fossils
-
In Eastern Africa, the Cradle of Humankind Is Tearing Apart
Researchers have found that Earth’s underlying crust in the Turkana Rift region has been significantly thinned, presaging Africa’s eventual breakup—and with that finding, the researchers offer a new perspective on Turkana’s fossil record of human evolution.
-
Ancient Eggshell Fragments Crack Giant Elephant Bird’s Life Secrets
In a region where skeletal fossils are poorly preserved, old eggshells are opening a window into the evolution, diet and distribution of Madagascar’s extinct birds.
-
Otters the Size of Lions Once Roamed the Earth
Enhydriodon omoensis dwarfed ancestors of humans who lived alongside it from 2.5 to 3.5 million years ago; the two species may have competed for food.
-
Now-Extinct Giant South American Sloth Likely Devoured Meat With Its Vegetables
Up to now, it has been thought that the two-ton Darwin’s ground sloth, which lived up to 10,000 years ago, was strictly vegetarian. Apparently not.
-
Age Newly Verified, One of Oldest Prehuman Fossils Leads to New Finds
Controversy over the age of an early fossil of Homo erectus has been settled, and has led to other specimens.
-
Sailing Stone Track Discovered ‘Hiding in Plain Sight’ in Dinosaur Fossil
The “walking rock” track suggests that a massive volcanic winter may have frozen the tropics during the dawn of the dinosaur age.
-
Finding Microfossils off Southern Africa
Expedition 361’s newest sediment cores brought up spectacular foraminifera—translucent, glassy and “very pretty” throughout the ocean sediment.
-
Dreadnoughtus
If you, like me, are something of a paleo-romantic, Swooning over dinosaurs both fearsome and gigantic, Come feast your eyes on new reports the bone-hunters have brought us: “Fearing nothing” means its name – the mighty beast Dreadnoughtus!
-
Lords of the Past
With life, legged and finned, Earth had been teeming, Slitherers, predators, graceful trees tall … Now, of these species, we are only dreaming: Glossopteris, trilobites, eurypterids, all.
COP31, the 2026 United Nations Climate Change Conference, aims to advance dialogue, strengthen consensus, and accelerate climate action on a global scale. From November 9–20, 2026 in Antalya, Türkiye, heads of state, ministers, scientists, business leaders, and civil society will gather to advance efforts in emission targets, climate finance, and adaptation and resilience. Once again, our experts, students, and global thought leaders from Columbia Climate School and across Columbia University are contributing to key events, sharing insights, and helping shape the dialogue toward ambitious, science-based solutions. Learn More
