Author: David Miedzianogora
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Nobel Prizes and ancient DNA – an explainer
The Nobel Prize was awarded to Svante Pääbo on 3 October for groundbreaking research based on ancient DNA. But what exactly is it and how does it impact our knowledge of human evolution and history?
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Ancient wolf DNA reveals the domestication history of dogs
When and where did dogs emerge from wolves? A new study provides interesting insights.
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A Brief History of Chickens
New research shows that the chicken was domesticated thousands of years earlier than previously supposed. But how and where did domestication first happen — and what’s the future of chickens?
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When Did Humans First Wear Clothes?
Clothes have been around for millennia. But when did we first begin wearing them? Surprisingly, lice reveal the answer.
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Humans Are Not the Only Farmers
A new study argues that southeastern gophers are farmers. And indeed, farming is far from a simply human endeavour.
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The Neanderthal Diet
Learn how ancient DNA studies are casting doubt on the supposedly carnivorous diet of Neanderthals, our most closely related hominin ancestor. In fact, figuring out what these extinct hominins ate might be the key that unravels the mystery of their early demise. Read on to learn how.
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How We Get Around
One of the reasons that I have lately been very absent from this blog is because I’m in the middle of taking my driver’s license — amongst many other things. But thinking about driving as much as I currently am got me pondering: what is the history of transportation? We used to walk, then we began…
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What was the Black Death?
IN 1347 DEATH CAME to Europe. It ravaged for six years, and no one was spared. Old, young, rich and poor all died mysteriously. The mark of death was certain: Buboes would emerge in the groin or armpits, and within a few days, the victim would most likely die. Most experts agree that around 25…
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21st Century Wars and Eurocentrism
AT THE TURN of the 20th century, the American political scientist Francis Fukuyama proclaimed the end of history. Liberal democracy had finally won the battle between ideologies that had characterized the century, and wars between states and ideologies were over. Conflict, of course, wasn’t over for good, but the constant warring that had always been…
Brief History Blog 