A new LOEWE research focus at the Goethe University Frankfurt is investigating Bronze Age forts between the Taunus and Carpathian mountains. The study aims to uncover the social historical perspective of violent conflict during this period, comparing it to early Middle Ages conditions.
Researchers have found that scarlet macaw remains in Chaco Canyon date back to between 775 and 875 years, suggesting social complexity began earlier than previously thought. This discovery challenges current understanding of Pueblo Bonito's development and raises questions about the origins and trade routes of these birds.
Researchers found charcoal and respiratory irritants in ancient teeth, indicating early humans suffered health effects from indoor air pollution. The discovery provides the first direct evidence of manmade pollution on Earth, dating back 400,000 years.
Researchers have discovered remains of the hazel dormouse in the Lezetxiki cave site on the Iberian Peninsula, dating back to the Upper Pleistocene period. The find confirms that the species had a wider distribution than previously thought, with Lezetxiki being the southernmost point in Europe where dormouse remains have been found.
Researchers investigate CERN's physicality and cultural heritage, highlighting the site's extraordinary significance in scientific terms and its everyday objects, buildings, and ideas. The study chronicles an intense history, including the Higgs Boson's discovery and Sir Tim Berners-Lee's creation of the World Wide Web.
Archaeologists are using social media to save sites, but a new study warns of potential harm from naive initiatives without strategic oversight. The use of online platforms puts archaeologists at risk of harassment and exploitation, and local communities face unequal access to their heritage.
The study reveals that domestic animal size changed significantly over the centuries, with a minimum during the Early Middle Ages and a significant increase since the Late Middle Ages, especially for sheep.
Researchers identify Vikings visiting Ribe, Denmark's west coast, as early as 725 AD, suggesting a less violent start to the Viking Age. This discovery challenges traditional narratives of the Viking Age as a period of violent expansion and highlights the importance of trade and maritime mobility.
Researchers at the University of Leicester and American University of Beirut investigate a Graeco-Roman temple in Lebanon, uncovering valuable information from a site devastated by conflict. The study reveals that even badly damaged sites can provide important historical insights, challenging the notion that they are irreparably lost.
Researchers found that Victorian-era babies' nitrogen isotope levels could predict their likelihood of survival and potential health issues later in life. High levels were linked to malnutrition and stress, while low levels indicated breastfeeding and a healthy start.
Researchers developed a new calibration technique for thermoluminescence dating, improving accuracy to within 1% using oxygen and lithium ions. The method employs a pulsed ion beam and a combination of detectors to replicate natural radiation exposure.
Researchers at the Universities of Cambridge and Tübingen have found that the main increase in body size occurred tens of thousands of years after Homo erectus left Africa, primarily in the Koobi Fora region of Kenya. This study suggests that human body size diversity arose much earlier than previously thought.
A team of geophysicists discovered the twin scars of two massive asteroid impacts in Central Australia, hidden deep within the earth's crust. The impact zones are estimated to be over 400 kilometers wide and are believed to have occurred millions of years ago.
Researchers at Tel Aviv University have discovered the first direct evidence of prehistoric humans using stone tools to butcher animal carcasses. The analysis of 500,000-year-old flint tools found at a site in Israel revealed signs of animal residue and use-wear patterns consistent with butchering activities.
A new study found that mothers who smoke during pregnancy are putting their daughters at a greater risk of developing ovarian and breast cancer later in life. Early menarche, triggered by smoking, increases the number of ovulation cycles, leading to increased exposure to hormones like oestrogen.
A new international project, led by the University of Exeter, aims to study how ancient societies used and transformed the Amazonian land. The research will focus on the scale and nature of human societies' transformation of the environment during the late pre-Columbian period.
A team of bioarchaeologists and archaeologists used isotopic analysis to study the diets of 14 individuals from Paracas Necropolis in Peru, dating back almost 2,000 years. The findings suggest that ancient Peruvians primarily consumed marine products and C4 and C3 plants during their final months of life.
Researchers analyzed indicators of conflict and intergroup interaction in Eastern North America, finding that warfare varied widely over time and space. They identified patterns across extremely large areas, including fortified settlements and skeletal remains of warfare victims.
New study reveals Neanderthals may have vanished in Iberian Peninsula as early as 45,000 years ago, contradicting previous European timeline of around 40,000 years. The discovery was made at the El Salt site in Spain using high-resolution techniques and palaeoenvironmental data.
Researchers found that communities with stronger social connections were better equipped to manage crises like the megadrought in the Southwest. This finding has implications for modern crisis management research.
