The faces of early hominids were like stiff masks; they didn't have much variation or mobility at all. Over millions of years our faces, have evolved to become smaller and narrower – and to become enormously varied from one person to the next. Scientists think being readily identifiable and recognisable has helped us to thrive as a species.
But if the pieces in this edition of Notes are any indication, there’s quite a bit of anxiety about the connection between faces and personal identity at this stage in human evolution. Do our faces belong to us – or do we belong to our faces?