Discovering Neanderthal String
A recent discovery indicates that our prehistoric relatives may have been smarter than previously thought. A team of paleo-anthropologists, scientists who study the origins of early humans and their relatives, found a bit of string on a prehistoric tool. This artifact offers evidence that Neanderthals had developed an important technology for survival. Listen to learn how Neanderthals made string and why the find is changing views of their intelligence.
Read MoreFree Food Refrigerators Feed Communities
The number of Americans who do not have enough food has increased dramatically during the pandemic. To address this problem of food insecurity, groups across the country are putting refrigerators filled with free food in public places and inviting people to take what they need. The “freedges” are feeding thousands of people, many of whom had never visited a food bank. Listen to hear more about a grassroots effort to feed hungry Americans, and learn why one activist worries about the sustainability of the movement.
Read MoreMiss Navajo Nation's Community Service
Each year, a pageant is held to crown the next Miss Navajo Nation. The winner is chosen for her deep knowledge of Navajo culture and traditions and a demonstrated ability to care for her community. This audio story features an interview with Miss Navajo Nation 2019, who served during the pandemic. Listen to hear her thoughts on competing for the title and keeping her community safe, and why she believes the Miss Navajo Nation pageant benefits young Indigenous women.
Read MoreThe Wisdom in Neanderthal Cave Campfire Design
Learning to control fire was an important milestone in human development. Prehistoric people used fire for cooking, heat, and keeping predators away. But one question that has puzzled experts is how Neanderthals were able to use fire in a cave without causing conditions that would make it hard to survive. Listen to learn how recent research has helped solve that puzzle and has also revealed the ingenuity of our prehistoric ancestors.
Read MoreCURRENT EVENT | March 1, 2023
Scientists understand that Neanderthals shared certain behaviors with early humans, including their choice to live in communities. But the nature of those communities – whether they were made up of family members or friends, for example - remained unknown. Recently, though, DNA extracted from Neanderthal skeletons found in caves in Russia has revealed intriguing new clues to their community structure. Listen to learn about the Neanderthal family members found in the cave and the new questions about community raised by the research.
Story Length: 3:25
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10/19/2022
https://app.listenwise.com/students/events/2454-neanderthal-community-building
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