Even amid a pandemic, researchers across the world have continued to make discoveries about our human ancestors.
Here are some of the most interesting anthropological findings of 2020 that have altered our understanding of human history. https://www.businessinsider.com/discoveries-changed-understanding-human-history-evolution-2020-12
Here are some of the most interesting anthropological findings of 2020 that have altered our understanding of human history. https://www.businessinsider.com/discoveries-changed-understanding-human-history-evolution-2020-12
Scientists already knew that our evolutionary history was full of sex between different human species.
But a genetic analysis revealed the earliest known example of mating between different human populations. https://www.businessinsider.com/ancient-humans-interbreed-with-mysterious-population-2020-2
But a genetic analysis revealed the earliest known example of mating between different human populations. https://www.businessinsider.com/ancient-humans-interbreed-with-mysterious-population-2020-2
Archaeologists have long debated when and how the first people made it to North America from Asia.
New research suggests that they crossed the sea between present-day Siberia and Alaska by boat during the last Ice Age. https://www.businessinsider.com/people-in-north-america-15000-years-earlier-than-archaeologists-thought-2020-7
New research suggests that they crossed the sea between present-day Siberia and Alaska by boat during the last Ice Age. https://www.businessinsider.com/people-in-north-america-15000-years-earlier-than-archaeologists-thought-2020-7
Thousands of drawings hidden deep in the Amazon rainforest tell the story of an ancient tribe’s hunting practices about 12,000 years ago.
The drawings, announced by archaeologists last month, cover more than 2.5 miles of rock in Colombia. https://www.businessinsider.com/cliff-paintings-in-the-amazon-depict-ancient-humans-killing-mastodons-2020-12
The drawings, announced by archaeologists last month, cover more than 2.5 miles of rock in Colombia. https://www.businessinsider.com/cliff-paintings-in-the-amazon-depict-ancient-humans-killing-mastodons-2020-12
Other recently discovered rock art in the Americas likely shows a psychoactive plant called datura.
According to a November study, the drawing could be evidence that paintings in caves have served as visual aids for drug-induced hallucinations. https://www.businessinsider.com/early-link-hallucinogens-and-cave-art-in-california-2020-11
According to a November study, the drawing could be evidence that paintings in caves have served as visual aids for drug-induced hallucinations. https://www.businessinsider.com/early-link-hallucinogens-and-cave-art-in-california-2020-11
Across the world, Egyptologists have unearthed batch after batch of sarcophagi in an ancient city of the dead beneath Saqqara.
More than 160 mummies have been found so far, and they had been buried for 2,500 years. https://www.businessinsider.com/sealed-sarcophagi-ancient-egypt-discovery-saqqara-2020-9
More than 160 mummies have been found so far, and they had been buried for 2,500 years. https://www.businessinsider.com/sealed-sarcophagi-ancient-egypt-discovery-saqqara-2020-9
In England, archaeologists revealed that they'd determined the origin of some of the boulders that make up Stonehenge.
The monument’s 50,000-pound sandstone boulders came from a nearby woodland area, meaning builders had to drag them about 15 miles. https://www.businessinsider.com/stonehenge-mystery-origin-of-boulders-solved-2020-7
The monument’s 50,000-pound sandstone boulders came from a nearby woodland area, meaning builders had to drag them about 15 miles. https://www.businessinsider.com/stonehenge-mystery-origin-of-boulders-solved-2020-7
Near Rome, archaeologists discovered an ancient city buried underground without ever digging it up. They mapped it using radar.
The city's last human inhabitants left during the early medieval period in about 700 CE. https://www.businessinsider.com/archaeologists-discovery-ancient-roman-city-falerii-novi-2020-6
The city's last human inhabitants left during the early medieval period in about 700 CE. https://www.businessinsider.com/archaeologists-discovery-ancient-roman-city-falerii-novi-2020-6
A team in Australia discovered 270 Aboriginal artifacts underwater off the country's northwest coast.
According to a study, the artifacts were underwater because sea levels rose and submerged 30% of Australia's coastline at the end of the last Ice Age. https://www.businessinsider.com/divers-find-ancient-aboriginal-tools-underwater-australia-2020-7
According to a study, the artifacts were underwater because sea levels rose and submerged 30% of Australia's coastline at the end of the last Ice Age. https://www.businessinsider.com/divers-find-ancient-aboriginal-tools-underwater-australia-2020-7
Before 2020, anthropologists discovered new human ancestors, figured out what happened to the Neanderthals, and pushed back the age of the earliest member of our species. https://www.businessinsider.com/discoveries-change-picture-of-human-history-evolution-2020-01
More 2020 discoveries include:
Our low tolerance for pain might be linked to our interbreeding with Neanderthals.
Climate change may have been the "primary factor" behind the extinction of three human ancestor species.
Read more. https://www.businessinsider.com/discoveries-changed-understanding-human-history-evolution-2020-12
Our low tolerance for pain might be linked to our interbreeding with Neanderthals.
Climate change may have been the "primary factor" behind the extinction of three human ancestor species.
Read more. https://www.businessinsider.com/discoveries-changed-understanding-human-history-evolution-2020-12