Researchers found that dogs derive ancestry from at least two separate wolf populations, an eastern source and a more westerly source. The study, published in Nature, analyzed 72 ancient wolf genomes spanning the last 100,000 years and suggests that domestication occurred in multiple places.
Researchers found evidence of wild trees and plants growing near ancient Maya city Yaxnohcah, suggesting the civilization managed their environment prudently. The study suggests the ancient Maya cultivated pine trees for fuel, but also left much of the rainforest intact.
A 1,700-year-old genome study from Korea reveals greater genetic heterogeneity among ancient Gaya confederacy individuals compared to modern Koreans. The findings suggest that the Korean peninsula experienced more genetic diversity in the past, with ancient Koreans intermixing within the region.
A study of ancient DNA from a 100,000-year-old polar bear genome found that extensive hybridization between polar bears and brown bears occurred during the last warm interglacial period. As a result, all living brown bears today have some polar bear ancestry.
Asteroid Psyche's varied surface suggests a dynamic history, with metallic eruptions, asteroid-shaking impacts, and a lost rocky mantle. The new maps hint at the asteroid's ancient core, which could be composed of silicate-rich material that has since disappeared.
Researchers at UT Austin discovered a rule connecting channel belts to river patterns, finding that channels in ancient rivers lead to narrower belts. Multichannel rivers take up more space on the belt and are closer to the floodplain, influencing landscape shaping.
A study by Australian National University researchers found genetic evidence of ancient migration and intermingling between Austronesian peoples and local populations in Wallacea. The findings suggest a significant maritime migration occurred between 3,000 to 3,500 years ago.
A new study finds that polar bears and brown bears have a complicated evolutionary history due to interbreeding. The analysis of modern bear genomes and ancient DNA from a 115,000-year-old tooth reveals gene flow from brown bears into polar bears, challenging previous hypotheses.
Research by University of Texas Institute for Geophysics reveals how ancient global warming affected the Gulf of Mexico's marine life and chemistry. The study found that radiolarians thrived in the Gulf due to nutrient-rich river sediments, providing valuable lessons about current climate change.
A joint research team has discovered ancient continental rocks at the Southwest Indian Ridge, dating back 2.7 billion years. The rocks' composition suggests they were recycled from the neighboring African continent through the asthenosphere, challenging current understanding of oceanic crust formation.
A global dataset of river avulsions confirms the existence of three distinct regimes: fan avulsions that occur when a river transitions to flatter topography, backwater-scaled delta avulsions found in low-sloping deltas along major waterways, and extreme sediment load delta avulsions triggered by intense flooding and sediment transport.
New research from a stalagmite reveals that the Pueblo cultural development coincided with drier climatic conditions in the southwestern US. The study suggests that climate change played a significant role in shaping the region's cultural history, challenging previous assumptions about the impact of megadroughts on civilizations.
Researchers found that ancient Maltese humans had limited genetic changes due to island isolation. The study suggests that seascapes played a central role in shaping the genetic structure of European populations.
Whole genome sequences of ancient Uruguayan Indigenous people provide a genetic snapshot of populations before European military campaigns decimated them. The results support the theory of separate migrations into South America, contradicting the idea of a single Native American race across North and South America.
Fossil analysis reveals mollusk communities were resilient to major climatic shifts but struggled under human-induced changes, highlighting the need for conservation efforts.
Historians note a shift in Eurocentric conceptualizations of science, leading to the emergence of civilization-specific alternatives. John Augustus Abayomi Cole's work on astrological geomancy sought to elevate African knowledge practices and critique European imperialism.
A recent study confirms that tuberculosis strains associated with marine mammals were also present in inland populations in pre-colonial South America. The researchers found three new ancient TB genomes from human remains in the highlands of Colombia, which resemble a TB variant found in seals and sea lions.
Ancient artworks from Minoan civilization of ancient Greece depict domesticated saffron, suggesting cultivation around 1600 BCE. Genetic studies support this origin, placing the modern saffron crocus with its three genomes as a result of natural selection in Bronze Age Greece.
Researchers have developed a new method to study ancient grains of sand, revealing details of the Earth's distant geological past. The 'age distribution fingerprint' of zircon minerals sheds light on the evolution of continents and the accumulation of mineral resources.
Researchers found that Indian Summer Monsoon rainfall was less intense during the Last Interglacial period than in the current warm period, contradicting paleoclimate model simulations. The study suggests that sea surface temperature plays a dominant role in shaping monsoon variability in South Asia.
