News chronological

NYTIMES (Becky Ferreira) - Scientists Discover the Earliest Evidence of Drug Use in Really Old Teeth Thu Sep 10 02:38:21 2026

A hunter-gatherer who lived in Indonesia as early as 25,000 years ago may have regularly sucked on betel nuts to release their psychoactive properties.

NYTIMES (Carl Zimmer) - ‘This Is Very Strange’: Ancient Smallpox May Have Been Less Deadly Thu Jul 30 18:32:28 2026

Scientists have found smallpox viruses in the remains of people in Chile from around 500 years ago, revealing how the virus may have evolved into a global killer.

NYTIMES (Emily Anthes) - Tickled Apes Reveal the Rhythmic Roots of Laughter Thu Jun 25 17:59:07 2026

A study of chimps, gorillas and other great apes, including human children, sheds light on how laughter has evolved.

HUFFPOST - Ancient Teeth From Siberia Show Plague Appeared Earlier Than Expected Thu Jun 18 13:34:14 2026

The oldest known evidence of the plague, which sparked deadly outbreaks dating back about 5,500 years ago is more than 200 years earlier than previously thought.

The oldest known evidence of the plague, which sparked deadly outbreaks dating back about 5,500 years ago is more than 200 years earlier than previously thought.Open

NPR (Ari Daniel) - Neanderthals may have drilled out a cavity 59,000 years ago Wed May 13 18:32:24 2026

Scientists dug up a Paleolithic tooth that shows signs that these hominins may have been capable of executing a precise dental procedure.

Scientists dug up a Paleolithic tooth that shows signs that these hominins may have been capable of executing a precise dental procedure.Open

NYTIMES (Franz Lidz) - Were Neanderthals Able to Hunt Elephants? The Proof Is in an Ancient Bone Fri Apr 24 20:02:19 2026

A new study found that a pachyderm skeleton, dismissed for decades as unimportant, offers evidence of careful planning, teamwork and a calculated kill.

NPR (Ari Daniel) - How mosquitoes — and malaria — helped shaped the whereabouts of early humankind Thu Apr 23 16:00:12 2026

A new study looks at an unexpected force that helped played a critical role in shaping the lives of ancient humans.

A new study looks at an unexpected force that helped played a critical role in shaping the lives of ancient humans.Open

NYTIMES (Carl Zimmer) - These Chimps Began the Bloodiest ‘War’ on Record. No One Knows Why. Thu Apr 9 20:07:18 2026

A long-running conflict in a Ugandan park may provide clues to the origins of human warfare, and how to avoid it.

NYTIMES (Gina Kolata) - David Botstein, Gene-Mapping Pioneer, Dies at 83 Fri Mar 20 23:34:27 2026

His method of locating genes in human DNA allowed researchers to find disease-causing genes, and later to map the entire, sprawling human genome.

NPR (Scott Simon) - Opinion: An ancient, sophisticated palate Sat Mar 14 12:21:03 2026

Researchers looking at foodcrusts on the pottery shards of ancient humans say there's evidence of a wide variety of ingredients, indicating that they may have been experimenting with "recipes."

Researchers looking at foodcrusts on the pottery shards of ancient humans say there's evidence of a wide variety of ingredients, indicating that they may have been experimenting with "recipes."Open