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Human Evolution
Slowing growth and limiting development isn’t living in harmony with nature—it is surrendering in a battle.
An analysis of Indonesian cave paintings is reframing the history of human art, though whether the paintings really were created by human hands remains an open question.
The true story of the shot that "reverberated through England" when science collided head-on with religion.
For most of human history, babies probably picked up language by overhearing.
On a cosmic scale, our existence seems insignificant and inconsequential. But from another perspective, humans are completely remarkable.
11mins
Humanity has two giant collisions to thank for its existence, explains biologist Sean B. Carroll.
"Hardcore History" host Dan Carlin recently spoke with Big Think about the history of humanity's drive to create — and whether or not we can control it.
Although human beings arrived on Earth just ~300,000 years ago, we've transformed the entire planet completely. Here's how we did it.
Despite billions of years of life on Earth, humans first arose only ~300,000 years ago. It took all that time to make our arrival possible.
Although mammals may be the dominant form of life today, we're relative newcomers on planet Earth. Here's our place in natural history.
During the industrial era the cost of artificial light fell off a cliff — and the road to illumination was paved with ingenuity and slaughter.
8mins
What do aliens, apes, and orchestras all have in common? Professor Michael Spitzer explains how they each help us understand the origins of music.
CRISPR study helps answer a question that has long puzzled scientists.
New radiocarbon dating reveals astonishing insights.
Archaeologists have identified what may be Europe’s oldest human-made megastructure.
The study suggests that human ancestors expanded across Europe faster than previously thought.
Human civilization has always survived periods of change. Will our rapidly evolving technological era be an exception to the rule?
Skilled hunters adapted to the changing landscape and left tantalizing clues to who they were.
They have held our fascination ever since we first identified their remains.
Along with obsidian that dazzled scientists in Canada.
After turning up hundreds of genes with hard-to-predict effects, some scientists are now probing the grander developmental processes that shape face geometry.
36mins
Are we the stories we tell? Kmele sat down with legendary conservationist Jane Goodall, actor Terry Crews and psychologist Dan McAdams to discuss how humanity makes its meaning.
A new hypothesis accuses the simple sugar of wrecking energy metabolism.
Scientists agree that eons ago, a bacterium took up residence inside another cell and became its powerhouse, the mitochondrion. But there are competing theories about the birth of other organelles such as the nucleus and endoplasmic reticulum.
Though over three billion people speak an Indo-European language, researchers are not sure where the language family originated.
When science is a source of spirituality in people’s lives, they feel happy and engaged.
This is especially true for three key groups.
The design was as intricate as that of modern-day, factory-fabricated denim jeans, and just as durable. The ancients had fashion.
