Sapiens

SEPTEMBER 18, 2024

Like conspiracy theories about aliens building ancient monuments , Hancock’s views carry racist implications— explicitly championed by white supremacists—that Indigenous peoples were not the source of their own cultures, technologies, and monuments. CC These ancient practices in Chaco Canyon are a bridge to Hopi culture today?

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Anthropology.net

DECEMBER 2, 2024

Researchers from the ROOTS Cluster of Excellence at Kiel University have introduced a groundbreaking way 1 to apply modern philosophical concepts, like the United Nations Human Development Index (HDI), to ancient societies, offering fresh perspectives on how and why these communities thrived.

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Sapiens

NOVEMBER 26, 2024

New archaeological research reveals insights into the first-known seafarers to brave ocean crossings from Asia to the Pacific Islands more than 50,000 years ago. The authors acknowledge the contribution of Abdul Razak Macap, a social anthropologist at the Regional Cultural Heritage Center in Manokwari.)

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Sapiens

OCTOBER 22, 2024

A new lineage of Neanderthals Our research published in Cell Genomics in September complicates this picture, revealing that there was not one but at least two lineages of Neanderthals. Archaeological excavations at Mandrin Cave revealed the remains of both Neanderthals and modern humans.

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Anthropology.net

MAY 15, 2024

Nestled near the tumultuous borders of present-day Ukraine and Russia lies Mykhailivka, a village with archaeological significance dating back millennia. Here, seventy years ago, Ukrainian researchers excavated pivotal insights into the enigmatic Yamnaya culture—a nomadic pastoralist society that emerged approximately 5,000 years ago.

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Anthropology.net

DECEMBER 3, 2024

Researchers from the University of São Paulo (USP) and the Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation (EMBRAPA) have identified semi-domesticated maize specimens from caves in Brazil’s Peruaçu Valley, revealing a unique chapter in the crop’s evolutionary history.

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Anthropology.net

FEBRUARY 1, 2024

In a groundbreaking study published in Nature Human Behaviour 1 , researchers delve into the intricate world of ancient jewelry, unearthing evidence of nine distinct lost cultures that thrived across Europe between 34,000 and 24,000 years ago. Critics argue that archaeology has leaned too heavily on genetic evidence. 1 Baker, J.,

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Anthropology.net

DECEMBER 3, 2024

By integrating insights from developmental psychology, researchers have identified playful and imaginative marks made by young artists, fundamentally rethinking prehistoric creativity. This new research confronts that narrative, positioning children as active creators whose unique contributions have long been overlooked.

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Anthropology.net

NOVEMBER 26, 2024

A groundbreaking discovery 1 from Prado Vargas Cave in northern Spain is reshaping perceptions of Neanderthals, highlighting their advanced cognitive and cultural practices. Instead, they displayed a deep appreciation for the natural world and engaged in complex social and cultural behaviors. Navazo Ruiz et al., Navazo Ruiz et al.,

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Anthropology.net

DECEMBER 2, 2024

Researchers from the China National Silk Museum and the Sichuan Research Institute of Cultural Relics and Archaeology have confirmed that silk played a significant role in sacrificial rituals conducted by the Shu State during the late Shang Dynasty (1600–1100 BCE).

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Anthropology.net

JANUARY 19, 2024

In a groundbreaking revelation, an international team of researchers, spanning China, Australia, France, Spain, and Germany, has unveiled a sophisticated material culture in East Asia dating back an astonishing 45,000 years. Radiocarbon dating of the main cultural layer precisely places Shiyu between 45,800 and 43,200 years ago.

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Anthropology.net

DECEMBER 2, 2024

. “The structure aligns with theoretical models predicting the use of specialized heating techniques for birch tar production, a hallmark of Neanderthal ingenuity,” the researchers note. Journal of Archaeological Science, 117 , 105116. How Did Neanderthals Make Tar? Leierer, L., Pérez, L., & Lagunilla, Á H.

