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1. Decorated snail shell in a cave in Iraq could be evidence of Paleolithic bling

   A tiny artefact with complex incisions tells us about prehistoric ornamentation, writes Professor Chris Hunt

2. Prehistoric people started to spread domesticated bananas across the world 6,000 years ago

   One of the most widely grown, traded and eaten of all the crops, bananas were once a prized exotic novelty, but are now a staple in many country’s supermarkets – Prof Chris Hunt and Dr Rathnasiri Premathilake investigate

3. A chimpanzee cultural collapse is underway, and it’s driven by humans

   Chimpanzees now face the daunting task of surviving in a habitat increasingly infested and assaulted by humans. And as their populations decline, so does their behavioural variation. In short, humans are causing chimpanzee cultural collapse.

4. Groundhog Day or liberation from daily routine?

   Dr Ruth Odgen from the School of Psychology, a lead investigator on a new study into time under COVID-19 isolation, shares her thoughts with us.

5. Human ancestors had the same dental problems as us – even without fizzy drinks and sweets

   Prehistoric humans and their predecessors may have had a very different diet but their teeth suffered in similar ways to ours, writes anthropology lecturer Dr Ian Towle

6. 5 reasons to love maggots

   Whether they are working away in the farmer’s field or being used as evidence in court, maggots are helping us in our day-to-day lives in surprising ways. Isn’t it time you gave these misunderstood creatures the credit they deserve?

7. The welcome rise and worrying fall in covert investigation

   Covert techniques and specialist intelligence never appear to be far from the headlines - so why are they on the decline?

8. Gang culture appeals to disenfranchised young people – but ‘social mixing’ offers a way out

   Over the past ten years, violence among young people involved in gangs has claimed hundreds of lives and dominated national debate in the UK.

9. England v South Africa – a history of tough tackling and political turmoil

   The historic sporting rivalry between England and South Africa has often been marred by political protests and controversy.

10. Safari tourism may make elephants more aggressive – but it’s still the best tool for conservation

    Going on safari in Africa offers tourists the opportunity to see some of the most spectacular wildlife on Earth – including African elephants, but as it becomes more popular worldwide, it’s worth remembering that we often don’t know how tourism affects the animals we observe.