News
Neanderthal hunting trophy site discovered
26 January 2023
A Spanish site called Cueva Des-Cubierta has provided new evidence showing that Neanderthals may have had an interest in building shrines using hunting trophies. Archaeologists at the site, led by Prof. Enrique Baquedano, found animal bones with cut marks and modifications that suggest they were used for the creation of hunting trophies. The skulls found included steppe bison (Bison priscus), steppe rhinoceros (Stephanorhinus hemitoechus), aurochs (Bos primigenius) as well as red deer (Cervus elaphus). All animals had horns. The specimens numbered more than 30 and each had been heavily processed, with brains and jaws removed before being arranged within the site. The body parts found were not high in nutrition and naturally very heavy. It seems likely that the animals were processed for their meat away from the site and the skulls deliberately processed and brought to the Neanderthal camp. The dates of the site are not precise, but broadly fit between 70-50,000 years ago. These findings add to the growing body of evidence suggesting that Neanderthals engaged in symbolic behavior, including the creation and use of hunting trophies, and they provide valuable insights into the cognitive abilities of early humans.
Neanderthals, Denisovans and Homo sapiens: How new science is changing our understanding of human evolution
12 December 2022
In his inaugural lecture at the Main Ceremonial Hall of the University of Vienna Professor Tom Higham gave an overview of his research, which involves applying cutting-edge archaeological science methods to the ancient past, particularly to the period from around 70,000–30,000 years ago when Neanderthals, Denisovans and modern humans met and interacted with one another. Watch the recording by following the link below.
Image © feelimage/matern
Higham Lab features on the best of CBC’s Quirks and Quarks science programme
27 August 2022
The story of how Homo sapiens moved into Europe often speaks about a swift replacement of the Neanderthals, but this is being challenged by exciting new evidence. Tom Higham was part of a team that undertook research on a key cave dwelling in France, and found that it was alternately occupied by Neanderthals and humans over thousands of years. The findings were published in the journal Science Advances, and have new light on the story of early humans in Europe.
ORF news article 'On the trail of the inner Neanderthal'
16 August 2022
Austrian national broadcaster ORF ran a story on our research exploring the archaeological record of early humans and what traces are left from the genes of Neanderthals and Denisovans. For example, Neanderthal DNA can influence whether someone has addictive behaviours or or is a morning or evening person. The ancient genome also provides insights into the social life of these early ancestors.
What motivates Tom Higham and Katerina Douka?
5 May 2022
Watch the Rudolphina video to find out!
What ancient genes tell us about who we are
4 May 2022
A new article about Tom and Katerina in the University of Vienna’s science magazine “Rudolphina” covers their approach to solve the great mystery of human evolution: Why are we the only humans left?
Tom Higham in an interview with VISÃO
24 March 2022
Tom Higham is featured in this months edition of the popular Portuguese magazine Visão. The article covers the release of the Portuguese edition of his book The World Before Us (“O Mundo antes de Nós – Como a Ciência Está a Descobrir uma Nova História para as Origens Humanas“) on March 24.
Our Early Denisovans and their lithics made the Jan Nature Ecology and Evolution front cover!
12 January 2022
Newly discovered hominin bone fragments from Denisova Cave in Siberia are the earliest dated evidence for the Denisovan lineage, and some of the oldest human fossils ever genetically sequenced! Our team, led by Assistant Professor Katerina Douka and Dr Samantha Brown, used ‘ZooMS’ (Zooarchaeology by Mass Spectroscopy) to analyse ancient proteins in 3,791 tiny bone fragments extracted from the site’s oldest layers. They found 5 tiny bones, three of which turned out to be Denisovans and one a Neanderthal!
Outreach: Tom Higham featured in Viennese science magazine "Wien Wissen"
16 December 2021
On four pages, the article describes “The World Before Us” and our research on dating and sequencing our ancestors’ remains, including Denny’s.
Moving to Vienna!
1 August 2021
After 20 years at the University of Oxford I’ve moved to Vienna to take up a role at the University of Vienna’s Department of Evolutionary Anthropology. I’m really delighted that, along with my wife, Assistant Professor Katerina Douka, we can now work in the brand new Biology Building, and develop new and novel approaches to studying the past using biomolecular methods. We are setting up new radiocarbon and proteomics preparative laboratories in Vienna, so keep watching this space!