Research by John Hawks
Research highlight: Growth and development in human origins
A report from a Wenner-Gren-supported workshop innovating ways forward for understanding hominin ontogenies
![A reconstruction of a Homo naledi child skull with bone and teeth indicated.](/content/images/size/w1460/2023/08/leti-reconstruction-berger.jpg)
Research highlight: Homo naledi teeth
In a massive new paper, a team led by Lucas Delezene provides descriptions of the dental evidence from the Dinaledi Chamber.
![Four third mandibular premolars in five orientations with labels and scale bar](/content/images/size/w1460/2023/05/dinaledi-third-mandibular-premolar-comparison-delezene-2023.jpg)
Finding ancient fire use in the Rising Star cave system
The study of the underground landscape enters a new phase with evidence of charcoal and burned animal bone in deep chambers.
![A piece of charcoal upon a brown surface with tiny rodent bones visible](/content/images/size/w1460/2022/12/Charcoal-from-Rising-Star-Chamber.jpg)
Research highlight: The frontal sinuses of fossil hominins
A look inside the skulls of hominins reveals the extensive variation in the form of the internal structures known as the frontal sinuses.
![Crania of Petralona and LES1 showing the extent of their frontal sinuses](/content/images/size/w1460/2022/11/petralona-les1-frontal-sinus-illustration.jpg)
Research highlight: Vertebral wedging in Homo naledi
In a new paper led by Scott Williams, we look at the way that the Homo naledi lower vertebral column compares to humans and other extinct hominins.
![Vertebral column preserved for the LES1 skeleton in left lateral, anterior, posterior, and right lateral views.](/content/images/size/w1460/2022/11/lesedi-vertebral-column-williams-2022.jpg)
Research highlight: The limbs of Homo naledi
In a new paper, Sarah Traynor, David Green and I show that the sizes of the arm bones of Homo naledi are more or less like today's humans, despite their many morphological adaptations to climbing.
![Homo naledi skeletal material on a black table with dark background](/content/images/size/w1460/2022/09/02-homo-naledi-bone-table-angled-john-hawks-cc-by.jpg)
Research highlight: Pelvic fragment from the Lesedi Chamber
A new paper from our team led by Zachary Cofran looks at the immature ilium that is currently the most complete pelvic fragment of Homo naledi.
![Research highlight: Pelvic fragment from the Lesedi Chamber](/content/images/size/w1460/2022/05/lesedi-ilium-fragment-cofran-2022.jpg)
Research highlight: Mandibles from Malapa
My research with Lee Berger looking at the variation of the mandibular ramus of Australopithecus sediba.
![Research highlight: Mandibles from Malapa](/content/images/size/w1460/2022/05/mandibular-ramus-morphology-paper-front-page-2022-1.png)
Research highlight: Strategizing public-facing work within an academic career
In a collaborative article with Kimberleigh Tommy, we examine the challenges facing researchers who work with the public.
![Maropeng Visitor Centre showing front view with grassy hill and door entering in.](/content/images/size/w1460/2022/02/maropeng-visitor-centre-photo.jpg)