Casts of skulls are seen inside an exhibit of early human species inside the Smithsonian Hall of Human Origins, Thursday, July 20, 2023, at the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History, in Washington.

In caves across Africa, archaeologists have found engraved ochre, pierced shells, and carefully shaped stone tools. These objects hint at planning, shared meaning, and social rules that someone had to ...

At some point, early humans began to communicate in ways that went beyond simple sounds. Language developed gradually, shaped by social interaction and survival needs. But no direct record of the ...

Why did humans start speaking? Scientists suggest genetics played a big role – and they say the evolution of this singular ability was key to our survival. A new study links a particular gene to the ...