How we discovered the oldest human burial in Africa – and what it tells us about our ancestors

By Simon Armitage, Professor in Quaternary Science, Royal Holloway

How did human uniqueness first evolve among our ancestors, setting us apart from other animals? That is a question many archaeologists are grappling with by investigating early records of art, language, food preparation, ornaments and symbols. How our ancestors treated and mourned the dead can also offer crucial clues, helping to reveal when we first developed the abstract thinking needed to fully grasp the concept of death.

Now we have…

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