a result of outsmarting predators, leading to modern human traits like cooperation and socialization.
University of Utah archaeologist Jack M. Broughton's study of ancient Native American bird bones reveals that California wasn't always abundant in wildlife as settlers arrived. Indigenous people hunted some species to local extinction, and wildlife returned after European diseases decimated Indian populations.
A study in rural Ethiopia found that a tapped water supply reduced the time spent carrying water, leading to improved child survival but also increasing birth rates and childhood malnutrition. The researchers suggest that development projects should be multisectoral to avoid long-term problems.
African remains found in Campeche, Mexico, provide earliest physical link between the African Diaspora and the New World. The discovery, dating back to the late-16th century, sheds light on the early transatlantic slave trade.
A new study challenges prior models of behavioral and cognitive differences between Neanderthals and modern humans. Researchers suggest that the establishment of larger social networks allowed for more extensive division of labor and routine use of distant resources, potentially driving the replacement of Neanderthals in the Caucasus.
Researchers analyzed bone fragments at the Donner Family campsite in California's Tahoe National Forest, finding no conclusive evidence of cannibalism. The team discovered domestic and wild animals were consumed, but human bone was not identified.
Researchers have re-dated two Neandertals from Vindija Cave, Croatia to between 32,000 and 33,000 years ago. This new age range sheds light on the chronological overlap between Neandertals and modern humans in Europe.
Researchers Bocquet-Appel and Naji found a sudden 20-30% increase in birth rates worldwide during the Neolithic period, as indicated by an abrupt change in skeletal evidence. This finding corroborates a global demographic transition, with archaeological evidence showing parallels between Europe, North Africa, and the Americas.
Researchers at McMaster University have successfully sequenced the woolly mammoth genome, providing a new understanding of evolution and allowing for the potential recreation of extinct hybrid animals. The discovery has significant implications for fields such as conservation and genetics.
Rutgers researchers found a strong correlation between dance quality and body symmetry in Jamaican teenagers. The study used motion-capture technology to isolate dance movements and evaluated dancers' abilities based on their peers' ratings.
A new study by Michael Gurven examines food exchanges in small-scale societies to understand the evolution of conditional cooperation among humans. The research finds that people share more with those who give more, but families struggling to produce food receive more support from close kin and neighbors.
Researchers analyzed genes and developed new statistical technique to estimate divergence time. They found that humans and chimpanzees likely shared a common ancestor between 5-7 million years ago, with a maximum limit of approximately 7 million years ago.
A new study reveals that reliable resources like salmon, high population densities, and the defense of territories were crucial for the development of marked inequality in North America. Conversely, Australian Aboriginal societies on the tropical northern coast exhibited 'transient inequality' due to polygyny and high resource availabi...
Researchers at Texas A&M University and the Berkeley Geochronology Center date ancient rocks containing 'footprints' to 1.3 million years old, suggesting an earlier human migration than previously believed. The findings contradict claims of 40,000-year-old footprints in England.
A team of geologists and anthropologists reevaluated the alleged 40,000-year-old human footprints in Mexico, determining a new age of around 1.3 million years using argon/argon dating technique. This revised date challenges the accepted theory that humans arrived in the Americas at 11,000 years ago, sparking debate among researchers.
Researchers discovered an ancient brewery with a 1,800-liter capacity at Cerro Baúl, a sacred mountain in southern Peru. The brewery was abandoned and partially burned to the ground 1,000 years ago, along with a final batch of chicha, a fermented alcoholic drink central to the Wari culture.
A genetic analysis by Francisco Salzano and colleagues supports Rodrigues' suggestion of a close connection between Carib and Tupi, while Je and Maipure show more distant relationships. The study provides new insights into the complex history of South American Native languages.
Researchers suggest that modern human expansion in South Asia was a complex process, with evidence indicating diversity of behavioral responses and competition driving the demise of indigenous archaic hominids. The study challenges the idea of a sudden 'revolution' in modern human behavior 50,000 years ago.
A new study examines how publicly funded organizations used information and communications technologies to shape regional identities and overcome social, economic, and political problems. The research reveals the widespread adoption of ICTs in 'place-making' projects across Europe.
