A new ERC grant will support research into the dietary practices of ancient people, revealing their identities and social connections. The study will analyze biomolecular samples from at least 150 ancient burials, combining methods to identify relations and uncover nuanced dietary data.
Researchers at Tel Aviv University used modern technologies to challenge the long-held myth that the Roman siege of Masada lasted three years. The study found that the siege actually lasted no more than a few weeks, using precise measurements and 3D digital modeling to calculate the time it took to build the siege system.
A study published in Journal of Anthropological Archaeology reveals that interpersonal violence was more common in Norway, with higher rates of trauma on skeletons and the presence of weaponry. In contrast, Denmark experienced more controlled violence linked to official executions.
A new study published in the Journal of Roman Archaeology argues that an ancient structure known as the 'Christian building' was not a domestic house church, but rather a space renovated for worship. The findings suggest significant differences between the building's features and those of other domestic structures in Dura-Europos.
The research integrated zooarchaeological analysis with rock art depictions, showing a diverse diet and exploitation of various environments. The findings suggest that the artists did not just paint what they ate, but also represented complex mythology and supernatural connections.
A digital archive created by archivist Jeff Kramer highlights the contributions of Albanian laborer Emin Kani Barin to UC's historic excavation at Troy. Kani's impressive skills and work ethic earned him recognition from Carl Blegen, the expedition leader, who described him as the dig's most important worker.
Researchers developed a new method to study rock engravings, integrating technological and visual analysis to uncover the cultural significance of engravings in Timna Park. The approach provides comprehensive insights into the production processes and cultural context of ancient engraving practices.
A new study led by archaeologists at the University of Auckland has made connections between a rise in population, land demarcation, and social status in Sāmoan society. The discovery of ancient structures reveals insights into the origins of hierarchical societies in Polynesia.
Caroline Schuster and Catherine J. Frieman will succeed Laurence Ralph as co-editors of Current Anthropology on January 1, 2025. They are the first cross-disciplinary editorial team and first women to hold this role, bringing extensive editorial experience to the journal.
Researchers discovered a previously abandoned ancient village that surprisingly remained occupied and even thrived during the 8.2ka event, a period of global cooling and sea-level rise. The village's economy diversified from farming to include maritime culture and trade, allowing it to weather the climate instability.
Researchers have found tiny microplastic particles in archaeological soil samples dating back to the first century, potentially compromising preserved remains. The study suggests that preserving archaeology in situ may no longer be appropriate due to microplastic contamination.
A team of international partners has extended the earliest known human settlement of Curaçao by centuries, adding pieces to the puzzle of pre-Colombian Caribbean history. The study, published in the Journal of Coastal and Island Archaeology, places human occupation on the island as far back as 5735 – 5600 cal BP.
A study analyzing ancient DNA from 33 individuals found two separate farmer-associated ancestries in the region, connected to China's Yangtze River valley and Yellow River valley. The genetic results mirror cultural differences between regions, suggesting separate influence spheres and connections to distinct initial migration routes d...
Researchers found evidence of domesticated yak dating back 2,500 years in the southern Tibetan Plateau, revealing insights into animal domestication pathways and human adaptation to high-altitude environments. The discovery was made using a combination of ancient DNA sequencing and zooarchaeological analysis.
A new tool called dahliagram enables cross-disciplinary collaboration to study past and present human-environmental interactions. The tool allows researchers to analyze and visualize diverse data sources, promoting nuanced understanding and testing hypotheses.
Researchers discovered ancient shell beads stained with organic red pigment in an Israeli cave, dating back approximately 15,000 years. The findings represent the oldest known example of this type of coloration.
Researchers create practical way to implement superlensing with minimal losses, breaking through diffraction limit by nearly four times. The method allows scientists to improve super-resolution microscopy, advancing imaging in fields like cancer diagnostics and archaeology.
The study found a correlation between the emergence of sophisticated stone-knapping methods and a relative decrease in large prey quantities. Stone-tipped spears with Levallois technology allowed for more substantial wounds, increasing hunting success.
A team of archaeologists has found evidence of intentionally crafted limestone spheroids at the Ubeidiya site, dating back 1.4 million years. The discovery challenges existing beliefs about early hominin capabilities and technological achievements, suggesting a desire for symmetrical shapes in stone.
Researchers at the University of Exeter have identified a Roman road network spanning Devon and Cornwall using LiDAR scans and geographical modelling. The network, which connected settlements with military forts, reveals that North Tawton was a strategically vital connection point.
