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The article discusses the significance of the fossil known as Lucy, a partial skeleton of a human ancestor that lived 3.2 million years ago. Lucy, belonging to the species Australopithecus afarensis, has greatly contributed to our understanding of human origins and evolution. The article emphasizes the impact of Lucy's discovery on the field of paleoanthropology and the subsequent findings of more specimens of Australopithecus afarensis, which have provided a detailed record of this ancient species. The article also acknowledges the existence of multiple human species that coexisted during our prehistory, offering context for comprehending our evolutionary history. The discovery of the Ledi-Geraru jaw in Ethiopia further supports the hypothesis that Australopithecus afarensis is the most likely ancestor of our own genus, Homo. While the discovery of other hominin species has complicated the understanding of human evolution, Australopithecus afarensis remains the strongest candidate for the ancestor of Homo and Paranthropus. [Extracted from the article]

The article explores the question of what it means to be human and when humans emerged as a distinct species. It discusses the historical search for the moment when our ancestors transitioned to become human and the significance of two important fossil discoveries: the Taung Child and Lucy. However, recent discoveries and research have complicated our understanding of human evolution, blurring the line between Australopithecus and Homo. The article presents different perspectives on defining "human" based on behavior and ancestry, highlighting the ongoing debate and the philosophical nature of the question. [Extracted from the article]

About 3.2 million years ago, an early human of the hominid species Australopithecus afarensis lived in the forests of Ethiopia. She walked in a similar fashion to a chimp, with [...]

As researchers around the world began excitedly debating the significance of H. floresiensis, Soejono and Jacob reverted to their decades-old practice of working together. Soejono was keen to recruit Jacob, his long-time colleague and partner on research at Liang Bua, but Morwood insisted that was impossible. Their excavation teams began digging at Liang Bua in the 1970s and discovered a rich collection of artefacts for archaeologist Soejono to analyse. Just a couple of years later, the team made the discovery that would shake up palaeoanthropology - and apparently convince Soejono and Jacob that they had been right to worry about working with international researchers. [Extracted from the article]

The article from National Geographic explores the evolving understanding of human evolution through DNA analysis, focusing on the discovery of ancient fossils in Cobra Cave in Laos. The findings challenge the linear view of human origins, revealing interactions and interbreeding between Homo sapiens and other human species like Neanderthals and Denisovans. The research highlights the complexity of human evolution, with new discoveries reshaping our understanding of our shared ancestry and the genetic legacy of extinct human groups. [Extracted from the article]

Editor's note: This article is part of a special package written for the 50th anniversary of the discovery of a 3.2 million-year-old A. afarensis fossil (AL 288-1), nicknamed 'Lucy.' About [...]

Neanderthals were not clueless apes, but rather pioneers with complex behaviors and adaptations. They lived in groups of around 20 individuals, with as many as 10,000 individuals spread across Eurasia. Neanderthals sought shelter in caves for warmth and protection, and they used fire to heat their homes and cook their food. They primarily foraged for nuts, fruits, and fungi, but also hunted large mammals and even practiced cannibalism. Neanderthals used stone-tipped spears for hunting and had a diverse toolkit that included tools, weapons, fire pits, and even art and jewelry. While they eventually went extinct, Neanderthals interbred with early Homo sapiens, and their DNA can still be found in modern humans, particularly in Europeans. [Extracted from the article]

Cathy Key, a British-born artist residing in Canada, creates intricate portraits inspired by nature and the blending of art and science. With a background in Anthropology and a deep connection to the natural world, Key's work explores themes of joy, vulnerability, and wonder. Her unique technique of blending collage and acrylic paint has garnered her recognition in solo and group exhibitions, showcasing her reverence for nature and the divine. Key's art has been widely acclaimed and displayed in private collections across Canada, the UK, and the United States, solidifying her reputation as a notable artist in the region. [Extracted from the article]

Isolated foot bones are rare in the human fossil record, and foot skeletons are even more elusive. FOSSIL FEET THE REDISCOVERY OF THE LAETOLI SITE a footprints and our conclusion that they were made by a second species are the latest additions to a growing body of evidence that the evolution of upright walking was a lot less linear, more complex and more interesting than we once thought. Fossils speak broadly about an organism; fossil footprints capture precious snapshots of moments in time for long-extinct animals. So paleontologists Kay Behrensmeyer and Andrew Hill, who were visiting archaeologist Mary Leakey 's fossil site of Laetoli in Tanzania, hopped into a gully to take cover and gather more ammunition for the game of elephant dung dodgeball that had spontaneously broken out. [Extracted from the article]

