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.
Homo sapiens has a throwing arm that sets our species apart from all others—now athletes are helping anthropologists understand this prowess.
How Apes Reveal Human HistoryGreat apes provide a window into the story of human evolution—and that’s one more reason to protect them.
Why Are There So Many Humans?The populations of the great apes were once nearly equal. Now, one great ape species—Homo sapiens—outnumbers the rest by almost 8 billion. How did we do it?
Can an “Invasive Species” Earn the Right to Stay?An anthropologist applies the practice of “multispecies ethnography” to study a controversial, flourishing population of macaques on Florida’s Silver River.
What Orangutans Taught Me About MotherhoodAfter observing great apes in Borneo, an anthropologist reflects on being raised by a single mother—and on how women learn to be good moms.
Animal Grief Shows We Aren’t Meant to Die AloneThe coronavirus pandemic is robbing some people of a chance to come together to mourn: a practice deeply embedded in many animal species.
Why Social Distancing Feels So StrangeHumans are wired through millions of years of evolution to be social creatures. Faced with the COVID-19 virus, can we stay connected at a distance?
Does Your Microbiome Shape Your Friendships?Research confirms that who you spend time with is a powerful predictor of the microbes you carry. But these tiny organisms may also influence your social life.
Unraveling the Mystery of Human BipedalityPaleoanthropologist Carol Ward explains how walking upright marked a milestone in hominin history.
The Myth of Badass SpermWe’ve all been taught that human fertilization is an Olympic-style competition. The truth is that it’s much more like a gigantic lottery.
