#earlyhumans — Public Fediverse posts

The first early human eggs from stem cells

https://www.conception.bio/science-and-updates/the-first-early-human-eggs-from-stem-cells

#HackerNews #earlyhumans #stemcells #biotechnology #reproductivehealth #scientificbreakthroughs

The first early human eggs from stem cells

https://www.conception.bio/science-and-updates/the-first-early-human-eggs-from-stem-cells

#HackerNews #earlyhumans #stemcells #biotechnology #reproductivehealth #scientificbreakthroughs

They didn’t bathe, seriously?

By Cliff Potts, CSO, and Editor-in-Chief of WPS News

Baybay City, Leyte, Philippines — June 24, 2026

Modern portrayals of early humans tend to follow a familiar pattern: dirty faces, tangled hair, and a general look of permanent neglect. It is a visual shorthand used across documentaries, films, and illustrations. The assumption is simple—if they lived before modern sanitation, they must have been unclean. That assumption is convenient. It is also likely incomplete.

Early humans lived in close proximity to water sources. Archaeological and anthropological evidence consistently shows that settlements formed near rivers, lakes, and coastal environments. Water was not only essential for survival but central to daily activity. This raises a basic question: if water was readily available, why assume it was only used for drinking?

There is no direct written record describing hygiene practices from 20,000 years ago. However, indirect evidence suggests that early humans were not indifferent to cleanliness. Stone tools used for scraping hides indicate an understanding of material preparation and maintenance. The same cognitive processes that led to tool refinement likely extended to personal care. Grooming is not a modern invention—it is observed across many animal species as a basic behavioral trait.

Comparative anthropology offers additional insight. Contemporary and historically recent hunter-gatherer societies—often used as reference points—frequently incorporate bathing into daily routines when water is available. In tropical and temperate climates alike, washing in rivers or streams is common practice. There is no clear reason to assume that earlier humans, facing similar environmental conditions, would behave differently.

The argument that early humans were “too busy surviving” to maintain hygiene overlooks how survival actually works. Activities such as foraging, tool-making, and social interaction were not continuous states of emergency. Periods of rest and recovery were built into daily life. Water sources, in particular, would have served as natural gathering points—places not only for drinking but for cooling off, cleaning, and social interaction.

There is also a physiological dimension. Removing dirt, parasites, and irritants from the skin has clear health benefits. Even without modern knowledge of bacteria, early humans would have recognized the relief associated with washing. Behavioral reinforcement—feeling better after cleaning—does not require scientific explanation to become habitual.

The persistent image of the perpetually dirty early human may say more about modern assumptions than about prehistoric reality. It reflects a tendency to equate technological simplicity with personal neglect. In doing so, it overlooks the adaptability and observational intelligence that defined early human survival.

We do not have direct evidence that early humans bathed regularly. We also do not have evidence that they avoided it. What we do have is a consistent pattern: humans, across time and environment, use available resources in ways that improve comfort and health. Water was available. The rest follows logically.

They didn’t bathe, seriously?

By Cliff Potts, CSO, and Editor-in-Chief of WPS News

Baybay City, Leyte, Philippines — June 24, 2026

Modern portrayals of early humans tend to follow a familiar pattern: dirty faces, tangled hair, and a general look of permanent neglect. It is a visual shorthand used across documentaries, films, and illustrations. The assumption is simple—if they lived before modern sanitation, they must have been unclean. That assumption is convenient. It is also likely incomplete.

Early humans lived in close proximity to water sources. Archaeological and anthropological evidence consistently shows that settlements formed near rivers, lakes, and coastal environments. Water was not only essential for survival but central to daily activity. This raises a basic question: if water was readily available, why assume it was only used for drinking?

There is no direct written record describing hygiene practices from 20,000 years ago. However, indirect evidence suggests that early humans were not indifferent to cleanliness. Stone tools used for scraping hides indicate an understanding of material preparation and maintenance. The same cognitive processes that led to tool refinement likely extended to personal care. Grooming is not a modern invention—it is observed across many animal species as a basic behavioral trait.

Comparative anthropology offers additional insight. Contemporary and historically recent hunter-gatherer societies—often used as reference points—frequently incorporate bathing into daily routines when water is available. In tropical and temperate climates alike, washing in rivers or streams is common practice. There is no clear reason to assume that earlier humans, facing similar environmental conditions, would behave differently.

