ANTHROPOLOGY

Researcher samples cave sediments for DNA.

Humans First Arrived in North America 30,000 Years Ago, New Studies Suggest

New archeological evidence pushes back the arrival of the first North Americans 15,000 years and suggests they occupied the Americas during the Last Glacial Maximum, 26,000 to 19,000 years ago.

9 Ancient Objects That Have Had DNA Tests

From fossilized feces to antediluvian rodent nests, ancient objects are getting their DNA analyzed for clues about the past.

From left to right: Kaa-xoo-auxc (Garfield George), Jisgang (Nika Collison), Megan Humchitt, Haa’yuups (Ron Hamilton), and Chief Wigviłba Wákas (Harvey Humchitt) performing traditional ceremony before the move of the Great Canoe at the American Museum of Natural History in New York.

The American Museum of Natural History Moves Its Great Canoe—for the First Time in 60 Years—to Its Revitalized Northwest Coast Hall

For its planned multimillion-dollar redesign of its iconic Northwest Coast Hall, the American Museum of Natural History is collaborating with Indigenous leaders on an ambitious new conservation project.

14 Incredible Scientific Discoveries of the Decade

From the origins of our species to clues about the future of the universe, scientific discoveries achieved in the last decade transformed our understanding of our world. Here are 14 of the most momentous.

Archaeologists Uncover Infant Remains Wearing Skulls of Older Children

The discovery is the first of its kind, researchers write in a paper published in 'Latin American Antiquity.'

An Exercise in Poo-Tility: Scientist Tries to Make a Knife Out of Poop

In an effort to substantiate an old tale of an Inuit who crafted a knife out of feces, a Kent State University professor attempted to forge a similar tool from his own poop. The results stunk.

Scientists Are Creating a 3D Model of an 18th-Century ‘Vampire Witch’ Who Was Tortured to Death

Archaeologists plan to use the 3D model to find out exactly what the woman’s face looked like, warts and all.

5 Rules for the Paleo Diet from Actual Paleolithic Humans

The paleo diet recommends eating low-carb foods like our ancient ancestors if we want to reach optimum health. But it turns out that early humans in the Paleolithic era dined on more than just meat.

Stonehenge Builders Likely Descended From Immigrants, Genetic Analysis Says

There are many mysteries surrounding Stonehenge, but we thought we knew who built it. Now, a study suggests that the 5000-year-old structure was the work of Aegean immigrants and their decedents rather than native Britons.

Unraveling the History of Human Hair

Archaeologists and geneticists are looking at how human hair, and its countless hair types, evolved over millennia. Their research could shed light on the habits of our ancestors.

5 Scientific Steps That Will Make You a Better Dancer

Dance is an art form, but it also has a foundation in science. Here's what the experts say about learning how to dance and making the most of your moves.

Machu Picchu Is Wheelchair-Accessible for the First Time Ever

People in wheelchairs can now travel to Machu Picchu in Peru without spending a fortune.

10 Discoveries and Inventions That Are More Recent Than You Think

When you really think about how recent some discoveries we take for granted are, Pluto and Clint Eastwood have a lot in common.

Drone Captures Footage of an Amazon Tribe Never Seen by the Outside World

It may be hard to tell in the photo, but there's a person down there.

Homo Erectus Might Have Been Really 'Lazy'

All that stood between them and better stone tools was a little hill. And yet.

Intriguing New Theory Might Explain the Fate of Easter Island's Civilization

It's calling into question what we thought we knew about the mysterious culture.

Teen Archaeologist Finds a Tooth That's More Than 500,000 Years Old

It belonged to a human sub-species.

Ice Age Human Footprints in Canada Reveal a Walk on the Beach Taken 13,000 Years Ago

New evidence that early North Americans cruised the Pacific coast.

UK Archaeologists Have Found One of the World’s Oldest 'Crayons'

The red ochre pigment might have been used for art or to color animal skins.

The Most Complete Fossil of an Early Human Relative Goes on Display

Ninety percent of Little Foot's skeleton has been recovered.

Scientists speak to residents in Aitape.

6000-Year-Old Skull Might Belong to World's Oldest Tsunami Victim

"We have dramatic proof that living by the sea isn't always a life of beautiful golden sunsets," as one researcher put it.

Smithsonian Institution, Wikipedia/Public Domain

6 Pioneering Facts About Mary Leakey

Bones, stone tools, and the footprints of early human ancestors are just a few of the legendary paleoanthropologist's discoveries.

Researchers Unveil an Unusual New Theory For How Easter Island’s Statues Were Made

Sweet potatoes might have played a big role.

Why Do We Say 'Mom' and 'Dad' Instead of Our Parents' Names?

'Ma,' 'ba,' and 'pa' are among the first sounds that children around the world learn how to make, regardless of the language they later speak.

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