Anthropology

Anthropology

Chinese Roots: Skull may complicate human-origins debate

A Chinese Homo sapiens skull, estimated in a controversial new study to be at least 68,000 years old and probably more than 100,000 years old, may challenge the theory that modern humans originated solely in Africa.

Anthropology

Ethiopians reveal high-altitude twist

To the surprise of researchers, blood measures of oxygen-rich hemoglobin in Ethiopian villagers living more than 2 miles above sea level are the same as those of lowland dwellers.

Anthropology

Ethiopians reveal high-altitude twist

To the surprise of researchers, blood measures of oxygen-rich hemoglobin in Ethiopian villagers living more than 2 miles above sea level are the same as those of lowland dwellers.

Anthropology

Script Delivery: New World writing takes disputed turn

Researchers announced, to considerable controversy, that inscriptions found on artifacts at an Olmec site in southeastern Mexico represented the earliest known writing system in the Americas.

Anthropology

Care-Worn Fossils

A nearly toothless fossil jaw found in France has reignited scientific debate over whether the skeletal remains of physically disabled individuals show that our Stone Age ancestors provided life-saving care to the ill and infirm.

Anthropology

Ancient Lure of the Lakes: Early Americans followed the water

Archaeological investigations in Chile indicate that beginning around 13,000 years ago, early American settlers lived at high altitudes during humid periods, when they could set up hunting camps on the shores of lakes.

Anthropology

Fossil skull spurs identity dispute

A dispute has broken out over whether a recently discovered, 7-million-year-old fossil skull represents the earliest known member of the human evolutionary family or an ancient ape.

Anthropology

Iceman mummy shares last meals

DNA analyses of food remains from the intestines of a 5,000-year-old mummified man found in Europe's Tyrolean Alps indicate that his last two meals included meat from mountain goats and red deer, as well as wild cereals.

Anthropology

Lucy on the ground with knuckles

Some early human ancestors appear to have walked on all fours using their knuckles, much as chimpanzees do.

Anthropology

Goat busters track domestication

People began to manage herds of wild goats at least 10,000 years ago in western Iran.

Anthropology

Court releases ancient skeleton

A judge's decision gives scientists the right to study the 9,000-year-old skeleton dubbed Kennewick Man rather than turn the remains over to a coalition of Native American tribes for reburial.

Anthropology

Neandertals return at German cave site

Researchers who tracked down the location of a German cave where the first Neandertal skeleton was discovered in 1856 have unearthed new Neandertal finds.