Researchers found that certain acts, such as unexpected visits and controlling behavior, are linked to an increased risk of relationship violence. The study suggests that these behaviors can be used as warning signs to prevent future violence.
A Yale University team has confirmed the existence and location of the long-speculated Maya city Site Q in Guatemala. The discovery was made by Marcello Canuto's team, who found an in-situ panel carved with over 140 hieroglyphs that match the style and historical chronology of the Site Q texts.
A study published by Yale University scientists analyzed the genetics of quagga and plains zebra populations to understand how the quagga evolved its distinctive stripes. The research found that the quagga diverged from Plains zebra around 120,000-290,000 years ago during the Ice Age.
Researchers found that Neanderthals' tooth growth rate was comparable to that of modern humans, suggesting they may not have had a shorter childhood than us. The study used microscopic lines on teeth to estimate growth rates and found that Neanderthal enamel formation times fell within the range of three modern populations.
A University of Cincinnati team is interviewing Inupiaq elders to better understand and predict future environmental changes, combining western science with traditional knowledge. The research focuses on climate and environment on Alaska's North Slope, with unique findings on the impacts of global warming.
A recent study has mapped the chimpanzee genome onto the human genome sequence, revealing a 2.7% difference in segmental duplications. The researchers found that around a third of duplications are unique to humans, while some segments show 'hyperexpansions' with up to 400 copies in chimpanzees.
A recent archaeological comparison of genetic traits indicates that Moche sacrificial victims were not local elite, but rather warriors captured from nearby valleys. This finding suggests territorial conflict and competition among Moche populations in each valley.
Researchers found early humans started using supportive footwear around 26,000 years ago to reduce toe bone strength. This change was likely caused by the introduction of protective footwear, which reduced the roll of the little toes and weakened them over time.
Scientists used radiocarbon dating to determine that human arrival in the Americas led to the extinction of prehistoric ground sloths. This suggests that big-game hunters had a significant impact on animal populations, contributing to widespread extinctions.
Researchers used a novel technique to study the diets of ancient humans, Australopithecus africanus and Paranthropus robustus. The analysis revealed significant overlap in their diets, with P. robustus consuming both hard and tough foods.
The discovery confirms a long-term association between people and livestock in southern Africa, challenging the view that the Kalahari was isolated. The findings provide insights into the spread of domestic livestock throughout Africa, highlighting the role of diseases such as tripanosomiasis in delaying their introduction.
Researchers Jane Schneider and Peter Schneider uncover a diverse Sicily, where the mafia and antimafia have distinct values and practices. The study reveals Sicilians' ability to organize democratically for community goals, challenging established views on their culture.
A new study suggests that the Olmec civilization imported pottery from other cultures, contradicting previous claims that it was the sole source. The findings use petrography to identify minerals in pottery fragments and reveal reciprocal trade between highland and lowland centers.
The human cerebellum and cortex age at vastly different rates, with the cortex showing pronounced and consistent changes, while the cerebellum experiences smaller and less coordinated changes. This study, published in PLoS Biology, reveals that the functions of brain regions influence how they age.
Anna-Karina Hermkens' research on the Maisin people highlights the crucial role women play in ceremonial exchange systems, challenging traditional anthropological perspectives. The study reveals how barkcloths, made from paper mulberry trees, are intertwined with ideas about gender and sexuality.
Researchers found that young women in Cameroon view their life as random, while those in rural Thailand consider the sex industry an option. In Hong Kong, a successful women's movement secured inheritance rights for indigenous women through public framing of their stories as human rights violations.
The Mladec assemblage is the oldest directly dated substantial collection of modern human remains in Europe, dating back approximately 31,000 years. The fossils confirm that early modern humans emerged in Central Europe during the Aurignacian period and provide valuable insights into their ancestry.
A recent study by Judith Feeney found that emotional reactions to hurt in relationships are characterized by a sense of personal injury and negative emotions. The research suggests that hurt is elicited by relationship transgressions that damage an individual's core beliefs about themselves or others.
Proconsul, a 18 million-year-old creature, holds the key to human and ape origins. The book provides an insider's view on fossil discovery and interpretation, exploring Proconsul's anatomy, diet, and habits.
A Neandertal femur found in France suggests that the transition from Middle Paleolithic to Upper Paleolithic marked a shift to greater mobility among humans. Close competition for food and space persisted with hyenas during this period, indicating a more complex human landscape.
