Scientists have extracted DNA from a Neanderthal skeleton found embedded in calcite deposits in an Italian cave. The remains may be up to 170,000 years old, making this the oldest Neanderthal DNA ever found.

New research shows that typical European traits of pale skin, tallness, and the ability to digest lactose as adults, are relatively new developments, appearing only within the last 8,000 years. 

Why are humans the only primate species with a chin? Researchers from the University of Iowa suggest that the chin became prominent as modern humans evolved smaller faces. This contrasts other arguments that the chin developed in response to mechanical processes related to chewing. 

Work in Kenya has yielded the oldest stone tools ever found. These tools, found near Lake Turkana, date to 3.3 million years ago, that’s 700,000 years older than any other recovered stone tools.

Adapt, Evolve, or Be Left Behind

As archaeologists we think a lot about adaptation and evolution – from analyzing fossils of our early ancestors to studying changes in pottery styles over time. But the ability to adapt and evolve doesn't just apply to people or objects in the past.

Case in point – Last night the Duke University Men’s Basketball team won the NCAA championship, the fifth title for their legendary coach Mike Krzyzewski. Hallmarks of Duke’s previous championship squads included older, more established players, like Christian Laettner, Grant Hill, and Shane Battier. The landscape of college basketball, however, began to shift, with rules allowing schools to rely on highly talented young players who would often leave college early for professional basketball, sometimes after only one year, earning these players the label of “one-and-done’s”.

Duke’s Coach “K” has criticized this system, but he has also recognized that his industry has changed and he and his team must adapt to remain successful. Sports has more in common with other professions than you might think. The successful teams like Duke are particularly skilled at tracking their progress toward specific goals while also monitoring and adapting to significant trends. 

We each face challenges in our personal lives and careers. If we can learn to adapt to these challenges, we improve our chances of being successful. Doing things simply because “that’s how it’s always been done”, puts us at risk of missing opportunities, and falling behind as our industry evolves.