Researchers at UCL Institute of Archaeology discovered 800 stone artefacts, including giant handaxes, in deep Ice Age sediments. The tools are believed to have been used for butchering animals and cutting meat, with some exhibiting distinctive shapes and pointed tips.
Researchers have reconstructed the face of a 16-year-old woman buried near Cambridge with an incredibly rare gold and garnet cross, revealing she moved to England from Central Europe as a young girl. Analysis shows that her diet changed significantly after arrival, indicating a short and challenging life.
A team of researchers uncovered that the Neolithic Revolution in North Africa was a result of complex genetic and cultural exchange between European farmers and native hunter-gatherers. This discovery suggests that biological diversity played a key role in the success of Neolithization in the region.
Researchers discovered that knapping is far more dangerous than previously understood, with severe injuries including bone piercings, tourniquet needed ankles, and eye damage. Injuries varied across body parts, including hands, feet, legs, and torso.
Researchers have developed a quantum lidar system that uses single-photon detection to acquire high-resolution 3D images underwater. The technology has the potential to inspect underwater installations, monitor submerged archaeology sites, and enhance security applications.
A revolutionary investigation has shed light on pioneering female migrants who arrived in Orkney during the Bronze Age. Ancient DNA analysis revealed a major influx of non-local people, dominated by women, challenging previous assumptions about the archipelago's influence during this period.
Researchers have found evidence of cheesemaking and curd-enriching dairy processing in Late Neolithic Poland using ceramic residues. The study reveals the use of multiple dairy species, contradicting widespread lactose intolerance in Europe during this period.
Archaeologists have discovered the earliest example of angular notched trephination, a type of cranial surgery, in the Ancient Near East. The discovery, made at Megiddo, Israel, suggests that one brother may have had leprosy, making them potentially among the earliest documented examples of the disease.
A new study by University of York researchers has found that Mediterranean hunter-gatherers 9,500 years ago had a strong coastal economy based on marine life. The discovery challenges traditional views on the diet of prehistoric Europeans and sheds light on the impact of humans on the environment.
A Flinders University-led research team will explore Aboriginal cultural heritage sites in Limmen National Park using $800,000 ARC Linkage Funding. The project combines archaeological and anthropological data to understand Marra cultural history and inform the management of sensitive cultural heritage sites.
A study published in Frontiers in Environmental Archaeology reveals that Neanderthals regularly harvested large brown crabs from the nearby rocky coast, targeting adult animals and cooking them on coals. The findings add evidence to the notion that marine foods played a significant role in Neanderthal diets.
Researchers found solid scientific evidence that Vikings transported animals, including a horse and dog, across the North Sea to Britain. The analysis of human and animal remains from the Heath Wood cremation cemetery revealed that these animals originated from Scandinavia.
A new study links drought spells to the intensification of raiding activity by Hunnic peoples, who responded to climate stress by adopting new strategies and changing their social organization. The research suggests that extreme drought in the Carpathian Basin contributed to the fall of the Roman Empire.
An international survey of 419 early-career archaeologists found that only 21% believe they will find a permanent position, while 84% suffer from stress due to lack of career prospects. Despite this, many remain passionate about academia and value structured transition from graduate to permanent staff.
Researchers at the University of Huddersfield used ancient DNA to reveal large-scale immigration in Early Bronze Age Orkney, contrary to popular belief. The findings also showed unusual female-dominated immigration during this period.
Researchers from the Bajo Laberinto Archaeological Project have used lidar technology to uncover a vast, complex urban sprawl beneath the Calakmul forest canopy. The study reveals dense apartment-style residential compounds, numerous temples and shrines, and extensive water management features.
A recently discovered shrine at the Berenike site in Egypt's Eastern desert has provided unprecedented discoveries linked to the presence of the Blemmyes, a nomadic people. The Falcon Shrine contains offerings such as harpoons and cube-shaped statues, as well as a stele with indications related to religious activities.
Researchers at Bangor University used multibeam sonar to positively identify the SS Mesaba, a merchant ship that sent an iceberg warning to the Titanic in 1912. The wreck was found in the Irish Sea, revealing new information about this infamous maritime event.
Sturt Manning's statistical analysis has narrowed the time range for the Thera volcano eruption to between 1609–1560 BCE with a 95.4% probability. This new timeline synchronizes Eastern Mediterranean civilizations and rules out ancillary theories, potentially rewriting history.
Archaeoecology examines the past 60,000 years of human-ecosystem interactions, revealing how humans impacted nature and ecosystems shaped human culture. By integrating data from archaeology, ecology, and palaeoecology, this emerging field can provide crucial insights to solve today's environmental challenges.