A study of 292 ancient skeletons reveals that malocclusion and dental crowding emerged among European farmers around 12,000 years ago. The shift from a hunter-gatherer diet to agriculture led to changes in jaw shape and tooth structure.
A new study led by scientists at the University of York found that the largest fossil rodent, Josephoartigasia monesi, used its incisors for activities other than biting, such as digging and defense. The rodent's powerful bite was estimated to be around 1400 N, but its incisors could withstand almost three times that force.
A team of scientists has discovered a 55,000-year-old human skull at Manot Cave in Israel with distinctive modern human brain features. The findings support the hypothesis that early humans evolved in Africa or the Middle East rather than Europe.
Scientists have found a connection between early Stone Age slaughtering tools and the emergence of modern human communication. The study suggests that teaching and perhaps even proto-language occurred around 1.8 million years ago.
Researchers at the University of Cincinnati and Boston University explored the decline of ancient civilization using modern biology techniques. They found that soil formation after abandonment led to poor preservation of historic remains, including the survival of thicker cattle bones.
A Harvard study found that members of an East African herding tribe who engaged in violent raids had more wives and thus more opportunities to increase their reproductive success. The study, which analyzed the data of 120 men, found a clear correlation between raid participation and higher reproductive capacity.
Researchers Susan Alt and Timothy R. Pauketat have been awarded $640,000 in grants to continue their study of Cahokia Mounds, uncovering new insights into the history of civilizations. The projects focus on the role of religion in organizing complex societies, with a emphasis on archaeology, anthropology and cultural innovation.
Scientists studied wild grasses in the Fertile Crescent to identify traits suitable for agriculture. They found that wild relatives of current crop plants have bigger seeds and less bushy stems, making them ideal for farming. This research could help shape the future of food production by understanding the past.
Scientists discovered ancient engravings from human ancestors on a 400,000 year old fossilised shell from Java. The discovery is the earliest known example of ancient humans deliberately creating pattern.
Researchers used tree-ring data and computer programs to create a finely scaled map of ideal Southwest growing regions for the past 2,000 years. The study suggests that localized climate change contributed to the depopulation of ancestral Pueblo people in southwest Colorado, with some areas becoming highly suitable for maize agriculture.
The American Association for the Advancement of Science has selected five University of Tennessee faculty members for their distinguished contributions to science. The new fellows were recognized for their outstanding achievements in fields such as archaeology, biochemistry, and materials science.
A recent study using LiDAR technology has uncovered the ancient Roman goldmines in Spain, including channels, reservoirs, and a double river diversion. The findings provide new insights into the labour-intensive extraction process and highlight the importance of geo-archaeology in understanding Roman mining techniques.
Researchers discovered sustained human habitation and farming between 2,500-3,400 meters above sea level 3,600 years ago on the Tibetan Plateau. This finding challenges previous understanding of human adaptation to high altitudes.
Queen's researchers have discovered a volcanic ash cloud that traveled from Alaska to Northern Ireland and beyond, overturning previous assumptions about ash deposits. The discovery has significant implications for the aviation industry and environmental science, highlighting Queen's impact on a global scale.
A recent study by Dana Bardolph found that female authors are underrepresented in American archaeology journals, accounting for less than 29% of published articles. The research suggests a pervasive gender bias in academia and publishing, with potential factors including authorial behavior and the submission process.
Researchers prove climate change could not have caused population decline in Europe at the end of the Bronze Age. Human activity decline and social stress are likely causes of sudden fall in numbers.
A new study on ancient DNA from a 36,000-year-old fossil in western Russia found that the earliest European humans' genetic ancestry survived the Last Glacial Maximum. The research also sheds light on Neanderthal interbreeding and an early contact between European hunter-gatherers and Middle Eastern farmers.
Scientists analyzed DNA from ancient European skulls and found that they were intolerant to lactose for 5,000 years after adopting agriculture. Major technological transitions in Central Europe were associated with changes in genetics of these populations.
Researchers from the University of Birmingham have re-dated the end of the Greek Bronze Age to 925-1025 BCE, based on radiocarbon analysis of animal bones and plant remains. This new chronology challenges traditional estimates and has implications for our understanding of ancient civilizations in the Mediterranean.
Researchers found a star with extremely low iron content, which could be evidence of the universe's first supernovae. The star's unusual chemical composition supports the theory that massive stars formed in the early universe and exploded as supernovae.
The team used LiDAR technology to create a detailed map of the site, capturing structures that were previously inaccessible due to dense jungle canopy. By exploring these uncharted areas, researchers gained a better understanding of ancient Maya city-states and their interactions.