The argument that early humans were “too busy surviving” to maintain hygiene overlooks how survival actually works. Activities such as foraging, tool-making, and social interaction were not continuous states of emergency. Periods of rest and recovery were built into daily life. Water sources, in particular, would have served as natural gathering points—places not only for drinking but for cooling off, cleaning, and social interaction.

There is also a physiological dimension. Removing dirt, parasites, and irritants from the skin has clear health benefits. Even without modern knowledge of bacteria, early humans would have recognized the relief associated with washing. Behavioral reinforcement—feeling better after cleaning—does not require scientific explanation to become habitual.

The persistent image of the perpetually dirty early human may say more about modern assumptions than about prehistoric reality. It reflects a tendency to equate technological simplicity with personal neglect. In doing so, it overlooks the adaptability and observational intelligence that defined early human survival.

We do not have direct evidence that early humans bathed regularly. We also do not have evidence that they avoided it. What we do have is a consistent pattern: humans, across time and environment, use available resources in ways that improve comfort and health. Water was available. The rest follows logically.

https://www.europesays.com/ie/506561/ 100,000-Year-Old Bones in Ethiopia May Point to the Earliest Human Cremation #AfarRift #AncientHumans #Archaeology #cremation #EarlyHumans #Éire #Ethiopia #FossilDiscovery #HomoSapiens #HumanEvolution #IE #Ireland #MiddleAwash #MiddleStoneAge #MortuaryRituals #paleoanthropology #PNAS #Science #StoneTools #UniversityOfOulu

https://www.europesays.com/africa/255616/ 100,000-Year-Old Bones in Ethiopia May Point to the Earliest Human Cremation #AfarRift #AncientHumans #Archaeology #crémation #EarlyHumans #Ethiopia #FossilDiscovery #HomoSapiens #HumanEvolution #MiddleAwash #MiddleStoneAge #MortuaryRituals #paleoanthropology #PNAS #StoneTools #UniversityOfOulu

🔥📚 Ah, the riveting tale of prehistoric campfires, where esteemed scientists have unearthed the groundbreaking revelation that early humans might have, drumroll please... used firewood! 📜✨ Who would've guessed? Next, they'll tell us water is wet! 🙄🔥
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0277379126001824 #prehistoriccampfires #firewood #discovery #earlyhumans #scientificrevelation #humorinscience #HackerNews #ngated

🔥📚 Ah, the riveting tale of prehistoric campfires, where esteemed scientists have unearthed the groundbreaking revelation that early humans might have, drumroll please... used firewood! 📜✨ Who would've guessed? Next, they'll tell us water is wet! 🙄🔥
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0277379126001824 #prehistoriccampfires #firewood #discovery #earlyhumans #scientificrevelation #humorinscience #HackerNews #ngated

700,000-Year-Old Tools from Spain Reveal North African Influence

Stone tools from the Revilleja de Valparaíso site. Credit: Francisco-Javier García-Vadillo / CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 A set of…
#Spain #ES #Europe #Europa #EU #Acheulean #earlyhumans #HumanEvolution #IberianPeninsula #NorthAfrica #SpainArchaeology #stonetools
https://www.europesays.com/spain/9901/

https://www.europesays.com/africa/200253/ 700,000-Year-Old Tools from Spain Reveal North African Influence #Acheulean #Africa #EarlyHumans #HumanEvolution #IberianPeninsula #NorthAfrica #SpainArchaeology #StoneTools

https://www.europesays.com/africa/110252/ Humans Tried to Leave Africa Many Times, But Most Attempts Failed #Africa #AncientClimateChange #ClimateAndHumanEvolution #EarlyHumans #HumanEvolution #HumanOrigins #NubianLevallois #paleoanthropology #PrehistoricMigration

The Echo of a Hand Across Millennia: Decoding the Cave Hand Stencil 

Introduction

Imagine the dim glow of flickering firelight, casting dancing shadows on rough cave walls, thousands of years before history began. In the silence, broken only by the gentle breath of a painter, a hand presses against the cool, damp stone. A cloud of red ochre pigment fills the air, settling around the hand to leave a lasting imprint. This humble act resonates through time, speaking volumes across countless generations. The hand stencil, a ghostly echo from our distant ancestors, represents humanity’s earliest attempt at permanence—a poignant declaration: I was here. These timeless marks, etched in caves worldwide, whisper of identity, presence, and belonging, inviting us to imagine the lives, dreams, and stories of those who came before.

