A new study has reconstructed the genetic history of the Iberian Peninsula between the 1st and 8th centuries CE, revealing that Roman Hispania's genetic legacy survived the arrivals of the Suebi, Alans and Visigoths. The study found that Roman rule created an extraordinarily diverse society due to population movements across the Medite...
A new study by an international team provides the first systematic cross-cultural comparison of children's helping behaviour. Across six cultures, children consistently helped peers, with younger children providing practical assistance and older children offering information to solve problems. Cultural differences emerged, with some gr...
The Neandertal growth hormone receptor has been found to increase muscle mass in people today, with carriers having around 270 grams more muscle mass on average. This effect is most pronounced in individuals of South and East Asian descent.
In a new study, researchers found that wild capuchin monkeys prioritize stones with proven track records of cracking nuts, even if they're not the mechanically optimal choice. This demonstrates that primates rely on durable physical traces to guide their tool selection.
A new study documents fossil footprints of eight adult Paranthropus boisei individuals, indicating human-like body sizes and complex social structures. The discovery provides a rare snapshot of 'fossil behavior' from an ancient hominin group in northern Kenya.
Researchers estimate that tens of thousands of languages were spoken between 1,000 and 3,000 years ago, with a peak in linguistic diversity around this time. The decline in language diversity began before modern European colonialism, suggesting a complex history of human cultural exchange.
A new genomic study has identified close family relationships among Scythian elite individuals, indicating that elite status was passed down through interconnected family lineages. The study also sheds light on the role of elite women in Scythian society, suggesting that women held high social status.
Researchers have found evidence of ancient human DNA on cave walls, even where bones or artifacts are absent. The discovery opens up new possibilities for studying prehistoric human behavior without disturbing archaeological deposits.
A new genetic study provides the most detailed picture to date of late Neandertal diversity in North-Western Europe. The researchers found that these Neandertals were part of a larger and more well-connected regional population, unlike previously seen in Siberia.
A new interdisciplinary study provides detailed insights into the lives of people living in Central Europe during the Late Bronze Age, revealing gradual changes in ancestry, dietary flexibility, and mortuary practices. The research suggests that communities participated in wider networks of interaction and incorporated change into exis...
The study of new hominin fossils from Thomas Quarry I in Morocco reveals an African population near the base of the Homo sapiens lineage. The 773,000-year-old fossils provide insights into the shared ancestry of H. sapiens, Neandertals, and Denisovans.
A comparative study of 117 mammal species found that reproductive suppression increases lifespan by an average of ten percent. The study suggests that blocking reproduction allows more energy to be directed towards longevity, with significant effects observed in various mammalian groups.
A study by Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology found that women generally outlive men, with females living 12% longer on average in most mammals. This gap is attributed to genetic differences, reproductive strategies, and parental investment, which provide a survival advantage to females.
The study reveals that Slavic groups originated in the region between the Dniester and Don rivers and migrated across Central and Eastern Europe. The genetic data show a mosaic of different groups adapting to local contexts, with no significant sex bias in migrations.
Researchers found that behavioral flexibility is related to exploration and dispersal in great-tailed grackles. Individuals with greater flexibility exhibit more exploratory behavior, which facilitates their ability to adapt to new environments and expand their geographic range.
A new study uncovers a 4,000-year-old domesticated sheep infected with the ancient LNBA plague lineage of Yersinia pestis, suggesting a link between livestock and human infections. The discovery sheds light on how this deadly disease spread across thousands of years in Eurasia.
An international team reconstructs the genetic interactions of populations in the Southern Caucasus over time, showing a mostly constant ancestry profile. Evidence of migration from neighboring regions is also found, with notable instances of cultural adoption and genealogical links to Central Eurasian Steppe populations.
A new study by Max Planck Institute scientists reveals female mountain gorillas can win one in four conflicts and outrank non-alpha males. They also enjoy priority access to food resources over males they overpower, blurring the traditional male-dominated narrative.
A study of 25 years of behavioral observations found that gorillas' aggression is shaped by their individual needs and social environment. Pregnant and lactating females directed more aggression towards more powerful group members, while females with more males in the group targeted less powerful opponents.
A recent study found that behavioral flexibility is related to foraging breadth, not social or habitat use behaviors, in great-tailed grackles rapidly expanding their geographic range. The researchers discovered that flexible individuals switched between different food types more often in the wild.
A new study resolves why male-female power asymmetries vary across primate societies, finding that contests between males and females are common. The research reveals that female empowerment often relies on alternative pathways, such as reproductive strategies to gain control over matings.
A new study has reconstructed two 4000-year-old genomes from Mycobacterium lepromatosis, a rare pathogen that caused Hansen's Disease in the Americas. The discovery challenges historical records of leprosy's impact on population health and its origins in the continent.
A new study combines ancient DNA with dietary evidence and linguistics to paint a vivid picture of pre-colonial coastal communities in Papua New Guinea. The research highlights the influence of migrations and interactions on genetic makeup, supporting previous studies on the settlement of remote islands.
New research finds that Australopithecus sediba and Homo naledi used their hands for both tool use and climbing, with distinct patterns of finger bone structure indicating different grip types. The study reveals varying levels of dexterity and climbing abilities among ancient human relatives in South Africa.
Wild chimpanzees develop different attachment types to their mothers, with some showing secure and confident attachment, while others exhibit insecure-avoidant behavior. This study provides insights into the roots of human social behavior by bridging psychology, animal behavior, and anthropology.
Researchers found that wild chimpanzees use compositional and non-compositional call combinations to create new meanings, similar to human language. This suggests a highly generative vocal communication system in chimpanzees, challenging previous views on the evolution of language.
