Ancient DNA reveals a 40,000-year story of human–Denisovan interbreeding across Eurasia
New genetic research has shed fresh light on one of the most mysterious chapters in human evolution—the relationship between modern humans and Denisovans, an...
Ancient stone tools from Kenya reveal a turning point in human evolution
In a groundbreaking discovery, scientists have uncovered one of the oldest and longest-lasting collections of stone tools ever found—evidence that early humans had already...
Rare dinosaur discovery in West Texas expands ancient species’ known range
A surprising fossil discovery in the desert of West Texas has revealed that a dinosaur species once thought to roam only the northern parts...
Scientists discover “arctic rhino” fossil in Canada, the northernmost rhino ever found
Scientists have identified a new extinct species of rhinoceros that once roamed Canada’s High Arctic—a remarkable find that sheds new light on how ancient...
Six-million-year-old Antarctic ice reveals secrets of a warmer ancient Earth
Scientists have discovered the oldest directly dated ice on Earth—an incredible six million years old—deep in the frozen expanse of East Antarctica.
The ice, along...
Nanotyrannus discovery changes everything we knew about T. rex, study finds
For decades, paleontologists have argued over one mystery: was Nanotyrannus a real species, or just a teenage Tyrannosaurus rex?
Now, a new fossil has finally...
Neanderthals were Europe’s first landscapers—long before farming began
Imagine Europe tens of thousands of years ago—thick forests filled with elephants, bison, aurochs, and small groups of humans armed with fire and spears.
A...
Earth’s cooling could spark a dangerous ocean “burp,” scientists say
For decades, Earth’s oceans have acted as powerful allies in the fight against global warming.
They have absorbed about a quarter of all human-made carbon...
Humans evolved faster than any other ape, 3D skull study reveals
Humans evolved their unique skull shape—large brains and flat faces—at a much faster rate than any other ape species, according to new research from...
How eating dead animals may have helped make us human
A new study suggests that scavenging—the act of eating the meat of dead animals—may have played a much bigger role in human evolution than...