ANTHROPOLOGY

Zora Neale Hurston in a portrait by Carl Van Vechten.

10 Fascinating Facts About Zora Neale Hurston

Writer and folklorist Zora Neale Hurston’s literary legacy is a class apart. Here are some facts you might not have known about the author of “Their Eyes Were Watching God.”

Why Do We Have Eyebrows?

Eyebrows are the Swiss Army knife of the human face.

The Tollense Valley battle site contains hundreds of victims.

10 Prehistoric Battle Sites Around the World

We sometimes think human prehistory was much more peaceful than today. But archaeological evidence suggests otherwise.

Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site in Illinois was the location of the largest Mississippian Culture city before European contact.

11 Ancient Native American Earthworks You Can Visit

Hundreds—even thousands—of years ago, Native American peoples built complex and mysterious earthworks. Here are 11 you can visit for a glimpse into prehistory.

A replica of the Laetoli footprints discovered in Laetoli, Tanzania; The original footprints were dated to 3.6 million years ago.

9 Fascinating Discoveries that Changed Our Understanding of Human Evolution

Scientists have uncovered ancient fossils, prehistoric artwork, and other clues to human evolution. Here are nine of the most revealing discoveries that have changed our understanding of our early ancestors—and ourselves.

The Staffordshire Hoard contains the one of the richest collections of Anglo-Saxon gold ever found.

20 Amazing Historical Discoveries in the Last 20 Years

Scientists and historians have made incredible finds—from the oldest human-made art to long-lost shipwrecks—in the 20 years since Mental Floss began.

Researcher samples cave sediments for DNA.

Humans First Arrived in North America 30,000 Years Ago, New Studies Suggest

New archeological evidence pushes back the arrival of the first North Americans 15,000 years and suggests they occupied the Americas during the Last Glacial Maximum, 26,000 to 19,000 years ago.

9 Ancient Objects That Have Had DNA Tests

From fossilized feces to antediluvian rodent nests, ancient objects are getting their DNA analyzed for clues about the past.

From left to right: Kaa-xoo-auxc (Garfield George), Jisgang (Nika Collison), Megan Humchitt, Haa’yuups (Ron Hamilton), and Chief Wigviłba Wákas (Harvey Humchitt) performing traditional ceremony before the move of the Great Canoe at the American Museum of Natural History in New York.

The American Museum of Natural History Moves Its Great Canoe—for the First Time in 60 Years—to Its Revitalized Northwest Coast Hall

For its planned multimillion-dollar redesign of its iconic Northwest Coast Hall, the American Museum of Natural History is collaborating with Indigenous leaders on an ambitious new conservation project.

14 Incredible Scientific Discoveries of the Decade

From the origins of our species to clues about the future of the universe, scientific discoveries achieved in the last decade transformed our understanding of our world. Here are 14 of the most momentous.

Archaeologists Uncover Infant Remains Wearing Skulls of Older Children

The discovery is the first of its kind, researchers write in a paper published in 'Latin American Antiquity.'

An Exercise in Poo-Tility: Scientist Tries to Make a Knife Out of Poop

In an effort to substantiate an old tale of an Inuit who crafted a knife out of feces, a Kent State University professor attempted to forge a similar tool from his own poop. The results stunk.

Scientists Are Creating a 3D Model of an 18th-Century ‘Vampire Witch’ Who Was Tortured to Death

Archaeologists plan to use the 3D model to find out exactly what the woman’s face looked like, warts and all.

5 Rules for the Paleo Diet from Actual Paleolithic Humans

The paleo diet recommends eating low-carb foods like our ancient ancestors if we want to reach optimum health. But it turns out that early humans in the Paleolithic era dined on more than just meat.

A view taken on June 13, 2014 shows paintings of animal figures on the rock walls of the Chauvet Cave in Vallon Pont d'Arc.

13 Facts About the Chauvet Cave Paintings

The Chauvet Cave paintings are tens of thousands of years old and depict iconic animals that are now extinct. Even Werner Herzog was impressed.

Stonehenge Builders Likely Descended From Immigrants, Genetic Analysis Says

There are many mysteries surrounding Stonehenge, but we thought we knew who built it. Now, a study suggests that the 5000-year-old structure was the work of Aegean immigrants and their decedents rather than native Britons.

Unraveling the History of Human Hair

Archaeologists and geneticists are looking at how human hair, and its countless hair types, evolved over millennia. Their research could shed light on the habits of our ancestors.

5 Scientific Steps That Will Make You a Better Dancer

Dance is an art form, but it also has a foundation in science. Here's what the experts say about learning how to dance and making the most of your moves.

9 Enlightening Courses You Can Take Online in March 2019

The Internet is full of niche online courses available to teach you all the things you wish you'd learned when you were in school. Here are nine of the best that you can start in March 2019.