Digging Up Our Past: 9 Mind-Blowing Discoveries About Our Ancestors

17th March, 2024 CHIRANJIT MITRA CHIRANJIT MITRA

Our Origins May Be More African Than We Thought

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Ancient "Superhighways" Existed!

[{"selector":"#anim-d740b6d6-768c-4970-8085-8ab4eedb1d5f","keyframes":{"opacity":[1,1]},"delay":0,"duration":1500,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-c72e7be5-92a3-43cb-9d69-e6e277041ce3","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(3)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":1500,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-dd45e972-a27c-4971-8d6a-76949b2f384d [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(28.393311395482492%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-28c7f4eb-9cf4-4b02-b636-2bfa89af4f26","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-61b3c8bc-d71d-4dbb-841e-742aaea9dccb","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.3333333333333333)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] Animal and human footprints, thousands of years old, paint a picture of a bustling coastal area in ancient England. These tracks show people's movements and ecosystems after the last ice age. Learn more

Humanity Almost Died Out... Really!

[{"selector":"#anim-ab49be78-950d-4c82-aa1d-ef39d6ab8a28","keyframes":{"opacity":[1,1]},"delay":0,"duration":1500,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-139d14ca-b24f-49ba-8961-83dca7b7781e","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(3)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":1500,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-8a75c628-5239-40f7-96d0-d4bface543cf [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(17.662694039147713%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-6232784b-b38a-4230-8055-09ae56d01397","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-5a14f7ff-0d73-4c00-ada8-e75c4cc4aaae","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.3333333333333333)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] Genetic studies show our ancestors faced a near-extinction event. Our entire species could have been wiped out, making it even more miraculous that we are here today! Learn more

We Didn't Invent Fire...We May Have Inherited It

[{"selector":"#anim-c2e322d2-c33e-4bf5-96bd-6ecd60d23e6b [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-29.77563890876555%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-cbc1396e-07f3-4ab0-8b74-aec635288a7c","keyframes":{"opacity":[1,1]},"delay":0,"duration":1500,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-25cdac23-c59f-4e0a-869a-2c46953db7c0","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(3)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":1500,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-9844e1e1-76e1-4960-a79b-ac1123527106","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-0a84d544-be00-418c-b36d-ca76bbad7f8f","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.3333333333333333)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] Did we invent controlled fire, or did earlier ancestors learn the trick? Recent evidence suggests fire usage could date back much further than we thought! Learn more

Neanderthals Were Artists Too

[{"selector":"#anim-bab06e7c-22ee-4abd-82eb-26ccd0915b7e [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-15.244991519059262%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-e065b4ed-1450-403d-81fd-2d4c81be1bd8","keyframes":{"opacity":[1,1]},"delay":0,"duration":1500,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-74ea4ca2-9fd1-4c56-9a72-bbe9679b06fe","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(3)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":1500,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-35e6c320-34b5-4bfa-88aa-9a44bc4d501a","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-c6f1623e-1e45-4223-9759-b1966a361eed","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.3333333333333333)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] Forget the "caveman" stereotype! Neanderthals left behind stunning examples of cave art, proving they were capable of symbolic expression just like us. Learn more

Humans Sailed the Seas Way Earlier Than Expected

[{"selector":"#anim-399921eb-d336-43ea-8caf-19ea42aa31f9 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-21.50741736676979%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-fabd9594-461f-4187-bf1f-db00619871b3","keyframes":{"opacity":[1,1]},"delay":0,"duration":1500,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-b9b42150-8acb-416d-9ad5-3604a56d8df3","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(3)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":1500,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-83dc986d-72c4-4d9e-81d3-646881b12223","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-55b973b8-c59e-4fc1-90bd-966f96a7f856","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.3333333333333333)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] We didn't wait for the compass to be brave sailors. Prehistoric humans crossed vast ocean stretches tens of thousands of years ago. Learn more

We Had More Cousins Than We Knew

[{"selector":"#anim-d62d5f16-cc36-4c17-a24c-3c527b6fe333 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-20.999497914048046%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-c4d8bd7c-05be-4f74-bb2e-479ed9020491","keyframes":{"opacity":[1,1]},"delay":0,"duration":1500,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-73fed426-f7af-4aa5-91af-7fc04836d225","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(3)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":1500,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-89bdb7d7-4fe3-436b-a1d3-71d5645bc8f5","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-84ba0182-c6ed-436e-9a61-528b0df3c65e","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.3333333333333333)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] The human family tree is bushier than ever! When we get used to the Neanderthals and Denisovans, new groups are discovered solely from ancient DNA. Learn more

Multiple Migrations Shaped Modern Humanity

[{"selector":"#anim-caab850f-1b43-4d3d-9ff8-ac788dbb7dd1 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-58.42284143457558%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-533b7922-e935-4418-b5c3-a9126b39cbd7","keyframes":{"opacity":[1,1]},"delay":0,"duration":1500,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-9302f5a6-ee92-4ba1-aa3f-bc45e08ba2e5","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(3)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":1500,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-66cf7cf9-3d05-4541-98bc-9f5a7da0bf6d","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-b9ae2364-7fa5-4967-8fa5-433b9068f0a6","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.3333333333333333)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] Think humans left Africa in one epic journey? Think again! New evidence shows multiple waves of migration and interaction that molded us into who we are today. Learn more

Even the First Americans Keep Surprising Us

[{"selector":"#anim-1b30cbde-1329-43b2-8ecf-64207aaa6f26 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-31.77165889132559%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-f323cdbb-d8e1-4e14-964b-1dd57e68587c","keyframes":{"opacity":[1,1]},"delay":0,"duration":1500,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-26481fb8-6a63-4919-a0da-269821250fd1","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(3)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":1500,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-dfdd7231-76d2-4113-9f5a-164ba41af34d","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-d0659ef5-bae8-4fbb-a5c6-00491b3a0a43","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.3333333333333333)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] When and how the Americas were settled is hotly debated. From ancient tools to unexpected DNA lineages, the story of the first Americans is far from over. Learn more