anthropology

Remains of a man buried in a rich grave. In the paper, we write the following about K6: “Interestingly, and contrary to expectation, individuals buried together did not have close biological kin relationships. An exception to this pattern is the individual buried at the bottom of grave K in Téviec (K6(16)-tev003), who had closer biological kin links to at least two (sampled of a total of five) of the individuals buried above him, while these were not closely related with each other. This finding corroborates the…

Artwork shows three mammoths being watched by a family of ancient Alaskans from the dunes near the Swan Point archaeological site, a seasonal hunting camp occupied 14,000 years ago. Credit: Julius Csostonyi. editedScientists have linked the movements of a 14,000-year-old woolly mammoth with early human settlements in Alaska. Analysis of the mammoth’s tusk revealed a journey that overlapped with human hunting areas, indicating a close relationship between these early settlers and mammoths.Researchers have linked the…

Researchers have discovered evidence of Down Syndrome and Edwards Syndrome in ancient DNA, tracing back to between 2,500 and 5,000 years ago, revealing these individuals received care and were appreciated within their societies. They found burials with grave goods and within settlements, suggesting a societal acceptance, and plan to expand research on how ancient societies treated individuals with such conditions.Burial practices indicate that individuals with Down Syndrome and Edwards Syndrome were recognized as members…

Human bone fragment from the new excavations at Ranis. Credit: Tim Schüler, TLDAA genetic study of a German archaeological site reveals that modern humans lived in Northern Europe 45,000 years ago, overlapping with Neanderthals, and altering our understanding of early human history in the region.A genetic analysis of bone fragments unearthed at an archaeological site in central Germany shows conclusively that modern humans — Homo sapiens — had already reached Northern Europe 45,000 years ago, overlapping with Neanderthals…

A small obsidian artifact found in the Texas Panhandle provides compelling evidence of Francisco Vasquez de Coronado’s expedition across the area over 470 years ago. (Artist’s concept.) Credit: SciTechDaily.comCould a family’s obsidian blade be a clue to the expedition’s trail?It’s a small piece of obsidian, just over 5 centimeters long, likely found on a hard-scrabble piece of ranchland in the Texas panhandle. But when SMU anthropologist Matthew Boulanger looks at it, he gets a mental image of Spanish explorer Francisco…

A groundbreaking study analyzing ancient DNA has revealed instances of Down and Edwards syndrome in prehistoric human remains, dating back as far as 4,500 years. This research indicates that individuals with these conditions were valued and integrated members of their ancient societies, offering new insights into the treatment and recognition of chromosomal disorders in history. Above are the remains of individual “CRU001”, who the researchers discovered had Down syndrome. The remains were found at a site in Spain dating…

Tokyo Metropolitan University researchers have made a significant breakthrough in understanding the use of Stone Age tools by crafting replicas and using them in various tasks. Their findings reveal that specific macroscopic and microscopic wear patterns can indicate whether tools were used for wood-felling or other purposes. Credit: SciTechDaily.comUsed stone edges might help illuminate timber use by early humans.Researchers from Tokyo Metropolitan University crafted replica Stone Age tools and used them for a range of…

Recent research challenges the traditional view of early human diets in the Andes, suggesting a shift from “hunter-gatherers” to “gatherer-hunters.” The study, analyzing remains from the Wilamaya Patjxa and Soro Mik’aya Patjxa sites in Peru, reveals an 80 percent plant-based and 20 percent meat diet among early Andeans. This finding, based on isotope chemistry and statistical modeling, contradicts previous beliefs and influences current perceptions of diets such as the Paleodiet. It also indicates a need to reassess…

Skulls of 29 million-year-old primates used in this study Aegyptopithecus on left Parapithecus on right. Credit: Matt BorthsA study led by the University of Otago reveals that humans’ preference for sweet flavors traces back to our early primate relatives. This research illuminates the eating behaviors of ancient anthropoids, encompassing extinct monkeys and apes, by examining patterns of tooth chips and cavities.Published in the American Journal of Biological Anthropology, the study used fossils from the Fayum Depression…

New research led by a University of California, Davis, anthropologist reveals that archery technology in the Andes dates back to approximately 5,000 years ago. This earlier emergence aligns with societal shifts towards village life and expanded trade networks. The study suggests that the adoption of bow-and-arrow technology may have been instrumental in establishing new social norms and institutions. Credit: SciTechDaily.comWhen did archery arise in the Americas? And what were the effects of this technology on…