Ancient DNA unveils important missing piece of human history Newly released genomes from Neolithic East Asia have unveiled a missing piece of human prehistory, according to a study conducted by Prof. Fu Qiaomei’s team from the Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoanthropology (IVPP) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences. The study, published in Science on […]

Reexamining The Origins Of Human Fatherhood Dads emerged to reap the benefits of partnerships with females and other males, researchers say Summary: The origins of paternal care, a key differentiator between humans and other primates, have long been tied to ancestral females trading their own sexual fidelity for food provided by their mates. A new

Heightened Interaction Between Neolithic Migrants And Hunter-Gatherers In Western Europe Summary: This study reports new genome-wide data for 101 prehistoric individuals from 12 archaeological sites in today’s France and Germany, dating from 7000-3000 BCE, and documents levels of admixture between expanding early Neolithic farmers and local hunter-gatherers seen nowhere else in Europe. Maps showing inherited

Dual Hand Use In Early Human Relative Summary: Research by anthropologists has identified hand use behavior in fossil human relatives that is consistent with modern humans. The human lineage can be defined by a transition in hand use. Early human ancestors used their hands to move around in the trees, like living primates do today,

Chimpanzees Help Trace The Evolution Of Human Speech Back To Ancient Ancestors Summary: One of the most promising theories for the evolution of human speech has finally received support from chimpanzee communication. The evolution of speech is one of the longest- standing puzzles of evolution. However, inklings of a possible solution started emerging some years

Information technology played key role in growth of ancient civilizations Summary: A new article shows the ability to store and process information was as critical to the growth of early human societies as it is today. When it comes to the great civilizations of human history, the pen really might have been mightier than the

Increased fertility for women with Neanderthal gene, study suggests Summary: One in three women in Europe inherited the receptor for progesterone from Neanderthals — a gene variant associated with increased fertility, fewer bleedings during early pregnancy and fewer miscarriages, according to new research.   One in three women in Europe inherited the receptor for progesterone