Articles tagged with Hunter Gatherers
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A new study reveals Africa's oldest known in situ cremation pyre containing the remains of an adult, dated around 9,500 years ago. The discovery suggests that ancient African hunter-gatherer communities had complex ritual practices involving posthumous removal and reburial of body parts.
Researchers analyzed DNA of 28 ancient southern Africans, finding 490 modern human-specific genetic variants, including immune system and kidney function genes. These adaptations may be related to human's water-retention and body-cooling system, giving special endurance.
A new study reveals that Homo sapiens evolved in southern Africa for at least 200,000 years, contradicting previous theories. The analysis of 28 ancient genomes found genetic adaptations that shaped the species and unique variants linked to kidney functions and cognitive evolution.
A 140,000-year-old child's skeleton from Israel reveals biological ties between Neanderthals and early Homo sapiens through unique morphological traits. The discovery confirms genetic exchanges between the two groups, with up to 6% of modern humans' genome originating from Neanderthals.
Researchers found evidence of hunter-gatherers accessing remote islands like Malta thousands of years earlier than previously thought. They discovered stone tools, hearths, and cooked food waste at the Latnija cave site, indicating that these ancient seafarers were capable of sustained journeys across open water.
A new study reveals that hunter-gatherers crossed over 100 km of open water to reach Malta 8,500 yrs ago, 1,000 yrs before the arrival of farmers. The researchers found evidence of stone tools, hearths, cooked food waste, and wild animal remains.
A new mathematical model reveals that humans played an active role in the transition from hunting and gathering to farming, driven by factors like population growth rates and competition. The study challenges traditional views that focused on environmental factors, providing fresh insight into the rise of farming.
Archaeologists reconstructed human land use and land cover over the past 12,000 years in South Asia, revealing hunter-gatherer practices as dominant across periods. The study provides critical information for modeling climate impacts of human populations.
A groundbreaking study by Bar-Ilan University reveals that ancient hunter-gatherers relied heavily on plant foods, particularly starchy plants, for energy. The findings contradict the prevailing narrative of animal protein-based diets and offer new insights into early human processing methods and social behaviors.
A 35,000-year-old ritual complex in the Manot Cave offers insight into the spiritual practices of Paleolithic hunter-gatherer groups. The discovery reveals evidence of human-made engravings, ash remains from fire, and acoustic tests that suggest a unique auditory experience for communal activities.
Researchers found that ancient rock painting sites by water generated strong echoes that could be heard by people approaching the site. The echoes allowed prehistoric hunter-gatherers to perceive their surroundings in a unique sensory environment. This discovery sheds light on the importance of sound reflections in past societies.
A Washington State University-led study found that cultural knowledge is transmitted through a complex network of relationships, with non-related adults playing a significant role. This approach to learning enables the preservation of cultural traits and innovation over time.
A new Harvard study finds humans possess higher metabolic rates than primates and apes, allowing for bigger brains, longer lifespan, and increased reproduction. Humans have 'escaped a tradeoff' between resting and active metabolism due to unique sweating ability.
New research links ancient Jomon hunter-gatherer genetic signature to higher body mass index (BMI) among individuals in modern Japan. The study found strong support for the tripartite ancestry model, suggesting a significant influence of Jomon ancestry on BMI across populations.
A recent study published in the journal Microbiome found that lifestyle factors, such as diet and smoking habits, significantly impact the composition of beneficial bacteria in the mouth. The research team analyzed saliva samples from individuals representing different subsistence strategies in Nepal and discovered a correlation betwee...
A new study finds that the gene for starch-digesting saliva may have first duplicated more than 800,000 years ago, seeding genetic variation that shapes modern diet. This early duplication set the stage for significant variation in the amylase region, allowing humans to adapt to shifting diets with increasing starch consumption.
Research led by Penn State scientists found that indigenous hunter-gatherer practices played a key role in seed dispersal and genetic diversity of native plants. The study challenged the conventional notion of agriculture and suggested humans impacted plant populations long before farming began.
A study published in PLOS ONE suggests that South African rock art from the 19th century may be inspired by an extinct species of tusked animal called a dicynodont. The artwork, created by the San people, features a long-bodied animal with downward-turned tusks that is comparable to fossilized remains found in the region.
A new study reveals that palaeolithic hunter-gatherers on Cyprus are responsible for the disappearance of two species of megafauna: dwarf elephants and hippos. The research suggests that these small human populations could have driven both species to extinction due to their hunting practices.