Researchers created largest human genealogy by combining thousands of modern and ancient genomes across various datasets. This unified genealogy offers insight into key events in human history, including the timing and geographical locations of migration events like the out-of-Africa migration.
A new analysis of human remains provides the earliest DNA from sub-Saharan Africa, outlining major demographic shifts between 80,000 and 20,000 years ago. The study reveals people moved and settled in other areas, developed alliances and networks to trade and share information.
Using ancient and historical DNA can assess population genetic patterns and inform conservation actions. The study reveals that a/hDNA can be compared with contemporary data to set baselines for intra-species genetic diversity and estimate changes in effective population size.
The Inka empire's khipu system, a tactile fiber medium, recorded quantitative and qualitative data through encoding systems that still need to be fully grasped. This technology allowed for the expansion of the empire and implies a broad understanding of the language of khipus.
Researchers found that societies without written languages could still be large and complex, but those with elaborate writing systems tended to have less shared power. Writing was often used to convey messages between high-status individuals rather than facilitating communication across vast distances.
A recent study in Current Biology reveals that ancient migrations significantly influenced the physiology and appearance of contemporary Europeans. The research found that specific ancestries contributed to traits such as height, skin pigmentation, and body mass index, while others were linked to cholesterol levels and sleep patterns.
Researchers have identified locations of ancient Maya sacred groves containing cacao trees, which played a crucial role in rituals and trade routes. The discovery sheds light on the economic, political, and spiritual significance of cacao in Mesoamerican culture.
New research reveals ancient trees' vital role in maintaining forest adaptive capacity. These 'life history lottery winners' harbor essential genetic diversity passed on through generations.
A symmetrical, 2x3 km buried formation in Qatar suggests evidence of a sedentary civilization with advanced engineering skills. The site's unique soil composition and landscaping point to irrigation systems and crop cultivation.
The Curiosity rover has detected large amounts of carbon 12 in Martian rocks, which could be indicative of biological processes. The discovery is intriguing, but scientists caution that more data is needed to rule out non-biological explanations.
Researchers at Rutgers University have discovered broomcorn millet in ancient Iraq, pushing the timeline of agriculture in the region. This finding highlights the interconnected nature of Eurasia and challenges previous assumptions about the capacity and resilience of ancient agricultural systems.
Scientists successfully extracted DNA from sediment blocks stored up to 40 years ago, providing access to a vast untapped repository of genetic information. The study reveals that specific sediment features are more conducive to ancient DNA preservation than others.
Two studies highlight significant migration to Great Britain that replaced 50% of the island's ancestry during the Late Bronze Age. The analysis also reveals a dramatic increase in milk tolerance around 1200 B.C., providing new insights into dairy consumption in Britain.
The study of 66 individuals from Kulubnarti, Sudan, reveals that people lived during a period of cultural and social change without strong relationships between social status and biological relatedness. Genetic analysis also shows that some second-degree relatives were buried across the cemetery divide, indicating fluidity among groups.
Scientists have discovered a way to extract monthly and weekly ocean temperature records from the shells of tiny surf clams, revealing clues to Earth's past climate. The study uses a species of short-lived clam that has not been used before, allowing researchers to reconstruct sea surface temperatures and past climates with precision.
A team of international researchers has developed a globally-applicable ethical code for ancient human DNA research, aiming to address social and cultural implications. The code proposes cooperation with stakeholders, minimal damage to human remains, and respect for indigenous communities' perspectives.
The study provides insights into the genetic evolution and migration of chickpeas, offering a roadmap for improving the crop's nutritional value and climate resilience. Chickpeas are a main protein source for hundreds of millions of people worldwide, particularly in South Asia, Africa, and other parts of the world.
New research from the University of Arizona suggests that a slowdown in the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC) will intensify extreme cold weather in the US. The study found that without the AMOC, extremely cold winter weather would become more frequent and severe.
The Perseverance rover's images of the Martian river delta reveal a steady flow of water into an ancient lake about 3.7 billion years ago. The analysis also identifies promising rock layers that could preserve traces of life, if it ever existed on Mars.
A recent discovery at Tikal reveals a previously unknown neighborhood designed to replicate Teotihuacan's citadel, sparking new insights into the interaction between the two civilizations. Excavations found evidence of occupation and surveillance, as well as artifacts linking Tikal to Teotihuacan's imperial power.
A study of ancient civilizations and climate change found that investing in resilient landscapes can help both urban and rural communities survive climatic stress. Long-term investment in soil fertility, water storage, and biodiversity can enable tolerance to periods of climate variability.
