Topic: Fertile Crescent

The World Until Yesterday

Relying on his vast knowledge of New Guinea, Jared Diamond asks what moderns like us can learn from traditional societies.

Queen of Sheba left genetic legacy to Ethiopians, study finds

Ethiopians's long-ago genetic mixing with populations from Israel and Egypt is a legacy of the Queen of Sheba and her companions, say researchers. 

Satellites identify thousands of small hills as ancient human settlements

Now, two scientists have figured out a more efficient way of locating these sites, via their footprints, from space.

Editor's Blog
Revolution 2011: What comes next is not the end of the story

Some revolutions lead to a flowering of democracy. Some backslide into anarchy or dictatorship. But there's always another chapter to be written.

Genetic study uncovers wild ass ancestor of donkey

Genetic research has confirmed has confirmed one of two wild ass ancestors for the donkey, while raising questions about the second ancestor. The research also offers further evidence domestication took place in Africa.

Scientists say dogs were domesticated in Middle East, not Asia

New study shows domesticated dogs trace ancestry to Middle East.

Severe drought affects 1.3 million in Syria

More than 800,000 people have lost their livelihoods in a four-year dry spell exacerbated by climate change and rising food prices. Almost half of them live in urban makeshift camps.

Bright Green
Is it a result of climate change or something else? Part 2.

Bright Green
Is it a result of climate change or something else? Part 1.