Ancient Chileans developed artificial mummification after an increase in the numbers of living and dead people made naturally preserved bodies hard to ignore. (p. 10)

An ancient finger bone recently landed a genetic sucker punch on scientists studying human evolution. DNA extracted from this tiny fossil, unearthed in Siberia’s Denisova Cave, unveiled a humanlike population that interbred with people in East Asia at least 44,000 years ago. Denisovans supplied nearly 5 percent of the genes of native groups now living in Australia, New Guinea and on several nearby islands. That molecular shocker followed a revelation that the genetic instruction books of people from Australia to the Americas contain a roughly 2.5 percent contribution from Neandertals, moder... (p. 22)

Jaw and face bones suggest two Homo species lived in East Africa nearly 2 million years ago. (p. 8)

Creators of separate spearhead styles colonized North America more than 13,000 years ago. (p. 15)

Guatemalan find suggests mention of a date far in the future served a Maya king’s immediate needs. (p. 15)

New dates show that East Asian hunter-gatherers fired up cooking vessels 20,000 years ago. (p. 15)

Pottery study unveils early dairy practices among Saharan cattle herders.