Scientists used CT scans and micro-CT imaging to analyze the King's skeletal remains, revealing three injuries that could have caused death quickly. The most likely causes of his death are two skull injuries from a sword or staff weapon, and a penetrating injury from an edged weapon.
The Stonehenge Hidden Landscapes Project has discovered hundreds of new archaeological features using remote sensing techniques and geophysical surveys. The project has revealed detailed maps of burial mounds, Bronze Age settlements, and Iron Age fields, providing a new understanding of the development of Stonehenge over 11,000 years.
The International Balzan Foundation announced the 2014 prize winners, including Mario Torelli, Ian Hacking, G. David Tilman, Dennis Sullivan, and Vivre en famille. The foundation's awards focus on innovative research in various fields, with half of the prize money dedicated to supporting young scholars.
Researchers found evidence that copper smelters enjoyed a rich diet and had access to high-quality meat, suggesting they held a respected position in ancient society. The discovery challenges the long-held narrative of metal workers as slaves or prisoners.
Researchers from the Universities of York, Macquarie and Oxford discovered evidence that ancient Egyptians used complex embalming agents 1,500 years earlier than thought. The findings suggest that mummification originated in Upper Egypt during the Neolithic period, around 4500-3100 BC.
A study published in Global Heart explores the prevalence of atherosclerosis across ancient populations, revealing that genetic susceptibility is present in all cultures. Environmental factors such as diet, lifestyle, and physical activity play a crucial role in determining when and how quickly atherosclerosis develops.
Researchers have found evidence of prehistoric dairy farming in Finland dating back to 2500 BC, despite harsh winter conditions. The discovery suggests that Stone Age people were able to domesticate and care for animals over four months of snow, paving the way for modern-day Finland's high milk consumption.
Archaeologists at the University of Toronto and University of Cape Town have uncovered tens of thousands of Earlier Stone Age artifacts in the Northern Cape province of South Africa. The site is estimated to be between 700,000 and one million years old, offering valuable insights into human evolution.
A survey of 142 men and 516 women in scientific disciplines reveals that many experienced sexual harassment or assault while conducting field research. The majority of respondents reported experiencing inappropriate remarks or comments about physical beauty, with over 20% reporting unwanted physical contact.
Researchers analyzed amino acids in shell beads to determine their origin, revealing a locally sourced alternative to the Mediterranean thorny oyster. The study uses a multidisciplinary approach, combining techniques from archaeology, chemistry, and physics.
Australian National University researcher Noel Hidalgo Tan discovered hidden paintings on Angkor Wat temple walls, dating back almost 500 years. The artworks depict deities, animals and daily life, shedding light on a previously unknown period in Cambodian history.
Researchers have created a 3D representation of Richard III's spine, revealing a severe scoliosis with a 'spiral' shape and a pronounced right-sided curve. The model shows how the condition would have affected his appearance, with a short torso and higher right shoulder.
Researchers analyzed nearly 3,000 cod bones from 95 excavations in and around London, identifying a sudden change in the origin of the fish during the early 13th century. This shift indicates the onset of a large-scale import trade, revolutionizing the local fishing industry.
The discovery of Naia, a 12,000- to 13,000-year-old teenage girl's skeleton, provides conclusive evidence of a genetic connection between ancient Paleoamericans and modern Native Americans. The remains were found in an underwater cave in Mexico and contain an intact cranium, teeth, and DNA from an Asian-derived lineage.
A nearly complete Paleoamerican skeleton with Native American DNA has been discovered in Mexico, dating back to the end of the ice age. The skeleton, named Naia, shows unique morphological attributes and mitochondrial DNA haplotype consistent with Beringian origins.
A 9,000-year-old caribou hunting drive lane has been found beneath Lake Huron, revealing distinct seasonal approaches used by Late Paleoindian/Early Archaic caribou hunters. The complex structure, known as Drop 45 Drive Lane, features stone lanes and blinds that suggest a larger cooperating group of individuals was involved in the hunt.
A University of Cincinnati researcher explores the Maya perspective on material objects and finds interesting parallels with today's online culture. The study reveals that the Maya considered material possessions alive and even named them, leading to questions about the nature of reality.
Recent research suggests that domestication may be more complex than previously thought, with many species being domesticated less than expected. Studies on animal and plant domestication highlight the limitations of human agency in shaping organisms through selective breeding.
Researchers have found a genetic connection between chickens and chili peppers, suggesting that the latter were domesticated around the same time as humans. The study, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, used DNA analysis to reveal that yellow-skinned chickens became common only about 500 years ago.