NEW HUMAN SPECIES?

A new PLoS ONE journal article studies recently-discovered humanoid remains which may be an evolutionary offshoot of Homo sapiens. The skeletons, discovered in caverns in the South-west of China, feature large jaws  (absent chin) and molars, eminent brow ridges, robust bone structure, and flat faces. Caches of fossilized remains from giant prehistoric deer suggest that venison comprised a significant portion of these early humans' diet. The big question now is one of taxonomy: will the "red deer cave people" be classified as a phenotypic anomaly, or a new human species? 

Read the full journal article here:
Human Remains from the Pleistocene-Holocene Transition of Southwest China Suggest a Complex Evolutionary History for East Asians

Related secondary sources:
National Geographic
Live Science


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MUMMIES OF GUANAJUATO

The Museo de las Momias in Guanajuato, Mexico, features a 56-body collection of incredibly well-preserved mummies. Most of the mummies date to around 1833, when they were "accidentally" interred during an outbreak of disease, most likely cholera. The collection has captivated artists and writers, including Werner Herzog and Ray Bradbury. The latter wrote of his visit, "The experience so wounded and terrified me, I could hardly wait to flee Mexico. I had nightmares about dying and having to remain in the halls of the dead with those propped and wired bodies. In order to purge my terror, instantly, I wrote 'The Next in Line.' One of the few times that an experience yielded results almost on the spot."

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A VIKING MYSTERY

Quite an interesting find on the Oxford grounds. It's fortunate when such archaeological discoveries can be corroborated by written historical accounts.

A Viking Mystery


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HUMAN TROPHY TAKING

A fascinating piece written by my forensic anthropology professor:



FULL TEXT LINK

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