Articles tagged with Cultural Anthropology
A new study published in Science Advances documents the first case of Down syndrome in Neandertals, named 'Tina', and reveals that they provided extensive care for a young child with severe hearing loss. The discovery sheds light on the existence of true altruism among Neandertals.
Researchers found that Rapa Nui's population remained stable and small, with a sustainable food system based on rock gardens where sweet potatoes were grown. The study challenges previous estimates of high population sizes and highlights the islanders' resilience in coping with limited resources.
Researchers uncovered evidence of ancient Mongolian cuisine using protein analysis on Bronze Age cauldrons. The study revealed that nomads collected animal blood for sausage production and fermented yak milk, providing insights into the traditions and diet of Bronze Age nomads.
A study of over 24,000 people found that mixed social networks with diverse friends improve social cohesion and personal well-being. People with heterogeneous friend groups reported higher levels of social cohesion within their neighborhoods, closely associated with increased life satisfaction.
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 ...
462 medieval manuscripts from Speyer, Worms, and Mainz to be digitized for public access, providing new insights into cultural heritage of seven centuries. High-quality digital reproductions will facilitate exploration of historical textual traditions.
Researchers discovered a previously abandoned ancient village that surprisingly remained occupied and even thrived during the 8.2ka event, a period of global cooling and sea-level rise. The village's economy diversified from farming to include maritime culture and trade, allowing it to weather the climate instability.
A recent study suggests that the decline in genetic diversity of the Y chromosome between 3,000 and 5,000 years ago was caused by social change, rather than violent conflicts. The researchers analyzed anthropological field data and modeling scenarios to conclude that patrilineal organizations had a significant impact on the Y chromosome.
Researchers found that watching sports fosters a sense of community and belonging, while triggering activation in the brain's reward circuits. Regular sports viewing may also induce changes in brain structures, leading to long-term benefits for individuals.
A new database of 1,500 Indigenous Australian message sticks has been analyzed for the first time, revealing details about the symbols and markings used to convey messages over long distances. The study provides valuable insights into the ancient communication methods employed by Australia's indigenous peoples.
The study reveals unprecedented insights into Philistine cultic rituals and beliefs, connecting them with broader Mediterranean religious traditions. The discovery of plant species with psychoactive and medicinal properties underscores the significance of nature in Philistine spirituality.
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 found that Chinese migrants in Los Angeles Chinatown overcame economic barriers by raising pigs and distributing pork, a practice similar to traditional South China pig husbandry. The study analyzed dental calculus on pig teeth, revealing rice as the primary food source.
A new study challenges the idea that Eurasia's dominant East-West axis led to faster development due to its unique orientation. The researchers found that environmental barriers hindered the spread of cultural traits across societies, but did not consistently favor Eurasia.
New research reveals archery technology in the Andes dates back 5,000 years, coinciding with social complexity and village growth. The study analyzed over 1,000 projectile points and found a significant decrease in size around 5,000 years ago, suggesting a shift from spear-throwing to bow-and-arrow technology.
A new study by the University of Plymouth shows that at-risk individuals are more likely to engage with loot boxes than those without, highlighting the need for stricter enforcement around these features. The research found that loot box use is driven by beliefs such as 'I'll win in a minute', echoing the psychology seen in gambling.
Researchers from the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History analyzed a 160-year-old woolly dog pelt to determine its genetic makeup. The study found that woolly dogs diverged from other breeds up to 5,000 years ago and were genetically similar to pre-colonial dogs from Newfoundland and British Columbia.
Researchers from the University of Notre Dame document extensive damage to Ukraine's cultural heritage sites, including churches, schools, and archaeological sites. The team found widespread devastation caused by missile strikes and underground trench systems, with many historical buildings and monuments affected.
Researchers found that honeyguides in Tanzania and Mozambique discriminate among human calls, responding more readily to local than foreign calls. This complex communication system benefits both species by increasing their chances of accessing calorie-dense honey and beeswax.
