Human History

 

Intricate mural depicting an array of tropical elements: lush plant life, vibrant wildlife, indigenous architecture, and cultural artifacts interwoven in a rich tapestry of colors.

A new study reveals the significance of regional dispersals and local interactions in coastal Papua New Guinea more

A rocky hillside features scattered olive trees and ancient tombs. The foreground shows weathered stone formations, with buildings visible in the background under a clear sky.

Study challenges long-held assumptions about the Mediterranean Phoenician-Punic civilization, one of the most influential maritime cultures in history more

 Vast desert landscape with rocky hills under a clear blue sky.

A new study reveals a long-isolated North African human lineage in the Central Sahara during the African humid period more than 7,000 years ago more

Modelling the demography of agricultural transitions

Researchers develop a new potential standard tool for studying prehistoric transitional periods more

First articulating leg of <em>Paranthropus robustus</em> discovered

Fossils from Swartkrans Cave in South Africa reveal that a prehistoric relative of humans was habitually upright, but also small and vulnerable to predators more

Origin and diversity of Hun Empire populations

Far-reaching genetic ties between the Mongolian steppe and Central Europe under Hun rule more

East Asia meets Europe in Lower Austria

Ancient genomes show integration of genetically different groups to the same early medieval Avar society in the Vienna Basin, Austria more

Syphilis had its roots in the Americas

Syphilis originated in the Americas prior to the arrival of Columbus, and European colonialism made it globally dominant more

Group of casts of victims buried in the Pompeii eruption, from the House of the Golden Bracelet. Casts no. 50-51-52, date of creation 1974.

Study refutes previous assumptions and reveals the cosmopolitan origin of the inhabitants of Pompeii more

<span><span>How steppe pastoralist groups formed and transformed over time</span></span>

Genetic study of the wider Caucasus region shows how movement of people and innovation transfer enabled pastoralists to exploit the steppe zones of Eurasia more

Show more
Intricate mural depicting an array of tropical elements: lush plant life, vibrant wildlife, indigenous architecture, and cultural artifacts interwoven in a rich tapestry of colors.

A new study reveals the significance of regional dispersals and local interactions in coastal Papua New Guinea more

A rocky hillside features scattered olive trees and ancient tombs. The foreground shows weathered stone formations, with buildings visible in the background under a clear sky.

Study challenges long-held assumptions about the Mediterranean Phoenician-Punic civilization, one of the most influential maritime cultures in history more

 Vast desert landscape with rocky hills under a clear blue sky.

A new study reveals a long-isolated North African human lineage in the Central Sahara during the African humid period more than 7,000 years ago more

Origin and diversity of Hun Empire populations

Far-reaching genetic ties between the Mongolian steppe and Central Europe under Hun rule more

East Asia meets Europe in Lower Austria

Ancient genomes show integration of genetically different groups to the same early medieval Avar society in the Vienna Basin, Austria more

Syphilis had its roots in the Americas

Syphilis originated in the Americas prior to the arrival of Columbus, and European colonialism made it globally dominant more

Group of casts of victims buried in the Pompeii eruption, from the House of the Golden Bracelet. Casts no. 50-51-52, date of creation 1974.

Study refutes previous assumptions and reveals the cosmopolitan origin of the inhabitants of Pompeii more

Likely identity of Bishop Teodomiro confirmed

Research reveals possible remains of discoverer of St James’ Tomb more

Origin and spread of malaria

Scientists reconstruct ancient genomes of the two most deadly malaria parasites, Plasmodium vivax and Plasmodium falciparum more

Ritual sacrifice at Chichén Itzá

Ancient Maya genomes reveal the practice of male twin sacrifice and the enduring genetic legacy of colonial-era epidemics more

Show more
Research highlights 2023

Research highlights 2023

December 19, 2023

Many publications by Max Planck scientists in 2023 were of great social relevance or met with a great media response. We have selected 12 articles to present you with an overview of some noteworthy research of the year more

Scientific highlights 2022

Scientific highlights 2022

December 14, 2022

Many publications by Max Planck scientists in 2022 were of great social relevance or met with a great media response. We have selected 12 articles to present you with an overview of some noteworthy research of the year more

Carvings on red sandstone show a human figure with two smaller animals and a larger feline, possibly a lion, in a hunting scene.

Max Planck researchers discover the oldest ever images of dogs on leashes more

Ancient DNA reveals origins of the Minoans and Mycenaeans

Common ancestors from Neolithic Western Anatolia and Greece more

<em>Homo naledi</em> - our new relative

Researchers discover a new species of fossil human in a cave in South Africa more

A massive migration from the steppe brought Indo-European languages to Europe

4,500 years ago, humans migrated from the Eurasian steppe to Central Europe and thus may have contributed to the spread of the Indo-European languages more

Early human ancestors used their hands like modern humans

Pre-Homo human ancestral species, such as Australopithecus africanus, used human-like hand postures much earlier than was previously thought more

Mixed genes

An interactive world map of human genetic history reveals likely genetic impacts of historical events more

Neanderthals meet <em>Homo sapiens</em>

New high precision radiocarbon dates of bone collagen show that a cultural exchange may have taken place between modern humans and Neanderthals more than 40,000 years ago. more

<em>Australopithecus sediba</em> had plant foods on the menu

For the first time, researchers have found plant remains in the two-million-year-old dental plaque of ancient hominins’ teeth more

Show more
Go to Editor View