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Anthropology.net

SEPTEMBER 21, 2024

However, the researchers caution that this type of skeletal change is not exclusive to riding; other activities, such as prolonged sitting or riding in carts, can also produce similar alterations. Hosek said, “In archaeology, there are vanishingly few instances in which we can tie a particular activity unequivocally to skeletal changes.”

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Anthropology.net

OCTOBER 29, 2024

Recent groundbreaking research in Antiquity 1 has revolutionized the understanding of ancient Maya civilization. Utilizing cutting-edge lidar technology, researchers from Tulane University and Northern Arizona University have uncovered more than 6,500 structures hidden beneath the dense forests of Campeche, Mexico.

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Anthropology.net

MAY 24, 2024

Introduction: A Landmark Discovery in Qaleh Kurd Cave In a momentous archaeological breakthrough, French and Iranian researchers have unearthed compelling evidence of early human habitation in Iran's Central Plateau, pushing back the known timeline of human settlement in the region by an astonishing 300,000 years.

Archaeology 91

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Sapiens

DECEMBER 4, 2024

In early 2024, Spain’s culture minister announced that the nation would overhaul its state museum collections, igniting a wave of anticipation—and controversy. It is crucial to understand that decolonizing efforts in museums do not equate to an immediate, wholesale return of cultural material. Unlike the U.K.,

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Anthropology News

SEPTEMBER 20, 2024

I’ll start with a confession: I am not a cultural anthropologist. I call this a “confession” because “ (bio)archaeologists ” like me—scholars who identify with archaeology, biological anthropology, or both—are not necessarily known for centering social theories like Intersectionality in our subdisciplines. Intersectional Anthropology.

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Anthropology.net

SEPTEMBER 17, 2024

Recent archaeological findings suggest that the Bronze Age board game, Hounds and Jackals—also known as Fifty-Eight Holes—may have originated not in Egypt, as previously believed, but in Asia. 2024 A Global History of Ancient Games Board games have been part of human culture for millennia. Crist et al.,

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Anthropology.net

OCTOBER 14, 2024

Archaeological discoveries in East Timor’s Laili rock shelter have unveiled evidence 1 of ancient human habitation dating back approximately 44,000 years. Researchers documented a 45,500-year-old ochre depiction of a pig at Leang Tedongnge cave in Sulawesi, Indonesia.

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Anthropology.net

SEPTEMBER 20, 2024

A team of researchers from the University of Cape Town and the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology has reconstructed the genomes of 13 individuals who lived between 1,300 and 10,000 years ago, revealing crucial insights into human migrations and population stability in southern Africa.

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Anthropology.net

NOVEMBER 15, 2024

Some teeth were found in the Arbreda de Serinyà cave near Banyoles by a large group of researchers / ACN The teeth, meticulously analyzed, include specimens from children, a young individual, and an adult. The research team employed advanced dating techniques and comparative morphology to assign the teeth to Homo neanderthalensis.

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Anthropology.net

SEPTEMBER 4, 2024

Researchers have developed an innovative population model 1 that sheds new light on the complex dynamics of human dispersal across Europe during the Aurignacian period, approximately 43,000 to 32,000 years ago. By examining these factors, the researchers have identified four distinct phases in the process of human settlement across Europe.

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Anthropology.net

DECEMBER 4, 2024

A recent study, published in the European Journal of Archaeology 1 , suggests these plaques may represent one of humanity's earliest attempts at recording genealogy—a non-verbal precursor to modern ancestry documentation. Journal : European Journal of Archaeology , 2004. Journal : Cambridge Archaeological Journal , 2009.

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Anthropology.net

SEPTEMBER 30, 2024

Recent archaeological fieldwork 1 in Morocco has uncovered a previously unknown Neolithic society, shedding new light on North Africa’s pivotal role in the development of Mediterranean prehistory. This discovery fills a significant gap in understanding the cultural and agricultural evolution of the region between 4000 and 1000 BC.

