Humans news stories

Earliest evidence of hominins in Europe predates other finds by half a million years
22nd January 2025 cosmosmagazine.com | Ancient, Earth, Humans

The bones are at least 1.95 million years old but could be up to 2.2 million years old. They may help build a picture of when early human ancestors left Africa and reached Europe and Asia, and the route they took. This has been an area of debate for decades. The paper was published in Nature Communications.

‘Our model of cosmology might be broken’: New study reveals the universe is expanding too fast for physics to explain
22nd January 2025 | livescience.com | Ancient, Humans, Space

Astronomers have been confounded by recent evidence that the universe expanded at different rates throughout its life. New findings risk turning the tension into a crisis, scientists say.

Human ancestor Homo erectus had no problem in arid conditions
21st January 2025 cosmosmagazine.com | Ancient, Humans

Homo erectus may have been more adaptable and resilient than it’s often given credit for – new research provides evidence it adapted to live in desert-like conditions 1.2 million years ago. Archaeologists published findings in Nature Communications Earth & Environment.

Psychedelic drug DMT to be trialled on UK volunteers to tackle alcohol misuse
20th January 2025 | theguardian.com | Humans, Misc.

A powerful psychedelic that is used in healing ceremonies by Indigenous groups in the Amazon is being trialled as a pioneering approach to reduce problematic alcohol consumption.

We finally know what 1,400-year-old ‘mystery rings’ in Australia are
20th January 2025 | livescience.com | Ancient, Earth, Humans

Our new study, published in Australian Archaeology, presents the results of the only known archaeological excavation of one of these rings combined with Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung understanding of these enigmatic places.

Early humans adapted to harsh conditions over a million years ago, researchers find
17th January 2025 | independent.co.uk | Ancient, Humans

Our early human ancestors had a much greater adaptability to survive in extreme environments than previously thought.

Ancient Celtic society may have been led by women
16th January 2025 cosmosmagazine.com | Ancient, Humans

Not simply Roman propaganda, new research has found that women were at the centre of social networks in Celtic communities and may have been influential in many spheres of Iron Age life.

Ancient Stones Were Mysteriously ‘Sacrificed’ – We Finally Know Why
16th January 2025 | sciencealert.com | Ancient, Humans

Thousands of years ago, people on what is now the Danish island of Bornholm threw hundreds of mysteriously carved stones into a ditch before burying them. The research has been published in Antiquity.

Archaeologists reveal 8,000-year-old bone powder cooking practice in ancient China
15th January 2025 phys.org | Ancient, Humans

A new study by archaeologist Xingtao Wei and his colleagues, published in the International Journal of Osteoarchaeology, provides insights into some of the earliest forms of humans processing bones into powder for cooking, dating back nearly 8,000 years (6,085 and 6,369 BC).

Lasers help archaeologists study ancient tattoos on Peruvian mummies
14th January 2025 phys.org | Ancient, Humans

In a new study, researchers used lasers to uncover highly intricate designs of ancient tattoos on mummies from Peru…It wasn’t clear exactly how the tattoos were created, but they are “of a quality that stands up against the really good electric tattooing of today,” said Aaron Deter-Wolf.

Experiences of awe may drive ketamine’s antidepressant benefits
13th January 2025 | psypost.org | Humans, Misc.

A recent study examining the effects of ketamine infusion on depression found that the infusion induces psychological experiences of awe. These experiences may mediate the effects of ketamine on the improvement of depression symptoms. The paper was published in Biological Psychiatry Global Open Science.

Ethiopian Highlands study examines stone tool decision-making process in early human history
13th January 2025 phys.org | Ancient, Humans

An international study reveals how early humans, as far back as 1.5 million years ago, deliberately selected specific stones for their tools in the Ethiopian Highlands. The findings, published in the journal PLOS ONE, provide insights into the cognitive abilities and technological expertise of our ancestors.

DNA adds new chapter to Indonesia’s layered human history
9th January 2025 phys.org | Ancient, Humans

The study, published in PNAS, addresses major gaps in the human genetic history of the Wallacean Archipelago and West Papuan regions of Indonesia—a region with abundant genetic and linguistic diversity that is comparable to the Eurasian continent—including the analysis of 254 newly sequenced genomes.

Egypt unveils ancient rock-cut tombs and burial shafts in Luxor
9th January 2025 phys.org | Ancient, Humans

Egypt unveiled several discoveries near the famed city of Luxor on Wednesday, including ancient rock-cut tombs and burial shafts dating back 3,600 years.

A Rare Alignment of 7 Planets Is About to Take Place in The Sky
9th January 2025 | sciencealert.com | Humans, Space

On the evening of 28 February 2025, all seven of the other planets in the Solar System will appear in the night sky at the same time, with Saturn, Mercury, Neptune, Venus, Uranus, Jupiter, and Mars all lining up in a neat row – a magnificent sky feast for the eyes known as a great planetary alignment.

New excavation of ‘rings of mystery’ in Victoria reveals rich Aboriginal history
8th January 2025 theconversation.com | Ancient, Earth, Humans

Our new study, published today in Australian Archaeology, presents the results of the only known archaeological excavation of one of these rings combined with Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung understanding of these enigmatic places.

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