Featured Archived
Seasons Episodes
Table of contents
Introduction 0 Why Write for the Public? 1 What to Expect, from Pitch to Publication 2 How to Write a Pitch 3 How To Tell a Great Story, Part 1: Structure 4 How To Tell a Great Story, Part 2: Style 5 Navigating Ethics and Reducing Harms 6 Habits of Thriving Public Anthropologists 7 Cultivating the Craft of Writing 8
Table of contents
Introduction 0 Why Write for the Public? 1 What to Expect, from Pitch to Publication 2 How to Write a Pitch 3 How To Tell a Great Story, Part 1: Structure 4 How To Tell a Great Story, Part 2: Style 5 Navigating Ethics and Reducing Harms 6 Habits of Thriving Public Anthropologists 7 Cultivating the Craft of Writing 8
Announcement

After ten years of exploring humanity in all its diversity, SAPIENS has concluded its publishing chapter.

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.

With the Fall of a Tree, Archaeology Returns to Liberia

Following a devastating Civil War, archaeologists are helping Liberia rewrite a more inclusive history and forge a more diverse future.…

Navigating the Ethics of Ancient DNA Research

Paleogenomic research has expanded rapidly over the past two decades, igniting heated debates about handling human remains. Who gives consent…

The Path

A poet-anthropologist reflects on the musings of an older Noni woman from Cameroon who critiques anthropology’s past as a handmaiden…

What Do Archaeologists Do?

Archaeologists use a wide variety of methods to explore a fascinating range of topics about human history, culture, and behavior.…

To Decolonize, We Must End the World as We Know It

A contributor to a special series on decolonizing anthropology argues that true decolonization would require the complete dismantling of existing…

Can Anthropology Be Decolonized?

In recent years, anthropology has increasingly reckoned with its colonial and racist roots. In a special forum, scholars weigh in…

Rhyme & Reason: Poetry as a Cultural and Communal Bridge

In this Q&A, SAPIENS 2022 Poet-in-Residence Jason Vasser-Elong celebrated the end of his residency with a discussion of poetry as…

How Gravestones Shaped as Sheep United the Caucasus

An archaeologist fascinated by a centurieslong memorial practice in Georgia considers how these unique gravestones reflect shared values and traditions—yet…

The Paleolithic Age Cooked Up Creative Chefs

An archaeologist explains how new evidence stands to change what we thought about how ice age humans prepared food. This…

Is War Inevitable? Consider the Ancient Maya

Two archaeologists show how investigating tactics, weaponry, and the logistics of battle helps answer questions about social conflict in the…