Human evolution in the news
Innovative scientific techniques and fresh discoveries are adding to our knowledge on some of the most fundamental questions about humankind at an unprecedented rate. Here you can keep up to date with the most recent findings.
Neanderthals and humans had ample time for interbreeding - 20/08/2014
Accurate dating of 40 sites across Europe shows that Neanderthals and humans overlapped by as much as 5,400 years.
Missing human fossils rediscovered - 23/06/2014
A treasure trove of important human fossils missing for decades has been identified among the Museum’s collections.
Grandpa Neanderthal? ‘Pit of bones’ clues suggest closer link - 20/06/2014
New research confirms the theory that modern humans and Neanderthals had a common ancestor about 500,000 years ago.
We were here: earliest humans leave prints on Norfolk beach - 07/02/2014
Clues to early human existence revealed during ongoing excavation of Happisburgh archaeological site.
The pros and cons of dating a Neanderthal - 03/02/2014
Breeding with Neanderthals allowed our ancestors to better cope with European winters, but also passed on diseases we suffer today.
Ancient hunter-gatherers' diet gave them toothache - 06/01/2014
Museum study shows earlier processing of carbohydrates caused dental problems for ancient humans.
Neanderthal inbreeding could be a factor in their demise - 19/12/2013
Genetic code of a Neanderthal woman reveals her parents were half-siblings.
Oldest human DNA uncovered - 06/12/2013
Ancient DNA pushes the human genetic story back a further 300,000 years.
Ancient skull could change the story of human evolution - 18/10/2013
1.8-million-year-old skull shows there may have been fewer species of early human.
Neanderthals may have made a meal of animal stomachs - 16/10/2013
Evidence from tooth plaque suggests Neanderthals had a diverse diet.
Evolution pushes on as European men grow taller - 05/09/2013
As research shows European men have grown taller, Prof Chris Stringer explains why our height varies throughout history.
Wet weather helped human culture grow - 21/05/2013
Some of the earliest signs of modern human culture are linked to periods where the climate changed rapidly to wetter conditions.
Lost and found, the first find of an early human artwork - 20/03/2013
A 14,000-year-old engraved reindeer antler is possibly the first piece of early human art ever found.
Neanderthal vision focus gives clues to extinction - 13/03/2013
Neanderthals' brains had less room for complex functions, which may have played a role in their demise.
Neanderthal extinction earlier than previously thought? - 05/02/2013
Museum human origins expert Chris Stringer comments on research that re-dates the last evidence of Neanderthals in Europe.
Denisovan DNA suggests a dark complexion and interbreeding - 31/08/2012
Chris Stringer comments on the ancient human genome research.
Invisible volcanic ash gives clues to Neanderthal demise - 03/08/2012
Scientists detect microscopic volcanic glass from an ancient Italian eruption, providing clues about why the Neanderthals died out.
Largest group of fossil humans are Neanderthals after all - 12/06/2012
The world's largest known sample of fossil humans are Neanderthals, according to a study by the Museum's Chris Stringer.
Did taking refuge from climate change spur human evolution? - 16/03/2012
Models of ice age plant and animal movements reveal clues to human evolution.
Did a good sense of smell give us an evolutionary advantage? - 13/12/2011
Sense of smell may have been as important as language in giving modern humans an evolutionary advantage over other human relatives.
Devon jawbone reveals earliest NW European - 02/11/2011
A jawbone from Kent's Cavern has revealed that modern humans were living in northwestern Europe between 41,000 and 44,000 years ago.
Mystery of a West African skull from 13,000 years ago - 16/09/2011
Humans with primitive skull features were still living in West Africa 13,000 years ago.
Sediba human ancestor could shift our origins to South Africa - 08/09/2011
A human-like species may shift the likely location of early human origins from East Africa to South Africa.
Modern humans came from southern Africa, study suggests - 22/03/2011
A genetic study suggests modern humans evolved in southern Africa rather than in the east.
Earliest human skull-cups made in the UK - 16/02/2011
The earliest known examples of human skull-cups have been uncovered in the UK, Natural History Museum scientists report.
Ancient Denisovans and the human family tree - 12/01/2011
A new group of ancient humans interbred with our species and left behind a genetic trace. Chris Stringer talks about the research.
Neanderthal teeth reveal they grew up quicker than us - 22/11/2010
A high-tech study of tooth growth lines reveals that Neanderthals had shorter childhoods and reached maturity earlier than modern humans.
Oldest tool use and meat-eating revealed - 12/08/2010
Ancient human relatives used stone tools to help them eat animals more than 3 million years ago.
Ancient Britons were earliest northern Europeans - 07/07/2010
Ancient humans lived in Britain more than 800,000 years ago Museum scientists report.
First genetic code of Neanderthal reveals interbreeding - 06/05/2010
The genetic code of the Neanderthals has been revealed for the first time, giving surprising clues to their intimate relations with modern humans.
Evolution app for iPad
Explore more than 650 million years of Earth's extraordinary history with our first app for iPad, NHM Evolution.
Learn about more than 800 creatures and plants, examine spectacular 360° high definition fossil images and watch specially-commissioned videos of Museum experts discussing the latest evolutionary theories.
Toolbox
Share this
