MicroCT scans of a 3.67-million-year-old Australopithecus fossil, known as “Little Foot,” have provided scientists with unprecedented insights into how this early hominin lived and moved. This fossil, discovered in the Sterkfontein Caves of South Africa, is one of the most complete hominin skeletons ever found, offering a glimpse into the distant past. The latest research, … Read more
Genetic diseases are a significant concern today, affecting one in every 25 children born worldwide. These conditions can range from mild to severe, and often have lasting effects on a person’s health and quality of life. However, what is less understood is the evolutionary history of these diseases. Which genetic disorders were prevalent in our … Read more
A team of paleoanthropologists has made a groundbreaking discovery about the body shape of Homo erectus, one of humanity’s most significant ancestors. Contrary to the long-held belief that this species was lean and athletic, designed for long-distance running and endurance activities, new findings suggest that Homo erectus actually had a stockier build. This shift in … Read more
Emiliano Bruner, a paleoneurologist at the Centro Nacional de Investigación sobre la Evolución Humana (CENIEH), has contributed significantly to a recent study published in Quaternary International that sheds new light on the anatomy of the temporal lobes in Homo erectus. This study provides evidence that the temporal lobes of H. erectus were proportionally smaller than … Read more
Emiliano Bruner, a renowned paleoneurologist at the Centro Nacional de Investigación sobre la Evolución Humana (CENIEH), in collaboration with Marlize Lombard from the University of Johannesburg, has recently published a pivotal study in the Journal of Anthropological Sciences that delves into the braincase characteristics of the Florisbad fossil. Discovered in South Africa in 1932, Florisbad … Read more
By examining the fossilised teeth of ancient human ancestors, a team of researchers from the Universities of Bristol (UK) and Lyon (France) has uncovered significant insights into the breastfeeding practices of early humans. The findings, published in Science Advances, show that early Homo species breastfed their infants for much longer periods than their contemporary relatives, … Read more
The discovery of hominid teeth in the Yanhui Cave, located in Tongzi, Southern China, has sparked a significant breakthrough in the study of human evolution. These four teeth, found between 1972 and 1983, have been the subject of an extensive comparative research project, shedding new light on the human populations that existed during the Late … Read more
An exciting discovery in paleoanthropology has expanded our understanding of prehistoric species that once roamed the Indonesian island of Java, particularly regarding the diversity of hominids that coexisted with Homo erectus approximately one million years ago. An international team of researchers, including scientists from the Senckenberg Research Institute, has documented a previously unrecognized fossil ape … Read more
A collaborative team of researchers from Japan, Indonesia, and Germany has provided compelling new evidence that challenges the long-standing theory about the timeline of Homo erectus‘s migration to the island of Java. In their recent study published in Science, the researchers utilized advanced dating techniques to reassess the age of volcanic ash layers at a … Read more
An unusual skullcap and thousands of clues have created a southern twist to the story of human ancestors, in research published in Science on 3 April. The rolling hills northwest of Johannesburg are famous for fossils of human-like creatures called hominins. Because of this, the area is known as the Cradle of Humankind. “During our … Read more