Early human

Human Evolution: Origins and Evolutionary History of Homo sapiens

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Human evolution is the process by which Homo sapiens, the modern human species, emerged and diversified from earlier hominin ancestors over millions of years. It is a complex and fascinating journey that spans millions of years and involves numerous species, environmental changes, adaptations, and migrations. Understanding human evolution requires interdisciplinary approaches, drawing insights from paleontology, … Read more

History of Life on Earth

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The history of life on Earth spans billions of years, from the formation of our planet to the evolution of diverse life forms. This epic tale of biological evolution is intertwined with geological events, environmental changes, extinction events, and the emergence of complex organisms. The story of life on Earth is a testament to the … Read more

Newly discovered giant turtle lived alongside early humans in the Amazon

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An international research team led by Dr. Gabriel S. Ferreira from the Senckenberg Center for Human Evolution and Paleoenvironment at the University of Tübingen has described a new species of giant turtle from the late Pleistocene. Peltocephalus maturin is between 40,000 and 9,000 years old and comes from the Brazilian Amazon. With a shell length … Read more

Paranthropus boisei consumed mostly C4 plants, not nuts

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For decades, a 2.3 million- to 1.2 million-year-old human relative named Paranthropus boisei has been nicknamed Nutcracker Man because of his big, flat molar teeth and thick, powerful jaw. But a definitive new University of Utah study shows that Nutcracker Man didn’t eat nuts, but instead chewed grasses and possibly sedges – a discovery that … Read more

Stone tools in Ukraine may be oldest evidence of early humans in Europe

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Ancient stone tools unearthed in western Ukraine have unveiled a fascinating narrative of early human presence in Europe, shedding light on our ancestors’ remarkable adaptability and ingenuity. Recently published in the prestigious journal Nature, the findings indicate that these chipped stones, meticulously crafted from volcanic rock, could be the oldest known evidence of human activity … Read more

How do archaeologists differentiate between different periods of human prehistory?

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Archaeologists differentiate between different periods of human prehistory through a combination of chronological dating methods, material culture analysis, stratigraphy, and interdisciplinary research. Human prehistory encompasses vast spans of time, ranging from the emergence of our earliest ancestors millions of years ago to the advent of written records around 5,000 years ago. During this long and … Read more

Early humans in Africa demonstrated strategic material selection for tools over 60,000 years ago

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Early hunter–gatherers from the Middle Stone Age in southern Africa were selecting the most suitable material available for stone tools and spearheads more than 60,000 years ago, according to a study by Dr. Patrick Schmidt from the University of Tübingen’s Early Prehistory and Quaternary Ecology section. Researchers involved in the study used a specially developed … Read more

Early humans ate like Neanderthals, mostly mammoths and plants

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Senckenberg scientists have studied the diet of anatomically modern humans. With their recent study, published today in the journal Scientific Reports, they were able to refute the theory that the diet of early representatives of Homo sapiens was more flexible than that of Neanderthals. Just like the Neanderthals, our ancestors had mainly mammoth and plants … Read more

Neanderthals used “super glue” 40,000 years ago

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Neanderthals created stone tools held together by a multi-component adhesive, a team of scientists has discovered. Its findings, which are the earliest evidence of a complex adhesive in Europe, suggest these predecessors to modern humans had a higher level of cognition and cultural development than previously thought. The work, reported in the journal Science Advances, … Read more

Microscopic and macroscopic traces help identify woodworking activities on Stone tools

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Researchers at Tokyo Metropolitan University have provided fascinating insights into the woodworking technology of prehistoric humans. By crafting replica Stone Age tools and subjecting them to various tasks, the team discovered that different activities leave distinct traces on the tool’s edge. Combining macroscopic and microscopic evidence, they were able to differentiate tools used for wood-felling … Read more

Biology

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Biology is the scientific study of life and living organisms. It explores a vast range of topics, including the structure, function, growth, origin, evolution, and distribution of living organisms. This discipline delves into various levels of biological organization, from molecules and cells to organisms and ecosystems. Through methods like observation, experimentation, and analysis, biologists seek … Read more