Researchers found a unique resonance phenomenon in the crevice cave that amplifies and lengthens sound at a specific frequency, which may have impacted beliefs associated with it. The study suggests that this resonance could be an exceptional sound phenomenon for the people living in the region centuries ago.
Bielefeld University's four Consolidator Grant recipients will explore health effects of passive commuting, social environment influence on health and mortality, and universe phase transitions. The grants total more than 8 million euros, with projects starting in 2024.
Dr. Sonia Hernández's recent publication in the Journal of American History explores the complex histories of violence, gender, and power dynamics along the US-Mexican border region from 1900-1913. Her research centers on the testimonies of Mexican-origin women, shedding light on complicated gendered negotiations with state agents.
Researchers found that dyadic bicultural competence, the ability to navigate both cultural contexts, is associated with relationship quality. Couples with higher levels of this competence tend to experience fewer relationship challenges.
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 study analyzing ancient Cancun Island remains found that immigrants from the Maya lowlands were treated similarly to locals in terms of food and burial practices. The findings suggest whole families moved residence across Mesoamerica and integrated into new societies, challenging previous assumptions about foreign treatment.
A Dartmouth-led study found that tweets featuring K-pop group BTS generated 111 times more virality than similar tweets without the artist's name. This highlights the power of entertainment in driving public health messages and bridging cultural divides.
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 found specific epigenetic differences among Alaska Native participants who experienced intense symptoms of distress when reflecting on historic losses. Individuals with strong cultural identity reported better well-being. The study is the result of a close collaboration between scientists and members of two Alaska Native co...
Researchers tested memory abilities of bonobos and humans in a series of experiments, finding that humans can learn to distinguish short sequences nearly immediately, while bonobos struggle to retain information and exhibit difficulty learning sequences.
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.
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.
A University of Missouri study found that consumers are more likely to use virtual apparel try-on software if it is interactive and easy to use. The research suggests that making the technology versatile can reduce privacy concerns, with qualities like interactivity having a direct impact on users' willingness to shop virtually.
A new UK survey study led by Lancaster University found that 6.6% of the population aged 16 and over changed their reported sexual identity over a six-year period. The research challenges the assumption that sexual identity mobility declines with age, revealing that it is as prevalent among over-65s as young people.
Ancient Mayans used an 819-day calendar that covered a much larger timeframe than previously thought. By increasing the calendar length to 20 cycles of 819 days, researchers found a pattern emerges in which the synodic periods of all visible planets align with station points in the larger calendar.
A new article by David Sloan Wilson explores how cultural evolution happens and how it can be harnessed for the greater good. The article highlights the importance of prosociality, social control, and symbolic thought in shaping human societies.
A team from Kennesaw State University is studying the cultural, historical, and health significance of artisanal alcohol production in Cabo Verde. The researchers aim to understand the economic, social, and environmental impacts of grogue production, a national liquor produced by fermenting sugar cane.
A new UCLA-led study found that individuals with traditional cultural values tend to take stricter COVID-19 precautions globally, with 21 of 27 countries showing a strong link between the two. In contrast, factors like distrust of science and concerns about the economy in the US suppressed cautionary behavior among social conservatives.
A WSU study found that positive gossip about job-related behavior increased willingness to give a raise, while negative gossip had the opposite effect. Context-specific gossip was more influential than random gossip, suggesting that people use gossip to compete for valuable resources.
A Dartmouth College study found that more than 500 home runs since 2010 can be attributed to higher-than-average temperatures due to climate change. Rising temperatures could account for 10% or more of home runs by 2100, with some stadiums experiencing significant spikes in home run totals.
A new study by University of Copenhagen researchers found that stereotypes about senior employees influence their retirement decisions, leading to premature retirements. Senior employees often feel uncertain about their status and worry about being perceived as inflexible or unproductive.
A major conference will discuss the human cost of heritage loss due to climate change and explore how behavioural science can inform choices about what should be saved. International scholars and policy experts will examine how to measure the impact of Loss and Damage on coastal heritage.
