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What Makes Us Human

And one percent Neanderthal

Social Life
Family Reunion

Rosemary Joyce Ph.D. on September 10, 2015

Fossils of a new human ancestor identified in cave in South Africa are exciting on their own. Together, they raise questions about whether our earliest ancestors deliberately cared for the bodies of the dead.

Fossils of a new human ancestor identified in cave in South Africa are exciting on their own. Together, they raise questions about whether our earliest ancestors deliberately cared for the bodies of the dead.

Marriage
Aztec Marriage: A Lesson for Chief Justice Roberts

Rosemary Joyce Ph.D. on June 26, 2015

No, the Supreme Court did not overthrow Aztec marriage today. When claims that marriage has been a single "social institution" that formed the basis for human society get strange...

No, the Supreme Court did not overthrow Aztec marriage today. When claims that marriage has been a single "social institution" that formed the basis for human society get strange...

Attention
Observing a New Year

Rosemary Joyce Ph.D. on January 1, 2015

January 1: New Year's Day. While many societies mark the beginning of the year on other dates, the transition from one year to the next is often a time for reflection, a potential crisis, a moment of renewal. Does that qualify as a human universal?

January 1: New Year's Day. While many societies mark the beginning of the year on other dates, the transition from one year to the next is often a time for reflection, a potential crisis, a moment of renewal. Does that qualify as a human universal?

Relationships
Who Are All Those Once-Removed Cousins and Unrelated Aunts?

Rosemary Joyce Ph.D. on November 27, 2014

On the holidays, we gather with relatives: and in some circles, we debate how we are related. How did that question become expert knowledge? An anthropologist should know the answer... but it isn't that simple.

On the holidays, we gather with relatives: and in some circles, we debate how we are related. How did that question become expert knowledge? An anthropologist should know the answer... but it isn't that simple.

Rorschach Test
Neanderthal Rorschach Test

Rosemary Joyce Ph.D. on September 3, 2014

Cave walls reveal previously unnoticed designs. If Neanderthals were their makers, what does that tell us about them-- and us?

Cave walls reveal previously unnoticed designs. If Neanderthals were their makers, what does that tell us about them-- and us?

Genetics
You're 15, You're Beautiful, and You're Mayan

Rosemary Joyce Ph.D. on July 9, 2014

The remains of a girl who died 12,000 years ago in Yucatan are genetically linked to modern Native Americans—now it's time to reconsider why anyone ever suggested early humans in the Americas weren't the ancestors of the people who occupied the Americas in the 16th century.

The remains of a girl who died 12,000 years ago in Yucatan are genetically linked to modern Native Americans—now it's time to reconsider why anyone ever suggested early humans in the Americas weren't the ancestors of the people who occupied the Americas in the 16th century.

Diet
The Neanderthal or the Tiger

Rosemary Joyce Ph.D. on July 1, 2014

So Neanderthals probably ate significant amounts of plants. Why did anyone ever think otherwise?

So Neanderthals probably ate significant amounts of plants. Why did anyone ever think otherwise?

Genetics
Making a Monkey Out of Early Peopling of the Americas

Rosemary Joyce Ph.D. on March 29, 2014

Which is the simpler explanation: that there were human beings in South America earlier than archaeologists thought—or that South American monkeys were producing stone tools 20,000 years ago?

Which is the simpler explanation: that there were human beings in South America earlier than archaeologists thought—or that South American monkeys were producing stone tools 20,000 years ago?

Ethics and Morality
'Tis Better to Give Than to Receive

Rosemary Joyce Ph.D. on December 25, 2013

Do you love the gifts you got this year? Would you trade them in for money? What the gap between those questions measures is impossible to measure economically, but the heart of an anthropological analysis of gift-giving.

Do you love the gifts you got this year? Would you trade them in for money? What the gap between those questions measures is impossible to measure economically, but the heart of an anthropological analysis of gift-giving.

Genetics
Pigs and Chimpanzees Living in Sin?

Rosemary Joyce Ph.D. on November 30, 2013

On Thanksgiving weekend, some of our readers may feel like a pig. But no: there is no basis to claim that it is just nature because of our chimpanzee-pig ancestry. That's just crazy.

On Thanksgiving weekend, some of our readers may feel like a pig. But no: there is no basis to claim that it is just nature because of our chimpanzee-pig ancestry. That's just crazy.

Media
Ancestors

Rosemary Joyce Ph.D. on October 31, 2013

The Dmanisi skulls are cool. Are they a revolution? Do they have to be?

The Dmanisi skulls are cool. Are they a revolution? Do they have to be?

Marriage
We Two, We Happy Two...

Rosemary Joyce Ph.D. on August 31, 2013

The origin of human monogamy is becoming clearer: or not. But why the focus on pairs in a social species, anyway?

The origin of human monogamy is becoming clearer: or not. But why the focus on pairs in a social species, anyway?

Gender
Where a Gender Spectrum May Be Taking Us

Rosemary Joyce Ph.D. on July 18, 2013

When young people stop accepting being described as either him or her, are we heading for a world of complete individualism, or one where being human is all that matters?

When young people stop accepting being described as either him or her, are we heading for a world of complete individualism, or one where being human is all that matters?

Sex
It's Still Chilly Out There

Rosemary Joyce Ph.D. on April 13, 2013

Sobering new study of sexual assault and harassment at biological anthropology field sites shows there is still a long way to go to retain women in this branch of science, and reduce obstacles to their full participation.

Sobering new study of sexual assault and harassment at biological anthropology field sites shows there is still a long way to go to retain women in this branch of science, and reduce obstacles to their full participation.

Marriage
Ask An Anthropologist about Marriage

Rosemary Joyce Ph.D. on March 28, 2013

The Supreme Court hearings on Prop 8 predictably include claims about marriage as a long-term institution. Anthropologists have something to contribute here...

The Supreme Court hearings on Prop 8 predictably include claims about marriage as a long-term institution. Anthropologists have something to contribute here...

Gender
70% Male, 100% Human

Rosemary Joyce Ph.D. on March 19, 2013

The writer of "Rocky Horror Picture Show" has a message; 'It's my belief that we are on a continuum between male and female". Where his claim to be "70% male" fits in contemporary gender theory.

The writer of "Rocky Horror Picture Show" has a message; 'It's my belief that we are on a continuum between male and female". Where his claim to be "70% male" fits in contemporary gender theory.