Researchers found that humans were born to run due to their unique physiological traits and social benefits of endurance pursuits. Studies reveal that humans were engaging in endurance hunting tactics for thousands of years, with similar patterns observed across diverse environments.
Researchers analyzed microscopic evidence from Stone Age structures at Star Carr, finding distinct areas for different domestic activities such as butchery and crafting bone tools. This suggests that hunter-gatherers had a shared understanding of organizing tasks within their dwellings.
A study led by Andrea Migliano from the University of Zurich has discovered previously unknown links between culture, language, and genes among different hunter-gatherer populations in Central Africa. The team found that musical instruments were exchanged long before agricultural populations arrived in the region, suggesting extensive ...
Early hunter-gatherers in central Chile regularly visited Tagua Tagua Lake between 12,440-12,550 years old to hunt ancient elephants and process other local resources. The discovery of the fossil remains of a gomphothere at the site provides insights into the subsistence strategies of early humans during the Late Pleistocene.
Researchers found that Pleistocene hunter-gatherers settled in Cyprus around 14,257 to 13,182 years ago, suggesting the island was attractive for early human habitation. The rapid expansion of the population coincided with increased temperature, precipitation, and environmental productivity.
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.
A new landscape evolution model suggests that the first humans in Australia migrated rapidly across the continent following riverine corridors and coastlines. The study identifies areas of archaeological significance and provides insights into the impact of climate-driven geography on human dispersal.
Researchers argue that human interaction with nature is more complex than previously thought, suggesting a positive effect on biodiversity. Studies of past human interactions with ecosystems reveal both negative and positive impacts, highlighting the need for a nuanced understanding of human influence.
A unique collaboration between archaeologists and MeatEater highlights the prevalence of equifinality, where distinct processes can lead to the same outcome. The experiment tested Clovis stone tools' efficiency in processing a bison, offering insights into early human technologies.
Research at Schöningen reveals sophisticated woodworking techniques used by early humans to process spruce and pine wood. The findings demonstrate the importance of wood as a raw material in human evolution, with evidence of extensive processing and recycling.
A new study from Uppsala University found that Stone Age hunter-gatherer communities in Western Europe deliberately formed distinct families to avoid inbreeding and maintain genetic diversity. The research analyzed the genomes of several individuals buried at iconic sites in France, dating back to around 6,700 years ago.
A 5,900-year-old DNA analysis in Denmark found two nearly complete population turnovers, with the hunter-gatherer population being driven out by farmer populations. The researchers suggest that both violence and new pathogens likely contributed to the mass deaths.
Archaeologists have discovered that early human diets in the Andes Mountains were composed of 80 percent plant matter and 20 percent meat. This finding updates our understanding of earliest forager economies and the pathway to agricultural economies in the region.
Researchers analyzed DNA from birch tar samples, finding similarities with modern human mouth microbes and increased bacteria associated with gum disease. The study suggests that ancient humans' frequent use of teeth for tasks may have led to poor oral health.
Research with contemporary hunter-gatherer societies found infants receive attentive care from up to 15 different caregivers for about nine hours a day. High levels of sensitive care and personal attention are crucial for mother and child wellbeing, supporting maternal care and reducing risks of neglect and abuse.
A new study at the University of Liège reveals that hunter-gatherers used spearthrowers to hunt game at the 31,000-year-old archaeological site of Maisières-Canal. This finding pushes back the estimated age of this hunting technique by 10,000 years and sheds light on its impact on human evolution.
Research reveals human occupation in Charco Verde II site from 21,000 to 15,000 years ago, defying the idea that Upper Palaeolithic humans avoided inland Iberia due to its cold climate.
A team of scientists has discovered and analyzed the oldest direct evidence of basketry among hunter-gatherer societies and early farmers in southern Europe. The esparto grass objects from Cueva de los Murciélagos date back to the Mesolithic period, between 9,500 and 6,200 years ago.
In Southeast Anatolia, 11,000 years ago, early Neolithic settlers hunted a large spectrum of bird species, including small passerine birds and cranes, for meat and possibly ritual purposes. The extent of their bird-hunting activities varied between settlements, with some prioritizing certain species over others.
A study of 288 skeletons and rock art reveals a surprising consistency in rates of violence over time, with an increase in lethal violence during the Formative Period. The absence of centralized political systems may have contributed to these violent tensions.
Researchers in Namibia analyzed prehistoric rock art engravings of animal tracks and human footprints, revealing surprising details about the diversity of species represented. The findings suggest culturally determined preferences in the depiction of animals, with a preference for adult male footprints.
