While the magazine has closed, its living archive endures—open to all and preserving the many ideas, voices, and discoveries that deepen our understanding of what it means to be human.
Remains in France found by archaeologists and geneticists suggest at least two lineages—not just one—of late Neanderthals in Europe. This…
How Allocating Work Aided Our Evolutionary SuccessSocieties divide labor by gender and age. A biological anthropologist considers when and why this behavior arose. ✽ In his…
Learning From Handy PrimatesA researcher who studies animal behavior looks at tool use in nonhuman primates to better illuminate tool use in humans.…
Untangling the World’s First-Known StringNeanderthals made the oldest string ever found, providing new insights into the technology and culture of our hominin cousins. At…
In Search of the First CyborgA Paleolithic archaeologist sets out on a journey in search of the first cyborg, making discoveries that end up very…
Cultures of TechnologyIn the seventh season of the SAPIENS podcast, listeners will hear a range of stories about how technology—in a variety…
What’s Behind the Evolution of Neanderthal PortraitsSince the 1800s, Neanderthal depictions have evolved not only with changing science but also due to social views. An archaeologist…
Celebrity Status Almost Ruined Ancient DNA ResearchAn evolutionary anthropologist draws lessons from paleogenetic’s journey from Jurassic Park fiction to Nobel Prize reality. ✽ The morning of…
What Is “Natural” for Human Sexual Relationships?A biological and anthropological researcher explains how humans’ diverse ways of mating might have evolved. ✽ Marrying more than one…
Dismantling the “Man the Hunter” MythTwo biological anthropologists analyze archaeological and physiological evidence to debunk enduring assumptions about the gendered division of labor in ancient…
