Associate Professor Ryuichi Yoshitake's book, The Theatre at Messene: An Architectural Study, has been awarded the Herend Award for its comprehensive study of the ancient Greek theatre at Messene. The book explores the reuse of Hellenistic building materials and sheds new light on ancient engineering and design practices.
A new study using ancient DNA from seeds in southeastern China reveals that melons likely originated in South Asia, rather than being developed from wild Chinese plants. The study also found that these ancient melons had light-green flesh and yellow peel, and were likely consumed as vegetables or mildly sweet fruit.
A multidisciplinary study in ancient Gansu found no evidence of direct population influx with western-derived agriculture, suggesting cultural diffusion through the Inner Asian Mountain Corridor. Genetic analysis also revealed complex kinship networks and burial customs, with no strict alignment between genetic ancestry and archaeologi...
Researchers studied Qurayyah Painted Ware ceramics, 3200-yr-old, with black-and-red geometric designs, and found that they may have been used to create a unique identity, or 'brand', for pottery producers in ancient Arabia. The study also explored how these designs were transformed and diffused across different regions.
Researchers analyzed 27,000 ancient seafloor samples and found a consistent pattern of manganese enrichment in sediments from high latitudes, indicating polar oceans remained oxygen-rich. This suggests that oxygen availability drove the observed differences in ocean conditions during ancient ice ages.
Scientists propose a colossal cliff across ancient North America may have exposed Grand Canyon's oldest rocks nearly a billion years before it was carved by the Colorado River. The study suggests the 'great escarpment' of steep rocky cliffs formed when the supercontinent Rodinia broke apart 800 million years ago.
A new study finds that ancient trees preserve rare genetic variation that is poorly represented elsewhere. The research suggests that population history, rather than tree age, contributes to the evolutionary importance of these trees.
Ancient DNA from two high-coverage genomes reveals continuity with modern Japanese populations, continental ancestry, and starch adaptations in Japan. The study suggests interactions among multiple continental populations shaped Yayoi ancestry.
A study of ancient DNA from over 500 mammoth bones found that Ice Age humans selectively targeted female woolly mammoths, unlike the sex ratio among naturally occurring remains. The research sheds light on how ancient humans and mammoths interacted across the Late Pleistocene.
Analysis of Chilean mummies reveals the earliest known strain of ancient smallpox from the Americas, linking the disease to European colonization. The findings offer genetic evidence that smallpox was introduced to the New World through European contact.
A study of ancient human relatives' fossil footprints reveals that a previously thought smaller species was actually larger, while also showing evidence of group travel. The tracks, preserved over 1.4 million years ago in northern Kenya, offer insights into the behavior and interactions of these early humans.
A new study from Stockholm University found that the most severe droughts in the ancient Eastern Mediterranean arose when multiple natural climate cycles coincided. This helped explain why the drought associated with the Late Bronze Age collapse were so severe, pushing societies beyond a critical hydroclimatic threshold.
Researchers discovered that ancient farmers used animals like turkeys as biological 'protein concentrators' to access concentrated maize-derived lysine, allowing for high-quality animal protein. This groundbreaking study suggests that maize cultivation and animal management developed together much earlier than previously recognized.
A study by geoscientists at the University of Sydney reveals why some ancient continental edges became fertile sites for major mineral deposits, while others did not. The research developed a dynamic model of the Earth going back 1.8 billion years to identify how mineralised ores formed in specific places.
A study analyzing ancient DNA from 111 individuals across Sicily's archaeological sites reveals a genetic 'melting pot' where Christians and Muslims coexisted, challenging the idea of large-scale population change.
Researchers have found evidence of ancient human DNA on cave walls, even where bones or artifacts are absent. The discovery opens up new possibilities for studying prehistoric human behavior without disturbing archaeological deposits.
Researchers found well-preserved bacterial communities in ancient middens, including species from human feces and animal hosts. The study suggests that these communities provide a unique glimpse into the daily life of Paleo-Inuit and old Norse, including their farming, seal hunts, and toilets.
Satellite remote sensing allows researchers to monitor water quality by tracking changes in light spectrum, identifying nutrients in the water. This technology holds promise for studying global river health and detecting toxic algal blooms that can shut down water treatment plants.
Scientists mapped the genetic history of ancient grapevines from Tuscany's Cetamura del Chianti settlement, discovering a single, identical variety passed down for centuries. The study found that white grapes were dominant in ancient Chianti, contradicting the region's modern reputation for red wines.
Researchers developed a new tool to track ancient climate from wetland sediments, revealing turbulent environmental past in the Mediterranean. People adapted creatively, developing new technologies and strategies, such as floodwater farming and herd animal management.
