Enigmatic human fossil jawbone may be evidence of an early *Homo sapiens* presence in Europe – and adds mystery about who those humans were

Scientists had figured a fossil found in Spain more than a century ago was from a Neandertal. But a new analysis suggests it could be from a lost lineage of our species, Homo sapiens.

Rolf Quam, Associate Professor of Anthropology, Binghamton University, State University of New York • conversation
May 2, 2023 • ~12 min

How fish evolved to walk – and in one case, turned into humans

We can trace our human evolutionary lineage back to fish.

Chris Organ, Assistant Professor of Evolutionary Biology, University of Reading • conversation
March 3, 2023 • ~7 min

Fossil teeth reveal how brains developed in utero over millions of years of human evolution – new research

Using a new equation based on today’s primates, scientists can take a few molar teeth from an extinct fossil species and reconstruct exactly how fast their offspring grew during gestation.

Tesla Monson, Assistant Professor of Anthropology, Western Washington University • conversation
Jan. 25, 2023 • ~9 min

Most humans haven't evolved to cope with the cold, yet we dominate northern climates – here's why

Hate winter? The answer may lie in our evolutionary history.

Kyoko Yamaguchi, Senior Lecturer in Human Genetics, Liverpool John Moores University • conversation
Jan. 16, 2023 • ~9 min

The real Paleo diet: new archaeological evidence changes what we thought about how ancient humans prepared food

New study shows Neanderthals and Homo Sapiens had a taste for sharp and bitter food.

Ceren Kabukcu, Research Associate in Archaeology, University of Liverpool • conversation
Nov. 23, 2022 • ~8 min

8 billion people: how different the world would look if Neanderthals had prevailed

Neanderthals were wiped out by chance changes in the environment. The rise of Homo sapiens wasn’t inevitable.

Penny Spikins, Professor of the Archaeology of Human Origins, University of York • conversation
Nov. 16, 2022 • ~8 min

8 billion people: how evolution made it happen

Only insects populations can compare to rising human numbers.

Matthew Wills, Professor of Evolutionary Palaeobiology at the Milner Centre for Evolution, University of Bath • conversation
Nov. 15, 2022 • ~7 min

Neanderthals: how a carnivore diet may have led to their demise

Zinc in their bones reveal that these early humans were top of the food chain.

Paul Pettitt, Professor in the Department of Archaeology, Durham University • conversation
Nov. 3, 2022 • ~8 min

Neanderthals died out 40,000 years ago, but there has never been more of their DNA on Earth

Here’s what we can learn from our closest extinct relatives.

Trine Kellberg Nielsen, Associate Professor, Department of Archeology and Heritage Studies, Aarhus University • conversation
Aug. 31, 2022 • ~8 min

How many ice ages has the Earth had, and could humans live through one?

The Earth has had at least five major ice ages, and humans showed up in time for the most recent one. In fact, we’re still in it.

Denise Su, Associate Professor, Arizona State University • conversation
June 27, 2022 • ~6 min

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