Researchers discovered human fossils and artifacts at Ilsenhöhle in Ranis, Germany, indicating that Homo sapiens arrived in cold northern latitudes before Neanderthals disappeared in southwest Europe. The analysis of ancient DNA and zooarchaeological findings suggests that humans consumed a diverse range of animals during their stay.
Researchers from a Portuguese-Angolan TwinLab conducted fieldwork in the Angolan Namib desert, discovering groups thought to be extinct or uncontactable. The study reveals unique Pre-Bantu ancestry in modern populations from the Namib desert, divergent from other southern African ancestries.
Researchers found that great-tailed grackles are expanding their range into urban and arid environments due to increased behavioral flexibility. This allows them to adapt to changing conditions and find new food sources. In contrast, boat-tailed grackles only expanded slightly northwards in response to climate change.
Researchers found that languages with larger populations of non-native speakers do not simplify their grammars. Instead, variations in complexity accumulate too slowly to adapt to the environment. This challenges long-held theories on the relationship between language complexity and social factors.
A new study reveals that Ötzi had a Mediterranean-European skin tone and little to no Eastern European ancestry. His hair was likely sparse, with a predisposition to baldness. The research team used advanced sequencing technology to analyze Ötzi's genome, which has more Anatolian farmer ancestry than any of his European contemporaries.
Researchers developed an agent-based simulation model that incorporates memory, forgetting, and sharing information among group members. The study found that agents who forgot less useful behaviors made better choices, demonstrating the importance of forgetting in social learning.
Researchers combined linguistics and genetics to propose a new origin theory for the Indo-European languages, suggesting an ultimate homeland south of the Caucasus. The study estimated the family to be approximately 8100 years old, with five main branches split off by around 7000 years ago.
Researchers reconstruct two massive family trees from ancient DNA data, shedding light on the lives of a prehistoric European Neolithic community. The study reveals a strong patrilineal pattern, large family sizes, and a potentially fluid exchange network comprising many groups.
A team of researchers has developed a non-destructive method to extract DNA from bones and teeth, allowing for direct attribution of cultural objects to specific individuals. The breakthrough enabled the recovery of ancient human DNA from a 20,000-year-old pendant, providing insights into Paleolithic societies.
A team of researchers analyzed stone artefacts from Vanuatu, Solomon Islands, and Caroline Islands to understand relationship between western Pacific Polynesian societies. Geochemical analysis revealed six adzes sourced from a single fortified quarry complex in American Samoa, indicating long-distance mobility.
The Grambank database provides an unprecedented level of detail on language structure, showcasing the diversity of human languages. Researchers found that languages exhibit greater similarity to their common ancestors than those they are in contact with, highlighting the importance of genealogical constraints on linguistic diversity.
Researchers found that individuals within two Xiongnu elite cemeteries exhibited extremely high genetic diversity, confirming the empire as a multiethnic entity. High status individuals showed lower genetic diversity, while those of lower status had higher heterogeneity, suggesting a diverse origin pool.
A study of multilingual children in Vanuatu found that they produced as much speech as monolingual populations, despite hearing fewer minutes of speech per hour. The strongest association was with vocalisations by other children, highlighting the importance of children's language acquisition.
Researchers have discovered unexpected similarities between stone tools used by monkeys and some of the earliest hominin stone artifacts. The findings suggest that accidental production of stone fragments during nut cracking may hold clues to the origin of intentional tool use in early humans.
Researchers analyzed ancient DNA from Cueva del Malalmuerzo in southern Spain, uncovering the oldest known human genome from this region. The study found a direct genetic link between the new genome and earlier populations in Belgium and beyond, shedding light on the Iberian Peninsula's role as an Ice Age refuge.
The study of 356 prehistoric hunter-gatherers from across Eurasia sheds light on the movements and genetic replacements of ancient populations. Genetic analysis reveals that populations in western Europe took shelter during the Last Glacial Maximum, while those in central and southern Europe died out or replaced with new gene pools.
Researchers analyzed 100 ancient genomes to understand kinship and marriage rules in Minoan Crete and Mycenaean Greece. They found that cousin marriages were common, with over 90% of sons marrying within their own family's hamlet.
Researchers analyzed DNA from 13 Neandertals, finding evidence of a close-knit community with 10-20 individuals. Genetic data suggests that female migration played a key role in maintaining the group's cohesion, contradicting previous theories about male-dominated movements.
A recent genetic study has shed new light on the Anglo-Saxon migration to Britain, revealing that around 75% of Eastern and Southern English populations descended from continental migrants. The integration of these migrant families with the existing British population varied by region and community.
A new analysis of chimpanzee stone tools shows diverse material culture across different groups. Researchers found notable differences between two groups in Guinea and the Taï Forest in Côte d'Ivoire, highlighting the significance of stone choice, availability, and nut species.
An interdisciplinary team has created a large public database of standardized wordlists for over 2000 language varieties, providing insights into the structure of human languages. The data reveals patterns of independent parallel evolution in linguistic diversity, with many languages using similar words for related concepts.
Ancient DNA analysis reveals that an epidemic devastated a local community in Kyrgyzstan in 1338 and 1339, linked to the Black Death. The study suggests that the Black Death's ancestor originated in Central Asia, close to Lake Issyk Kul.
Researchers analyzed 16 ancient genomes from Wallacea, revealing striking differences between regions and a previously unknown ancestry contribution from Mainland Southeast Asia. The findings suggest multiple human dispersals into Wallacea and major implications for the understanding of Neolithic dispersals into Island Southeast Asia.
