Anthropology articles from across Nature Portfolio

Excavations at Olduvai Gorge, Tanzania, reveal evidence of the systematic use of animal bones as a raw material for prehistoric tools.

The partial midface of a hominin fossil has been found in the Sima del Elefante cave site near Burgos, northern Spain, and dates to between 1.4 million and 1.1 million years ago. Its discovery enables the exploration of the facial features of early Europeans and enhances our understanding of the evolutionary history of European ancestors.

An observational study on wild mangabeys using a Bayesian method to estimate vocal repertoire size finds that vocal sequence diversity and length remain stable throughout ontogeny, indicating a lack of vocal usage learning.

A Homo aff. erectus individual dated to 1.4 million to 1.1 million years ago found at Sima del Elefante (Sierra de Atapuerca, Spain) does not display the modern-human-like aspect of Homo antecessor found at the neighbouring Gran Dolina site (900,000–800,000 years ago).

Ancient DNA from the eastern Maghreb (Tunisia and Algeria) dating between 15,000 and 6,000 years ago shows that this region was far less affected by external gene flow than the rest of the Neolithic Mediterranean, including not only Europe but also the western Maghreb (Morocco).

In this Comment, Emily Jones discusses what we can learn from archaeology about climate change resilience. The effects of climate change are complex, and successful adaptations in the past responded to local conditions. This suggests that collaborative, place-based research is key to resilience to future climate change.

Excavations at Olduvai Gorge, Tanzania, reveal evidence of the systematic use of animal bones as a raw material for prehistoric tools.

The partial midface of a hominin fossil has been found in the Sima del Elefante cave site near Burgos, northern Spain, and dates to between 1.4 million and 1.1 million years ago. Its discovery enables the exploration of the facial features of early Europeans and enhances our understanding of the evolutionary history of European ancestors.

Clay figurines found on top of the remnants of a pyramid in what is now El Salvador might have been used in public ceremonies.

Evidence suggests deliberate production of bone tools happened much earlier than previously thought — plus, how cells’ waste-disposal systems could help defend against infection.

Rare substance found in ancient skull reveals presence of a super-heated ash cloud.