Bioarchaeology

New research delves deeper into the enigmatic Denisovans, an extinct hominin species that once roamed Siberia. An international team of researchers from Germany, Canada, and Russia analyzed the DNA from two molars unearthed in the Denisova Caves, shedding light on their origins, physical characteristics, and potential interactions with other human ancestors. The existence of Denisovans … Read more

In 2002, archaeologists discovered the jawbone of a human who lived in Europe about 40,000 years ago. Geneticists have now analyzed ancient DNA from that jawbone and learned that it belonged to a modern human whose recent ancestors included Neanderthals. Neanderthals lived in Europe until about 35,000 years ago, disappearing at the same time modern … Read more

Researchers have made a remarkable discovery using a new technique to identify ancient human remains. They found a Neanderthal bone fragment hidden amongst thousands of tiny bone pieces from Denisova Cave in Siberia. This finding, published in the journal Scientific Reports, sheds new light on human evolution and the potential of a revolutionary method called … Read more

For decades, archaeologists have debated the origins of intriguing artifacts found in the Grotte du Renne cave in France. The culprit? Tiny bone beads and other trinkets, collectively known as “jewelry,” unearthed alongside Neanderthal remains. While the initial assumption was that Neanderthals crafted these ornaments, some argued it defied their perceived limitations. A recent study, … Read more

Archaeologist Sue O’Connor, from The Australian National University (ANU), unearthed the world’s oldest known fishhooks associated with a burial on Alor Island, northwest of East Timor. These meticulously placed artifacts, dating back a staggering 12,000 years to the Pleistocene era, redefine our understanding of gender roles in fishing and shed light on the development of … Read more

Archaeologists from the Australian National University (ANU) have unearthed a remarkably well-preserved child burial dating back an astonishing 8,000 years. This unique find, the first of its kind from the early mid-Holocene period in the region, offers invaluable insights into how these ancient communities treated their deceased children. Dr. Sofia Samper Carro, lead researcher on … Read more

Despite Africa being the cradle of humankind, evidence of early burial practices on the continent has been scarce. A recent discovery at the Panga ya Saidi cave site in Kenya is rewriting history, revealing a 78,000-year-old child’s burial – the oldest ever found in Africa. The Panga ya Saidi site has been under excavation since … Read more

Researchers from China, Singapore, and the U.S. have made a groundbreaking discovery in northeastern China, pushing back the timeline for a fascinating cultural practice – cranial modification. Their findings, published in the American Journal of Physical Anthropology, unveil evidence of some of the earliest examples of this practice at a site called Houtaomuga, shedding light … Read more

Researchers led by Ron Pinhasi from the University of Vienna and Mario Novak from the Institute for Anthropological Research, Zagreb, have unveiled a recent archaeological discovery in Croatia shedding light on a fascinating practice from the past and the complexities of human migration. Their study, published in PLOS ONE, reveals evidence of artificial cranial deformation … Read more