Contrary to popular belief that high altitudes were inhabited only by modern humans less than 40,000 years ago, fossil remains conclusively prove that Denisovans lived there 160,000 years ago. Denisovans adapted to low-oxygen environment long before modern humans arrived on the plateau. Analysis of a fossil jawbone containing molars recovered from Baishiya Karst cave in … Continue reading Denisovans inhabited Tibetan Plateau 120,000 years before modern humans
Homo species
Only 41% in Haryana believe in evolution
Following Satyapal Singh's denial of evolution, a small survey of over 1,700 individuals (both adults and children) from 12 States in India found that public acceptance of evolution was high at 68.5%. While only 5.5% did not believe in evolution, the percentage of people not sure about evolution varied from 14.6% in Delhi to 45% in Haryana. … Continue reading Only 41% in Haryana believe in evolution
Humankind’s odyssey from Africa began more than two million years ago
Michelle Langley, Griffith University Can you imagine walking 14,000 km? Trekking across wide savannas, down creek beds, along mountain chains in terrain that is new and home to foreign types of plants and animals? Can I eat this? What is that? This long excursion – once thought only to have been attempted late in the … Continue reading Humankind’s odyssey from Africa began more than two million years ago
New light on early bipedalism
Published in The Hindu on March 29, 2012 If the ability to walk and run on two legs (bipedalism) sets humans apart from apes, could this transition from tree-climbing to terrestrial walking have been smooth? Scientists think not, and the evidence provided in a paper published today (March 29) in Nature , shows why. A … Continue reading New light on early bipedalism
First use of stone tools pushed back by 8 lakh years
Published in The Hindu on August 12, 2010 So when did hominins (members of human lineage) start using stone tools for the first time? Until recently, based on available evidence, it was presumed that the use of stone tools by hominins dates back to about 2.5 million years ago. But a paper published online today … Continue reading First use of stone tools pushed back by 8 lakh years
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