Biology, Evolution and More Human Origins News

The Dawn of Civilization: Writing, Urban Life, and Warfare

02.03.2010 An extraordinary ancient Syrian settlement shines a light on one of the most important moments in human history.

by Andrew Lawler

#3: Meet Ardi, Your First Human Ancestor

A big analysis of the 4.4-million-year-old fossil shows that humans left the trees before leaving the forest and getting much smarter. 01.25.2010

#24: World’s First Grain Silos Discovered

The agricultural revolution may have started earlier than we thought. 01.25.2010

#35: Neanderthals Get Personal

Researchers sequence most of their genome and say they probably spoke much like we did. 01.25.2010

3 Faces of Eve

Our reporter tries out a trio of genetic tests to find out what they can tell her about her identity and her ancestry. 01.11.2010

#51: Oldest Musical Instrument Found

35,000 years ago, humans in what's now Germany were making sophisticated flutes from the bones of griffon vultures. 01.03.2010

Did We Mate With Neanderthals, or Did We Murder Them?

In some places, we ate them. More generally, modern humans' more varied lifestyle may have been the key to the survival. 12.30.2009

#58: Orangutans Use Tool to Lower the Sound of Their Voices

By putting leaves between their lips, the apes apparently make themselves sound bigger and more threatening. 12.29.2009

What Happened to the Hominids Who May Have Been Smarter Than Us?

Two neuroscientists say that a now-extinct race of humans had big eyes, child-like faces, and an average intelligence of around 150, making them geniuses among Homo sapiens. 12.28.2009

#82: Humans Took Care of the Disabled Over 500,000 Years Ago

The deformed skull of a 10-year-old child means that there was 10 years of intense support for the child. 12.21.2009

#95: Hidden Caribou-Hunting Civilization Found Under Lake Huron

Ancient people apparently apparently corralled prey the way modern Siberian hunters do: with giant rock "drive lanes." 12.17.2009

Monkey See, Monkey Do, Monkey Connect

The most profound bonds between people begin in our bodies with imitation and synchronized movements. 11.19.2009

The Brain: Humanity's Other Basic Instinct: Math

New research suggests that math has evolved its way right into our neurons—and monkeys', too. 11.17.2009

Evolution in Two Minutes or Less Video Contest

Vote for your favorite video 10.27.2009

Darwin's Great Blunder—and Why It Was Good for the World

The best thing we can do for the theory of evolution may be to bring its creator back down to earth. 10.27.2009

Does Evolution Explain Human Nature?

This panel discussion was based on a recent Big Questions essay series sponsored by the John Templeton Foundation. The panel was moderated by DISCOVER editor-in-chief Corey Powell and hosted by Yale University. 10.05.2009