Researchers have mapped how ancient cereal crops spread from isolated pockets of first cultivation, driven by peasant farmers' needs rather than cultural choices. The study shows that food globalization in prehistory had an equally dramatic impact on food cultivation as the Columbian Exchange.
Researchers found that ancient asteroid impacts played a crucial role in creating the early evolved crust on Earth, which later gave rise to continents. The impact melts produced layered magmatic intrusions and made the crust more evolutionarily complex.
New evidence from stable isotopes in ancient panda bones indicates they likely had a varied diet, similar to that of other mammalian species. The researchers found that ancient pandas were isotopically distinct from modern giant pandas, suggesting differences in their dietary habits and a wider niche than previously thought.
Researchers have developed a statistical approach to identify sexually diagnostic physical features in cremated bones, allowing for accurate sex determination of ancient remains. Eighteen skeletal traits were found to correlate strongly with sex, enabling archaeologists to differentiate male and female remains.
Researchers from OU and Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History are addressing the challenges of curating ancient biomolecules. The team is working toward the development and dissemination of best practices for museums in this field.
Researchers at VTT developed a new and more accurate method for estimating the probability of extreme events, such as storms, floods, and earthquakes. The new method improves estimation accuracy, especially when data is limited, and contributes to economically optimal safety in natural hazard preparation.
Researchers tracked changes in river discharge, ocean stratification, and planktonic foraminifera oxygen isotopes to analyze past monsoon strength. Abnormally strong winter precipitation occurred around 4.5-4.3 thousand years ago, followed by a minimum at 4.1 thousand years ago.
Researchers developed a new concept called Ancient Ancestry Informative Markers (aAIMs) that can accurately identify and classify ancient populations. The tool enables testing of an individual's similarity to ancient people from various regions, providing insights into their primeval origins.
A study found a significant increase in dust in northern Iran around 4,200 years ago, suggesting a period of drying and relatively arid climate conditions. This event coincided with the decline of the Akkadian Empire and the abandonment of North Mesopotamian settlements.
A new study uses ancient nuclear genomes to determine the geographic origins of Aboriginal Australian remains, enabling their return to ancestral lands. The analysis shows that for most all of the ancient nuclear genomes, the most closely related contemporary genome was from people living today in the same geographic region.
Researchers have discovered the oldest known plant virus, a 1,000-year-old virus from ancient corncobs at an Ancestral Puebloan ruin in Arizona. The discovery reveals that chrysoviruses can persist in plants for long periods and may confer potential benefits to the plant.
A new study examined ancient ecosystems to understand what drives stability, finding that functional groupings are more important than the sheer number of species present. The team also found that ancient ecosystems were more stable than simulated systems, suggesting a strong imprint on history of how ecosystems are built over time.
Scientists have developed a new organic proxy, phytane, to analyze ancient CO2 levels in the oceans, revealing high levels of carbon dioxide 1000 ppm. This data shows changes that typically take millions of years are now happening in a century, providing valuable insights into future climate predictions.
The study found the earliest evidence of Siberian ancestry in Fennoscandia in a population inhabiting the Kola Peninsula, Russia, dating to around 4,000 years ago. Ancient DNA from Finland reveals that people genetically similar to present-day Saami people inhabited areas in much more southern parts of Finland than the Saami today.
Researchers discovered that ancient people used sophisticated astronomy to keep track of time, with dates accurate within 250 years. This advanced knowledge may have aided navigation and influenced prehistoric human migration.
A team of scientists at McGill University Health Centre identified three genes responsible for recurrent molar pregnancies, a rare complication that occurs when a non-viable pregnancy with no embryo implants in the uterus. They discovered MEI1, TOP6BL/C11orf80, and REC114 mutations linked to genetic causes of fetal loss and miscarriages.
Researchers discover Levallois cores in Asia dating back 80,000 to 170,000 years, challenging the notion of East Asian technological lag. The independent emergence of this complex toolmaking technique supports the idea that ancient civilizations in the region were capable of innovation.
Analysis of ancient DNA from an extinct Jamaican monkey named Xenothrix has revealed its surprising connection to South America's titi monkeys. The study shows that island colonization can dramatically impact animal evolution, leading to unique characteristics like slow movement and few teeth.
A recent study sequenced ancient genomes from Alaska to Patagonia, debunking a long-standing theory about Paleoamerican presence in North America. The research found the Spirit Cave remains were genetically closer to contemporary Native Americans than any other ancient or contemporary group.
A comprehensive study of ancient American genomes suggests a highly complex peopling of the continent, with rapid and uneven expansion of populations. The analysis identifies new genetic groups and reveals adaptations to high-altitude environments in South America.
