Paleoanthropology

Core Summary According to CNN, new research suggests that close relatives of the “hobbits” (Homo floresiensis) who lived on the Indonesian island of Flores may not have possessed the highly advanced cognitive abilities previously assumed. Scientists analyzing new fossil material found that these ancient humans may have taken a simpler evolutionary path, challenging the academic view that “small brains equal high intelligence.” This discovery offers a fresh perspective on understanding the diversity of human evolution. ...

A new study comparing modern human brain MRI scans with Neanderthal skull endocasts finds that brain volume differences are not significant, suggesting Neanderthal cognitive abilities were likely comparable to ours.