A new study provides direct geochemical evidence of phosphorus spikes in ancient oceans, which triggered environmental disruptions and led to two major mass extinctions. The research suggests that these influxes of phosphorus boosted biological productivity, leading to increased oxygen consumption and global cooling.
Researchers found ancient Chinese water buffalo feather decorations contained multiple bird species, including hoopoe, black-headed grosbeak, and yellow-bellied whistler. They also identified the adhesive as water buffalo glue, providing insights into cultural connections and species origins.
The University of Michigan study reveals that Napata, an ancient city in Sudan, benefited from the Nile's relatively stable flow and deposits of clay and silt. This landscape feature reduced flood risk while maintaining access to water, allowing for successful settlement and cultural development.
NASA's Curiosity Mars rover has discovered diverse organic molecules on Mars, including chemicals that could be signs of ancient life. The findings suggest the Martian surface can preserve molecules that could serve as building blocks for life.
A massive study of ancient DNA from nearly 16,000 people across over 10,000 years in West Eurasia reveals that natural selection has shaped modern human genomes more than previously thought. Many gene variants linked to health and complex traits have been selected since farming began.
Global warming poses a significant threat to rice production, which has historically been heat-loving but is now facing its limits. Rice can tolerate temperatures below 82°F and 104°F, but rising temperatures will accelerate beyond these thresholds.
Researchers use ancient DNA and burial practices to show that family ties can be more than just blood-related. This challenges traditional views of kinship, highlighting the importance of cultural and anthropological perspectives in understanding family dynamics.
Researchers at ISTA team present theoretical evidence that magnetic fields in stars can persist through all stages of evolution, emerging as 'fossil fields' at the surfaces of older remnants. This discovery sheds new light on our understanding of stellar magnetism and its relation to starquakes.
A study by Osaka Metropolitan University found that mice preferred carbohydrates over standard chow, leading to increased body weight and fat mass. The researchers also discovered a decrease in energy expenditure and an accumulation of fat in the liver, which improved when wheat flour intake was discontinued.
Research reveals strong global link between ancient subduction zones and formation of rare earth element deposits and carbonatites. Ancient tectonic processes are critical to locating economically viable rare mineral deposits.
The UNESCO ASPnet Global National Coordinators Meeting will bring together educators and experts to discuss pressing global education priorities. The meeting aims to enhance national coordinators' operational capacity and scale effective education innovations through peer learning and practical empowerment.
Researchers from SDSU discovered surprising similarities among ancient writing systems from Africa and the Caucasus region. The study suggests the Armenian alphabet may be more closely related to the ancient Ethiopic writing system than previously thought, revealing possible cultural contact and influence between regions.
A new study has uncovered the earliest genetic evidence of domestic dogs to date, finding that they were already living alongside Ice Age humans over 14,000 years ago. The research analyzed ancient DNA from archaeological sites in the UK and Türkiye, revealing a shared diet between early dogs and humans.
A study analyzing ancient parrot DNA has uncovered a thriving pre-Inca trade network that connected Amazonian forests with arid communities across the Andes. The research shows that parrots were transported alive across the Andes, over 500 kilometers, to be used in coastal ritual contexts.
A study of charred food in pots reveals that prehistoric Europeans consumed a wide variety of plants, including grasses, berries, and leaves, alongside fish and seafood. The findings emphasize the importance of plants in early European diets and suggest that ancient cuisines were more complex than previously thought.
University of Pittsburgh engineers develop predictive models for longitudinal cracking on concrete pavements to improve road performance and reduce repairs. The project aims to create a nationwide infrastructure solution by pinpointing root causes and developing mechanistic-empirical models.
Researchers found that widespread flooding in the Middle Yangtze Valley led to the decline of the Shijiahe culture around 4,200 years ago. The study used stalagmite analysis to reconstruct rainfall patterns and show that high-rainfall intervals were associated with increased flooding and a significant decline in population.
Researchers analyzed ancient maize cob fragments to reconstruct agricultural practices from nearly a millennium ago. The study reveals that the Chincha Kingdom used seabird guano as a high-powered fertilizer, transforming a desert landscape into one of the most productive riverine valleys in Peru.
Research by ASU professor Anne Stone examines the evolutionary history of infectious disease, tracing tuberculosis from ancient DNA. She identifies recurring patterns in ecological and social conditions that facilitate widespread transmission of pathogens.
Recent advances in biomolecular archaeology enable museums to convert molecular data into accessible olfactory recreations. The Max Planck Institute research team developed a workflow for translating ancient chemical signatures into visitor-ready fragrances.
Researchers diagnosed a rare genetic disease, acromesomelic dysplasia, in two prehistoric individuals from southern Italy using ancient DNA analysis. The study provides new insight into the history of rare diseases in humans and suggests sustained care within the community may have contributed to one individual's survival.