A 9,000-year-old child's tooth has revealed insights into Alaska's ancient people, their genetic makeup and diets. The tooth, linked to the Ancient Beringian lineage, indicates that these groups remained in Alaska for thousands of years after migrating across the Bering Land Bridge.
Ancient Andean populations adapted to high-altitude environment with distinct genetic changes, including a co-evolution between the potato and humans. The study suggests that these adaptations allowed them to thrive in extreme conditions.
A study of ancient DNA from Central and South America has revealed two previously unknown genetic exchanges between North and South America, including a continent-wide population turnover. The findings suggest that the Clovis culture had a major demographic impact further south than previously thought.
A study of ancient DNA from 49 individuals in Belize, Brazil, and the Central Andes reveals that most Central and South American ancestry originated from at least three different streams of people entering from North America. The research also detected two previously undocumented genetic exchanges between North and South America.
Researchers created flies with ancient genes to understand how mutations drove major evolutionary changes in embryonic development. The study found that two chance mutations were the major causes of a profound change in the animal's developmental processes, resulting in present-day descendants exhibiting new developmental functions.
The ancient Maya produced salt in large quantities, salting fish and meat to meet dietary needs, and traded it as a commodity. This discovery substantiates the model of regional production and distribution of salt for the Classic Maya.
A lidar survey of over 2,000 square kilometers in northern Guatemala has revalued aspects of ancient Maya society, estimating that up to 11 million people lived in the region during the Late Classic Period. The study also found extensive agricultural modification and networks of roadways connecting distant cities.
A team of UCSB students, led by Philip Lubin, are searching for signs of alien life in Andromeda using a suite of telescopes and photonic technology. They aim to detect potential signals from civilizations using optical beams that could be visible across the universe.
Researchers found that ripple defects resembling hourglasses, zigzags, and tuning forks are associated with periods of environmental flux. These defects can serve as fingerprints to understand how dramatic the shifts in weather conditions were at the time.
A Swedish study has successfully imaged the soft tissue of an ancient Egyptian mummy's hand using a novel CT technique called phase-contrast imaging. This technique enhances contrast and allows for detailed analysis of soft tissues, opening up new opportunities for paleopathology research.
A new study reveals that ancient Mars likely had an ample supply of chemical energy for microbes to thrive underground. The researchers estimate that hydrogen concentrations in the crust around 4 billion years ago would have been sufficient to support microbial life.
A team from Lehigh University and UC Berkeley is developing an efficient Bayesian-guided computational framework to guide the search for new materials. This approach leverages deep learning neural networks to accelerate traditional physics-based simulation methods, enabling researchers to explore previously computationally intractable ...
Researchers analyzed ancient DNA from a human skeleton in Scandinavia to determine the genomic blueprint of the louse-borne relapsing fever pathogen Borrelia recurrentis. The study found that the ancient strain had fewer genes for antigenic variation and retained a regulatory gene, suggesting reductive evolution.
A team of international scientists used radiocarbon dating to examine human societies on a broader and longer-term scale, finding that societies often experienced booms and busts simultaneously. This suggests that early globalization was possibly a strategy for societies to grow through migration, trade, and conflict with other societies.
Researchers found evidence of captive jaguar and puma in ancient Mesoamerica, used in rituals and trade networks across the region. Stable isotope analysis suggests some animals originated from distant regions, confirming earlier research on animal captivity and trade.
A new study suggests that ancient farming practices led to a rise in atmospheric carbon dioxide and methane, altering the climate. Without human influence, the planet would have likely experienced another ice age by the start of the Industrial Revolution.
A new study found that ancient animal herders in Africa added to the ecological richness and diversity of the savanna thousands of years ago. Their practice of penning cattle, goats, and sheep at night created nutrient-rich grassy glades, or hotspots, that still attract wildlife and have increased habitat diversity in the region.
Research reveals that ancient herders' livestock dung created fertile environmental niches for diverse wildlife over three millennia. Fertile sites attracted wildebeest, zebras, gazelles and carnivores, influencing migration patterns.
In ancient Rome, politicians ruthlessly insulted each other, while the public was allowed to insult them, showing a unique balance of power. The culture of conflict had a politically stabilising effect, with few limits on what was considered acceptable.
Researchers have discovered the earliest definitive fossil evidence of insect-pollination in ancient cycads, dated to 99 million years ago. The discovery of an amber-trapped boganiid beetle shows special adaptations for transporting pollen, indicating a probable ancient origin of beetle pollination.
