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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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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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When Did Humans Start Talking? Genomic Evidence Pushes Language Back to 135,000 Years Ago

Anthropology.net

By analyzing genetic divergences in early Homo sapiens populations, researchers argue that the biological capacity for language must have been present at least 135,000 years ago. The researchers propose that language might have played a key role. Fossils do not speak, and ancient DNA does not carry recordings of conversations.

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How Expanded Opportunities Drove Europe's First Mega-Settlements

Anthropology.net

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.