Human evolution

The latest known fossils belonging to extinct human species dated to between 117,000 and 108,000 ago.

Researchers find evidence that genes involved in Williams-Beuren syndrome may have helped our faces become more slender.

Researchers say the discovery adds weight to the idea Neanderthals were capable of symbolic behavior.

DNA suggests prehistoric wetland called the Makgadikgadi-Okavango, south of the Great Zambezi River, is the birthplace of humanity.

Animal remains found in a cave in Israel that was occupied by hominins suggest these ancient humans had the foresight to store high-calorie food.

Computer simulation shows 300,000 years is more than enough time for a new human species to arise.

The near-complete skull of a male Australopithecus anamensis was discovered in Ethiopia's Woranso-Mille excavation area.

Scientists find hunter gatherers used the site for thousands of years.

Skull discovered in a cave in Southern Greece has been identified as Homo sapiens.

Researchers say skull found in a Transylvania cave is clear evidence of interpersonal violence among ancient Europeans.

Remains belonging to one of the biggest birds that ever lived have been discovered in a cave in Crimea.

Researchers say their findings at the 'Ein Qashish site show open-air sites may have been more important to Neanderthals than previously thought.

Using tools to dig for food underground was once thought to be a behavior unique to humans.

Previous estimates based on DNA analysis suggest the two species diverged between 300,000 and 500,000 years ago.

Cannibalism was a highly profitable survival strategy for our ancient ancestors, according to a study.

Our ancestors were subjected to full-strength, undiluted, CFC-free, pure-organic, additive-free natural selection. The biggest recipients were young children, for which evolution had the greatest appetite of all.

Mankind now a species that spends its whole life trying to convince itself that its existence is not absurd.

The 160,000-year-old jawbone suggests the extinct hominins had adapted to life at high-altitude.

We found evidence of hominin settlement in the Sudanese Red Sea area in the form of stone artifacts that suggests this region was a key early dispersal corridor—and possibly the first.

The Neanderthal tooth was found alongside a cave bear bone that may have been carved for a symbolic purpose.

Unusual features identified by scientists in the species raise major questions about hominin (early human) evolution.

Evolution is a gradual change to the DNA of a species over many generations.

Scientists find having a shorter stride helps people to move around the rainforest terrain.

Scientists have created a virtual 3D reconstruction of the spine and ribcage of a 60,000 year old Neanderthal.

The bones are over 100,000 years old—making them the oldest ever to be discovered in the country.

Providing healthcare was a fundamental collaborative survival strategy for Neanderthals, according to researchers.

"Rainforests are very challenging fieldwork environments, not least because the warm and wet conditions mean that very little of the archaeological record survives the test of time."

New findings suggest that modern humans evolved in populations that were scattered across the African continent.

An anatomist has dreamed up an ideal version of herself—inspired by fish, dogs, cats, swans and chimps. 

Archaeologists have long ignored the region, but the new discovery is rewriting history.