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Neanderthal Genetic Bottleneck 110,000 Years Ago May Explain Their Decline
A study suggests that Neanderthals experienced a population bottleneck 110,000 years ago, drastically reducing their genetic diversity. CT scans of their inner ear bones revealed a sharp decline in variation, indicating a drop in population size. This event may have made Neanderthals more vulnerable to environmental and competitive pressures, contr...
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1.4 Million-Year-Old Jaw Identified as New Paranthropus Species in South Africa
A fossil jawbone discovered in South Africa, initially misclassified, has been identified as a new species, Paranthropus capensis. Using advanced 3D imaging, researchers found that the jaw’s structure and molars differed significantly from known Homo and Paranthropus species. The findings suggest that at least two Paranthropus species coexisted a...
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1.95-Million-Year-Old Evidence of Hominin Activity Discovered in Romania
A discovery in Romania’s Grăunceanu site has unearthed evidence of hominin activity dating back approximately 1.95 million years, much earlier than previously believed. The find, including butchered animal remains with cut marks, reveals that early humans were adapting to temperate environments long before expected. This reshapes our understandi...
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Was Meat On The Menu For Early Human Ancestors? Study Says...
New research provides the first direct evidence of whether Australopithecus, an important early human ancestor, consumed meat or plant-based diet.
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Human Hunting More Responsible for Kangaroo Extinction than Climate Change
A recent study of ancient kangaroo teeth contradicts previous beliefs that climate change caused their extinction. By examining the wear on teeth, researchers found that kangaroos had flexible diets, which made them resilient to climate shifts. This evidence suggests that human hunting activities, rather than dietary limitations, played a more sign...
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Homo Juluensis Discovered: A New Chapter in Middle Pleistocene Human Evolution
A newly discovered species, Homo juluensis, has been identified from fossils found in China, dating back between 220,000 and 100,000 years ago. The fossils, unearthed at Xujiayao and Xuchang, feature large skulls with a unique blend of Neanderthal, Denisovan and modern human traits. Researchers, including Christopher Bae from the University of Hawa...
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Advanced 3D Fossil Scans Provide Clues to the Origins of Bipedalism in Human Evolution
A new study published in the American Journal of Primatology uses advanced 3D scanning technology to examine fossilized bones and muscle insertion points, shedding light on the evolution of bipedalism in human ancestors. Led by Professor Josep M. Potau from the University of Barcelona, the research suggests that early hominins, like Australopithecu...
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Fossil Footprints Show Two Ancient Human Ancestors "Crossed Paths"
About 1.5 million years ago, individuals of two different species in the human evolutionary lineage trudged on a muddy lakeshore in northern Kenya.
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Lucy, First Human Ancestor, May Not Have Been Lone Species, Research Shows
Around 3.2 million years ago, in what is now present-day Ethiopia, a tiny human made it to the fossil record. Despite much research there is uncertainty over what could have led to their death.
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Conservation Expert Warns Earth Is In Midst Of Sixth Great Extinction: "We Don't Have Time Left"
The conservationist noted that the crisis, driven largely by human activity, threatens the survival of countless species and the delicate balance of ecosystems worldwide.
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New Child Fossil Teeth Reveal Why Humans Developed an Unusually Long Childhood
Research on fossil teeth from a 1.77-million-year-old early Homo specimen challenges the "big brain, long childhood" hypothesis. The study suggests that the extended childhood seen in humans may have evolved as a result of cultural transmission, not just brain growth. By analysing dental growth patterns, scientists show that Homo’s development wa...
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50 Years Ago, Discovery Of This Fossil Changed Understanding Of Evolution
A fossilised skeleton, Australopithecus afarensis, best known by her nickname 'Lucy', was unearthed by researchers 50 years ago this month in the Afar region of Ethiopia.
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Rare Fossils From Extinct Elephants Document Earliest Instance of Butchery in India’s Kashmir Valley
In the Kashmir Valley, rare fossils from extinct elephants reveal the earliest evidence of human butchery in India, dating back 300,000 to 400,000 years. The discovery includes stone tools used to extract bone marrow, offering insight into early human behaviour in the region. These fossils, from the extinct elephant species Palaeoloxodon turkmenicu...
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Greenhouse Gas is Rising Rapidly in Atmosphere Due to Human Activities, Highlights New Report
Methane levels, which are 80 times more potent than CO2 in the short term, are rising at an unprecedented rate. Human activities, such as agriculture and fossil fuel extraction, contribute significantly to this surge. Despite global efforts, including the 2021 Global Methane Pledge, methane emissions continue to climb. This trend threatens climate ...
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Rift Valley Research Suggests It May Not Be the Exclusive Cradle of Humankind
The East African Rift System has long been celebrated as the cradle of humankind, where some of the earliest known hominid fossils have been unearthed. However, recent research suggests that this narrative may be too narrow, as it focuses on a limited geographical area that covers less than one percent of the African continent.
