Anthropology
A New Look at One of the Oldest Weapons
What a 300,000-year-old throwing stick reveals about our near-human ancestors.
What Spider Games Say About Arachnophobia
Many people around the world fear spiders. But in the Philippines, the tradition of spider wrestling often brings people and arachnids in close proximity.
What Intense Rituals Signal to Your Brain
Risky and stressful ceremonies help crystallize who we are—and heal us, too.
The Real Magic of Rituals
We might call them superstitions or spells, but they genuinely drum anxiety away.
The Sorcerer’s Apprentice
An anthropologist schooled in spiritual healing offers wisdom for troubled times.
A Viral Twitter Thread Reawakens the Dark History of Anthropology
I’m an anthropologist and rarely have I seen such a harmful mix of inaccuracies and stereotypes about Indigenous people.
Love Is Biological Bribery
Evolution uses all its tricks to make sure we procreate. But love in humans is a many-splendored thing.
The Beloved Mesolithic Girl
As a new mother, an anthropologist makes a moving discovery at an infant’s burial site.
What Industrial Societies Get Wrong About Childhood
Age-based classes are not the only way to learn—and may not be the most effective.
Why a Universal Society Is Unattainable
Our minds evolved in an Us-vs-Them universe of our own making.
An Ancient Site with Human Skulls on Display
Where our ancestors began to elevate themselves above nature.