Ancient carved snake found in Finland
A pair of researchers from the University of Turku and the University of Helsinki, respectively, both in Finland, has found a well-preserved ancient carved snake at Järvensuo 1, a dig site in south-west Finland. In their paper published on the Cambr.....»»
Is Tantra about sex or divine liberation? Why followers are split over the ancient yogic tradition
In a world of alternative therapies and new-age spiritual practices, Tantra holds a special place. This concept is largely associated with techniques for improving your sex life—but there's a lot more to Tantra than sex......»»
Nanoscopic imaging aids in understanding protein, tissue preservation in ancient bones
A pilot study from North Carolina State University shows that nanoscopic 3D imaging of ancient bone not only provides further insight into the changes soft tissues undergo during fossilization, it also has potential as a fast, practical way to determ.....»»
Research team reconstructs evolutionary history and biological adaptation of Han Chinese people on the Mongolian Plateau
A Chinese research team analyzed 5,583 modern and ancient individuals from an integrated genomic dataset to reconstruct the population evolutionary history and biological adaptation of the Han Chinese population across the Mongolian Plateau......»»
Results from Juukan Gorge show 47,000 years of Aboriginal heritage was destroyed in mining blast
In May 2020, as part of a legally permitted expansion of an iron ore mine, Rio Tinto destroyed an ancient rockshelter at Juukan Gorge in Puutu Kunti Kurrama Country in the Pilbara region of Western Australia......»»
Adding to the story of ancient human migration: Evidence of early maritime activities in Indonesia"s Tanimbar islands
New evidence of human occupation in southeast Indonesia dating back 42,000 years offers fresh clues about the route taken by some of the first humans to arrive in our region, according to a study from The Australian National University (ANU). The res.....»»
Genetics reveal ancient trade routes of Four Corners potato
A new study shows that a native potato species was brought to southern Utah by Indigenous people in the distant past, making it a candidate for the only culturally significant plant species to have been domesticated in the southwestern U.S......»»
New fossil snake species provides insight into reptile social behavior and development
A newly discovered snake species, Hibernophis breithaupti, provides rare insight into the social behavior of snakes and fills some gaps in our knowledge of the evolution of boas, or boidae. The quartet of fossilized snakes discovered in western Wyomi.....»»
Study shows ancient viruses fuel modern-day cancers
Peek inside the human genome and, among the 20,000 or so genes that serve as building blocks of life, you'll also find flecks of DNA left behind by viruses that infected primate ancestors tens of millions of years ago......»»
Bennu asteroid samples unveiled
In a discreet vacuumed-packed container inside a FedEx box lies a piece of ancient history; extremely ancient history......»»
Ancient microbes offer clues to how complex life evolved
A new study published in Science Advances reveals a surprising twist in the evolutionary history of complex life. Researchers at Queen Mary University of London have discovered that a single-celled organism, a close relative of animals, harbors the r.....»»
Digital archaeology: New LEP data now available to all
Unlike letters carved on the Rosetta stone, digital data is not written on a virtually immutable support. Just a few years after it is written, its format becomes obsolete, the readout analysis tools can't run on computers and the visualization code.....»»
Idiotfruit and tree kangaroos: Why the ancient rainforests of Queensland"s Wet Tropics are so distinctive
In Queensland's northern reaches lie the Wet Tropics, spanning about 450 kilometers between Townsville and Cooktown. These mountainous rainforests are a relic of the ancient continent of Gondwana, dating back million of years when Australia and parts.....»»
Did plague really decimate Neolithic farmers 5,200 years ago, as a new study suggests?
Around 5,200 years ago, plague was not just present but common in six generations of one Swedish family, according to a new study. The researchers analyzed both the ancient DNA of these people's skeletal remains and the pathogens that left traces in.....»»
“Superhuman” Go AIs still have trouble defending against these simple exploits
Plugging up "worst-case" algorithmic holes is proving more difficult than expected. Enlarge / Man vs. machine in a sea of stones. (credit: Getty Images) In the ancient Chinese game of Go, state-of-the-art artificial inte.....»»
Croc"s deadly last meal in Ancient Egypt unearthed
Scientists have used state of the art 3D imaging technology to piece together the life—and probable death—of a 2.2 meter-long crocodile mummified by the ancient Egyptians......»»
"A history of contact": Geneticists are rewriting the narrative of Neanderthals and other ancient humans
Ever since the first Neanderthal bones were discovered in 1856, people have wondered about these ancient hominins. How are they different from us? How much are they like us? Did our ancestors get along with them? Fight them? Love them? The recent dis.....»»
Frozen mammoth skin retained its chromosome structure
Features as small as 50 nanometers preserved in a 50,000-year-old sample. Enlarge (credit: LEONELLO CALVETTI/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY) One of the challenges of working with ancient DNA samples is that damage accumulates ove.....»»
Photos show the mysterious ancient objects that mountaineers are finding on the Alps" melting glaciers
Photos show the mysterious ancient objects that mountaineers are finding on the Alps" melting glaciers.....»»
Popcorn, the Ultimate Snack, May Have Truly Ancient Origins
Popcorn might be more than 6,000 years old, an anthropologist explains.....»»
DNA analyses show the plague may have caused the downfall of Stone Age farmers
Ancient DNA from bones and teeth hints at a role of the plague in Stone Age population collapse. Contrary to previous beliefs, the plague may have diminished Europe's populations long before the major plague outbreaks of the Middle Ages, new research.....»»