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Anthropology.net

SEPTEMBER 23, 2024

Since their discovery in the 1940s, researchers have sought to decode their purpose and origins, with little concrete evidence as to why the ancient Nazca people created them. Sakai explained, “Because the Nazca Pampa is so vast, it takes a long time to conduct research using conventional archaeological methods.”

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Archaeology Geography Humanities Cultures 85

Sapiens

MARCH 19, 2024

To uncover this past, a team launched the country’s first archaeological research. Edsiley Encarnação leads researchers through dense growth to the ruins of São Tomé’s oldest sugar mill. The Praia Melão engenho and estate is the first archaeological site identified in São Tomé.

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Anthropology.net

OCTOBER 11, 2024

Recent archaeological studies in Sicily reveal crucial information about early human migration into the Mediterranean islands. This research offers fresh perspectives on the expansion routes and adaptive behaviors of early human communities. These sites are believed to contain sediments with significant archaeological potential.

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Anthropology.net

NOVEMBER 25, 2024

The origins of the Armenian people, long entwined with the narratives of ancient historians, have undergone a significant re-evaluation thanks to groundbreaking genetic research. Instead, researchers identified a dramatic population contraction in Sasun’s recent history, marking them as distinct from other Armenian groups.

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Anthropology.net

OCTOBER 8, 2024

New research 1 into ancient DNA from this site has now provided groundbreaking insights into the genetic history of its inhabitants, revealing a remarkable genetic continuity over thousands of years. These findings offer a new perspective on human population stability and cultural evolution in southern Africa.

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Sapiens

FEBRUARY 20, 2024

The Wajãpi had invited me to map archaeological sites in their territory. The Wajãpi already knew of my “archaeological finds”—the footsteps of Creator Hero from the beginning of time. What could my archaeological knowledge possibly offer to such a vast cosmological wisdom? I was excited. We just draw from different backgrounds.

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Anthropology.net

AUGUST 26, 2024

Recent archaeological findings 1 in West Papua have unveiled new insights into one of the most significant migrations in human history—the journey of early Homo sapiens into the Pacific Islands. This site, rich in archaeological deposits, provided a window into the lives of the early humans who inhabited the region.

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Anthropology.net

OCTOBER 30, 2024

Collaborating with the team behind First Weapons , a television series aired by ABC, researchers employed state-of-the-art biomechanical tools to measure the energy, speed, and overall efficiency of these tools in combat. However, the kodj was shown to be more efficient for rapid movement, particularly in one-on-one combat. 1 Diamond, L.

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Anthropology.net

OCTOBER 16, 2024

This shift, associated with the emergence of the Funnel Beaker Culture, led to permanent settlements and the construction of houses, megalithic tombs, and other structures. The researchers noted that “the discovery forces us to reevaluate our assumptions about the technological capabilities of Neolithic societies. 1 Brinch, M.,

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Anthropology.net

MAY 27, 2024

The study of pottery in Central Europe offers a unique window into the culinary practices and cultural evolution of early societies. This region, a hub of cultural diversity, served as an ideal setting for investigating how food preparation and consumption practices evolved alongside changes in pottery styles and decorations.

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Anthropology.net

MAY 16, 2024

Discovered in Poland, this artifact challenges our understanding of their cognitive abilities and symbolic culture. This 130,000-year-old relic captivates researchers, hinting at the cognitive prowess of our distant relatives. Journal of Archaeological Science , 166 (105971), 105971. Image credit: T. 1 Płonka, T.,

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Anthropology.net

OCTOBER 31, 2024

New research, led by Guillaume Charloux and published in PLOS ONE 1 , focuses on the third-to-second-millennium BCE town of al-Natah, shedding light on Arabia's unique urbanization process during this era. Future archaeological work may reveal more about the timing and extent of urbanization in this region and its unique trajectory.

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Anthropology.net

NOVEMBER 8, 2024

High in the Zeravshan Valley of Tajikistan, the Soii Havzak rock-shelter has provided researchers with an invaluable glimpse into early human migration routes and daily life in Central Asia. Artifacts suggest that the Zeravshan Valley was not only a migration route but potentially a place of cultural exchange.

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