Researchers from Kyushu University discovered intentional cranial modification among the Hirota people on Tanegashima island, characterized by a flattened back of the skull. The practice, which predates written history, was likely used to signify group affiliation and preserve social status.
A recent study published in Nature challenges traditional views on human origins in Africa, proposing that modern humans emerged from the interaction of multiple populations across the continent. By analyzing genomic data from diverse African groups, researchers found evidence of gene flow and mixing over hundreds of thousands of years.
Researchers found that a large genetic region responsible for immune responses showed rapid evolution and more Mesolithic hunter-gatherer ancestry, suggesting that genetic variants already present in Europe were passed down preferentially. This suggests that diversity in immune genes may be just as important as adaptation to lifestyle.
Genome-wide studies reveal that early European farmers adopted more immune system genes from hunter-gatherers than expected, suggesting natural selection played a key role in adapting to diseases.
A Cambridge study suggests that hunter-gatherer childhoods may hold the key to improving education and wellbeing in developed countries. The research highlights the importance of physical contact, non-parental caregivers, and children providing care, which are often lacking in modern societies.
Researchers analyzed ancient genomes from ten individuals up to 7,500 years old in Siberia, revealing a previously unknown hunter-gatherer population that contributed to many contemporaneous and subsequent populations across North Asia. The genetic data show a mix of paleo-Siberian and Ancient North Eurasian people, with links to hunte...
Pottery-making techniques spread rapidly across Northern Europe through social traditions and culinary practices, taking just 300-400 years to advance 3,000 km.
A new study pinpoints the first-ever domestication of cats to nearly 10,000 years ago in the Fertile Crescent region. Genetic analysis reveals that humans' transition from hunter-gatherers to farmers sparked the bond between humans and rodents-eating cats, leading to their migration with humans worldwide.
Researchers uncover previously unknown lineage of wild goats over 10,000 years old in the Taurus Mountains of southern Turkey. The discovery sheds light on the region's faunal history and highlights the impact of climate change and human activity on ancient populations.
Research at Abu Hureyra, Syria, suggests that hunter-gatherers may have tended small numbers of animals outside their dwellings between 12,800 and 12,300 years ago. This finding challenges the widely held view that crop cultivation began first.
Researchers discovered three gene mutations that, when combined, allow rice plants to retain more seeds, increasing crop yield. The study sheds light on the emergence of cultivated rice from wild rice plants and its potential applications in improving rice cultivation.
The first farmers emerged from a population admixed between hunter-gatherers from Europe and the Near East, with a mixing process starting around 14,000 years ago. Genetic data from prehistoric skeletons were analyzed using novel demographic modeling techniques to reveal complex population dynamics.
A new study reveals that the Stonehenge landscape was once covered in open woodland with meadow-like clearings, inhabited by grazing animals and hunter-gatherers. The research found evidence of aurochs, red deer, elk, and wild boar, suggesting a favorable location for early inhabitants.
Researchers investigated habitat conditions at Blick Mead site, finding partially open woodland conditions that would have supported large grazing herbivores. The study suggests hunter-gatherers used this space for 4,000 years before early farmers and monument-builders arrived in the region.
A recent study on the Maniq population found they exhibit high levels of genetic differentiation, similar to other isolated populations. The researchers also discovered that the Maniq retain a unique hunter-gatherer lifestyle and Hòabìnhian-related ancestry, setting them apart from other Southeast Asian groups.
Researchers found that hunter-gatherer groups in southwest Ethiopia have a distinct genetic profile and are related to ancestors who lived 4,500 years ago. The study suggests that the transition to agriculture is more complex than previously thought, with varying responses from different groups.
A new study suggests that mummification in prehistory was more common in Europe than thought, dating back to 8,000 years ago. The researchers found evidence of desiccation and hyperflexion in skeletal remains from the Sado Valley in Portugal.
Researchers discovered that mortars and pestles were preferred for processing rice and other plants in middle-late Neolithic China, while grinding slabs and rollers declined in use. The study provided solid evidence for the rise of mortar and pestle usage, revealing their high processing efficiency.
Researchers uncovered bone remains of a first-generation African individual from Senegambia, buried in a Portuguese shell midden 350 years ago. The genetic signature and dietary analysis indicate that he was forcibly translocated to Portugal via the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade.
A new study found that early human foragers and farmers adopted a high-risk, high-reward strategy to find food, spending more energy but bringing home nutritious meals that could be shared with their group. This allowed them to rest or engage in other activities while food was being acquired.