* Astronomy

Unique social structure of hunter-gatherers explained

Sex equality in residential decision-making explains the unique social structure of hunter-gatherers, a new UCL study reveals. Previous research has noted the low level of relatedness in hunter-gatherer bands. This is surprising because humans depend on close kin to raise offspring, so generally exhibit a strong preference for living close to parents, siblings and grandparents.
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Geschickte Jäger schon vor 300.000 Jahren

Seit Mitte der 1990er-Jahre steht die altpaläolithische Fundstelle in Schöningen im Zentrum der Aufmerksamkeit von Archäologen. Durch die Entdeckung von acht erstaunlich gut erhaltenen und etwa 300.000 Jahren alten Speeren, den bisher ältesten bekannten Jagdwaffen, wurden heftige Diskussionen ausgelöst und neue Fragen zur damaligen Lebensweise der Hominiden in Mitteleuropa gestellt. Die Speere sowie Steinartefakte und Tierreste zeigen, dass die Menschen bereits damals geschickte und erfolgreich angepasste Jäger waren, die dem modernen Menschen in ihrer Planungstiefe, ihrem Abstraktionsvermögen und ihrer reichen Erfahrung sehr ähnlich waren. Sie gehörten höchstwahrscheinlich zur Art "Homo heidelbergensis", jedoch wurden Knochen von Menschen bisher nicht entdeckt. 
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Title: Elephants and subsistence. Evidence of the human exploitation of extremely large mammal bones from the Middle Palaeolithic site of PRERESA (Madrid, Spain)
Authors: J. Yravedra, S. Rubio-Jara, J. Panera, D. Uribelarrea, A. Pérez-González

The archaeological site at PRERESA (Madrid, Spain) has been dated to 84 ± 5.6 ka by optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) (MIS 5a). An area 255 m² was excavated and 754 lithic pieces were recovered, as well as a large amount of micro and macro vertebrate remains, including proboscidean bones. The aim of this paper is to outline the results of the taphonomic study of these remains. The identification of cut marks on a number of the bones recovered strengthens the theory that the exploitation of extremely large mammals was more than just a marginal practice before the Upper Palaeolithic. Additionally, the identification of green-bone fractures and percussion marks confirm for the first time, that the bone marrow of these taxa was also consumed. Few other cases of this practice have been identified, firstly because obtaining this substance would not be an easy matter, and secondly because similar nutritional needs can also be met by the consumption of brain matter, which is easier to acquire.

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Face-to-face with an ancient human

A reconstruction based on the skull of Norway's best-preserved Stone Age skeleton makes it possible to study the features of a boy who lived outside Stavanger 7 500 years ago.

"It is hoped that this reconstruction is a good likeness and that, if someone who knew him in life had been presented with this restoration, they would hopefully have recognised the face" - Jenny Barber, an MSc student at the University of Dundee in Scotland.

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