Studies of ancient plant remains from a medieval archaeological site in Uzbekistan have shown that fruits like apples, peaches, and melons were cultivated in Central Asia roughly a thousand years ago. The Silk Road played a significant role in the spread of these crops across Eurasia, contributing to their popularity in cuisines today.
A team of researchers has successfully sequenced the genomes of 25 ancient individuals from Southeast Asia, revealing six distinct population groups. The findings suggest that prehistoric populations in the region had higher genetic affinities with present-day Japanese and were influenced by language-speaking groups such as Austronesians.
Researchers found that iron-silica particles in ancient seawater helped cyanobacteria survive and thrive, paving the way for oxygenation. However, UV stress still limited their growth, contributing to the slow accumulation of atmospheric oxygen.
Researchers analyzed copper-based artifacts to understand provenance and production of Egyptian metal objects, finding signs of localized ore sources and diverse metal origins. The findings offer new insights into ancient Egyptian metallurgy and supply networks, highlighting the importance of ongoing research.
The study found that increased nutrient supply in the Southern Ocean during the Holocene era likely contributed to the 20 ppm increase in atmospheric CO2, preventing cooling and facilitating human civilization development. The ocean's 'biological pump' weakened due to enhanced upwelling, allowing CO2 to escape into the atmosphere.
Researchers found anomalous oxygen isotopes in an ancient Canadian lake bed, hinting at life on ancient Earth's surface. The study provides evidence of a lower gross primary production during the Proterozoic eon, shedding light on the evolution of life on Earth.
New research using ancient DNA from 8,000-year-old skeletons in Southeast Asia has resolved a long-standing controversy about the origins of the region's population. The study found that present-day Southeast Asian populations derive ancestry from at least four ancient populations, contradicting both competing theories.
A genetic study uncovers that pre-contact American dogs originated from Siberian ancestors, not native wolves, and were introduced to the region through Beringia. Meanwhile, ancient goat domestication in the Near East involved multiple wild sources and selective breeding for traits like color.
Researchers isolated ancient viral sequences from human remains and found a common pathogen associated with humans for over 6,900 years. The study reveals the pathogen evolved significantly slower than previously thought, showcasing the utility of ancient viral sequences in studying virus evolution.
A team of scholars found that the Deer Stone-Khirigsuur Culture used veterinary dental procedures to remove baby teeth causing young horses pain or difficulty feeding. This discovery reveals that equine veterinary care was developed in eastern Eurasia over 3,000 years ago.
Researchers have discovered ancient Moroccan dental remains that shed light on the history of long-lost African fauna, including embrithopods. The fossilized teeth belong to two new species in the genus Stylolophus and provide evidence for the early evolution of these mammals.
Researchers have found a new lineage of giant pandas in ancient DNA from a 22,000-year-old specimen. The findings suggest that the ancient panda separated from present-day pandas 144,000 to 227,000 years ago, indicating a distinct group not found today.
Researchers have developed a new analytic method, Time Population Structure (TPS), to date ancient DNA by predicting time based on DNA mutations. TPS has shown results similar to traditional radiocarbon dating, with an average difference of 800 years in age predictions for samples up to 45,000 years old.
Researchers have overturned centuries-old thought on the source of ancient turquoise used by Aztec and Mixtec civilizations in Mesoamerica. Geochemical analyses reveal that true geologic source lies within Mesoamerica, not the American Southwest.
The ESA Annual Meeting explores how extreme events challenge populations, communities, and ecosystems, as well as human health and living conditions. The meeting delves into topics such as pastoralism in the 21st century, drought resilience and recovery, and coastal ecological resilience and climate change adaptation.
Researchers compared ancient Peruvian trepanation outcomes to those during the American Civil War and found a significant difference in mortality rates. The study suggests ancient Peruvians may have prevented infection through unknown methods, leading to better survival rates over time.
The discovery of ancient organic molecules in Martian sedimentary rocks increases the chances of finding evidence of habitability and potential life on Mars. The findings suggest that NASA's Curiosity rover may have discovered record-breaking amounts of organic carbon, comparable to those found in meteoritic samples.
A new technomarker, the Clarke exobelt, could be used to detect intelligent civilizations. The optimal conditions for observing these artificial belts are found for planets in orbit around red dwarf stars.
Researchers trained free-flying honey bees to recognize numbers from two to five, then introduced one and zero, demonstrating their ability to distinguish zero as lower than one.
A new study suggests that no civilization can sustainably survive climate change, with four possible scenarios emerging: die-off, sustainability, collapse without resource change, or collapse with resource change. Researchers used mathematical models to analyze the co-evolution of civilizations and planets.