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 Factor

Why 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 Apart

Modern-day shamans in a variety of sectors appear to tame uncertainty by embracing their otherness.

The Neanderthal Brain—Clues About Cognition

This installment of our head-to-toe tour of the Neanderthal body tackles hominin smarts.

New Hominin Shakes the Family Tree—Again

What 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.

Sewing Needles Reveal the Roots of Fashion

Humans have crafted garments for more than 40,000 years—and prehistoric tools suggest that warmth wasn’t their only concern.

The Science of Human Nature Has a Serious Problem

You can’t characterize human psychology and behavior if studies overlook 85 percent of people on Earth.