A Harvard-led research team conducted the first large-scale genome-wide analysis of ancient human remains from the Near East, illuminating population dynamics and genetic identities of world's first farmers. The study reveals three genetically distinct farming populations living in the Near East at the dawn of agriculture.
A team of researchers from the British Museum and University of Leicester has discovered new evidence in the Caribbean that reveals a complex interplay between early European colonizers and Native Americans. The findings, published in Antiquity, provide a nuanced understanding of cultural identity formation in the Americas.
A team of researchers has successfully sequenced the genome of 6,000-year-old Chalcolithic barley grains, revealing genetic similarities with present-day barley grown in the Southern Levant. The study provides new insights into the origins of barley domestication and suggests that it occurred in the Upper Jordan Valley.
Researchers analyzed fossil records and ostrich eggshell stable isotope measurements from two Middle Stone Age sites, finding no correlation between climate shifts and technological or cultural innovations. The study challenges the idea that climate change drove early human experimentation.
The EMODnet Workshop Report highlights the importance of historical biodiversity data for ecological models and future predictions. The workshop aimed to fill gaps in European marine species occurrence data availability by implementing data archaeology and rescue activities.
Researchers have selectively bred domesticated rat strains to exhibit tame behavior, with no instances of biting reported. The study also reveals hormonal responses and sex differences in aggression between male and female rats, shedding light on the physiological changes during domestication.
Historical research reveals that foetus and infant cadavers were valued by anatomists for studying growth and development, often kept in museums. Researchers found that anatomists preserved the skulls of infants intact to use as teaching aids, differing from adult cadavers.
Researchers at University of Wollongong have discovered physical evidence of fire use by modern humans at Liang Bua site on Flores Island, narrowing the time gap between hobbit species and modern human arrival. The findings suggest that modern humans likely arrived in Southeast Asia and Australia around 50,000 years ago.
Archaeologists uncover evidence of domesticated rice in China, shedding new light on the history of human agricultural practices. The discovery suggests that rice domestication has been ongoing for much longer than previously thought, with characteristics consistent with japonica rice now cultivated in Japan and Korea.
New study finds evidence of Asian metal traded on Alaska's northwest coast to prehistoric North America prior to European contact. The discovery sheds light on the ancient Inuit people's access to metals and technological innovation in the Arctic region.
Attitudes towards witchcraft varied by social class in 17th-century England, with the educated elite playing a significant role in shaping legal systems. In Yorkshire, there was a greater propensity to believe in covens of witches, as evidenced by a 1621 book titled Deamonologia. The common people, however, focused on practical deeds l...
Archaeologists have published scans of prehistoric animal paintings from Abri Faravel in the Southern French Alps. The site's rock shelter has seen human activity from Mesolithic to medieval periods, featuring unique high-altitude Bronze Age structures and artefacts.
Researchers found that Native Americans' method of selecting and hand-collecting oysters likely resulted in more consistent average sizes and fewer very small individual oysters. This approach may inform modern-day oyster restoration efforts, which face challenges such as disease, poor water quality, and overfishing.
Researchers have discovered that cosmic heavy metals, such as gold and platinum, can be used to trace the history of galaxies. The study, published in Nature, suggests that the collision of dense stars in the universe can forge these heavy elements and provide insights into galaxy formation.
Researchers discovered that surales, large mounds in tropical wetlands, are largely composed of earthworm casts. These mounds vary in size and form due to the repeated actions of individual earthworms, which deposit casts that eventually become mounds.
A team of archaeologists from the University of Sydney has discovered a piece of the world's oldest axe, which dates back to a Stone Age period of 45,000 to 49,000 years ago. The axe fragment was found in Western Australia and reveals that the first Australians were technological innovators.
The article discusses the recent declassification of documents on the USS Independence, a World War II aircraft carrier used as a target in the first atomic bomb tests. The documents provide insight into the ship's post-Bikini history, including radiation levels and decisions to remove contaminated fuel oil.
Researchers found that plants can only withstand a limited number of genetic changes before population collapse and extinction. The study challenges common thinking on plant adaptability and has significant implications for agriculture and horticulture in the face of rapid climate change.
A Tel Aviv University study analyzed 16 inscriptions from the fort of Arad and found evidence of high literacy rates within Judah's administrative apparatus. The findings suggest that widespread literacy was required for the compilation of key biblical texts, dating back to 600 BCE.
Researchers at the University of Cincinnati have made new discoveries about how ancient Maya commoners conserved water for drinking and irrigation. The study, using LiDAR technology, found evidence of over 100 small reservoirs in a Maya site, with three confirmed as water features.
