The Mystery of Why Our Ancestors Left Africa
An enduring scientific debate is about humanity’s past—and its future.
Latest
Ian Dagnall Computing / Alamy A Giant Chalk Figure Is Finally Starting to Make Some Sense
And we have snails to thank for that.
Getty / The Atlantic Your Life Story Is Growing on Your Head
What archaeologists are learning from the hair of dead people
Ulrich Baumgarten / Getty What Bread Tasted Like 4,000 Years Ago
How an archaeologist and the creator of the Xbox brought an ancient Egyptian sourdough starter back to life
Farrell Monaco The Dogs That Sniff Out 5,000-Year-Old Bones
Archaeologists are using canine assistants to uncover ancient remains.
Lauri Travis The FBI Agents Who Return Stolen Cultural Artifacts
Figuring out where looted treasures belong can take a whole lot of detective work.
FBI A Twist in the 2,000-Year-Old Mystery of Herculaneum
Scientists have long thought that the 340 victims of Mount Vesuvius died instantly. But a new analysis suggests they suffered a slower demise.
Ciro De Luca / Reuters Neanderthals Were About as Right-Handed as Modern Humans
In one study, at least 85 percent of Neanderthal tools appeared to be made for a user whose right side was dominant.
Nikola Solic / Reuters A Break in the Mystery of Sudden Running Deaths
A handful of genes could explain why sickle cell trait leaves some athletes at risk, and others perfectly healthy.
USA TODAY / Reuters Puppy Sacrifice Was Widespread During the Shang Dynasty
Juvenile canines might have been a cheaper alternative to full-grown dogs.
Wally Santana / AP
