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13-year drought crippled Maya on Yucatán Peninsula 1,000 years ago, study findsAn analysis of a stalagmite within a Mexican cave reveals detailed evidence of drought that contributed to the downfall of the Maya civilization in the area 1,000 years ago.
archaeology -
Archaeologists discover that parties 11,000 years ago were BYOB — bring your own boarOpinion Humans have feasted since the dawn of agriculture — but a new find suggests the practice of bringing exotic food to a communal gathering is even older.
Opinion -
Ancient 'female-centered' society thrived 9,000 years ago in proto-city in TurkeyGenetic analysis of skeletons buried in a Neolithic proto-city in Turkey reveals that female lineages were important in early agricultural societies.
11 Commentsarchaeology -
Women likely ruled in Stone Age China, DNA analysis of 4,500-year-old skeletons revealsGenetic analysis of 60 people buried in a Stone Age cemetery has revealed two clans headed by women that spanned 10 generations.
2 Commentsancient-china -
Groundwater in the Colorado River basin won't run out — but eventually we won’t be able to get at it, scientists warnThe Colorado River basin has lost a Lake Mead’s worth of water in the last 20 years — and scientists say we’re passing a "critical point" where pumping groundwater will become too expensive.
4 Commentsrivers-oceans -
Enslaved Africans led a decade-long rebellion 1,200 years ago in Iraq, new evidence suggestsThe Zanj, enslaved people largely from Africa, rebelled at the same time they were ordered to build a massive system of canals in what is now Iraq, a new study finds.
middle-east -
Stone Age quiz: What do you know about the Paleolithic, Mesolithic and Neolithic?Is your knowledge of the Stone Age rock-solid?
archaeology -
Killer Australian fungus can gobble up widespread, pesticide-resistant armyworm from the insideFall armyworms have spread throughout the world, destroying crops and evolving insecticide resistance. New research in Australia suggests fungi that attack the worms could be a promising pest control method.
4 Commentsplanet-earth -
Why is this giant desert turning green? Scientists may finally know the answer.Many deserts face worsening droughts, but India's Thar Desert has become 38% greener in the past 20 years due to increased rainfall and expanding agriculture in the region, according to a new study.
4 Commentsclimate-change
