Latest news with #SmithsonianNationalMuseumofNaturalHistory
The Hindu
12-05-2025
- Science
- The Hindu
Ancient wooden spears may have been wielded by Neanderthals: study
A set of ancient wooden spears may be younger than scientists thought and wielded by Neanderthals instead of their ancestors. The complete spears made of spruce and pine are among the oldest known hunting weapons. They were discovered in a coal mine over two decades ago in the German town of Schöningen along with the remains of nearly 50 horses. Previous estimates dated the spears to 300,000 years ago so scientists thought the weapons belonged to a group of early humans called Homo heidelbergensis — thought to be the last common ancestor between humans and Neanderthals. But the new analysis using a different dating technique suggests the spears are younger, placing them about 200,000 years old. The new age means the hunting weapons may have been used by Neanderthals instead, according to research published on May 9 in the journal Science Advances. Recent work has suggested that some Neanderthals mixed and mated with early humans. The balanced, well-crafted spears could help scientists understand what Neanderthals were capable of and how they worked together to hunt. The spears are 'pretty sophisticated for something that old," said study co-author Jarod Hutson with the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History. But it's not yet clear why the new dating disagrees with previous estimates. Archaeologist Thomas Terberger with the University of Göttingen said more research is needed to be sure of the spears' age and who used them to hunt. 'For the moment, I find the arguments interesting, but not absolutely convincing,' said Terberger, who had no role in the new study.
Yahoo
09-05-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Ancient wooden spears found in Germany may have been wielded by Neanderthals, a new study suggests
NEW YORK (AP) — A set of ancient wooden spears may be younger than scientists thought and wielded by Neanderthals instead of their ancestors. The complete spears made of spruce and pine are among the oldest known hunting weapons. They were discovered in a coal mine over two decades ago in the German town of Schöningen along with the remains of nearly 50 horses. Previous estimates dated the spears to 300,000 years ago so scientists thought the weapons belonged to a group of early humans called Homo heidelbergensis — thought to be the last common ancestor between humans and Neanderthals. But the new analysis using a different dating technique suggests the spears are younger, placing them about 200,000 years old. The new age means the hunting weapons may have been used by Neanderthals instead, according to research published Friday in the journal Science Advances. Recent work has suggested that some Neanderthals mixed and mated with early humans. The balanced, well-crafted spears could help scientists understand what Neanderthals were capable of and how they worked together to hunt. The spears are 'pretty sophisticated for something that old," said study co-author Jarod Hutson with the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History. But it's not yet clear why the new dating disagrees with previous estimates. Archaeologist Thomas Terberger with the University of Göttingen said more research is needed to be sure of the spears' age and who used them to hunt. 'For the moment, I find the arguments interesting, but not absolutely convincing,' said Terberger, who had no role in the new study. ___ The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute's Science and Educational Media Group and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The AP is solely responsible for all content.
The Independent
19-03-2025
- Science
- The Independent
Iguanas likely crossed Pacific millions of years ago on a record-setting rafting trip
Researchers have long wondered how iguanas got to Fiji, a collection of remote islands in the South Pacific. Most modern-day iguanas live in the Americas — thousands of miles and one giant ocean away. They thought maybe they scurried there through Asia or Australia before volcanic activity pushed Fiji so far away. But new research suggests that millions of years ago, iguanas pulled off the 5,000 mile (8,000 kilometer) odyssey on a raft of floating vegetation — masses of uprooted trees and small plants. That journey is thought to be a record — further than any other land-dwelling vertebrate has ever traveled on the ocean. Scientists think that's how iguanas got to the Galapagos Islands off of Ecuador and between islands in the Caribbean. Initially they thought Fiji might be a bit too far for such a trip, but in a new study, researchers inspected the genes of 14 iguana species spanning the Americas, the Caribbean and Fiji. They discovered that Fijian iguanas were most closely related to desert iguanas from North America, and that the two groups split off around 31 million years ago. The researchers created a statistical model using that information and other tidbits about where iguanas live today and how they may spread. It suggested that the iguanas most likely floated to Fiji from North America. 'Given what we know now, their result is by far the most strongly supported,' said Kevin de Queiroz, an evolutionary biologist at the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History, who was not involved with the new study. The research was published Monday in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. The journey from North America to Fiji could have taken a few months, but these desert iguanas would have been ideal passengers because they were adept at resisting dehydration and could have snacked on the plants underfoot. 'If you had to pick a vertebrate to survive a long trip on a raft across an ocean, iguanas would be the one,' said study author Simon Scarpetta from the University of San Francisco, in an email. Many Fijian iguana species are endangered, and an invasive green iguana roams the islands today, said study author Robert Fisher of the United States Geological Survey. Figuring out where these creatures came from can equip scientists with the tools to better protect them in the future.
