Find uplifting stories about heroes, innovations, and solutions
17 results for "neanderthal"
A Neanderthal in Russia may have drilled their own decayed tooth 59,000 years ago to stop the pain, making it the oldest evidence of dentistry in human history. The discovery suggests our ancient cousins were smarter and braver than we once thought.
New research suggests Neanderthals didn't disappear because they were less intelligent. They vanished because Homo sapiens built stronger, more flexible social networks that helped them survive when climate turned unpredictable.
A cave beneath a medieval Welsh castle just revealed evidence of humans, Neanderthals, and hippos dating back 120,000 years. What archaeologists thought was a Victorian dig turned out to be Britain's most important prehistoric site.
Scientists discovered teeth from eight Neanderthals in Poland's Stajnia Cave, proving Central Europe was a hub for ancient human cousins 100,000 years ago. The DNA findings are rewriting how we understand Neanderthal migration across the continent.
Scientists have discovered genetic evidence of a Neanderthal community living together in Poland 100,000 years ago, including what may be close relatives. This rare snapshot shows how our ancient cousins lived as groups across Europe.
Scientists have pieced together the genetic story of at least seven Neanderthals who lived together in a Polish cave 100,000 years ago, creating the oldest known snapshot of a prehistoric family. Three of them shared identical DNA, suggesting they were a mother and her children or close maternal relatives.
%2Fhttps%3A%2F%2Ftf-cmsv2-smithsonianmag-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Ffiler_public%2F67%2F58%2F6758095e-5e03-44bf-9a89-649bb1c14928%2Fpembroke_2024_excavation.jpg)
Archaeologists discovered an untouched treasure trove beneath a medieval Welsh castle that could finally answer how Neanderthals and early humans lived in Britain. The cave still holds mammoth bones, ancient DNA, and clues to one of prehistory's biggest mysteries.
A newly excavated cave in Israel reveals that Neanderthals and early humans didn't just cross paths—they shared tools, burial practices, and possibly symbolic rituals. This discovery rewrites our understanding of early human cooperation.
Scientists discovered that Neanderthals weren't just hunting for their next meal. Turtle shells found in Germany reveal our ancient relatives were crafty toolmakers with surprisingly sophisticated survival strategies.
New discoveries at an Israeli cave reveal that Neanderthals and early humans didn't just coexist—they collaborated, shared tools, and even buried their dead together. This groundbreaking find rewrites our understanding of human evolution as a story of cooperation, not competition.
%2Fhttps%3A%2F%2Ftf-cmsv2-smithsonianmag-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Ffiler_public%2F7f%2F7a%2F7f7a0bfe-9c36-4a54-8177-d116b3330552%2Fpic_f26dcc43bc20260326095725.jpg)
Scientists just confirmed that a wooden spear found lodged in ancient elephant ribs proves Neanderthals were skilled big game hunters, settling an 80-year mystery. Fresh analysis of the bones reveals our extinct relatives were far more capable than anyone imagined.
%2Fhttps%3A%2F%2Ftf-cmsv2-smithsonianmag-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Ffiler_public%2Fba%2F19%2Fba198be1-54cf-4acb-97bb-f514e6ff8653%2Fjournalpone0343618g001.png)
New research reveals that birch bark tar, crafted by Neanderthals 190,000 years ago, has real antibiotic properties. Scientists recreated ancient methods and found the sticky substance fights common bacteria, suggesting our ancestors may have been the world's first pharmacists.
New genetic research reveals that thousands of years ago, modern humans and Neanderthals didn't just share the Earth. They built families together, and those connections still shape who we are today.
Scientists discovered that male Neanderthals and female humans formed most ancient relationships, solving a 20-year genetic mystery. The finding reveals how social choices shaped human evolution.
A scientist is using artificial intelligence to hunt for new antibiotics in the genetic code of woolly mammoths, Neanderthals, and even snake venom. His library of over one million potential treatments could help fight deadly drug-resistant infections.
Scientists have pinpointed fossils from Morocco to exactly 773,000 years ago, capturing a snapshot of humanity's common ancestor. These ancient remains show where Homo sapiens, Neanderthals, and Denisovans once shared a single family branch.
Scientists discovered that Neanderthals spent generations carefully arranging horned animal skulls in a Spanish cave, revealing our ancient relatives had rich cultural traditions that went far beyond survival. This finding rewrites what we thought we knew about Neanderthal society. ##