This year’s college football season—which has continued in the U.S. despite serious risks to players—has put deep social inequalities in stark relief.
An Archaeology of MarijuanaHow did cannabis—a plant humans have been using for more than 10,000 years—become so vilified in the U.S.?
What Many Don’t Know About WelfarePublic assistance recipients’ stories hold the key to clearing up misconceptions about who needs aid and why.
When Deafness Is Not Considered a DeficitIn the Peruvian Amazon, the Maijuna peoples created their own sign language—which hints at the importance of community in the evolution of language.
Could the Coronavirus Pandemic Be Good for the Environment?Archaeological research into environmental impacts of the Black Death in Eurasia and historic pandemics among Native Americans during European colonization may provide answers to possible impacts of the COVID-19 crisis.
Is the Pandemic a Chance to Challenge Global Inequality?A Pakistani anthropologist who studies the perilous journeys of irregular migrants argues for reimagining ways to close the gap between the rich and poor, particularly in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.
How Kings Created Angkor Wat—Then Lost ItNew archaeological research reveals that leaders centralized agriculture in the famous city shortly before its decline.
Searching for the Sources of Water ScarcityAn anthropologist’s extensive study of water scarcity in Mumbai reveals how such crises are often driven less by nature’s limits and more by human choices.
Why We Buy Weird Things in Times of CrisisWith COVID-19 making its way around the United States, people are emptying stores of toilet paper. Archaeology throws a light on other bouts of odd consumer behavior.
The Bitter Side of Cocoa ProductionAn anthropologist works to give producers a voice in the chocolate industry, taking a lesson from high-end coffee, wine, and cheese.