This article features scholarship essays written by undergraduate and graduate students who are passionate about pursuing careers in geology. The essays highlight their reasons for wanting to become geologists, including their fascination with the natural world, the desire to solve environmental crises, and the quest for knowledge about Earth's history and future. The students express their commitment to making a positive impact in the field of geosciences and contributing to the conservation of the Earth. The article also provides information about the American Institute of Professional Geologists (AIPG) and its activities, including professional certification, lobbying, continuing education, and state and section activities. Additionally, it announces a member photo challenge with different categories and prizes. [Extracted from the article]

The article discusses the history and theories surrounding human origins, highlighting the various perspectives and ideas that have emerged over time. The author criticizes the book "The Invention of Prehistory" by Stefanos Geroulanos for its negative portrayal of the study of human origins and its dismissal of the search for truth. The author argues that while human origin stories have been used to justify violence and domination, it is still important to explore and understand our origins. The article also criticizes Geroulanos for his smug and superior attitude towards the past and his denial of the existence of truth. [Extracted from the article]

IN THIS ISSUE / collecting by theme Palaeoanthropology on Stamps Following on from his article on palaeontology, Michael Kogan of http://www.paleophilatelie.eu, where palaeontology and palaeoanthropology meet philately, has provided a [...]

Scientists have unearthed the 700,000-year-old remains of one of our most mysterious relatives: a “hobbit” species that lived on the Indonesian island of Flores. The first evidence of Homo floresiensis, [...]

The tiny humans who once populated the Indonesian island of Flores turn out to have been even smaller than previously believed. Fossilised remains of Homo floresiensis were discovered in a [...]

ANCIENT humans living on an Indonesian island 700,000 years ago were even smaller than Homo floresiensis, the so-called hobbits that lived on the same island much more recently. Newly analysed [...]

News Archaeology Smallest adult hominin ever found An arm bone from an ancient human that lived 700,000 years ago adds a new piece to the puzzle of Homo floresiensis, the [...]

New Delhi, Aug. 6 -- A new study on the 'hobbits' of Indonesia's Flores island, the extinct human species called Homo floresiensis, provides clues on their mysterious origin. It adds [...]

Paranthropus was an ape-like hominin that lived on when Earth was increasingly dominated by early humans. What were the secrets to its survival, asks Michael Marshall IT ISN'T often that [...]

Newly analyzed fossils from an Indonesian island suggest that ancient humans living 700,000 years ago were even smaller than the Homo floresiensis, or "hobbits," that lived on the same island more recently. The fossils, found at the Mata Menge site, include a piece of an upper arm bone that allowed researchers to estimate the body size of these small-bodied hominins. The findings indicate that the Mata Menge hominin was the smallest adult hominin ever discovered. While some researchers believe that the hobbits descended from larger hominins called Homo erectus, others suggest that the Mata Menge hominins may be a new unknown species. Further research and more fossils are needed to determine the origins of the hobbits. [Extracted from the article]

The article discusses the Ancient Human Occupation of Britain (AHOB) project, which aims to uncover the early prehistory of Britain. Through excavations and the reanalysis of old finds, scientists have gained insight into the lives of ancient Britons. The research has revealed that Britain was occupied by various human species, including Homo antecessor, Homo heidelbergensis, Neanderthals, and Homo sapiens. The article also explores the changing climate and environment of Britain, which influenced the migration and extinction of these early human populations. Additionally, it discusses the formation of the English Channel and the landmass known as Doggerland, which allowed for the migration of humans from mainland Europe to Britain. [Extracted from the article]

Why aren't humans covered in hair like other primates are? (continued) Why aren't humans covered in hair like other primates are? (continued) Anthony WoodwardPortland, Oregon, US David Muir's https://www.newscientist.com/lastword/mg26134831-400-why-arent-humans-covered-in-hair-like-other-primates-are/ that [...]

Researchers have discovered the oldest known human viruses within the remains of Neanderthals who lived over 50,000 years ago. The viruses include an adenovirus, herpesvirus, and papillomavirus. The discovery suggests that viruses may have played a role in the extinction of Neanderthals, although this cannot be confirmed. The study of ancient viruses is a new field that requires further exploration, and the goal of recreating these ancient viruses may prove challenging. [Extracted from the article]

Ancestor was under pressure for 100,000 years 1930,000 years ago, the population of our ancestors –possibly Homo erectus – dropped from around 100,000 individuals to as few as just 1280. [...]

Creativity gave us fire → Primitive stone tools were already used by Australpithecus, from whom we descend. But with Homo erectus, people became more inventive and learned to use fire. [...]

