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...
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.
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 genomic study has found that eight present-day members of the Muwekma Ohlone Tribe share ancestry with 12 individuals who lived in the region several hundred to 2,000 years ago. The study challenges previous notions of the tribe's migration history and highlights the importance of community engagement and traditional knowledge.
A new genetic study supports the Muwekma Ohlone tribe's assertion that they have lived in the area for over 2,500 years. The research found a thread of continuity between ancient genomes and modern-day Muwekma Ohlone people, affirming their ancestral connection to the San Francisco Bay Area.
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.
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.
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 at Rutgers University have discovered broomcorn millet in ancient Iraq, pushing the timeline of agriculture in the region. This finding highlights the interconnected nature of Eurasia and challenges previous assumptions about the capacity and resilience of ancient agricultural systems.
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.
Researchers tracked vampire bats' gut microbes over four months, finding that those with closer social interactions shared more similar microbiomes. The study controlled for diet and environment, providing insight into the impact of social behavior on microbiome development.
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.
Researchers used DNA analysis to confirm traditional Tsleil-Waututh Nation fishing practices that promoted sustainable management and conservation. These practices, which selectively harvested male salmon, allowed for larger harvests while maintaining healthy populations and successful spawning.
The Assyrian army, led by King Sennacherib, built a massive siege ramp at Lachish using human chains and thousands of stone blocks. The ramp was constructed in about 25 days, allowing the army to breach the city walls and conquer the city.
Researchers at the University of York have found significant differences in the diets of men and women living in Roman Herculaneum. Males consumed a higher proportion of protein from seafood, while females ate more locally grown fruits and vegetables. This new approach to analyzing amino acids provides a unique insight into ancient diets.
Researchers found that male chimpanzees with strong social bonds are more successful at siring offspring. The study revealed that males who form stronger ties with the alpha male and other dominant males have a higher likelihood of becoming fathers.
A new study from the University of York suggests that Iron Age people kept everyday items like spoons and grinding stones as emotional reminders of deceased loved ones. This practice is replicated in societies across the globe today, revealing the raw emotional power that mundane objects can acquire at certain times and places.
Researchers discover 9,000-year-old obsidian flakes in Lake Huron, originating from an obsidian quarry over 2,000 miles away, representing the oldest and farthest east confirmed specimens of western obsidian in the continental US. The find sheds light on social connections across North America 9,000 years ago.
A new study dating the Purākaunui pits to 1430-1460 CE provides evidence for rua kumara storage in southern New Zealand, connecting local Māori traditions with archaeology. The discovery sheds light on how scientific evidence complements mātauranga Maori knowledge around taonga storage.
A new open-access paper calls for archaeologists and history professionals to collaborate with marginalized communities to redress the harm perpetuated by colonialism. The authors suggest preserving damaged monuments alongside contextual exhibits highlighting acts of resistance against white supremacy, shifting attention from preservat...
The discovery reveals a significant finding about the lives of ancient humans and their animals. The site contains 26 fragments of dog bones alongside human remains, dated to circa 4200-4000 BCE, indicating a long-term bond between species. The research challenges current understanding of Neolithic periods in the Middle East.
Archaeologists have found evidence of a kosher diet in pottery fragments from Oxford's early medieval Jewish community. The findings, published recently, reveal that the inhabitants of two houses used only meats from cattle, sheep and goat, with no pig bones present.
Researchers at Tel Aviv University reconstructed the nutrition of stone age humans, finding they were specialized carnivores with a high-fat diet. The study used multiple lines of evidence, including genetics, metabolism, and archaeology, to conclude that humans evolved as apex predators for two million years.
Researchers will investigate how humans have influenced changes to floodplains and when this began, shedding light on the global relevance of an 'anthroposphere'. The project will employ innovative methods combining archaeology, geosciences, and history to understand human-environment interactions.
A rare bone point, dated between 5,300-3,800 years old, has been discovered near the Lower Murray River, providing insights into Ngarrindjeri country's material culture. The artefact, likely made from a macropod bone, was found during excavation work and is believed to have been used for piercing soft materials or as a projectile point.
The COVID-19 pandemic has created a vast amount of plastic waste, including face-masks and gloves, that are now part of the archaeological record. Archaeologists argue that studying this material culture can inform policy decisions to tackle environmental pollution.
An international collaboration has captured ribosomes translating messenger RNA from the maternally inherited mitochondrial genome, revealing a novel gating mechanism that prevents premature protein misfolding. This breakthrough uses cryo-electron microscopy to investigate protein folding processes at unprecedented resolution.
The study reveals chemical traces of grapes in medieval amphorae, suggesting a prosperous wine trade across the Mediterranean. The discovery implies that the Islamic community in Sicily produced and exported wine, contradicting previous assumptions about their consumption habits.
