Rethinking Easter Island’s Historic ‘Collapse’
Controversial new archaeological research casts doubt on a classic theory of this famous island's societal collapse
Stories by Sapiens
Scientists Find Early Evidence of Humans Cooking Starches
More than 100 millennia ago, people were roasting tubers—a practice that fueled their bodies and may have aided migrations
Uncovering the Sacrificial Puppies of the Shang Dynasty
A new study suggests young dogs were frequently buried with humans in China some 3,000 years ago, but the precise reasons remain elusive
How the Samoan Tattoo Survived Colonialism
Several factors, from geography to group identity, helped this traditional body art endure—even as similar practices were lost in other cultures
Fat, Not Meat, May Have Led to Bigger Hominin Brains
A new theory challenges assumptions about when and how our ancestors altered their behaviors to boost brainpower
Is a More Generous Society Possible?
Generosity helps communities cope with risks and disasters; new research untangles the factors involved
Ritual Sacrifice May Have Shaped Dog Domestication
An ancient Arctic site suggests a complex relationship between humans and canines
Following a New Trail of Crumbs to Agriculture's Origins
Archaeologists have found tiny pieces of ancient bread from hunter-gatherers that predate agriculture by about 4,000 years
Unraveling an Ancient Code Written in Strings
Scientists are teaming with Andean locals to solve the enigma of a mysterious form of writing
Nasty, Brutish and Short: Are Humans DNA-Wired to Kill?
Some research suggests a tendency toward violence has shaped our anatomy throughout evolution. But anthropologists are sharply divided
Quest for Clues to Humanity's First Fires
How and when our ancestors mastered flames remains a hotly debated question. Researchers are hunting for answers buried in ancient ash and baked soils
Can an App Save an Ancient Language?
From the Chickasaw Nation to Congo, tribes try new tech to keep their ancient tongues alive
Blood Sisters: What Vampire Bats Can Teach Us about Friendship
Food-sharing bats may offer a window into how humans form and keep relationships
Unearthing the Atrocities of Nazi Death Camps
Forensic archaeologists are finally exploring what lies beneath the dirt—but not without resistance
A Flower and a Way of Life in Peril
Prized—and increasingly rare—bouquets of an enchanting flower from Brazil’s mountainous heartland pit collectors against conservationists