Zheng Siwei, a badminton star from China, retired from the national team after winning the mixed doubles title at the Badminton World Federation World Tour Finals. Beijing attractions are now prohibiting commercial photography to address safety concerns and disruptions caused by professional photographers. Jingdezhen in Jiangxi Province is undergoing preservation efforts to restore ancient kiln sites and historic alleyways, aiming for UNESCO recognition as a World Cultural Heritage site by 2026. The State Administration for Market Regulation in China has released guidelines to regulate food delivery platforms and prevent food waste, encouraging responsible ordering practices. Wang Hongzhi, a power sector veteran, has been appointed as the new head of the National Energy Administration in China. [Extracted from the article]

The article discusses how ancient DNA has transformed the people's understanding of human evolution. Topics include evidence on Denisovans found in ancient DNA studies, how biologists build evolutionary trees, and significance of ancient proteins in human evolutionary studies. Also mentioned is the conclusion made by John Hawks when geneticists first looked at segments of Neanderthal DNA in the late 1990s.

The article explores the significance of African ammoglyphs, patterns made in sand, and their potential as early forms of art. It discusses the rarity of fossilized footprints and the importance of newly discovered hominin tracksites in East Africa and South Africa's coastline. The presence of palaeoart in South Africa suggests that artistic capacity was not limited to Homo sapiens. The article emphasizes the value of studying ammoglyphs to gain insights into ancient human behavior. Additionally, it mentions the discovery of well-preserved cave art in Tanzania, depicting various animals and demonstrating artistic skill and foresight. [Extracted from the article]

In 2019, a new species of hominin called Homo luzonensis was discovered in the Philippines. The remains were found in Callao cave on Luzon, the largest island in the Philippines, and included foot bones, teeth, finger bones, toe bones, and part of a thigh bone. The exact progenitors of H. luzonensis are unknown, but possible candidates include Homo erectus, Homo floresiensis, Denisovans, and even Australopithecus. Some evidence suggests that H. erectus is the most likely ancestor, but the possibility of a link with Australopithecus is also intriguing. Further research is needed to determine the true origins of H. luzonensis. [Extracted from the article]

The longer upper canines of the cat's maw likely stabbed through the hominin's forehead or eyes - perhaps as the leopard carried its dinner to the recesses of the cave. MAP: How Leopard Kills Rewrite Our Prehistory PHOTO (COLOR): Then as now, leopards dragged their kills into trees - but sometimes used caves as well. [Extracted from the article]

Features Last of the ape-people Paranthropus was an ape-like hominin that lived on when Earth was increasingly dominated by early humans. What were the secrets to its survival, asks Michael [...]

The Turkana Basin in NW Kenya and SW Ethiopia hosts remarkable fossil-rich sediments that are central to our understanding of early hominin evolution, with interbedded volcanic tuffs providing critical time markers. However, the resolution of existing Early Pleistocene–Pliocene ages is limited to c. 20–60 kyr, inhibiting the evaluation of climatic and environmental drivers of evolution. We present high-precision, single-feldspar 40Ar/39Ar age and elemental data for four stratigraphically significant tuffs. These samples exhibit variably dispersed age distributions correlated with feldspar compositional trends, interpreted to indicate the partial retention of inherited 40Ar related to crustal 'cold storage' and rapid melt infiltration preceding eruption. We evaluated various statistical methods and calculated astronomically calibrated Bayesian age estimates of 1879.1 ± 0.6 ka (±2.4 ka including external errors) for the Kay Behrensmeyer Site (KBS)/H2 Tuff, 1837.4 ± 0.9 ka (±2.4 ka) for the Malbe/H4 Tuff, 1357.5 ± 1.8 ka (±2.5 ka) for the Chari/L Tuff and 1315.4 ± 1.9 ka (±2.5 ka) for the Gele Tuff. Our results permit refined age constraints for important early Homo fossils, including the cranium KNM-ER1813 (Homo habilis) and various Homo erectus fossils. The KBS Tuff age also provides an important calibration locus for orbital tuning of palaeoclimate proxy records, revealing the complex interplays between palaeoclimate and geological drivers of sedimentation. Supplementary material: The supplementary tables and figures include previously published ages (Table S1), sample and irradiation information (Table S2), electron probe microanalytical results for tuff glasses (Table S3, Figs S2 and S3) and feldspars (Table S4), 40Ar/39Ar analytical data (Tables S5 and S6, Fig. S4), orbital tuning model parameters (Table S7), a summary of previous and revised hominin ages (Table S8) and a worked Bayesian estimation example (Fig. S1) and are available at https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.c.6602994 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The team discovered engravings in the caves only in July last year, when Berger entered them for the first time. News A SPECIES of ancient human with a brain the size of a chimpanzee's may have engraved symbols on cave walls and deliberately buried its dead. Now, Berger and his colleagues have published more remarkable findings from the Rising Star caves. [Extracted from the article]

