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.
How do language, biology, and culture shape an individual’s experience of color? A journalist investigates the anthropological debate about whether color is a human universal.
Do You Dream What I Dream?An anthropologist investigates what unites and distinguishes the human universal of dreaming.
Why Are People Who Use Illegal Drugs Demonized?In many parts of the world, people who take illegal substances are punished with harsh prison sentences or executions that are unjustified. Behind this treatment lie prejudices that have a surprising history.
Eating Insects and the Yuck FactorWhy do some people think consuming insects is gross? In this podcast episode, anthropologist Julie Lesnik explains the history and culture behind the aversion to including insects for dinner.
Stone Age Myths We’ve Made Up
Commonly held views of ancient history are often colored by what survives in the archaeological record—and by cultural biases.
Why Shamans Stand ApartModern-day shamans in a variety of sectors appear to tame uncertainty by embracing their otherness.
The Neanderthal Brain—Clues About CognitionThis installment of our head-to-toe tour of the Neanderthal body tackles hominin smarts.
New Hominin Shakes the Family Tree—AgainWhat does the discovery of Homo luzonensis mean for our understanding of humanity’s history?
Where Do “New” Languages Come From?Anthropologists and linguists are working to understand how complex systems of communication emerge—and what they reveal about how to keep rare or threatened languages alive.
Would Our Early Ancestors Have Watched the Super Bowl?There is an evolutionary reason why humans enjoy sitting around watching a fire, river, or television screen.