Researchers found previously unknown interactions among people in southern Africa between the 5th and 20th centuries, revealing a complex network of cultural exchange. The study used geochemical analyses on copper objects to reconstruct connectivity across the region, providing new insights into the history of the area.
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 found that cities in Mesoamerica with collective forms of governance, infrastructural investments, and collaboration tended to remain important for a thousand years or more. Early efforts to construct dense residential spaces and central plazas were key factors in sustainability.
Researchers argue that polders are an important part of China's water heritage, reflecting the country's long history of water management. Over 2,500 years, polders have evolved in response to changing societal needs, adapting to agricultural modernisation and urban encroachment.
The Holocaust Centre North has been awarded a £105,000 grant from the Claims Conference to expand its collection of Holocaust-related materials. The project will digitize the centre's physical archive and increase its size by 50%, making it more accessible to researchers and the public.
Archaeologists have discovered the earliest example of angular notched trephination, a type of cranial surgery, in the Ancient Near East. The discovery, made at Megiddo, Israel, suggests that one brother may have had leprosy, making them potentially among the earliest documented examples of the disease.
A new statistical analysis tool has uncovered the distribution and intermixing of Jomon hunter-gatherers and East Asian immigrant farmers in Japan. The study found that regions with higher Jomon ancestry are more prone to obesity, while those with higher East Asian ancestry are more susceptible to exacerbated asthma.
A team of international codebreakers has deciphered 57 previously unknown letters written by Mary Queen of Scots while imprisoned in England. The letters provide insights into her captivity and communication with French ambassador Michel de Castelnau, including complaints about poor health and negotiations for release.
Assistant Professor Stephen Hopkins received a year-long, $60,000 NEH fellowship to finish his book, The Infernal Laboratory: Vernacular Theology and Hell in the Medieval North Sea. The study explores how medieval writers developed their conception of hell as an experimental space for cultural and theological belonging.
A recent study by Concordia researchers Kregg Hetherington and Élie Jalbert examines the Montreal Big Flush event, a media circus surrounding municipal sewage repairs. The authors argue that effective affective maintenance was employed by city administrators to manage public outcry.
A new study suggests that women in the late-reproductive stage may experience multiple symptoms often associated with menopause, including hot flashes and depression. These symptoms can impair overall quality of life, regardless of when they occur.
Researchers discovered 13 full and fragmentary projectile points in Idaho dating back to around 15,700 years ago, providing significant details about early human life in the Pacific Northwest. The findings suggest a complex technology and potential genetic-cultural connections between ice age peoples of Northeast Asia and North America.
A survey of 5,500 Brazilian and Italian students aged 14-16 found that nationality, social perceptions of science, and household income were more influential than religion in rejecting evolutionary theory. The study published in PLOS ONE reveals a significant gap in understanding geological time between Italian and Brazilian Catholics.
A study using DNA analysis of a sacrificial spider monkey at Teotihuacàn, Mexico, reveals the earliest evidence of primate captivity and translocation in the Americas. The research provides insight into ancient trade networks and suggests that the spider monkey was a diplomatic gift between Teotihuacàn and the Maya civilization.
A decades-long study found that cash changed the Ju/’hoansi economy, allowing individuals to keep their earnings and fill their own needs. The study also revealed a decline in the traditional system of gifting and sharing, which had previously distributed possessions throughout communities.
Researchers aim to shift policing focus from law enforcement to building strong communities through situational policing. The approach considers connections within the community and collaboratively builds resources.
A team from Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz discovered a settlement adjacent to the caliph's palace, showing it was inhabited by Christians or Jews before its construction. The excavation revealed ancient mosaics, a water cistern, and stone structures made of basalt, providing new insights into the area's history.
Researchers studied dietary patterns and offerings at a Roman necropolis, uncovering insights into Western Roman Empire's food culture. The study used anthropological and archaeozoological approaches to analyze ancient Roman cuisine and funerary practices.
An archaeological study has confirmed that cowrie-shell artifacts found in the Mariana Islands were used as lures for hunting octopuses. The devices date back to approximately 1500 B.C., making them the oldest known artifacts of their kind in the world.