This week has been filled with exciting scientific discoveries, pushing the boundaries of our understanding of human evolution, unearthing fascinating artifacts from the Bronze Age, and unveiling the mysteries of the natural world.

In a significant breakthrough, researchers discovered fragments of human shin bones deep within the “Cave of the Monkeys” in Laos. This finding suggests that Homo sapiens arrived in Southeast Asia as early as 86,000 years ago, expanding our knowledge of human migration patterns.

In the realm of paleoanthropology, new insights into the physical capabilities of our ancient ancestors emerged. Studies revealed that “Lucy,” a 3.2 million-year-old human ancestor belonging to the species Australopithecus afarensis, possessed massive leg muscles. These findings challenge previous theories and support the idea that Lucy and her counterparts walked upright rather than adopting a chimpanzee-like, crouching gait.

Archaeological excavations near Stonehenge uncovered a vast cemetery of Bronze Age burial mounds. Among the remarkable discoveries was an impeccably preserved “octagonal” sword that gleams with pristine craftsmanship. These findings shed light on ancient burial practices and offer a glimpse into the lives of those who lived during this era.

In the world of art and culture, researchers made strides in unraveling the enigmatic rock art painted by Aboriginal people. By deciphering the meaning behind these ancient paintings, scientists gained valuable insights into the beliefs and traditions of Australia’s indigenous communities.

Astronomers made significant celestial observations this week. They identified only the second “Tatooine world,” an exoplanet that orbits multiple suns within its star system. Additionally, researchers observed a collapsed star in the process of transforming into a massive diamond—a rare and extraordinary phenomenon in the cosmos.

In the realm of health, a gold-standard clinical trial demonstrated that “reanimated” hearts could be successfully transplanted, potentially expanding the pool of viable donor organs. Another remarkable case study highlighted the impact of rare genetic mutations, which caused two children to develop insatiable hunger and severe obesity.

Nature provided its own intriguing discoveries. Scientists made progress in understanding the initial stages of photosynthesis in plants. The eruption of Hawaii’s Kilauea volcano resulted in the emission of “vog,” a mixture of volcanic gas and haze. Concerningly, researchers discovered that endangered Masai giraffes were inbreeding, putting the species at risk of extinction. Finally, a captivating and perplexing video emerged, showing a deer consuming a snake, leaving observers fascinated by this unusual behavior.

These highlights offer just a glimpse into the vast array of scientific discoveries made this week. To stay up to date, be sure to regularly visit Live Science, follow their social media channels, and sign up for their newsletter. Science continually expands our understanding of the world, unveiling the wonders of the universe and unraveling the mysteries of our past and present.