by Christine Kenneally BH | May 8, 2013 | Ancient DNA, Ancient genomics, Australopithecus afarensis, Brain, Complexity, Consciousness, Evolution, Extinction, Fire, First human..., Genes, History, Homo erectus, Homo floresiensis, Homo habilis, Humans, Mitochondrial DNA, Neandertals, Prehistoric humans, Science, Social complexity/connection, Soul/Free Will, Walking
I reviewed four new science books for The New York Times. They span millions of years, beginning with the birth of humanity and ending with a serious look at...
by Christine Kenneally BH | Jun 21, 2009 | Evolution, First human..., Food and Drink, Men, women & language, Prehistoric humans
I Cook, Therefore I Am. How dropping food in fire made us human. Slate
by Christine Kenneally BH | Jun 21, 2009 | Co-operation, Evolution, First human..., Men, women & language, Motherese, Prehistoric humans
WHY is it that 20th-century physicists could ask some of the most grandiose questions in science, but if a researcher wondered aloud where language came from, the response was derisive at best. Not only can you not answer the question, they were told, you...
by Christine Kenneally BH | Sep 3, 2007 | Africa, Climate, Prehistoric humans
Between 135,000 and 70,000 years ago, the east African climate was highly unstable and subject to megadroughts. In the worst droughts, Lake Malawi had less than 15% of the water it has today. Crucially, around 70,000 years ago, the climate changed and became wetter...
by Christine Kenneally BH | Aug 12, 2007 | Africa, Homo erectus, Homo habilis, Prehistoric humans, Skeleton
The discovery of a jawbone and skull from two ancient hominids by mother and daughter team Maeve and Louise Leakey suggest that the human family tree may need rewriting. Unearthed in Kenya, the remains of Homo habilis and Homo erectus indicate that the two lived...
by Christine Kenneally BH | Aug 6, 2007 | Ancient genomics, Neandertals, Prehistoric humans
The difference between the hulking heads of our Neanderthal cousins and our more graceful selves is merely a matter of chance, say scientists in the Journal of Human Evolution. The difference between our skulls and theirs probably results from genetic...