Researchers at WSU analyzed data from 1,000+ archaeological sites and 30,000 tree-ring dates to understand the impact of droughts on Pueblo societies. They found four periods of boom and bust over five centuries, with each period marked by significant cultural changes and social upheaval.
Researchers found that the Ice-Age diet triggered physical changes in Neanderthals, including an expanded liver and renal system. A high-protein intake led to a larger ribcage and wider pelvis, adapting to the limited availability of carbohydrates.
Researchers at the University of Oklahoma and Arizona State University demonstrate that dental calculus can be used to recover high-quality genetic information from ancient humans. The study uses advanced sequencing technologies to extract DNA from six individuals, providing new insights into Native American archaeology.
Researchers found that pottery was used mainly for cooking marine and freshwater animal species, with little evidence of plant processing or deer cooking. This suggests cultural influences played a bigger role than expected in the widespread adoption of pottery.
A study by University of Toronto researchers found that baby monkeys in groups with higher risks of infanticide develop faster. This accelerated growth may be triggered by stress hormones in maternal milk, allowing mothers and infants to better survive.
The American Association of Science advocates data sharing to improve transparency and reproducibility in field sciences like geology, ecology, and archaeology. Discipline-specific repositories can provide better services for researchers to access and use shared data.
A new study published in American Anthropologist reveals the transformation of Egyptian and Nubian culture through cultural entanglement. The researchers found that individual choices played a significant role in shaping the development of the Nubian state, allowing it to eventually conquer Egypt.
Archaeologists have uncovered an 11,000-year-old engraved shale pendant at the Early Mesolithic site of Star Carr in North Yorkshire. The subtriangular artifact contains series of lines that may represent a tree or tally marks, and is the earliest known Mesolithic art in Britain.
Excavations in the Jordan Valley revealed a prehistoric village with cultural characteristics typical of both the Old Stone Age and the New Stone Age. The site shows evidence of artistic tradition, size, and investment in architecture more typical of early agricultural communities.
The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has developed a 3D laser scanning technology that can accurately measure spaces and preserve details. This technology is being used in various fields, including archaeology, real estate, and manufacturing, to enhance space preservation and renovation.
Two new hominin fossils, a finger bone and a molar, were found in the Sterkfontein Caves, associated with early stone tools dating back 2.18 million years. The specimens possess intriguing features that raise more questions than answers.
A new discovery at Qesem Cave reveals that early humans consumed tortoises as part of their diet, alongside large game and vegetal material. The research provides direct evidence of the diverse dietary habits of Paleolithic people.
Detailed genetic analysis reveals mitochondrial DNA was present in Island Southeast Asia 11,500 years ago, challenging the 'Out of Taiwan' theory. The linguistic spread of Austronesian languages is attributed to elite groups and cultural exchange, rather than mass migration.
Researchers developed soft robotic grippers that can collect delicate underwater specimens without destroying them. These grippers are designed for use in deep-sea exploration and could enhance biodiversity research by allowing scientists to sample largely unexplored habitats.
The study found that intestinal parasites like whipworm and roundworm did not decrease in prevalence during the Roman Period, but instead increased. The Roman public baths may have actually helped spread these parasites due to infrequent water changes and scum buildup.
Recent excavations on Pedro González Island in Panama found dolphin bones at an archaeological site dating back 6,000 years. The absence of dolphin hunting evidence elsewhere in Central America suggests that islanders used innovative methods to catch the marine mammals.
Research reveals that domesticated grains were adopted late and sporadically in North Africa, with communities instead integrating them into their existing nomadic lifestyle. This challenges the conventional narrative of a gradual transition to settled agriculture.
The study sequenced ancient Irish human genomes, providing evidence for massive migration from the Middle East and Pontic Steppe. These genetic influxes are believed to have introduced cultural changes, such as agriculture and bronze metalworking, which may have originated the western Celtic language.
A 14,000-year-old thigh bone found in China suggests a mysterious pre-modern human species may have survived until the end of the last Ice Age. The bone has features similar to ancient human genera, including Homo habilis and early Homo erectus.
Archaeologists uncover skeletal remains, swords and spearheads from 55 BC battle, confirming Caesar's presence on Dutch soil. The discovery highlights the brutal suppression of two Germanic tribes by Roman general Julius Caesar.