An international team of scientists has resolved a half-century-old mystery by discovering that ancient burrow traces in Australian quartzite were made by crustaceans around 40 million years ago. The discovery was made possible by analyzing unusual radioactive minerals in the sand, which revealed that the burrows were more than a billi...
Researchers found that ancient Siberian human populations interacted with outside dog populations at least 2,000 years ago, suggesting dogs were traded as goods. The study reveals that modern dog breeds like Samoyeds and Siberian Huskies maintain significant ancestry from a lineage established prior to 9,500 years ago.
A recent study using genome-wide data from 82 ancient individuals in central and southern Italy has clarified the origins of the enigmatic Etruscans. The results show that despite their unique cultural expressions, the Etruscans were closely related to their Italic neighbors, with genetic transformations associated with historical events.
Ancient DNA research has revealed multiple waves of introgression between archaic humans and modern humans, as well as genetic continuity with present-day populations. Genetic data support an origin of early modern humans in Africa, while Eurasian populations show several early human lineages.
Researchers analyzed 1,785 ancient human genomes to determine parental relatedness, revealing that cousin marriages occurred only 3% of the time. The new method allowed for more efficient screening of ancient DNA, also providing insights into population dynamics and demographic impact of agriculture.
Researchers created a massive virtual universe, Uchuu, consisting of 2.1 trillion particles in a computational cube spanning 9.63 billion light-years. The simulation allows for the study of dark matter and large-scale structure on an unprecedented scale.
Researchers sequenced the genomes of an ancient date palm leaf and found evidence of hybridization with wild relatives. The study sheds light on the evolution of date palms in North Africa, showing that genetic material from another species was present 2,200 years ago.
Researchers discovered a four-line ancient Greek poem with stressed and unstressed syllables, challenging traditional views on classical poetry. The poem's simple language and emphasis on individual expression suggest a 'democratising form of literature' that could represent a 'missing link' between ancient and modern forms.
A new study reveals evidence of beer drinking 9,000 years ago in southern China, with ancient pots found at a burial site containing residues consistent with beer fermentation. The discovery suggests that ritualized drinking played a significant role in forging social relationships and cooperation among ancient communities.
Researchers have discovered pictograms depicting earthquakes in the Codex Telleriano-Remensis, a 16th-century Mexican codex. The pictograms provide early written evidence of earthquakes in pre-Hispanic times, extending the region's seismic history back to the 15th century.
Astronomers discovered that comet ATLAS shares the same orbital track as an ancient comet from 1844, suggesting it's a sibling from a parent comet. The comet disintegrated while farther from the Sun than Earth, defying conventional wisdom about comets.
A new study generated 137 whole-genome sequences from eight Middle Eastern populations, filling a major gap in international genomic projects. The researchers found 4.8 million previously undiscovered genetic variants, which could hold medical relevance.
A new study reveals that the domestication of plants and construction of settlements based on agriculture in ancient Japan coincided with periods of relatively warm and stable climate. This challenges the conventional theory that a climatic cooling event drove humans to adopt agriculture.
A study analyzing ancient DNA has uncovered new information on the blood types of Neanderthals and Denisovans. The analysis reveals consistent African origins and increased vulnerability to diseases affecting fetuses and newborns, confirming previous evidence of low genetic diversity leading to eventual demise.
Reconstruction of ancient oral microbiomes from the Upper Paleolithic to the Neolithic Periods in Southern Europe reveals a significant expansion of microbial species with the transition to agriculture. The studies sequenced ancient DNA from dental calculus, finding a dominant Anaerolineaceae species that diversified geographically.
Researchers analyzed tree ring data to determine Asian monsoon variability from 4680 BCE to 2011 CE. The findings revealed a significant decrease in precipitation, leading to megadrought and accelerated dispersal of ancient civilizations, ultimately harming Neolithic societal development.
A team of geneticists sequenced DNA from a 1,600-year-old sheep mummy from Iran's Chehrābād salt mine, revealing ancient sheep husbandry practices. The preserved DNA showed remarkable integrity, with longer fragment lengths and less damage than expected.
A study published in PLOS ONE reveals that ancient Islamic tombs in Sudan are distributed according to large-scale environmental factors and small-scale social factors. The tombs cluster around central 'parent' points, likely representing older tombs of importance, with smaller scale distribution influenced by nearby older structures.
A new study using fecal stanols found that the Maya population in Itzan declined due to both droughts and wet periods, showing a link between climate extremes and population changes. The research provides insights into how ancient civilizations adapted to environmental issues like soil degradation and nutrient loss.