Creation and Technique

Creating a hand stencil required careful preparation and delicate execution. Artists mixed powdered ochre or manganese with binding agents such as animal fats or saliva, creating a vivid, lasting pigment. Hollow bone tubes, reeds, or even direct blowing through pursed lips were used to spray this mixture onto cave surfaces, leaving negative hand impressions as the pigment settled around the outstretched fingers and palm (Pike et al., 2012). Positive stencils, conversely, involved coating the hand directly with pigment and pressing firmly onto the rock. The skill and care in producing these artworks suggest the artists were respected community members entrusted with  preserving their group’s identity.

Geographical Distribution

The universality of hand stencils spans continents and millennia, connecting disparate groups through a shared expression of humanity: – El Castillo Cave, Spain (approximately 40,800 years old), where stencils offer a vivid glimpse into the artistic traditions of Europe’s earliest inhabitants (Pike et al., 2012). – Leang Timpuseng Cave, Indonesia (around 39,900 years old), highlighting the global reach of this simple yet profound gesture (Aubert et al., 2014). – Cueva de las Manos, Argentina (circa 11,000 to 7,500 BCE), bearing witness to the enduring legacy of hunter-gatherer communities (UNESCO, 1999). – Maltravieso Cave, Spain (66,700 years old, Neanderthal), pushing back the boundaries of our understanding of human creativity and symbolism (Hoffmann et al., 2018). 

Anthropological and Cognitive Significance

Hand stencils offer anthropologists a rare glimpse into the minds of early humans, revealing their cognitive sophistication and symbolic capabilities. Jean Clottes (2016) interprets these markings as powerful symbolic dialogues, possibly connecting humans with spiritual worlds or ancestors. Such interpretations illuminate the complex, multi-layered meanings embedded in these ancient symbols, suggesting hand stencils were not mere decorations but deeply intentional expressions of identity, spirituality, and community bonds.

Makers of the Marks

The diversity among hand stencil creators adds depth to our understanding of prehistoric societies. Morphometric studies indicate that women and children were significant contributors, evident from the varying sizes and proportions of handprints in sites like Pech Merle and Rouffignac Cave, France (Van Gelder & Sharpe, 2009). Indeed, roughly one-quarter of known stencils were crafted by young hands, suggesting these caves were inclusive spaces of communal gathering, learning, and cultural transmission (Guthrie, 2005). The presence of young artists underscores the social nature of cave art, where cultural heritage and knowledge passed seamlessly across generations. 

Symbolic Meanings

Hand stencils often carry deeper symbolic meanings, frequently depicted with intentional missing fingers, possibly signifying complex communication methods, ritualistic practices, or symbolic gestures of sacrifice and belonging (Snow, 2006). At Gargas Cave, the repeated appearance of such stencils implies deliberate artistic choice rather than accidental loss or injury, hinting at a sophisticated form of proto-communication or ritual symbolism (Groenen, 2016). These enigmatic symbols provoke endless curiosity and interpretation, inviting us to explore ancient societies’ profound yet mysterious belief systems. 

Neanderthal Artists

The revelation of Neanderthal-created hand stencils at Maltravieso Cave drastically reshapes our understanding of these ancient relatives. Dating to approximately 66,700 years ago, these artworks predate modern human presence in Europe, demonstrating Neanderthals’ capability for abstract thought, artistic expression, and symbolic communication (Hoffmann et al., 2018). This discovery challenges long-standing stereotypes, positioning Neanderthals as sophisticated beings with complex social structures, rituals, and creative traditions—indelibly marking their legacy within humanity’s shared heritage. 

Personal Reflection and Modern Resonance

Handprints transcend historical and cultural divides, resonating deeply within modern consciousness through their universal symbolism of identity and continuity. Today, a child’s handprint evokes a profound emotional connection, bridging the vast temporal gap between ourselves and our ancestors. As parents guide their children’s hands onto clay or paper, they unknowingly echo the same intimate gesture practiced thousands of years earlier in shadowy caves. This continuity reflects humanity’s enduring quest for meaning, connection, and permanence, uniting generations through shared gestures of presence and belonging.

Conclusion

Hand stencils serve as timeless symbols of humanity’s deepest needs: recognition, belonging, storytelling, and community. These simple marks assert presence, convey complex meanings beyond language, and profoundly connect us to our earliest ancestors. They invite modern observers to reflect on our shared humanity and the eternal impulse to leave a mark upon the world, asserting with silent dignity: We are here.