Recent archeological research discovered that rice was the prevalent food source in northern China, alongside millet and wheat. The sophisticated knowledge of growing rice demonstrated by ancient Chinese farmers helped explain China's huge population today. The findings shed new light on China's agricultural history.
The University of Pennsylvania will direct a three-year project exploring the relationship between the mind and spirituality. The initiative aims to advance fields like cognitive neuroscience, theology, and philosophy by examining issues related to love, compassion, and epistemology.
Archaeologists have discovered ancient sheep dung in the Negev Desert, revealing the earliest evidence of domestic herding in the region. The dung dates back an estimated 7,000 years and has preserved valuable information about the lives of early pastoral nomads.
Researchers from University of California at Santa Barbara explore traditional methods for making maize beer, barley and emmer wheat beer, and other ancient beverages. They find that operational chains of food and beverage production offered challenges and opportunities to sponsors, shaping feasting strategies.
Researchers found nearly half of ancient grains were rice, contradicting earlier theories. The discovery also suggests a rice-wheat complex developed before writing emerged in the region.
The SAA's Book Award recognizes 'Ancient Mexico & Central America' for its impact on archaeological research and understanding of Mesoamerica's cultural history. The book, written by Penn State adjunct professor Evans, is an informative and fun guide to the region.
Oaxacan migrants prioritize family and community over individual gain, using remittances to fulfill obligations and maintain social status. Most migrants return home for no more than a year to support households, construct homes, and pay for education.
A recent survey of African rain forest parks suggests that non-economic factors like community relations and public attitude are crucial to park success. Investing in local economies or ecotourism does not guarantee conservation, according to the study.
A professor of environmental studies at U of T is bridging the gap between science and religion to address the environmental crisis. He notes that some religious yet ecology-minded Republicans are involved in a campaign against gas-guzzling SUVs, asking Americans to consider more ecologically sensitive cars.
Researchers at Washington University in St. Louis have successfully sequenced a fossil human protein from over 40,000 years ago, providing valuable information on human evolution and diet. The analysis reveals that the Neanderthal sequence is identical to modern humans', suggesting a shared dietary history.
Researchers discovered a significant swelling of the frontal lobe and other features consistent with higher cognitive processes in the brain of Homo floresiensis, nicknamed the 'hobbit'. The study refutes skeptics' suppositions that the species was a pygmy or microcephalic.
A new model of sound change shows that evolutionary principles can account for striking phonetic similarities across unrelated languages, as well as the rarity of certain sounds. Human perception and articulation make certain kinds of sound change more frequent than others, resulting in emergent properties of language.
Researchers Arkush and Stanish argue that the Andes were home to more frequent and devastating conflicts than previously believed. They contend that a better understanding of the archaeological signatures of warfare will clarify the course of war and peace in the region.
Alan Hall's work on Rho and Rac GTPases is crucial for understanding how epithelial tumour cells become metastatic. Svante Pääbo receives the Louis-Jeantet Prize for medicine to study genes involved in human evolution, including FOXP2 related to speech development.
Researchers are developing a new prototype for retrieving 3D archaeological structure data from subsurface surveying, enabling the creation of an underground image of pre-Inca city Tiwanaku. This three-year project aims to overcome technological bottlenecks in processing and fusing large amounts of sub-surface data.
A groundbreaking study reveals a new type of ecosystem born from the intersection of nature and city life. The Phoenix urban ecosystem is characterized by higher abundance of plants and animals due to consistent access to water resources.
A study found that genes controlling brain development and function evolved significantly faster in the human lineage than in other species. This suggests that strong selective forces favored larger and more complex brains, leading to a dramatic speeding up of evolution.
Researchers analyzed ancient liquids in bronze vessels from China, dating back to the Shang and Western Zhou Dynasties, and found evidence of fermented rice and millet wines. The discovery confirms a 9,000-year history of Chinese fermented beverages and sheds light on their role in ancient culture.
A UCLA study uses evolutionary game theory to model human behavior in small social groups, finding that cooperation in the context of public goods can be sustained when freeloaders are punished through social exclusion. This suggests a possible explanation for the evolution of altruism and moral outrage.