Scientists have uncovered a treasure trove of 12 million-year-old bird and four frog species in a New Zealand cave, shedding light on the continent's ancient history. The findings suggest that catastrophic climate changes and volcanic eruptions led to frequent extinctions, with around 33-50% of species disappearing before human arrival.
A team of scientists uncovered fossil evidence of a tiny ecosystem that helped revive marine life after the end-Ordovician ice age and mass extinction event. The discovery provides insights into ancient biological processes and highlights the importance of seafloor ecosystems in regulating carbon and nutrient cycles.
A team of researchers from Rice University discovered that lakes on ancient Mars could persist under thin seasonal ice for at least decades, contradicting earlier climate models. The study suggests that surface features shaped by sustained liquid water coexist with the idea that early Mars was too cold to support such conditions.
Scientists reconstructed ancient genomes of Human betaherpesvirus 6A and 6B from archaeological human remains, confirming their integration into the human genome thousands of years ago. The findings suggest that HHV-6A lost its ability to integrate into human DNA over time.
MIT researchers analyzed a recently discovered Pompeii construction site to shed new light on ancient Roman concrete, which has endured for thousands of years. They found that hot-mixing was indeed used by the Romans, contradicting ancient texts and providing valuable insights into a material with self-healing properties.
Researchers analyzed DNA of 28 ancient southern Africans, finding 490 modern human-specific genetic variants, including immune system and kidney function genes. These adaptations may be related to human's water-retention and body-cooling system, giving special endurance.
Researchers at MIT used CT scans to study 5,000-year-old slag waste from an ancient site in Iran, revealing fine details about structures within the pieces. The technique complements traditional methods of studying ancient artifacts, shedding light on materials used and technological sophistication of early metallurgists.
A new genomic study found that dogs traveled with humans as they migrated across Eurasia, forming part of cultural and biological exchanges. The study analyzed ancient dog genomes alongside human and modern dog genomes, revealing coincidences between dog movement and human migration patterns.
A new study by Yale Ancient Pharmacology Program reveals evidence of opium use in ancient Egyptian society, suggesting it was part of daily life. The discovery also raises the possibility that alabaster jars found in King Tut's tomb contained opium as part of an ancient tradition.
A tiny 5 cm long Neanderthal bone found in Crimea revealed ancient DNA showing genetic closest relation to Neanderthals from Siberia, over 3,000 kilometers away. Climate modelling suggests that Neanderthal groups likely migrated across vast Eurasian steppes during favourable climate periods.
A genetic study reveals that the London Underground Mosquito originated in ancient Mediterranean civilizations over a thousand years ago. The mosquito adapted to human habitats aboveground environments, priming itself for urban success.
A study published in PLOS One identified genetic signatures of diverse gut parasites in ancient Mexican feces, revealing high prevalence of pathogens like pinworm and E. coli. The analysis provides insights into intestinal disease and sanitation practices of ancient cultures.
A new study using radiocarbon dating has pushed back the timeline for the Thera (Santorini) volcanic eruption, placing it prior to Pharaoh Ahmose's rule. The findings suggest a longer Second Intermediate Period and a later start to the New Kingdom of ancient Egypt.
A new study published in JNeurosci used fMRI to investigate how the brain acquires semantic information. The results suggest that the quality of activity in distinct brain regions can predict whether people successfully acquire knowledge about places and characters in fictional civilizations.
Researchers found that high temperatures exceeding 900 degrees Celsius in the planet's lower continental crust are necessary for stable continental formation. This process redistributes radioactive elements, generating heat as they decay, allowing the deep crust to cool and strengthen.
Researchers from Uppsala University uncovered the earliest occupation and creation myth links of the Karnak Temple, establishing a 4000-year history of human settlement. The team's analysis suggests that the temple was built on an island of high ground formed by river channels, reflecting Ancient Egyptian cosmogony.
Researchers analyzed the gut microbiome of a 1,000-year-old mummy from Zimapán, Mexico, revealing specific types of bacteria present. The findings expand knowledge of ancient microbiomes and may provide clues to the individual's life, including their diet, health, and lifestyle.
A new book by Peter Turchin analyzing data from over 800 societies reveals that warfare was the central driver of social complexity, leading to the development of institutions for cooperation and prosociality. The Great Holocene Transformation offers insights into the evolution of human societies over 10,000 years.
The study establishes the earliest occupation at Karnak as around 2520 BCE, coinciding with the Old Kingdom period. Researchers also found a link between the temple's location and an Ancient Egyptian creation myth, where the high ground on which Karnak was built may have been seen as a manifestation of the creator god Ra-Amun.