Human History

 

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

Oldest DNA from South Africa decoded to date 

10,000-year-old human genome are genetically similar to those of ethnic groups living in the region today 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

More plants on the menu of ancient hunter-gatherers

Isotopic evidence reveals surprising dietary practices of pre-agricultural human groups in Morocco more

Decoding Avar society

Using ancient DNA and archaeological evidence to unravel the kinship, social practices and transformations of early medieval steppe groups in Europe more

Spring chicken

Humans started breeding chickens later than previously assumed more

Ancient genomes reveal Down Syndrome in past societies

Burials show that children with Down Syndrome and Edwards Syndrome were recognized as members of their communities more

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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

Spring chicken

Humans started breeding chickens later than previously assumed more

Ancient genomes reveal Down Syndrome in past societies

Burials show that children with Down Syndrome and Edwards Syndrome were recognized as members of their communities more

Homo sapiens already reached northwest Europe more than 45,000 years ago

The arrival of Homo sapiens in cold northern latitudes took place several thousand years before Neanderthals disappeared in southwest Europe more

Ancient relatives

New computational tool detects up to second to third degree cousins using ancient genomes more

Ötzi: dark skin, bald head, Anatolian ancestry

Research team used advanced sequencing technology to analyze Ötzi’s genome to obtain a more accurate picture of the Iceman’s appearance and genetic origins more

Family trees from the European Neolithic

Scientists gain insights into the social behaviour of a Neolithic community more

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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

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

The fermented cereal beverage of the Sumerians may not have been beer

4000-year-old cuneiform writings from Mesopotamia tell us little about the brewing techniques used at the time more

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