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Neanderthal Genetic Bottleneck 110,000 Years Ago May Explain Their Decline
A study suggests that Neanderthals experienced a population bottleneck 110,000 years ago, drastically reducing their genetic diversity. CT scans of their inner ear bones revealed a sharp decline in variation, indicating a drop in population size. This event may have made Neanderthals more vulnerable to environmental and competitive pressures, contr...
-
1.4 Million-Year-Old Jaw Identified as New Paranthropus Species in South Africa
A fossil jawbone discovered in South Africa, initially misclassified, has been identified as a new species, Paranthropus capensis. Using advanced 3D imaging, researchers found that the jaw’s structure and molars differed significantly from known Homo and Paranthropus species. The findings suggest that at least two Paranthropus species coexisted a...
-
1.95-Million-Year-Old Evidence of Hominin Activity Discovered in Romania
A discovery in Romania’s Grăunceanu site has unearthed evidence of hominin activity dating back approximately 1.95 million years, much earlier than previously believed. The find, including butchered animal remains with cut marks, reveals that early humans were adapting to temperate environments long before expected. This reshapes our understandi...
-
Was Meat On The Menu For Early Human Ancestors? Study Says...
New research provides the first direct evidence of whether Australopithecus, an important early human ancestor, consumed meat or plant-based diet.
-
Human Hunting More Responsible for Kangaroo Extinction than Climate Change
A recent study of ancient kangaroo teeth contradicts previous beliefs that climate change caused their extinction. By examining the wear on teeth, researchers found that kangaroos had flexible diets, which made them resilient to climate shifts. This evidence suggests that human hunting activities, rather than dietary limitations, played a more sign...
-
Homo Juluensis Discovered: A New Chapter in Middle Pleistocene Human Evolution
A newly discovered species, Homo juluensis, has been identified from fossils found in China, dating back between 220,000 and 100,000 years ago. The fossils, unearthed at Xujiayao and Xuchang, feature large skulls with a unique blend of Neanderthal, Denisovan and modern human traits. Researchers, including Christopher Bae from the University of Hawa...
-
Advanced 3D Fossil Scans Provide Clues to the Origins of Bipedalism in Human Evolution
A new study published in the American Journal of Primatology uses advanced 3D scanning technology to examine fossilized bones and muscle insertion points, shedding light on the evolution of bipedalism in human ancestors. Led by Professor Josep M. Potau from the University of Barcelona, the research suggests that early hominins, like Australopithecu...
-
Fossil Footprints Show Two Ancient Human Ancestors "Crossed Paths"
About 1.5 million years ago, individuals of two different species in the human evolutionary lineage trudged on a muddy lakeshore in northern Kenya.
-
Lucy, First Human Ancestor, May Not Have Been Lone Species, Research Shows
Around 3.2 million years ago, in what is now present-day Ethiopia, a tiny human made it to the fossil record. Despite much research there is uncertainty over what could have led to their death.
-
Conservation Expert Warns Earth Is In Midst Of Sixth Great Extinction: "We Don't Have Time Left"
The conservationist noted that the crisis, driven largely by human activity, threatens the survival of countless species and the delicate balance of ecosystems worldwide.
-
New Child Fossil Teeth Reveal Why Humans Developed an Unusually Long Childhood
Research on fossil teeth from a 1.77-million-year-old early Homo specimen challenges the "big brain, long childhood" hypothesis. The study suggests that the extended childhood seen in humans may have evolved as a result of cultural transmission, not just brain growth. By analysing dental growth patterns, scientists show that Homo’s development wa...
-
50 Years Ago, Discovery Of This Fossil Changed Understanding Of Evolution
A fossilised skeleton, Australopithecus afarensis, best known by her nickname 'Lucy', was unearthed by researchers 50 years ago this month in the Afar region of Ethiopia.
-
Rare Fossils From Extinct Elephants Document Earliest Instance of Butchery in India’s Kashmir Valley
In the Kashmir Valley, rare fossils from extinct elephants reveal the earliest evidence of human butchery in India, dating back 300,000 to 400,000 years. The discovery includes stone tools used to extract bone marrow, offering insight into early human behaviour in the region. These fossils, from the extinct elephant species Palaeoloxodon turkmenicu...
-
Greenhouse Gas is Rising Rapidly in Atmosphere Due to Human Activities, Highlights New Report
Methane levels, which are 80 times more potent than CO2 in the short term, are rising at an unprecedented rate. Human activities, such as agriculture and fossil fuel extraction, contribute significantly to this surge. Despite global efforts, including the 2021 Global Methane Pledge, methane emissions continue to climb. This trend threatens climate ...
-
Rift Valley Research Suggests It May Not Be the Exclusive Cradle of Humankind
The East African Rift System has long been celebrated as the cradle of humankind, where some of the earliest known hominid fossils have been unearthed. However, recent research suggests that this narrative may be too narrow, as it focuses on a limited geographical area that covers less than one percent of the African continent.
