All articles tagged with #prehistoric humans
New research suggests Homo habilis was hunted by leopards, challenging the idea that it was the first human species to become an apex predator, and instead indicating it was more prey than predator, with Homo erectus possibly being the first to dominate the food chain.
A new study reaffirms that Homo naledi, a small-brained hominin species from South Africa over 240,000 years ago, may have practiced deliberate burial of their dead, predating modern humans' burial practices by over 120,000 years, challenging previous skepticism and reigniting debate about early funerary behaviors.
A new study comparing fossils of Australopithecus afarensis and Australopithecus africanus reveals significant sexual dimorphism, suggesting that early human ancestors had social structures with intense male competition, similar to great apes, challenging previous assumptions of more human-like social patterns.
Humans have a complex evolutionary history with at least 16 recognized species within the genus Homo, and possibly up to 30 if including all hominins since our divergence from chimpanzees around 6.5 million years ago. The first species of Homo is generally considered to be Homo habilis, which appeared about 2.3 million years ago, but earlier hominins like Sahelanthropus and Ardipithecus may also be considered early ancestors depending on the definitions used.
Scientists from China and Hawai'i have identified a potential new human species, Homo juluensis, based on fossil similarities, which may include Denisovans, and could help clarify the complex history of human evolution in Asia. The species thrived from 300,000 to 50,000 years ago and shows unique cranial and dental features, although further research is needed for confirmation.
Approximately 41,000 years ago, a significant geomagnetic event called the Laschamps Excursion caused Earth's magnetic field to weaken and become unstable, leading to increased auroras and radiation exposure. This event likely influenced human behavior and adaptation, with archaeological evidence suggesting changes in protective practices. The interdisciplinary research highlights how space weather has historically impacted life on Earth and may inform future preparedness.
BBC's upcoming series 'Human' features highly accurate 3D models of four early human species—Homo floresiensis, Homo erectus, Neanderthals, and early Homo sapiens—using advanced imaging and fossil data to explore our evolutionary history over 300,000 years.
Archaeological findings from a cave on South Africa’s coast reveal insights into human life during the last Ice Age, including tool use, migration, and social connections, highlighting the complexity and adaptability of early humans in a changing environment.
New research confirms that the oldest human footprints in North America, dating back over 20,000 years at White Sands, exist without any accompanying cultural artifacts, raising questions about early human presence and activity in the continent before the Clovis culture.
Around 70,000 years ago, humans in Africa expanded into extreme environments due to climate changes, developing versatile skills that enabled them to thrive across diverse habitats and eventually migrate out of Africa, leading to the global distribution of modern humans.
A new study suggests that early humans used fire not primarily for cooking, but to protect and preserve large animal meat through smoking and drying, which later facilitated cooking, highlighting a shift in dietary practices driven by the need to safeguard food sources.
Archaeologists exploring a cave in Germany have discovered a rare collection of artifacts and remains left by prehistoric humans and cave bears. The findings include over 10,000 animal bones, stone tools, and seven well-preserved fragments from a cave bear jaw, which, combined with other bones, create almost an entire cave bear skeleton. Radiocarbon dating suggests the bones date back to between 45,000 B.C. and 25,000 B.C. The cave was also utilized by early humans or Neanderthals, as indicated by the presence of stone tools and animal bones with burn marks and evidence of processing.
Recent scientific discoveries are challenging the long-held perception of Neanderthals as primitive beings, shedding light on their complex nature and prompting us to reconsider our understanding of human evolution. By studying Neanderthals, we may gain insights into our own humanity and what it means to be human.
A study published in PLOS ONE reveals that prehistoric humans occupied upland regions of inland Spain, even during the coldest periods of the last Ice Age. The research challenges the notion that the harsh climate of inland Iberia would have deterred human settlement, as evidence from the Charco Verde II site shows a recurring sequence of human occupation between 21,000 and 15,000 years ago. These findings suggest that the lack of evidence for hunter-gatherer sites in inland Iberia is due to a focus on coastal regions in previous research, rather than an accurate reflection of prehistoric human distributions.
Researchers have discovered the world's oldest known engravings made by humans in a cave in France, dating back 57,000 years. The engravings, consisting of "finger-flutings," were made by Neanderthals, not Homo sapiens, and are deliberate and intentional shapes created by hands. The cave also contains stone tools fashioned in a style associated with Neanderthals, suggesting it was a well-used site for a community of prehistoric humans. The discovery adds to the growing evidence that Neanderthals were intelligent and creative creatures.