The temple of Angkor Wat has been found to be significantly larger and more complex than previously believed, featuring an entire ensemble of buried 'towers' and a massive structure bounded on its south side. The discovery challenges traditional understanding of the social hierarchy of the Angkor Wat community.
The University of Huddersfield has made a significant recording of the ancient Celtic instrument carnyx, featuring John Kenny's compositions and improvisations. The project, part of the European Music Archaeology Project (EMAP), aims to recreate prehistoric music and showcase its importance in understanding European heritage.
A team of researchers used a non-invasive method to extract protein from medieval parchment samples, identifying the use of multiple mammal species in some manuscripts. The study resolves a long-standing controversy over the origin of 'uterine vellum' and sheds new light on medieval manuscript production techniques.
New research reveals more of Britain's countryside dates back to Roman period, shaping modern land management approaches. The Fields of Britannia project highlights the enduring legacy of Roman land practices.
Researchers found evidence of significant natural climate change in ancient Morocco that led to the introduction of early agriculture. The study, published by UC geologist Yurena Yanes, analyzed oxygen isotope samples from snail shells and found a clear link between climate change and the shift from hunting to farming.
A Florida Tech-led study refutes the theory that Amazonian rainforests were created through ancient managed landscapes. The research, published in the Journal of Biogeography, suggests that pre-European human activity had a limited impact on the ecosystem.
A new study of chickens overturns the popular assumption that evolution is only visible over long time scales. The researchers found two mutations in the mitochondrial genomes of the birds in just 50 years, revealing a rate of evolution that is 15 times faster than previously believed.
A University of Cincinnati-led team uncovered a rare, intact Bronze Age warrior's tomb dating back to around 1500 B.C., filled with gold cups, jewelry, and bronze weaponry. The find is significant as it may have belonged to a powerful figure who helped shape the Mycenaean culture.
A Dartmouth-led study analyzing satellite imagery of nearly 1,300 archaeological sites in Syria finds that the Kurdish YPG, opposition forces, and Syrian regime have also been major players in the devastation. War-related looting is most widespread in areas with weak centralized authority.
Research finds that climate variability played a significant role in the emergence, decline, and re-establishment of ancient agrarian states in Mexico and Peru. The study analyzed climate records from stalagmites and ice caps to understand how climate conditions influenced the growth and instability of these civilizations.
Researchers found that microscopic bone analysis can identify previously mummified skeletons, revealing a wider practice of mummification in Bronze Age Britain. The study suggests that ancient Britons used different methods to mummify their dead, including smoking over fires and burial in peat bogs.
A team of researchers has discovered that early Iberian farmers are the closest ancestors to modern-day Basques, contradicting previous hypotheses. The study also reveals that farming was brought to Iberia by groups migrating to northern and central Europe, leading to admixture with local hunter-gatherer populations.
Archaeologists have found the oldest known pottery from Papua New Guinea, dating back 3,000 years, in a remote region of the highlands. The discovery sheds light on how technology spread among cultures and provides insights into early civilizations.
Researchers will use digital methods to repopulate an ancient country called Doggerland, monitoring its development over 5,000 years. This project aims to reveal crucial information about early human life in Europe and develop new technologies for exploring lost landscapes.
The Philistines brought exotic plants, including sycamore, cumin, and opium poppy, which had a significant impact on Israel's floral biodiversity. These cultivars were not found in archaeological sites prior to the Iron Age, reflecting a distinct agrarian regime and dietary preferences.
Astronomers using the Subaru Telescope's Hyper Suprime-Cam camera observed deep, super-wide-field images of the galaxies and their populations of young stars. The team discovered that the spatial distribution of young stars around these galaxies follows closely that of their distribution of neutral hydrogen.
New research explores Viking Age causes by focusing on spoils beyond portable wealth, highlighting exotic lure and tangible symbols of power. Individuals could build reputations through raiding, gaining social capital and intangible benefits.
Researchers identified the earliest example of small-scale cultivation in the world at a 23,000-year-old site in the Galilee. The team found evidence of repeated sowing and harvesting of domesticated cereals, including wheat and barley, as well as proto-weeds that grew alongside them.
A recent genetic study has uncovered a previously unknown wave of migration to the Americas, linking Native Americans in the Amazon to indigenous people in Australasia. The research suggests that Population Y, an ancestral group from the ice sheets, contributed to the DNA of today's Amazonians.
The increasing levels of fossil fuel emissions could dilute radioactive carbon-14 in the atmosphere, artificially raising its age. This could impact various applications of radiocarbon dating, including archaeology, art authentication, and neurological research, potentially affecting results by the 2020s.