Modern humans, Neanderthals, and other recent relatives on our human family tree evolved bigger brains much more rapidly than earlier species, a new study of human brain evolution has found.
University of ReadingNov 27 2024
The team assembled the largest-ever dataset of ancient human fossils spanning 7 million years and used advanced computational and statistical methods to account for gaps in the fossil record. These innovative approaches provided the most comprehensive view yet of how brain size evolved over time. Dr Thomas Puschel, lead author now at Oxford University, said: "Big evolutionary changes don't always need dramatic events. They can happen through small, gradual improvements over time, much like how we learn and adapt today."
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