The study reveals that Phoenician culture spread primarily through cultural transmission and assimilation, with little direct genetic contribution from Levantine ancestors. Punic sites showcased a highly heterogeneous genetic profile, with individuals having both Sicilian-Aegean and North African ancestry.
The study reveals that animal behavioral diversity is at risk due to declining biodiversity, which can be linked to human activities. Preserving cultural behaviors, such as tool use in primates, could aid in developing comprehensive conservation strategies.
A new study models the demography of agricultural transitions, finding that population dynamics played a crucial role in the adoption of farming. The researchers used an ecological model to analyze interactions between farmers and hunter-gatherers, highlighting the impact of factors such as group migration and cultural assimilation.
A new study deciphers ancient DNA from the Green Sahara, providing critical insights into the African Humid Period and its impact on human migration. The research reveals a unique genetic lineage that remained isolated for thousands of years, highlighting North Africa's heritage.
Researchers analyzed DNA of 370 individuals from 800 years, revealing genetic ties between Huns and Xiongnu Empire. The study found a small but distinct set of individuals carrying East Asian genetic signatures, suggesting some Hun-period individuals in Europe traced their lineage back to late Xiongnu burials.
A genetic study of burial grounds from the Avar period in Lower Austria found that genes and culture did not have to match. The analysis revealed a high number of relatives among the deceased, reconstructing contemporary six-generation-long pedigrees at each site.
A new bioinformatics pipeline analyzes whole-genome sequencing data to accurately estimate genetic relatedness in animal populations. The tool identifies identical DNA fragments inherited from a common ancestor, revealing previously undetected relatives and providing more detailed insights into relatedness structures.
Researchers have analyzed ancient DNA from Mexico, Chile, Peru, and Argentina to determine the origin of syphilis. The study found that syphilis-like infections occurred in the Americas for millennia and supports an American origin for the disease.
Researchers analyzed nuclear genomes of ancient European specimens to shed light on the genetics of early Europeans and their interactions with Neandertals. The study reveals a small, isolated group that interbred with Neandertals but left no present-day descendants.
Researchers have unraveled the precise timing and functional legacy of Neandertal gene flow into early modern humans. The study suggests that most non-African individuals harbor one to two percent Neandertal ancestry, with the majority tracing back to a single shared period between 50,000 and 57,000 years ago.
A study analyzing DNA from skeletal remains in Pompeii casts reveals the cosmopolitan origin of the city's inhabitants, contradicting previous physical appearance-based assumptions. Genetic data also sheds light on ancestry, sex, and familial relationships, challenging traditional notions.
The study shows an alternating series of interaction and gene flow between inhabitants of mountainous upland regions and steppes to the north of the Caucasus. Innovations in herd management, dairying, and mobility enabled autonomous nomadic lifestyles adapted to exploit the Eurasian steppe zone.
A new study found that consonant lengthening is a universal trait in many languages, helping listeners identify word boundaries. The researchers analyzed data from the DoReCo corpus and found evidence of lengthening in 43 out of 51 languages.
Researchers analyzed ancient genomes from the Oakhurst rock shelter in southern Africa, finding that the oldest genomes are genetically similar to San and Khoekhoe groups living today. The study reveals a long history of relative genetic stability until around 1,200 years ago when newcomers introduced new cultures and languages.
A study by Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology found that local food harvesting is more economically-efficient and less carbon-intensive than industrial food production in the Canadian Arctic. Replacing locally-harvested foods with market substitutes would cost over $3 million per year and emit over 1,000 tonnes of CO2-e...
Researchers reconstructed ancient genomes of Plasmodium vivax and Plasmodium falciparum malaria parasites to study their worldwide spread. The analysis revealed that European colonizers introduced P. vivax to the Americas, while military activities in Europe facilitated the spread of P. falciparum.
A genetic investigation of 64 child remains found at Chichén Itzá reveals that all the children were male, indicating related male twins were likely selected for ritual activities. The findings suggest a post-sacrificial burial site, with the sacrificed individuals having been chosen for a specific reason.
A new genetic analysis of Celtic burial mounds in Baden-Württemberg, Germany, confirms the long-held suspicion that two princes were biologically related. The study finds a close relationship between the two individuals and suggests that power structures among early Celtic elites may have been based on biological kinship.
A recent study reveals that ancient hunter-gatherers in Morocco consumed a significant amount of plant foods, including Mediterranean species, which predates the advent of agriculture in the region. This finding has significant implications for our understanding of human evolution and subsistence strategies.
Researchers analyzed ancient DNA data from 424 individuals to reconstruct Avar community structures and social dynamics. They found strict patrilineal descent systems, female exogamy, and levirate unions, suggesting females played a key role in promoting community cohesion.
A new analysis of grackle feeding behaviour suggests that male grackles are more efficient foragers in uncertain environments, relying on risk-sensitive learning to navigate chaotic settings. This strategy allows them to dominate urban environments and lead their species' invasion.
Research by Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology and Duke University found that early life adversity, such as drought and poor habitat quality, can leave lasting signatures in baboon DNA. Multiple exposures to early adversity appear to have compounding effects on DNA methylation.
A team of researchers at Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology developed a new simulation model to study the cultural evolution of collective property rights. The model shows that these institutions critically depend on clearly defined and enforced access rights.
Researchers identified six ancient individuals with an extra copy of Chromosome 21 and another with three copies of Chromosome 18, indicating care and appreciation from their communities. These findings suggest that children with Down Syndrome and Edwards Syndrome were not stigmatized but rather recognized as part of their societies.