From fire to food, check out these life-altering reactions that surround us everyday.

In this hilarious, whirlwind tour of the last four billion years of evolution, paleontologist and TED Fellow Lauren Sallan introduces us to some of the wildly diverse animals that roamed the prehistoric planet (from sharks with wings to...

This week, researches published a genetic analysis of the 11,500-year-old remains of a baby found in Alaska, near where the first Americans crossed the Bering land bridge. That analysis has answered some lingering questions about human...

The Triassic was full of creatures that look a lot like other, more modern species, even though they're not closely related at all. The reason for this has to do with how evolution works and with the timing of the Triassic itself: when...

In part 1 of our special series on human ancestry, we tour through our family tree to meet our ancestors and distant cousins, and to find out what made us human along the way. The story of human ancestry is not a simple progression from...

Why do humans cook? Holidays are celebrated in many ways, but chances are they involve eating, and eating a LOT. Ever wonder why we cook our food? We do it because it tastes good, of course, and because our customs and traditions are...

Scientists often use the phrase “anatomically modern humans” to describe the point when our ancient ancestors looked like us. But when did humans become behaviorally modern?

Thanks to my grandmother for inspiring this story, and to my mother for helping make it.



Bird poop was the gateway fertilizer that turned humanity onto the...

Until the early 20th century, Tasmania was home to a very weird wolf-like creature. Except that it wasn't a wolf. Even though it looked like a wolf. How did that happen? Here's the science of convergent evolution!

Purgatorius, a kind of mammal called a plesiadapiform, might've been one of your earliest ancestors. But how did we get from a mouse-sized creature that looked more like a squirrel than a monkey -- to you, a member of Homo sapiens?

Our prehistoric ancestors are 'suddenly a lot closer'

The end of panda diplomacy has been viewed as a consequence of increasingly frosty China-US relations

Explore the beautiful traditions of the Day of the Dead, or Día de los Muertos, a special time in Mexico to remember and honor loved ones who have passed away. Learn how families build colorful altars, decorate with marigolds, and share...

What is Greenland, and why is it called that if it’s mostly covered in ice? In this video, we explore the basics of Greenland—its location, history, geography, and why it matters today. Learn about the world’s largest island, how it was...

Archeological excavation is an inherently destructive process. And for a long time, archeology was practiced unethically. One egregious practice was the taking of human remains from communities who did not want to be disturbed. Good...

Long before European settlers arrived in North America, the continent was richly populated by many different Indigenous Peoples. In this video, learn about the lives of these original inhabitants.

Discover the spiritual and cultural significance of hula in Waimea, Hawaii, where dances are a powerful expression of connection to the land and ancestors.<br/>

Ancestry and DNA testing is one of the fastest growing consumer markets. Over 26 million people have access to their DNA profiles, but understanding these profiles is complicated -- especially if you're a descendant of enslaved people....

Kamala Harris Family Tree | Race vs Ethnicity

Is Queen Elizabeth Related to Count Dracula?

In this video, Otto the Owl teaches children about wisdom and the importance of seeking knowledge from real sources, such as family and teachers, rather than relying solely on the internet. Through the story of Mia, a girl who only...

This video explores the concept of fear and its physical and psychological effects on the human body. It discusses how fear is a response that can be triggered by both real and perceived dangers, and how our ancestors' fight or flight...

DNA Results for Queen Elizabeth II Predicted

Does Queen Elizabeth have any Black, Jewish, or Muslim Ancestors?