51¶¯Âþ

evolution

Humans

Neanderthal-human hybrids may have been scourged by a genetic mismatch

When Homo sapiens and Neanderthals interbred, a genetic variation affecting red blood cells may have hindered reproduction in women who were hybrids, and this might have played a part in Neanderthals’ demise

51¶¯Âþ

Humans

Ancient lead exposure may have influenced how our brains evolved

51¶¯Âþ

Humans

Early hominin had human-like dexterity and gorilla strength

51¶¯Âþ

Humans

Evolution of intelligence in our ancestors may have come at a cost

51¶¯Âþ

TX DATE:29-09-2025,TX WEEK:39,EMBARGOED UNTIL:,DESCRIPTION:,COPYRIGHT:Furnace,CREDIT LINE:BBC/Furnace/Andy Jackson

Life

51¶¯Âþ recommends Horizon: Secrets of the brain

Culture

Central market in Acanceh, Yucatan state, Mexico

Humans

We evolved to match local micronutrient levels, which may be a problem

51¶¯Âþ

Deadly poisonous white mushrooms (Amanita phalloides, death cap) grow in forest

Environment

The deadliest mushroom, the death cap, is still concocting new poisons

Features

Illustration of a teenage girl who is the offspring of a Neanderthal (Homo neanderthalensis) mother and Denisovan (Homo sapiens denisova) father. A bone fragment with this hybrid ancestry was found in the Denisova Cave in Russia. The bone belonged to a female who was at least 13 years old and died around 90,000 years ago. It was known from genetic analysis of other fossils that the two species had interbred, but this is the first first-generation offspring of such a pairing to be found.

Humans

Understanding the Denisovans means understanding ourselves

Leader

Life

We are unlocking how frozen microbes stay alive for 100,000 years

51¶¯Âþ

A skull unearthed in Harbin, China, turns out to belong to a Denisovan

Humans

An incredible Denisovan skull is upending the story of human evolution

An ancient skull has finally shown us what the Denisovans looked like. Now it turns out they, not Neanderthals, might be our closest relatives, redrawing our family tree and transforming the hunt for Ancestor X

Features

Humans

Exploring humanity's ancient origins in fantastic new BBC documentary

Culture

Humans

Did childcare fuel language? A new book makes the case

Culture

Life

Weird microbial partnership shows how complex life may have evolved

51¶¯Âþ

Humans

Fossil teeth may come from a new species of early hominin

51¶¯Âþ

Piano Exit Overlay Banner Mobile Piano Exit Overlay Banner Desktop