A new study found that children with older siblings are less likely to develop behavioral problems, suggesting a positive impact of sibling relationships on child development. The study also highlights the importance of early intervention policies to reduce maternal stress and promote healthy child development.
Researchers used zinc isotopes to investigate megalodon's diet and find that great white sharks likely competed with it for prey. The study provides a unique window into the past, allowing scientists to analyze extinct animals' diets over millions of years.
A new study reveals that wild chimpanzees produce hundreds of diverse vocal sequences, combining up to ten call types, and exhibit structured communication patterns. This discovery challenges the long-held assumption that non-human primates lack complex vocal communication systems.
Neanderthals occupied a lightly wooded lakeshore about 90,000 years ago in a relatively temperate climate. Stone tools found at the former campsite attest to activities such as woodworking and plant processing.
A multidisciplinary team analyzed ancient DNA from the Carpathian Basin to reveal clues about the Avars' origins. The research found that the Avar elites had ancestry from Northeast Asia and the North Caucasus, suggesting a rapid trans-Eurasian migration
Analyses of ancient TB genomes from coastal Peru and inland Colombian Andes sites reveal a marine-associated strain of the pathogen that suggests a zoonosis from seals. The findings support a complex distribution network for TB on land, with trade networks potentially playing a key role in transporting the pathogen.
A COVID-19 genetic risk variant inherited from Neandertals reduces the risk of contracting HIV by 27%. This variant is associated with fewer CCR5 receptors, which can lower the risk of HIV infection.
Grackles' ability to inhibit previous behavior is linked to their flexibility, according to researchers. The study used various tests, including a touchscreen computer test, to assess inhibition and flexibility in grackles.
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.
A new study reveals the oldest known punctate ivory pendant found in Eurasia, dating back 41,500 years. The pendant provides direct evidence of Homo sapiens' use of decorative motifs in Poland.
Researchers analyzed historical data on games played by 25 cultures and found that cooperative games are more common in socially hierarchical cultures, while competitive games are prevalent in cultures with internal conflicts. The study suggests that games may mimic real-world behavior and help learn group norms.
A genomic study of the Tarim Basin mummies in western China found that they were direct descendants of a once widespread Pleistocene population known as Ancient North Eurasians. The mummies show no evidence of admixture with other Holocene groups, forming a previously unknown genetic isolate.
The study found that early Homo sapiens had an omnivorous diet in the tropical rainforest of Southeast Asia, consuming both plants and animals. The zinc isotope analysis revealed a mix of specialized adaptations to this environment, differing from previous assumptions about human diet.
Researchers at Max Planck Institute found that early human groups in Europe endured cold climatic conditions for over 7,000 years. The team used archaeological materials to generate climatic data, revealing a higher degree of climate flexibility than previously believed.
A comprehensive investigation of a lake landscape in southern Wendland reveals that strong rises and falls in water levels were caused by climate changes, soil erosion, and vegetation. The study provides valuable insights into how landscapes respond to climatic shifts and offers clues for predicting future changes.
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.
A new study identifies at least three migratory events that shaped central European prehistory, revealing a more dynamic period than previously thought. Genetic profiles show evidence of recent migrations and novel insights into social processes, such as the expansion of Corded Ware culture and the assimilation of women.
A 7,000-year-old human skeleton from Sulawesi has provided new insights into ancient human relations. The genome analysis shows a connection to the first modern humans to reach Oceania and a mix of Denisovan and Asian genetic components.
Researchers reconstructed genetic histories and social organization in two ancient Croatian sites, uncovering a diverse population with little biological kinship. The study found that individuals from different burial rites had similar genetic ancestry, but also identified endogamous mating practices and patrilocal social organization.
Researchers developed a computational cognitive model to explain how children integrate information during word learning. The model simulates what should happen when different information sources are combined in a rational way, and its predictions align well with real-world data.
The study found that Denisovans produced the oldest stone tools at the site between 250,000 and 170,000 years ago, while Neandertals arrived later. The researchers also detected modern human mitochondrial DNA for the first time, suggesting they brought new technology to the region.
A long-term study on wild chimpanzees found that young orphaned chimps experience high levels of stress when their mothers die, but this stress subsides over time. Adult orphaned chimps are supported by other chimps, which may contribute to their recovery from maternal loss.
Men in Tsimené communities who are kin or exchange food and labor are more likely to provide coalitional support. Higher status men tend to reciprocate and deploy coalitional support strategically to build a diverse following.
Researchers at the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology developed new methods to enrich and analyze human nuclear DNA from sediments. This breakthrough allows for the study of population relationships and the deep human past, providing new opportunities for investigation and expanding the range of options to tease out evo...
Adult male gorillas emit chest beats with lower peak frequencies for larger males, indicating their body size. This unique sound conveys information on competitive ability, allowing rivals to assess dominance.
A recent study found that chimpanzees have been reconnected for extended periods during the most recent maximal expansion of African forests, contrary to previous assumptions. The team's comprehensive sampling and use of rapidly-evolving genetic markers revealed genetic connectivity mirrors geographic distance and local factors.
Researchers at the Max Planck Institute have developed a new colorimetric RT-LAMP assay called Cap-iLAMP, which extracts viral RNA from gargle lavage samples. The improved testing method outperforms previous methods, reducing false positives and increasing detection accuracy.