Homo sapiens

Scientists say the human family tree may need a major rewrite

fossil Homo sapiens human origin phylogeny

The human family tree may be due for a major rewrite. Researchers argue that Australopithecus and Paranthropus should be folded into the genus Homo because new fossils have blurred many of the traits once used to separate them. The proposed shake-up could provide a simpler, more accurate picture of our surprisingly complicated evolutionary past.

20/08/2026 sciencedaily-paleo

For 15,000 years, humans and dogs have been changing each other

behavior evolution genetics Homo sapiens mammals

Dogs have been shaping—and being shaped by—humans for about 15,000 years, evolving from early partners of hunter-gatherers into an astonishing range of specialized companions. Across the globe, they adapted alongside people to wildly different environments and needs, from powerful Arctic sled dogs and agile rainforest hunters to high-altitude dogs with genetic traits for surviving thin air. Some were even bred for wool, while others played important spiritual or ceremonial roles.

10/08/2026 sciencedaily-fossils

60,000-year-old ostrich eggshell engravings reveal a surprisingly sophisticated human mind

behavior bird Homo sapiens

More than 60,000 years ago, humans in southern Africa were engraving ostrich eggshells with intricate geometric patterns that appear far more organized than previously realized. Researchers found recurring grids, parallel lines, right angles, and repeated shapes, suggesting the designs followed deliberate rules rather than being improvised. The engravers may even have planned entire patterns in their minds before carving them.

09/08/2026 sciencedaily-fossils

Archaeologists found Homer's Iliad inside a 1,600-year-old Egyptian mummy

Egypt discovery Homo sapiens

A 1,600-year-old mummy discovered in Egypt has revealed something archaeologists had never seen before: a fragment of Homer’s Iliad used during embalming. The papyrus was identified as part of the famous "Catalogue of Ships," one of the best-known sections of the ancient epic. Researchers say it is the first archaeological evidence of a Greek literary text being intentionally incorporated into the mummification process, adding a fascinating new chapter to the history of both literature and ancie

15/07/2026 sciencedaily-fossils

Why have humans collected crystals for 780,000 years? Chimpanzees may hold the answer

Homo sapiens mammals

Chimpanzees showed a remarkable attraction to crystals, choosing them over ordinary stones and studying them with intense curiosity. The results suggest that the same unusual features may have fascinated early humans long before crystals had any practical use.

15/07/2026 sciencedaily-fossils