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    Colin Barras

    Colin Barras

    Science writer

    Colin Barras is a science writer focusing on archaeology and evolutionary sciences. He has also written for New Scientist, Nature and Science among others. Colin has a PhD from the University of Birmingham, UK, and an MSc in science communication from Imperial College London. 

    A close up of a reconstructed skull, missing its lower jaw, against a black background
    Homo habilis is the earliest named human. But is it even human?

    Between 2 million and 3 million years ago, humans appeared in Africa — but identifying them in the fossil record is turning out to be surprisingly difficult.

    4 Comments
    human-evolution
    • An illustration showing a large ape-like creature with brown fur sitting in front of a lush jungle
      18 million-year-old fossils of ape found in Africa, but in an unexpected place

      The ancestor of apes was long thought to come from East Africa, but newly discovered fossils in Egypt may prompt a rethink.

      By Colin Barras Published 26 March 26

      4 Comments
      human-evolution
    • Vanishing lakes in Tibet may have triggered earthquakes by awakening faults in Earth's crust

      Shrinking lakes in Tibet likely woke up long-dormant tectonic faults, a new study finds. The findings strengthen the link between climate change and earthquakes

      By Colin Barras Published 17 February 26

      earthquakes
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