Monthly Archives: July 2015

There are two new papers out on the early colonization of the Americas, one in Science and one in Nature.  The Science paper claims that all Amerindians stem from a single Siberian population that moved into Beringia about 23,000 years … Continue reading →

Very early settlers of North America had at least some ability to make water-crossings, since there is evidence of early human activity on the Channel Islands off California (Santa Rosa, for example).  But by the time they crossed the continent … Continue reading →

Although Richard Nisbett has written about long-term differences in cognitive style between East and West,  he is, I think, dismissive of the possibility that biology might explain such differences, or any other mental differences – at least publicly. He had … Continue reading →

It’s that time again, time to contribute. You can send funds via Paypal, by check (to me or to West Hunter  Incorporated if you’re after deductibility). West Hunter’s purpose is the advancement of education and science in anthropology and evolution. … Continue reading →

One interesting and puzzling question is when and how humans  developed the ability to make ocean crossings.  Although much of the Indonesian archipelago turns into a peninsula during the glacial peaks (Sundaland), it’s never possible to walk to Sahul (Australia/New … Continue reading →

It has long been known that inbreeding is bad for you. A new paper in Nature (Directional dominance on stature and cognition in diverse human populations) finally gives us a good quantitative estimate of just how bad it is. They … Continue reading →