Fossils

Humans

How scientists can get a better picture of our extinct relatives

Facial reconstructions of extinct species have historically been more art than science. Some researchers hope to change that.

Fossils

Rhinos, camels and bone-crushing dogs once roamed Nebraska

Scientists digging into the remnants of an ancient watering hole in Nebraska discovered evidence of an Africa-like savanna, complete with rhinos.

Plants

Dinosaur-killing asteroid radically changed Earth’s tropical forests

The asteroid collision initially reduced the diversity in what had been sunny tropical rainforests. In time, the forests would become permanently darker.

Fossils

Scientists Say: Dinosaur

Dinosaurs emerged between 243 and 233 million years ago. While some died out 66 million years ago, others are still with us — birds.

Fossils

An ancient hippo-sized reptile may have been a speedy beast

An Anteosaurus was a hefty reptile with a large snout. Its fossil skull hints that it may have moved fast for its time.

Life

Scientists Say: Hominid

Scientists are still working out what counts as a hominid. Some say it’s just people and our extinct ancestors. Others say add more apes.

Animals

Giant worms may have hidden beneath the ancient seafloor to ambush prey

Twenty-million-year-old tunnels unearthed in Taiwan may have been home to creatures similar to today’s monstrous bobbit worms.

Fossils

This ancient reptile’s last meal may have truly been a killer

An ichthyosaur’s eyes were too big for its stomach. And that may have led to this ancient reptile’s death.

Fossils

American crocs seem to descend from kin that crossed the Atlantic

A fossil hints that early crocodiles crossed over from Africa, millions of years ago, to colonize a new land.

Humans

Let’s learn about early humans

Homo sapiens are the last member left of our genus. But many other species of early humans existed before us.

Fossils

Early dinosaurs may have laid soft-shelled eggs

Scientists for the first time have turned up evidence of fossils from soft-shelled dinosaur eggs. This has scientists rethinking how dinosaur eggs evolved.

Fossils

These crocodile ancestors lived a two-legged life

A set of 106-million year old footprints show a crocodile relative appears to have walked on two legs.