A new study suggests that the north plaza in Cahokia, a major pre-Columbian city, was almost always underwater, blurring the lines between dry plazas and wetlands. The research, published in World Archaeology, reveals that water played a central role in the city's culture, trade, and cosmological beliefs.
A new study suggests that the bones of fallen Battle of Waterloo soldiers were likely sold as fertilizer due to the scarcity of human remains found on the battlefield. The research, published in the Journal of Conflict Archaeology, is based on original data and visitor accounts from the time period.
Researchers from Tel Aviv University and the Hebrew University discovered charcoal remnants from olive trees at the Chalcolithic site of Tel Zaf, indicating intentional cultivation around 7,000 years ago. This marks the earliest evidence of domestication of a fruit tree worldwide.
Researchers from the University of Georgia Laboratory of Archaeology have discovered evidence of 'council houses' on the Cold Springs site, dating back to around 500 A.D. The findings indicate that democratic institutions associated with collective governance were present in the Americas for at least a millennium before European contac...
A team of archaeologists has uncovered evidence of ancient rice cultivation at the Hanjing site in China, dating back over 8000 years. The discovery suggests that rice was cultivated and domesticated in the region more than 4,000 years earlier than previously thought.
Neanderthals occupied a lightly wooded lakeshore about 90,000 years ago in a relatively temperate climate. Stone tools found at the former campsite attest to activities such as woodworking and plant processing.
A team of researchers has developed a method for non-destructive 3D elemental analysis using muonic x-rays and a CdTe double-sided strip detector. This technique allows for the creation of 3D images of sample composition without damaging the material, with potential applications in archaeology and planetary science.
Researchers analyzed engraved stones in France, finding patterns of heat damage suggesting they were carved near a fire. The study recreated the stones under firelight conditions, revealing a new understanding of prehistoric art creation.
Researchers create biomimetic artificial vision device using nanotechnology to advance color recognition and scalability. The new device enables micro-scale cameras for microrobots, opening up possibilities in medical diagnosis, environmental study, manufacturing, and archaeology.
Two new methods for producing high-resolution visualizations of small artefacts are presented, allowing anyone to create high-quality images and models with minimal effort and cost. The protocols provide detailed workflows for photographic acquisition and processing, enabling replicability and reproducibility in the field of archaeology.
A new research project on Science, Society and Environmental Change in the First Millennium CE has been selected for a €2m European Research Council (ERC) Consolidator Grant. The team will investigate how humans responded to environmental and climatic change between 1 and 1000 CE using textual, archaeological and environmental evidence.
A new predictive model, LAMAP, assesses landscape variables to identify potential archaeological sites. The model was tested in Alaska's Tanana Valley and successfully predicted high-potential areas for hunter-gatherer campsites.
New research reveals how medieval East African farming societies altered their island habitat through intensive land use, impacting shoreline modification and community decline. The study examines the effects of urban growth, trade, and waste on coastal sediments, shedding light on early globalization and maritime trade networks.
The SAPIENS Podcast Season 4 explores how Black and Indigenous voices are changing the stories of archaeology, sharing experiences of Black and Indigenous archaeologists. This season delves into areas such as slave ships, museums, boarding schools, and culinary legacies.
Researchers developed a software-based smoke dispersal simulation model to study prehistoric archaeology. They found that early humans placed their hearth at the optimal location in the cave, enabling maximum utilization of fire while minimizing smoke exposure. The study identified a 25sqm area as ideal for locating the hearth.
Researchers from Leiden University and Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz discovered that Neanderthals used fire to keep the landscape open, transforming their local environment. The study found evidence of hunter-gatherer activities dating back 2,000 years, challenging previous assumptions about human impact on ecosystems.
Researchers at UC3M have created an open laboratory for the population to participate in digitizing and analyzing archaeological heritage. Volunteers will receive training in archaeology, digital humanities, and software skills.
A new study from Australian National University challenges old assumptions about infant mortality in ancient populations. The research suggests that fertility had a greater influence on the proportion of deceased infants than infant mortality rate.
Researchers from Louisiana State University uncover salt workers' residences and outdoor areas where fish were salted and dried. The discovery sheds light on the organization of the salt industry and its importance to inland cities during the Classic Maya civilization.
The discovery of a Roman arched aqueduct in Artaxata-Artashat in ancient Armenia provides evidence of the failure of Roman imperialism. The aqueduct, built between 114 and 117 CE, was never completed due to the relinquishment of the province by Emperor Hadrian after Trajan's death.