Why evolution can explain human testicle size but not our unique chins

Why human testicles are so different to chimpanzees’ and gorillas’.

Max Telford, Jodrell Professor of Zoology and Comparative Anatomy, UCL • conversation
June 26, 2025 • ~7 min

How did humans evolve such rotten genetics?

We may have complex brains but evolution hasn’t dealt us the best hand when it comes to genetics.

Laurence D. Hurst, Professor of Evolutionary Genetics at The Milner Centre for Evolution, University of Bath • conversation
June 4, 2025 • ~8 min

The whole story of human evolution – from ancient apes via Lucy to us

Our understanding of human ancestry has changed dramatically since the discovery of Lucy the ancient hominin 50 years ago. Here is the history of humanity as we know it today.

John Gowlett, Professor of Archaeology and Evolutionary Anthropology, Department of Archaeology, Classics and Egyptology, University of Liverpool • conversation
Nov. 25, 2024 • ~44 min

The whole story of human evolution – from ancient apes via Lucy to us – in one long read

Our understanding of human ancestry has changed dramatically since the discovery of Lucy the ancient hominin 50 years ago. Here is the history of humanity as we know it today.

John Gowlett, Professor of Archaeology and Evolutionary Anthropology, Department of Archaeology, Classics and Egyptology, University of Liverpool • conversation
Nov. 25, 2024 • ~44 min

Ancient humans were so good at surviving the last ice age they didn’t have to migrate like other species – new study

Most animals retreated to small, warmer enclaves. But some, like humans, seemed to have stayed where they were.

Jeremy Searle, Professor of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Cornell University • conversation
Oct. 11, 2024 • ~6 min

How Neanderthal language differed from modern human – they probably didn’t use metaphors

The two human species had many similarities but their communication would have been different.

Steven Mithen, Professor of Early Prehistory, University of Reading • conversation
May 20, 2024 • ~10 min

Why did modern humans replace the Neanderthals? The key might lie in our social structures

Neanderthals and humans may have been equally smart and skilled, but some evidence points to humans living in larger groups.

Nicholas R. Longrich, Senior Lecturer in Paleontology and Evolutionary Biology, Life Sciences at the University of Bath, University of Bath • conversation
March 26, 2024 • ~8 min

Could dinosaurs be the reason humans can't live for 200 years?

Our mammal ancestors evolved to compete with dinosaurs but may have lost something in the process.

Joao Pedro de Magalhaes, Chair of Molecular Biogerontology, University of Birmingham • conversation
Dec. 20, 2023 • ~7 min

A tooth that rewrites history? The discovery challenging what we knew about Neanderthals – podcast

What could the extinction of Neanderthals tell us about our own species? An archaeologist explains in The Conversation Weekly podcast.

Mend Mariwany, Producer, The Conversation Weekly Podcast, The Conversation • conversation
Oct. 12, 2023 • ~5 min

How morbid curiosity can lead people to conspiracy theories

The answers lie in early human evolution.

Coltan Scrivner, Behavioral Scientist, Arizona State University • conversation
Oct. 11, 2023 • ~7 min

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