John Hawks

Deep history from the genomes of India

People carrying Neanderthal mixture entered the subcontinent after 50,000 years ago, meeting Denisovans

23 hrs ago • 

John Hawks

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September 2025

The problem skulls from Yunxian

The relationships of fossils from deep time in China may help reveal ancestral connections for the Denisovans

Sep 25 • 

John Hawks

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A shorter, sharper Out-of-Africa story is emerging

A new study of genomic ancestry in Papua New Guinea supports a short timeline for the dispersal of modern people

Sep 18 • 

John Hawks

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Ten years of Homo naledi in my world

I reflect on the experience since the scientific description of the species was published in 2015

Sep 11 • 

John Hawks

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Will humans start living to 150 soon?

A conversation between world leaders prompts an exploration into the history of human health

Sep 4 • 

John Hawks

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August 2025

Expanding the “Cradle of Humankind”

Developing a broader idea of the habitats and capacities of early hominins

Aug 30 • 

John Hawks

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The gene from Denisovan to Neanderthal to modern mucus

A “genetic sandwich” reveals how a block of DNA entered several populations successively and was affected by natural selection.

Aug 23 • 

John Hawks

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New hominin teeth from Ledi-Geraru, Ethiopia

Reviewing new evidence that suggests a presence of Homo and Australopithecus in the time before 2.5 million years ago.

Aug 19 • 

John Hawks

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Denisovan HLA and its role in immunity

Today's people have inherited several immune alleles from archaic people. Understanding what difference they made is a continuing challenge.

Aug 11 • 

John Hawks

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Hominins voyaged to Sulawesi before one million years ago

New report of stone artifacts from Calio place human relatives in Wallacea more broadly and earlier than anyone knew.

Aug 7 • 

John Hawks

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July 2025

Bizarre foods: Neanderthal edition

Scientists propose a maggot-fueled hypothesis for the diets of ancient hunters

Jul 27 • 

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How archaeologists are missing Pleistocene cultures

I propose a “Culture First” way of looking at ancient remains, instead of the “Culture Last” assumption so pervasive in the field.

Jul 24 • 

John Hawks

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