Works Cited

Aubert, M., Lebe, R., Oktaviana, A. A., Tang, M., Burhan, B., Jusdi, A., … & Brumm, A. (2019). Earliest hunting scene in prehistoric art. Nature, 576(7787), 442–445. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-019-1806-y

Aubert, M., Pike, A. W. G., & Stringer, C. (2014). Pleistocene cave art from Sulawesi, Indonesia. Nature, 514(7521), 223–227. https://doi.org/10.1038/nature13422

Bednarik, R. G. (2008). Children as Pleistocene artists. Rock Art Research, 25(2), 173–182. https://www.academia.edu/1443733/Children_as_Pleistocene_artists

Clottes, J. (2016). What is Paleolithic Art? (D. Coltman, Trans.). University of Chicago Press.

D’Errico, F., & Vanhaeren, M. (2017). Hand to mouth: The origins of symbolic behaviour seen through the study of dental wear and artefacts. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences, 372(1725), 20160377. https://doi.org/10.1098/rstb.2016.0377

Groenen, M. (2016). Handprints and fingerprints in rock art. Arts, 5(1), 1–12. https://doi.org/10.3390/arts5010007

Guthrie, R. D. (2005). The Nature of Paleolithic Art. University of Chicago Press.

Hoffmann, D. L., Standish, C. D., García-Diez, M., Pettitt, P. B., Milton, J. A., Zilhão, J., … & Pike, A. W. G. (2018). U-Th dating of carbonate crusts reveals Neanderthal origin of Iberian cave art. Science, 359(6378), 912–915. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.aap7778

Pike, A. W. G., Hoffmann, D. L., García-Diez, M., Pettitt, P. B., Alcolea, J., De Balbín, R., … & Zilhão, J. (2012). U-series dating of Paleolithic art in 11 caves in Spain. Science, 336(6087), 1409–1413. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.1219957

Snow, D. R. (2006). Sexual dimorphism in European Upper Paleolithic cave art. American Antiquity, 71(4), 663–678. https://doi.org/10.1017/s0002731600039840

UNESCO World Heritage Centre. (1999). Cueva de las Manos, Río Pinturas. https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/936

Van Gelder, L., & Sharpe, K. (2009). Women and girls as Upper Paleolithic cave “artists”: Deciphering the sexes of the hands at Rouffignac Cave, France. Oxford Journal of Archaeology, 28(4), 323–333. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1468-0092.2009.00332.x

Wreschner, E. E. (1983). Red ochre and human evolution: A case for discussion. Current Anthropology, 24(5), 605–625. https://doi.org/10.1086/203067

Zilhão, J., Angelucci, D. E., Badal-García, E., d’Errico, F., Daniel, F., Dayet, L., … & Higham, T. (2010). Symbolic use of marine shells and mineral pigments by Iberian Neandertals. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 107(3), 1023–1028. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.0914088107

Zilhão, J., & d’Errico, F. (1999). The chronology and taphonomy of the earliest Aurignacian and its implications for the understanding of Neandertal extinction. Journal of World Prehistory, 13(1), 1–68. https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1022348410845

#AncientHumans #Anthropology #ArchaeologicalFinds #Archaeology #ArtHistory #CaveArt #DeepHistory #EarlyHumans #HandStencils #HumanOrigins #HumanStory #NeanderthalArt #Paleoanthropology #PaleolithicArt #Prehistory #RockArt #ScienceCommunication #SymbolicArt #WorldOfPaleoanthropology #archaeology #evolution #history #Science

A Siberian site reveals early human habitation dating back 417,000 years, making it the most ancient northern settlement discovered. This discovery reshapes our understanding of when humans first reached high latitudes. #HistoryUncovered #EarlyHumans #evolution #humanity

https://www.newscientist.com/article/2427163-early-humans-spread-as-far-north-as-siberia-400000-years-ago/

A Siberian site reveals early human habitation dating back 417,000 years, making it the most ancient northern settlement discovered. This discovery reshapes our understanding of when humans first reached high latitudes. #HistoryUncovered #EarlyHumans #evolution #humanity

https://www.newscientist.com/article/2427163-early-humans-spread-as-far-north-as-siberia-400000-years-ago/

