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Discusses the role of fossils in discovering the way life evolved. List of fossil beds that deserve the accolade of extraordinary; Field of palaeontology; Little Chance of survival of animals as fossils because of lack of skeletal parts robust to resist bacterial and fungal attack.

Three fossil skulls discovered in Ethiopia have turned out to be the oldest human remains ever found. Anthropologists say these 160,000-year-old bones plug a crucial gap in the fossil record around the time that human beings first appeared, and give dramatic insights into the lifestyles of the earliest human beings. The fossils suggest that the first Homo sapiens ate the bone marrow of hippos, and ritually carried the bones of their ancestors. They are also a dramatic boost to the theory that modern humans evolved in Africa and subsequently spread across the rest of the globe.

Editorial. Reports that discovery of three remarkable human skulls has settled one of the longest-running and most acrimonious debates in paleontology regarding the evolution of human beings. Reasons why scientists believe that human beings evolved in many places at once across the world; Description of these human skulls that have been discovered.

Discusses the outlook for theories concerning human evolution, in light of the discovery of a 3.5 million year old skull in Kenya. Idea that the skull is from a previously unknown species of humans; Comparison of the skull with that of Australopithecus afarensis.

Discusses fossil remains found in Asia that support the controversial idea that Asia rather than Africa was the first home of anthropoids, evolved from an animal similar to the tarsier. Other fossils that have been found that support this idea; Why researchers think humans and apes evolved from animals called tarsids and their similarity to the tarsier.

Discusses the significance of an analysis indicating that archaeopteryx, the first known bird, may have flown. Claims that the bird uses its feathers for gliding or cooling itself; Evolution of birds from dinosaurs; Similarity of the archaeopteryx's muscles to a reptile; Comparison between the archaeopteryx and a fossil bird discovered in China in 1990; Primitive traits observed in the fossil bird found in China.

Presents information on a tiny fossil jawbone that was found on an Australian beach and discusses its impact on the cherished ideas about the evolution of mammals. Description of fossil; Claims relating to discovery; What findings suggest about placentals; Background information on mammals including humanns.