Human evolution

Health & Medicine

Cool Jobs: Soaking in sweat

These three scientists are using sweat to hunt killers, detect illness and find out just how our species became such hairless, perspiring apes.

Archaeology

DNA reveals clues to the Siberian ancestors of the first Americans

Researchers discovered a previously unknown population of Ice Age people who crossed the Asia-North America land bridge.

Archaeology

Fossils from a Philippine cave may come from a new human-like species

Ancient fossils from a Philippine cave may come from a new human-like species, which scientists have dubbed Homo luzonensis.

Humans

Grandmother can be good for grandkids — up to a point

Women who live past their child-bearing years often help their grandchildren survive, data now suggest. But that help may depend on her age and how close by she lives.

Fossils

A skeleton named ‘Little Foot’ causes big debate

New studies suggest a fossil hominid called Little Foot belongs to the species Australopithecus prometheus. Other scientists question whether such a species exists.

Archaeology

Fossils hint ancient humans passed through a green Arabia

Hundreds of thousands of years ago, migrating humans passed through the Arabian Peninsula, a study shows. Instead of desert, they found green grass.

Humans

Scientists Say: Neandertal

This extinct species is a close relative of modern humans. Neandertals lived in Europe and Asia, and made tools and jewelry — just like us.

Fossils

Ancient jaw suggests humans left Africa earlier than thought

A fossil jaw found in a cave in Israel is at least 177,000 years old. The scientists who found it think it shows humans left Africa much earlier than thought.

Archaeology

European fossils may belong to earliest known hominid

New fossils suggest that the earliest non-ape human ancestors may have evolved in Europe, not Africa.

Fossils

Study claims to have found oldest human fossils

Humans, as a species, may be much older than previously thought. They also may have evolved further North and West of the suspected cradle of human evolution.

Archaeology

This hominid may have shared Earth with humans

Newfound fossils in South Africa point to a far more recent age for Homo naledi than had been accepted. If correct, this hominid might have coexisted with humans — even interacted with our species.

Genetics

Human DNA carries hints of unknown extinct ancestor

A new study suggests people today carry genetic traces of now-extinct species unknown to science.