The Plant-Based Origins of Early Human Diets
Discover the plant-based truth behind the Paleo diet based on new archaeological findings, challenging the myth of early humans' meat-heavy eating habits.
#ancestraldiet #archaeologicaldiscoveries #earlyhumans #nutrition #Paleodiet #plantbased #vegan24news #veganism

https://vegan24.news/the-plant-based-origins-of-early-human-diets/

The Plant-Based Origins of Early Human Diets
Discover the plant-based truth behind the Paleo diet based on new archaeological findings, challenging the myth of early humans' meat-heavy eating habits.
#ancestraldiet #archaeologicaldiscoveries #earlyhumans #nutrition #Paleodiet #plantbased #vegan24news #veganism

https://vegan24.news/the-plant-based-origins-of-early-human-diets/

The Plant-Based Origins of Early Human Diets
Discover the plant-based truth behind the Paleo diet based on new archaeological findings, challenging the myth of early humans' meat-heavy eating habits.
#ancestraldiet #archaeologicaldiscoveries #earlyhumans #nutrition #Paleodiet #plantbased #vegan24news #veganism

https://vegan24.news/the-plant-based-origins-of-early-human-diets/

The Plant-Based Origins of Early Human Diets
Discover the plant-based truth behind the Paleo diet based on new archaeological findings, challenging the myth of early humans' meat-heavy eating habits.
#ancestraldiet #archaeologicaldiscoveries #earlyhumans #nutrition #Paleodiet #plantbased #vegan24news #veganism

https://vegan24.news/the-plant-based-origins-of-early-human-diets/

The problem with unending hair growth for early humans, is that it would literally trip up our ancestors. This could spell trouble both when running from predators and running in when killing prey.

Indeed, back then, I bet baldness was prized. So too would be hair breakage before the hair gets too long. While both are seen as a problem by some today, they could have literally saved your life back in the stone age.

The one advantage of unending hair growth is that it might take decades to become as long as its person. It could be like an old age pension. If you’re so old that you trip over your hair, then you can stay home and do lesser tasks than hunting. The rest of the clan would have to hunt and forage for you.

So it is my bet, that the first thing that stone tools were developed for, would have been to cut our hair. If you were going back in time to such an era, you could bring along a good pair of scissors. They might be prized over other tools.

I envision the first tools may have been a stone that came to a point. This way, you could put the hair to be cut against flat rock and bash the sharp end of the stone against the hair. This would have been both the first barbershop and the first hair salon.

Only after making the tool to cut hair would we realize it had other uses. Like to kill and skin prey, So I am thinking this may have been the very first tool that humanity made and used, So the first profession after forager might have been the barber or hairdresser.

https://larryrusswurm.com/2023/12/23/unending-hair-growth/

#baldnessPrized #barber #earlyHumans #firstTool_ #forager #hairSoLongItTrips #hairdresser #likeAnOldAgePension #runningAfterPrey #runningFromPredators #stayHomeWhileClanForages #unendingHairGrowth

The problem with unending hair growth for early humans, is that it would literally trip up our ancestors. This could spell trouble both when running from predators and running in when killing prey.

Indeed, back then, I bet baldness was prized. So too would be hair breakage before the hair gets too long. While both are seen as a problem by some today, they could have literally saved your life back in the stone age.

The one advantage of unending hair growth is that it might take decades to become as long as its person. It could be like an old age pension. If you’re so old that you trip over your hair, then you can stay home and do lesser tasks than hunting. The rest of the clan would have to hunt and forage for you.

So it is my bet, that the first thing that stone tools were developed for, would have been to cut our hair. If you were going back in time to such an era, you could bring along a good pair of scissors. They might be prized over other tools.

I envision the first tools may have been a stone that came to a point. This way, you could put the hair to be cut against flat rock and bash the sharp end of the stone against the hair. This would have been both the first barbershop and the first hair salon.

Only after making the tool to cut hair would we realize it had other uses. Like to kill and skin prey, So I am thinking this may have been the very first tool that humanity made and used, So the first profession after forager might have been the barber or hairdresser.

https://larryrusswurm.com/2023/12/23/unending-hair-growth/

#baldnessPrized #barber #earlyHumans #firstTool_ #forager #hairSoLongItTrips #hairdresser #likeAnOldAgePension #runningAfterPrey #runningFromPredators #stayHomeWhileClanForages #unendingHairGrowth

People slept on comfy grass beds 200,000 years ago - Enlarge
Fragments of glassy petrified grass and microscopic traces of plant material, dating to ... - https://arstechnica.com/?p=1698983 #ancientpeopledidstuff #paleoarchaeology #ancientafrica #modernhumans #archaeology #earlyhumans #paleolithic #southafrica #science