archaeologicalnews:

Right-handed humans vastly outnumber lefties by a ratio of about nine to one, and the same may have been true for Neanderthals. Researchers say right-hand dominance in the extinct species suggests that, like humans, they also had the capacity for language.

A new analysis of the skeleton of a 20-something Neanderthal man confirms that he was a righty like most of his European caveman cousins whose remains have been studied by scientists (16 of 18 specimens). Dubbed “Regourdou,” the skeleton was discovered in 1957 in France, not far from the famous network of caves at Lascaux.

Scientists previously had argued that Regourdou was right-handed based on the muscularity of his right arm versus his left arm. Now an international team of researchers say they have confirmed that assumption by conducting a more sophisticated analysis of his arms and shoulders and then linking that data with the scratch marks on Regourdou’s teeth. Read more.

articulomortis:

Shown above are eight naturally mummified bodies from a low valley archaeological site in northern Chile, dating between 350BCE - AD 500. Anatomic findings in six of the above bodies indicate evidence of lobar pneumonia from which they had recovered. However, in two of the bodies pneumonia was the cause of death. Their agricultural occupation in the naturally dusty air of this desert region contributed to the development of silicate pneumoconiosis.

shizumataka:

A New Evolutionary History of Primates [2011]

A robust new phylogenetic tree resolves many long-standing issues in primate taxonomy. The genomes of living primates harbor remarkable differences in diversity and provide an intriguing context for interpreting human evolution. The phylogenetic analysis was conducted by international researchers to determine the origin, evolution, patterns of speciation, and unique features in genome divergence among primate lineages.

Read more » Science Daily

jessamelia:

a very intimidating looking Homo heidelbergensis

scienceisbeauty:

Hanuman Langur (Semnopithecus entellus)

Source, Department of Anthropology, University of Oregon