John Hawks

Informal hominins, from Denisovan to superarchaic

In a new research article, I review the ways that paleoanthropologists name ancient groups outside the Linnaean system.

Oct 11 • 

John Hawks

29

Deep history from the genomes of India

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

Oct 2 • 

John Hawks

42

6

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

38

9

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

66

12

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

33

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

26

8

August 2025

Expanding the “Cradle of Humankind”

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

Aug 30 • 

John Hawks

35

6

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

42

12

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

27

4

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

31

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

24

10

July 2025

Bizarre foods: Neanderthal edition

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

Jul 27 • 

John Hawks

28

6