Anthropology

Archaeology

Chaco Canyon’s ancient civilization continues to puzzle

A dynasty may have risen from the dead in an ancient Chaco great house.

Science & Society

New museum exhibit explores science of racism

“Us and Them,” a new exhibit at the Musée de l’Homme in Paris, draws on genetics, psychology, anthropology and sociology to examine why racism and prejudice persist.

Anthropology

Homo naledi may have lived at around same time as early humans

South African species Homo naledi is much younger than previously thought.

Archaeology

Twisted textile cords may contain clues to Inca messages

A writing system from the 1700s may illuminate even older knotty Inca messages.

Anthropology

Water tubing accidents, table run-ins cause Neandertal-like injuries

People’s injury patterns today can’t explain how Neandertals got so many head wounds.

Archaeology

First settlers reached Americas 130,000 years ago, study claims

Mastodon site suggests first Americans arrived unexpectedly early.

Humans

Homo naledi’s brain shows humanlike features

South African Homo species had small but humanlike brain, scientists say.

Anthropology

Ötzi the Iceman froze to death

Copper Age Iceman froze to death, with shoulder and head damage.

Archaeology

Shock-absorbing spear points kept early North Americans on the hunt

Ancient Americans invented a way to make spear points last on an unfamiliar continent.

Archaeology

Stone Age hunter-gatherers tackled their cavities with a sharp tool and tar

Late Stone Age hunter-gatherers scraped and coated away tooth decay.

Anthropology

Neandertals had an eye for patterns

Neandertals carved notches in a raven bone, possibly to produce a pleasing or symbolic pattern, scientists say.

Archaeology

Ancient Romans may have been cozier with Huns than they let on

Nomadic Huns and Roman farmers shared ways of life on the Roman Empire’s fifth century frontier.