Our modern brain shape may be only 40,000 years old

These areas serve as an'important hub' of brain organization, responsible for functions like motor control, balance, memory, language, social cognition and the ability to process things around us. This suggests that evolutionary changes to our brain were key to the evolution of the human condition, the scientists said. 'The evolution of endocranial shape within Homo sapiens suggests evolutionary changes of early brain development -- a critical period for neural wiring and cognitive development,' said Philipp Gunz, a co-author of the study. The scientists point out that these evolutionary changes were gradual, taking place over tens of thousands of years. New research suggests key evolutionary changes in our brain shape occurred 100,000-35,000 years ago.