Anthropology
- Anthropology
New footprint finds suggest range of body sizes for Lucy’s species
Tracks discovered in Tanzania appear to have belonged to the tallest known Australopithecus afarensis individual, but stature estimates can be tricky.
- Health & Medicine
Oldest traces of smallpox virus found in child mummy
The oldest genetic evidence of smallpox comes from variola virus DNA found in a child mummy buried in a church crypt in Lithuania.
- Anthropology
Readers ponder hominid hookups and more
Neandertal evolution, quantum internet and more in reader feedback.
- Anthropology
Buff upper arms let Lucy climb trees
Australopithecus afarensis’ heavily built arms supported tree climbing, scans of Lucy’s fossils suggest.
- Archaeology
Ancient cemetery provides peek into Philistines’ lives, health
Burial site offers new look at Israelites’ mysterious enemies.
- Archaeology
Stone adze points to ancient burial rituals in Ireland
A polished stone tool discovered in Ireland’s earliest known gravesite helps scientists revive an ancient burial ceremony.
- Archaeology
People settled Australia’s rugged interior surprisingly early
Ancient colonists Down Under crossed the continent not long after arriving around 50,000 years ago.
- Paleontology
Picture of primate common ancestor coming into focus
A new family tree analysis predicts behavior of primate common ancestor.
- Psychology
Erasing stigma needed in mental health care
Social forces drive those in need away from mental health care.
- Psychology
Chimps, other apes take mind reading to humanlike level
In a first, apes show that they understand when others hold false beliefs.
- Science & Society
Sometimes failure is the springboard to success
Editor in chief Eva Emerson discusses scientific discoveries that resulted from failures large and small.
- Anthropology
Big Viking families nurtured murder
Vikings in Iceland got a murderous boost from having large extended families.
