Bruce Bower

Bruce Bower

Behavioral Sciences Writer

Bruce Bower has written about the behavioral sciences since 1984. He often writes about psychology, anthropology, archaeology and mental health issues. Bruce has a master's degree in psychology from Pepperdine University and a master's degree in journalism from the University of Missouri. Following an internship at Science News in 1981, he worked as a reporter at Psychiatric News, a publication of the American Psychiatric Association, until joining Science News as a staff writer. In 1996, the American Psychological Association appointed Bruce a Science Writer Fellow, with a grant to visit psychological scientists of his own choosing. Early stints as an aide in a day school for children and teenagers with severe psychological problems and as a counselor in a drug diversion center provided Bruce with a surprisingly good background for a career in science journalism.

All Stories by Bruce Bower

  1. Anthropology

    Western Europe’s oldest face adds new wrinkles to human evolution

    Face bones unearthed in a cave suggest that members of our genus, Homo, reached northern Spain as early as 1.4 million years ago.

  2. Archaeology

    Human ancestors made the oldest known bone tools 1.5 million years ago

    The excavation of bone tools at Olduvai Gorge in Tanzania expands the range of ancient hominids’ cultural innovations.

  3. Archaeology

    Humans moved into African rainforests at least 150,000 years ago

    This oldest known evidence of people living in tropical forests supports an idea that human evolution occurred across Africa.

  4. Archaeology

    Here’s how ancient Amazonians became master maize farmers

    Casarabe people grew the nutritious crop year-round on savannas thanks to networks of drainage canals and ponds.

  5. Genetics

    Iron Age Celtic women’s social and political power just got a boost

    Ancient DNA indicates women stayed in their home communities and married partners from outside the area.

  6. Anthropology

    Britain’s largest ancient massacre may have included cannibalism

    Bones recovered from a natural shaft unveil a 4,000-year-old massacre of men, women and children, possibly part of a cycle of revenge killings.

  7. Archaeology

    The oldest known ritual chamber in the Middle East has been found

    Engravings and other evidence suggest ancient humans attended religious ceremonies in the cave as early as 37,000 years ago.

  8. Anthropology

    Footprints offer a rare look at ancient human relatives crossing paths

    The imprints put flat-footed and arched-foot walkers together at a prime spot in East Africa.

  9. Archaeology

    Ancient Central Americans built a massive fish-trapping system

    Earthen channels directed fish into ponds that formed seasonally, providing a dietary bounty for Maya civilizations starting around 4,000 years ago.

  10. Anthropology

    Fossil teeth hint at a surprisingly early start to humans’ long childhoods

    Signs of temporarily delayed tooth development in the skull of an ancient Homo species youth spark debate about the origins of humanlike growth.

  11. Anthropology

    How does a fossil become a superstar? Just ask Lucy.

    Geologic good fortune, skilled scientific scrutiny and a catchy name turned Lucy into an evolutionary icon.

  12. Archaeology

    A digital exam reels in engraved scenes of Stone Age net fishing

    Nearly 16,000-year-old portrayals of fish surrounded by nets had evaded detection until a new technique took magnification to a new level.