The Guardian
18-03-2025
- Science
- The Guardian
Iguanas probably floated to Fiji millions of years ago on record-breaking raft journey, scientists say
Researchers have long wondered how iguanas got to Fiji. Most modern-day iguanas live in the Americas – thousands of miles and one giant ocean away. They thought maybe they scurried there through Asia or Australia before volcanic activity pushed the Fijian islands so far away. But new research suggests that millions of years ago, iguanas pulled off the 5,000 mile (8,000km) odyssey on a raft of floating vegetation – masses of uprooted trees and small plants. That journey is thought to be a record – further than any other land-dwelling vertebrate has ever travelled on the ocean. Scientists think that's how iguanas got to the Galápagos Islands off Ecuador and between islands in the Caribbean. Initially they thought Fiji might be a bit too far for such a trip, but in a new study, researchers inspected the genes of 14 iguana species spanning the Americas, the Caribbean and Fiji. They discovered that Fijian iguanas were most closely related to desert iguanas from North America, and that the two groups split off around 31m years ago. The researchers created a statistical model using that information and other data on where iguanas live today and how they may spread. It suggested that the iguanas most likely floated to Fiji from North America. 'Given what we know now, their result is by far the most strongly supported,' said Kevin de Queiroz, an evolutionary biologist at the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History, who was not involved with the new study. The research was published on Monday in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. The journey from North America to Fiji could have taken a few months, but these desert iguanas would have been ideal passengers because they were adept at resisting dehydration and could have snacked on the plants underfoot. 'If you had to pick a vertebrate to survive a long trip on a raft across an ocean, iguanas would be the one,' said study author Simon Scarpetta from the University of San Francisco, in an email. Many Fijian iguana species are endangered, and an invasive green iguana roams the islands today, said study author Robert Fisher of the United States Geological Survey. Figuring out where these creatures came from can equip scientists with the tools to better protect them in the future.
South China Morning Post
18-03-2025
- Science
- South China Morning Post
Scientists think they've finally figured out how iguanas got to Fiji
Researchers have long wondered how iguanas got to Fiji , a collection of remote islands in the South Pacific. Most modern-day iguanas live in the Americas – thousands of miles and one giant ocean away. Advertisement They thought maybe they scurried there via Asia or Australia before volcanic activity pushed Fiji so far away. But new research suggests that millions of years ago, iguanas pulled off the 8,000km (5,000-mile) odyssey on a raft of floating vegetation – masses of uprooted trees and small plants. That journey is thought to be a record – further than any other land-dwelling vertebrate has ever travelled on the ocean. The journey from North America to Fiji could have taken a few months, but desert iguanas would have been ideal passengers. Photo: Handout Scientists think that's how iguanas got to the Galapagos Islands off of Ecuador and between islands in the Caribbean . Initially they thought Fiji might be a bit too far for such a trip, but in a new study, researchers inspected the genes of 14 iguana species spanning the Americas, the Caribbean and Fiji. They discovered that Fijian iguanas were most closely related to desert iguanas from North America, and that the two groups split off around 31 million years ago. The researchers created a statistical model using that information and other titbits about where iguanas live today and how they may spread. It suggested that the iguanas most likely floated to Fiji from North America. 'Given what we know now, their result is by far the most strongly supported,' said Kevin de Queiroz, an evolutionary biologist at the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History, who was not involved with the new study. If you had to pick a vertebrate to survive a long trip on a raft across an ocean, iguanas would be the one Simon Scarpetta, study author The research was published on Monday in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
