The field of archaeogenetics has substantially contributed to a better understanding of how the movement and admixture of people across Europe during the Neolithic and Bronze Ages shaped genetic ancestries. However, not all regions are equally well represented in the archaeogenetic record. To fill this gap, researchers of the Max Planck Institutes for Evolutionary Anthropology … Read more
Imagine piecing together the lives of our distant ancestors through seemingly insignificant objects. A recent study published in Scientific Reports offers a fascinating glimpse into this process, shedding light on the woodworking practices of early humans 300,000 years ago. Researchers from the University of Tübingen and the Senckenberg Center for Human Evolution and Paleoenvironment (SHEP) … Read more
Researchers, led by Dr. Annemieke Milks of the University of Reading’s Department of Archaeology, meticulously analyzed a 300,000-year-old wooden throwing stick unearthed in Schöningen, Germany. This analysis reveals a level of woodworking sophistication previously unseen in artifacts from this period. The Schöningen throwing stick, a double-pointed implement measuring 77 centimeters long, offers a compelling glimpse … Read more
Schöningen, a region in Lower Saxony, Germany, continues to unveil its secrets from a bygone era. Renowned for its rich archaeological deposits dating back 300,000 years, Schöningen has recently yielded a remarkable discovery – an almost complete skeleton of a Eurasian straight-tusked elephant (Palaeoloxodon antiquus). This exceptional find sheds light on the lives of these … Read more
Imagine battling the harsh European winter 300,000 years ago. Our ancestors, far removed from the comforts of modern life, faced a constant struggle against the elements. A recent study published in the Journal of Human Evolution sheds light on a potential solution they employed: bear skins. Researchers from the University of Tübingen, the Senckenberg Centre … Read more
Researchers from the Lower Saxony State Office for Cultural Heritage (NLD) and the Universities of Reading and Göttingen employed cutting-edge 3D microscopy and micro-CT scanning techniques to analyze the oldest complete hunting weapons ever discovered. These 300,000-year-old implements, unearthed in Schöningen, Germany, offer a compelling glimpse into the advanced woodworking skills possessed by our pre-Homo … Read more
Archaeologists from Sapienza University of Rome, delving into the depths of the Battifratta cave nestled within the rugged terrain near Poggio Nativo in the Sabina region of Lazio, Italy, unearthed a remarkable find—a clay figurine bearing distinctly female features. Dating back approximately 7000 years to the Neolithic period, this artifact offers a glimpse into the … Read more
Recent research conducted by a team of anthropologists at University College London (UCL) has provided fresh insights into the divergence between Neanderthals and modern humans. Contrary to previous DNA-based estimates, which proposed a relatively recent split between the two lineages, this study indicates that Neanderthals and modern humans may have diverged much earlier—potentially more than … Read more
The discovery and analysis of ancient human remains provide invaluable insights into our shared history, shedding light on the migrations, interactions, and cultural developments of early human societies. Among these, the Aurignacians, a culturally sophisticated group that thrived in Europe around 40,000 years ago, have long intrigued researchers. Now, a collaborative effort involving researchers from … Read more
The Boker Tachtit archaeological excavation site in Israel’s central Negev desert offers a glimpse into one of the most significant events in human history: the migration of modern humans, Homo sapiens, from Africa into Eurasia and the subsequent decline of Neanderthal populations in the region. After nearly four decades since its initial excavation, researchers from … Read more