Archaeologists strive to understand ancient objects by combining scientific analysis with imagination. They seek to delve into the minds of prehistoric ancestors and determine if and when they began creating art. Recent discoveries, such as a painted fossil shell carried by a Neanderthal, challenge the notion that these early humans lacked creativity. However, interpreting ancient artifacts can be complex, and claims of artistic intent should be approached with caution. The study of ancient art requires a scientific approach alongside the use of imagination to comprehend how our ancestors perceived the world. [Extracted from the article]

The article examines the indigenous knowledge of fossil-filled caves in Southern Africa, specifically focusing on the Fossil Hominid Sites of South Africa (FHSSA). While indigenous populations in the region have a deep understanding of the geological environment and the presence of fossils, there is a lack of indigenous knowledge specifically related to fossil-filled caves. The article proposes that cave emergence myths, which are prevalent globally, may actually be referring to these fossil-bearing caves in Southern Africa. This hypothesis is supported by physical evidence such as rock engravings and the cultural significance of caves in the region. The text also highlights the higher concentration of cave emergence myths in southern Africa compared to other parts of the continent, suggesting that the abundance of fossil-rich caves in the area may have influenced the development and perpetuation of these myths. The dominance of these myths in the southern African cultural landscape may be attributed to factors such as indigenous knowledge of the caves and population migrations. [Extracted from the article]

The article focuses on examining the eras of sustainability, starting from pre-industrial life, industrial revolution, and the era of oil, gas, and electricity. It discusses how the evolution of homes and buildings, as well as the adoption of new energy sources, has led to both progress and negative impacts on the environment.

Michael Marshall ANCIENT humans were living in the highlands of what is now Ethiopia as early as 2 million years ago. A reanalysis of a fossilised jawbone from the region [...]

News / Palaeontology Early humans lived at high altitude as much as 2 million years ago Michael Marshall ANCIENT humans were living in the highlands of what is now Ethiopia [...]

ANCIENT humans were living in the highlands of what is now Ethiopia as early as 2 million years ago. A reanalysis of a fossilised jawbone from the region confirms that [...]

PAR PAUL THERRIEN COMBIEN DE FOIS LA RACE HUMAINE A-T-ELLE FAILLI DISPARAÎTRE? À au moins quatre reprises! Notre ancêtre direct, l’homo erectus, est passé très près de s’éteindre à deux [...]

The skull of Homo floresiensis (JAVIER TRUEBA/MSF/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY) ON A Tuesday in early September 2003, Benyamin Tarus struck bone. Digging through a cave floor on the Indonesian island of [...]

Have you ever heard your parents say, 'Back in my day, life was so much more difficult. Kids these days are so spoiled'? You would be surprised to know that [...]

The article reports on scientific findings related to human origins and human brain development. Two studies published in the journal "Cell" in May 2018 focused on the NOTCH family of genes to explore the genetic changes behind the human brain. A number of finds has charted a new course for the earliest hominins, particularly the map of when and how members of the genus Homo has spread. A trio of studies in 2018 discovered that Neanderthals were capable of complex abstract thought.

The article focuses on research into the dietary habits of early hominids. It states an examination of fossil teeth for microscopic wear patterns was used to determine what the hominids ate and determine how climate change impacted human evolution. It comments on Liem's paradox concerning animal preferences for foods other than those they are adapted to. It mentions the use of carbon isotope ratios to determine the diet of the hominid Paranthropus boisei and found it ate sedges and grasses.

The article focuses on research studying if early humans were mariners who deliberately traveled across large bodies of water on rafts. It comments on the continent of Australia and states early humans would have known of its existence due to the smoke from Australian bush fires and southerly bird migrations. It mentions efforts in 1998 to create a 23-meter-long raft to simulate a crossing from Indonesia to Australia failed initially. It considers how prehuman hominids migrated to Flores Island.

The article examines human phenotypic variation in the African fossil record. Intra-cohort variations in skull, brow, and chin shape in paleolithic and mesolithic hominid remains from Ethiopia, Nigeria, and the Democratic Republic of Congo are described along with the genetic legacy of multiregional human evolution across Africa.

Most paleontologists thought mammals only scavenged dinosaur remains, but the find suggests early mammals hunted live dinosaurs several times their size. LAOS Human skull and shinbone fossils found in a Laos cave suggest modern humans arrived in mainland Southeast Asia up to 36,000 years earlier than thought. AUSTRALIA Australia is the first country to legalize psilocybin and MDMA for the treatment of depression and post-traumatic stress disorder. [Extracted from the article]

Li and his colleagues think this bottleneck was probably due to climate change, with global cooling around this time leading to severe drought in Africa and Eurasia. John Hawks at the University of Wisconsin, who wasn't involved in the study, points to a paper from earlier this year suggesting that early humans in Africa were split into several distinct populations with only occasional migrations and mergers between them. Population bottlenecks occur when an existing population is reduced in size, for instance as a result of a catastrophe or when a small number of individuals leave one population to found a new one. [Extracted from the article]