Cosmic LibrarianMar 4

Chimps' love for crystals could help us understand our own ancestors' fascination with these stones

Crystals have repeatedly been found at archaeological sites alongside Homo remains. Evidence shows that hominins have been collecting these stones for as long as 780,000 years. Yet, we know that our ancestors did not use them as weapons, tools, or even jewelry. So why did they collect them at all?

#crystals #chimpanzees #humanancestors

https://phys.org/news/2026-02-chimps-crystals-ancestors-fascination-stones.html

Chimps' love for crystals could help us understand our own ancestors' fascination with these stones

Crystals have repeatedly been found at archaeological sites alongside Homo remains. Evidence shows that hominins have been collecting these stones for as long as 780,000 years. Yet, we know that our ancestors did not use them as weapons, tools, or even jewelry. So why did they collect them at all?

Phys.org
Stefan F. WirthFeb 11

RE: https://mastodon.scot/@kim_harding/115984446339509467

#Sarcoptes #scabiei var. hominis (#Astigmata, Acariformes) is a skin-#parasitic #mite that feeds on human #epidermal cells. Infection typically occurs via adult, mated #females.The mite has #subspecies found on both #domestic and #wild #animals. The #evolutionary direction was via #humanancestors to humans and from there #spreading first to domestic animals and then to wild animals (see ref).
© #StefanFWirth 2026

Reference
R. W. Currier er al. (2012): https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1749-6632.2011.06364.x

MathiasTCK.bsky.socialJul 14, 2025
www.scientificamerican.com/article/huma... September 6, 2023 3 min read #HumanAncestors Nearly Went #Extinct 900,000 Years Ago A new technique for analyzing #ModernGeneticData suggests that #prehumans survived in a group of only 1,280 individuals

Human Ancestors Nearly Went Ex...
Human Ancestors Nearly Went Extinct 900,000 Years Ago

A new technique for analyzing modern genetic data suggests that prehumans survived in a group of only 1,280 individuals

Scientific American
michaelMar 6, 2025

5-Mar-2025
Prehistoric bone tool ‘factory’ hints at early development of abstract reasoning in human ancestors
The oldest collection of mass-produced prehistoric bone tools reveal that #humanAncestors were likely capable of more advanced abstract reasoning one million years earlier than thought, finds a new study involving researchers at UCL and CSIC.

https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/1075635 #science #anthropology #humans #humanEvolution

Prehistoric bone tool ‘factory’ hints at early development of abstract reasoning in human ancestors

The oldest collection of mass-produced prehistoric bone tools reveal that human ancestors were likely capable of more advanced abstract reasoning one million years earlier than thought, finds a new study involving researchers at UCL and CSIC- Spanish National Research Council.

EurekAlert!
Mathew ThomasSep 4, 2023
Here is a #differentview.
#Humanancestors and #apeancestors may have evolved in #Europe not #Africa
#8millionyearoldapeskull #hominins #Cankiri #Turkey
#AnadoluviusTurkae
Hominins spent over 5 million years evolving there and spreading to the eastern Mediterranean before eventually dispersing into Africa, probably as a consequence of changing environments and diminishing forests
Early hominins are not seen in Africa until around 7 million years ago.
https://www.businessinsider.in/science/news/an-8-7-million-year-old-ape-skull-suggests-that-human-and-ape-ancestors-may-have-evolved-in-europe-not-africa/articleshow/103332097.cms
An 8.7 million-year-old ape skull suggests that human and ape ancestors may have evolved in Europe, not Africa

The partial skull of the ape, which is called an Anadoluvius turkae, was found in Cankiri, northern Turkey.

Business Insider
Steve Dustcircle 🌹Aug 31, 2023

#Populationcollapse almost wiped out #humanancestors, say #scientists

https://ground.news/article/population-collapse-almost-wiped-out-human-ancestors-say-scientists_285fff

Population collapse almost wiped out human ancestors, say scientists

A genomics analysis of more than 3,000 living people suggested that our ancestors’ total population plummeted to about 1,280 breeding individuals for about 117,000 years. Scientists believe that an extreme climate event could have led to the bottleneck that came close to wiping out our ancestral line.

Ground News
Hari TulsidasAug 31, 2023

A 10-inch-long handaxe from 300,000 years ago was found at an Ice Age site, revealing early human mastery over materials and tool-making. The discovery raises questions about knowledge transfer and social interactions among early humans, and highlights their resourcefulness in adapting to harsh conditions. This handaxe is a tangible link to our ancient ancestors' resilience and creativity.

#prehistoric #toolmaking #humanancestors

https://www.anthropology.net/p/discovery-of-a-300000-year-old-giant?utm_source=flipboard&utm_content=HariTulsidas%2Fmagazine%2FMind+and+Matter#:~:text=Discover%20more%20from%20Anthropolog

Discovery of a 300,000-Year-Old Giant Handaxe Sheds Light on Ice Age Technology

The remarkable size of these handaxes were likely impractical in daily use, perhaps they served a purpose beyond mere practicality, possibly carrying a more symbolic or abstract significance

Anthropology.net