Anthropology
Latest about anthropology
![Virtual reconstructions of the five, well-preserved Homo erectus skulls from Dmanisi, Georgia, which are dated to between 1.85 million and 1.77 million years ago. These individuals had "primitive" brains, a new study finds.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/M8M2uPceyknrcJdonEuz6T-320-80.jpg)
First 'Homo' species left Africa with ape-like brains
By Laura Geggel published
Early members of the genus Homo didn't have advanced brains.
![A boy sits in front of museum skeletons](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/N6prGQxrxPtf69HYTpiDnL-320-80.jpg)
10 things we learned about our human ancestors in 2020
By Laura Geggel published
Some human ancestors are known only as "ghost" populations.
![The extinct human relative Paranthropus robustus evolved rapidly during a turbulent time due to local climate change.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/UkomWVXXjcuNgZg4VQqL6-320-80.jpg)
1st instance of microevolution in early human relative discovered
By Laura Geggel published
Changes previously thought to be sex differences in a human relative are actually due to microevolution, a new study finds.
![If Earth started over, would intelligent life evolve again?](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/FQpgBKDqNzUXNiDKiVvxdm-320-80.jpg)
An astronomer calculated that Earth's intelligent life is probably 'rare.' Here's what that means.
By Rafi Letzter published
A new paper used an advanced "Bayesian" model to show that the emergence of intelligent life on Earth was probably a lucky break.
![The steep entrance to Shanidar Cave.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/uYiaxSswotmdFfKuJ82ZMj-320-80.jpg)
70,000-year-old Neanderthal remains may be evidence that 'closest human relative' buried its dead
By Laura Geggel published
These are the most complete articulated Neanderthal remains to be found in more than 25 years.
![Archaeologists have discovered the torso and squashed skull of a Neanderthal who lived about 70,000 years ago in what is now Iraqi Kurdistan. Heavy sediment flattened the skull (shown here).](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/TxyWm3HXpJ6nzpyjvtSEik-320-80.jpg)
Photos: Squashed skull of 70,000-year-old Neanderthal discovered in cave
By Laura Geggel published
Archaeologists found the upper body of a Neanderthal who lived about 70,000 years ago.
![The rock shelter at Shum Laka in Cameroon. Surprisingly, the ancient people who lived at this rock shelter are not related to the people in the region today.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/jJRqLsWUa9zDqiBvJYyiPU-320-80.jpg)
'Ghost' population of humans discovered in ancient Africa
By Laura Geggel published
The ancient DNA from four children who lived thousands of years ago is rewriting what geneticists thought happened in sub-Saharan Africa.
![Homo floresiensis, whose skull is shown here, stood at about 3 foot, 6 inches tall and had tiny brains and relatively big feet.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/NWHCEdAyMAR5k6B4H965XC-320-80.jpg)
Why Humans' Extinct 'Hobbit' Relatives Were So Small
By José Alexandre Felizola Diniz-Filho, Pasquale Raia published
The diminutive size of the extinct human relative called the Hobbit, or Homo floresiensis, could come down to really fast evolution.
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