Human evolution: Facts, news, features and articles about the past 300,000 years of Homo sapiens
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Neanderthal genes may explain disorder where brain bulges out of the skull
By Charles Q. Choi published
Neanderthal genes may explain why some people have Chiari malformation type I, a condition in which the brain bulges out of the back of the skull.

78,000-year-old footprints from Neanderthal man, child and toddler discovered on beach in Portugal
By Kristina Killgrove published
A Neanderthal trackway discovered in Portugal shows how an adult male and two children hunted for food 78,000 years ago.

Endurance athletes that carry Neanderthal genes could be held back from reaching their peak
By Amy Arthur published
A Neanderthal variant in an enzyme involved in energy production has been linked to a 50% lower probability of achieving elite athletic performance.

140,000-year-old child's skull may have been part modern human, part Neanderthal — but not everyone is convinced
By Patrick Pester published
A child buried in the world's oldest human cemetery had both modern human (Homo sapiens) and Neanderthal characteristics, suggesting she was a hybrid, according to a new study. However, not everyone is convinced the study's findings are definitive.

Stunning facial reconstructions of 'hobbit,' Neanderthal and Homo erectus bring human relatives to life
By Aristos Georgiou published
A new documentary brings early human history to life with a "scientifically accurate" collection of hyper-real 3D models.

Oldest wooden tools unearthed in East Asia show that ancient humans made planned trips to dig up edible plants
By Sascha Pare published
The 300,000 year-old tools show that hominins in East Asia made planned foraging trips to lakeshores and designed instruments for specific purposes.

Neanderthal DNA may refute 65,000-year-old date for human occupation in Australia, but not all experts are convinced
By Kristina Killgrove published
A new DNA model suggests humans didn't reach Australia until 50,000 years ago, but archaeological data disagrees.

125,000-year-old 'fat factory' run by Neanderthals discovered in Germany
By Perri Thaler published
An analysis of ancient animal bones found in Germany suggests that Neanderthals extracted grease from them to gobble up 125,000 years ago.

Science news this week: 'Dragon Man's' identity and the universe's 'missing matter'
By Alexander McNamara published
Science news this week June 21, 2025: Our weekly roundup of the latest science in the news, as well as a few fascinating articles to keep you entertained over the weekend.
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