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How Colonialism Invented Food Insecurity in West Africa

Sapiens

Archaeological evidence and Oral Histories show people in what is today Ghana lived sustainably for millennia—until European colonial powers and the widespread trade of enslaved people changed everything. I felt compelled to share this story as an example of the power of archaeology to shift perspectives. It’s the year 2065.

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It’s Time to Replace “Prehistory” With “Deep History”

Sapiens

A team of archaeologists working in Southeast Asia is pushing toward a deeper understanding of history that amplifies Indigenous and local perspectives to challenge traditional archaeological timelines. This approach to archaeological research places value on the continuous cultural and social development of humans.

History 143
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Children as Artists: A New Perspective on Upper Paleolithic Cave Art

Anthropology.net

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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Rethinking Early Architecture: Computational Insights into Neolithic Building Practices

Anthropology.net

Published in Archaeological Research in Asia 1 , the research introduces a computational approach that reveals unexpected complexity in the architectural development of Neolithic settlements. “Traditional methods often rely on subjective interpretations of architectural change,” says lead author Hadas Goldgeier.

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When Did Humans First Make Stone Tools? New Research Suggests They Didn’t—At First

Anthropology.net

13075 The research, published in Archaeometry 1 , suggests that before the first intentional toolmakers, hominins may have relied on "naturaliths"—sharp rock fragments created by natural geological or biological processes. These specimens and additional specimens can also be seen in figures S1-S28. Image by Michelle R. Bebber, Metin I.

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Tracing Maize’s Roots: Evidence of Domestication in South America

Anthropology.net

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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Climate and the First South Americans: How Ancient Environments Shaped Early Human Settlement

Anthropology.net

New research by Lorena Becerra-Valdivia, published in Nature Communications 1 , suggests that humans did not simply follow stable climates but adapted to fluctuating conditions, sometimes settling in areas experiencing severe cold. Although a single lithic tradition/category is assigned to each site, some contain more than one (e.g.,