The Max Planck Institute of Geoanthropology has received a €2 million Arcadia grant to document Mongolian archaeological heritage over five years. The project, MAPSS, will compile an open-access online database of heritage sites in English, Mongolian, and Russian.
A study published in PLOS ONE found that political structure and economic conditions played a major impact on choosing livestock in ancient Europe. The research analyzed data from 101 archaeological sites across the northeastern Iberian Peninsula, revealing significant changes in livestock use over time.
A 270,000-year-old core from a Tasmanian lake provides the first Australian record of a geomagnetic excursion, where the Earth's magnetic field 'switched' and spectacular auroras were observed. This discovery has significant implications for understanding past climate change and developing new paleomagnetic dating tools.
A study from McGill University reveals a persistent gender gap in hiring, with women earning 64% of PhD degrees in archaeology but making up only 46% of assistant professors. The researchers suggest that subtle practices and inhospitable working environments may be contributing to the attrition rates of women in academia.
Researchers have found that a horse discovered in Utah was actually domesticated by Native peoples around 300 years ago. The study provides valuable insights into the relationships between Indigenous groups and horses in the Americas.
A new study published in Journal of Archaeological Method and Theory suggests that environmental pressures played a key role in the evolution of human tolerance. The research found that populations which shared resources were more likely to succeed and survive harsh environments, leading to long-term benefits for everyone involved.
Researchers analyzed human, animal skeletons and plant remains to study the evolution of the Swiss diet during the Bronze Age. They found no differences in diet between men, women, or children, but a shift towards more intense agriculture and the introduction of new cereals like millet.
Researchers from the Israel Antiquities Authority, Tel Aviv University, and Bar Ilan University discovered rare fabric dyed with royal purple dating back to King David and King Solomon's time. The dye was produced from species of mollusk found in the Mediterranean Sea and is often mentioned in the Bible.
A team of archaeologists has discovered that the Chumash Indians in California were using shell beads as currency around 2,000 years ago. The team's findings, published in the Journal of Anthropological Archaeology, challenge long-held assumptions about the origins of money in the Americas.
A new study of hundreds of human remains in medieval Cambridge reveals that social inequality was 'recorded on the bones' of its residents. The research found that working people had a higher risk of injury compared to those in religious institutions.
A new study suggests that the first people to settle in the Americas were accompanied by their dogs, implying a earlier dog domestication in Siberia. This discovery sheds light on the origins of dogs and their relationship with humans.
Analysis of 33,000 graves reveals a change in Western European burial practices from regionally specific grave goods to standardized, unfurnished burials between the 6th-8th centuries AD. This shift indicates a well-connected Europe with regular contact and exchange of ideas across vast areas.
Archaeologists are addressing modern-day issues like biodiversity conservation and climate change by analyzing past data and solutions. The field has evolved to a highly scientific approach using advanced instrumentation and computers.
A study suggests that sharing excess protein-rich meat from hunted prey species could have contributed to the early domestication of dogs. Humans feeding lean meat to wolves during severe ice age winters enabled companionship and potentially paved the way for full dog domestication.
A recent study published in Science Advances analyzed genomic data from archaeological remains in northeastern Asia, revealing complex migration patterns and disease-related bacteria. The research provides new insights into the demographic history of the region and its connection to the Paleo-Inuit groups.
A massive paleo-tsunami struck near ancient Tel Dor between 9,910 to 9,290 years ago, erasing evidence of low-lying coastal villages in the area. The tsunami deposit was discovered through underwater excavation and modeling, with estimated wave heights ranging from 16 to 40 meters.
A team of researchers has found evidence that people in the Levant were eating turmeric, bananas, and soy in the Bronze and Early Iron Ages, tracing back to South and East Asia. Long-distance trade in culinary goods connected distant societies since at least the Bronze Age.
A new Stanford University study identifies 333 Tel Aviv University researchers among the world's top 2%, with 155 in the top 1% and 74 in the top 0.5%. The university is known for its academic excellence and interdisciplinary approach, making this ranking a cause for national pride.
Researchers use DNA analysis to determine that all 44 tusks came from forest elephants residing in West Africa, revealing the geographic origins and habitats of these endangered species. The study provides a framework for examining vast collections of historic ivory, offering insights into modern wildlife conservation.
New lipid residue analyses reveal a dominance of animal products in ancient ceramic vessels from rural and urban settlements of the Indus Civilisation. The study identifies a predominance of non-ruminant animal fats, contradicting previous assumptions about the region's diet.
A recent study suggests that Palaeolithic humans migrated to the Ryukyu Islands via deliberate boat voyages, contrary to previous uncertainty. The findings indicate that humans deliberately crossed one of the world's strongest currents to reach these islands approximately 35,000 years ago.
Researchers have discovered a camp with a warehouse on the Dutch islands of Curaçao and Bonaire, revealing everyday objects from the first half of the eighteenth century. The findings shed light on the impact of informal maritime commerce on society and daily life in colonial communities.