Latest science news in Paleontology & Archaeology
Made in Mexico: domesticated sunflowers
New evidence confirms the plant was being raised more than 4,600 years ago in Tabasco. Previous thinking held it was converted to a crop only in the Mississippi Valley. ...
Japan asks to borrow giant pandas from China
Japan's prime minister said Thursday he has asked to borrow some giant pandas from China after Ling Ling, one of the best-loved animals at Tokyo's Ueno Zoo, died of old...
Historic Italian cave may collapse
Archaeologists are warning a signature Stone Age cavern in southern Italy, called the Paglicci Cave, is in imminent danger of collapse.
China opening one of world's largest bridges: report
China on Thursday will inaugurate one of the world's longest bridges, which will provide an important new route into Shanghai, state press said.
'Decade to save Asian vultures'
Asian vultures could be extinct within 10 years unless a livestock drug blamed for their demise is eliminated.
Dinosaur Dung Worth Big Bucks At Auction
A pile of dinosaur dung 130 million years old sold at a New York auction for nearly $1,000. The fossilized dung dates from the Jurassic era.
Early Humans from East Africa Were Equipped to Dine on Hard Foods but Preferred a Softer Fare
Careful analysis of microscopic abrasions on the teeth of early human relatives show that although it was equipped with thick enamel, large jaws and powerful chewing muscles, this ancient species...
Why do things move?
Despite being centuries old and established without experimental evidence, Newton's laws of motion and gravity are still fit for use today, says Robert Matthews
Absinthe Uncorked: The 'Green Fairy' Was Boozy -- But Not Psychedelic
A new study may end the century-old controversy over what ingredient in absinthe caused the exotic green aperitif's supposed mind-altering effects and toxic side-effects when consumed to excess. The report...
Molecular analysis confirms T. Rex's evolutionary link to birds
Putting more meat on the theory that dinosaurs' closest living relatives are modern-day birds, molecular analysis of a shred of 68-million-year-old Tyrannosaurus rex protein -- along with that of 21...
Restoration Of A Tropical Rain Forest Ecosystem Successful On Small-scale
Half a century after most of Costa Rica's rain forests were cut down, researchers are attempting what many thought was impossible -- restoring a tropical rain forest ecosystem. When the...
STScI and JHU Astronomer Adam Riess Elected to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences
The American Academy of Arts and Sciences has elected Space Telescope Science Institute (STScI) astronomer and professor at the Johns Hopkins University Adam Riess as an Honorary Member. The Academy...
MicroCT of Skeleton Can ID Even the Subtlest Birth Defects
Microscopic X-ray computed tomography is expected to help scientists testing gene function across species. A report on the new technique is in the May issue of The Anatomical Record. ...
Paleontologist to Appear on PBS 'First Flower' Documentary
University of Chicago paleontologist Sir Peter Crane is among the scientists featured in the 2007 NOVA documentary, "The First Flower," which PBS will rebroadcast at 8 p.m. Tuesday, May 6.
Julie Bindel talks to forensic anthropologist Sue Black
Forensic anthropologist Sue Black tells Julie Bindel about the many secrets revealed by our skeletons and why 95% of her students are female
History of Ancient Supercontinent's Breakup Detailed
A new theory has emerged for how the Gondwana supercontinent broke up.
Bats Screech Louder Than Rock Concerts
Bats that weigh no more than a handful of coins may roar 100 times louder than concerts.
Nutcracker Man strangely preferred fruits
An early human with a big mouth made for chomping strangely preferred to eat soft, squishy fruits, new dental analyses suggest.
Asteroid Zooms by Earth
As expected, Asteroid 2007 TU24 made its closest approach to Earth at 12:33 a.m. today, Jan. 29 (3:33 a.m. Eastern time), and is now headed away from our planet.
Larger Pacific Climate Event Helps Current La Nina Linger
Boosted by the influence of a larger climate event in the Pacific, one of the strongest La Ninas in many years is slowly weakening but continues to blanket the Pacific...
Ancient ecosystems organized much like our own
In this depiction of the food web of the Burgess Shale from the Middle Cambrian, spheres represent species or groups of species, and the links between them show feeding relationships....
Secrets Of Stonehenge Unlocked?
The latest theory is that it was a place of healing, not, as often suspected, an ancient, giant clock or calendar, or altar. An archeologist at the site explained, on...
Mankind's Close Call With Extinction
Human beings may have had a brush with extinction 70,000 years ago, an extensive new genetic study suggests. The number of early humans may have shrunk as low as 2,000...
Today's Chickens Are Descended From Dinos
It looks like chickens deserve more respect. Scientists are fleshing out the proof that today's broiler-fryer is descended from the mighty Tyrannosaurus rex.
Giant River Stingrays Found Near Thai City
Fourteen-foot-long rays—perhaps the largest freshwater fish—are thriving not far from Bangkok. But overfishing may still threaten the giants.