A decade of ancient genome analysis has shown that early humans were resilient and capable, exploring new environments with no prior knowledge. This discovery challenges previous theories on human behavior and highlights the importance of genomic evidence in understanding our history.
Researchers analyzed ancient DNA from 25 humans, revealing that the population dynamics between 40,000-9.5 ka were influenced by Ice Age climatic fluctuations. The study provides evidence for an Asian-specific variant associated with anthropogenic traits.
A study of ancient fish bones reveals that non-kosher fish were commonly consumed by ancient Judeans around the time of the biblical prohibition. The findings challenge traditional assumptions about the origin of Old Testament dietary laws and suggest a more complex history of food practices.
A global survey of fossil pollen reveals Earth's plant communities are changing at least as quickly today as they did when the last ice sheets retreated around 10,000 years ago. Human influence on ecosystems began with early civilizations and agriculture, deforestation, and urbanization.
A study published in Nature found that ancient people's gut microbiomes were more diverse and had fewer antibiotic-resistant genes compared to modern populations. The research suggests that a more diverse diet and lifestyle may have contributed to this difference.
Geochemical evidence contradicts historical accounts by Herodotus and Diodorus Siculus, showing that Himera's soldiers were mostly local during the first battle but increased non-Greek mercenaries in the second. The study provides new insights into ancient Greek military forces and migration patterns.
Ancient DNA analysis reveals that Bronze Age migrations changed burial practices and kinship structures in Italy. The study found that Steppe-related ancestry arrived in Central Italy around 3,600 years ago, while Northern Italy received it around 4,000 years ago.
Researchers found evidence of bronze scrap being used as cash in Europe during the late Bronze Age (1350-800 BC), challenging traditional notions of money's emergence. This practice spread across Western Eurasia, paving the way for a global market.
The study found that ancient civilizations in Greece were genetically homogenous, suggesting critical innovations like urban centres and metal use came from local Neolithic groups. Migration waves from the Pontic-Caspian steppe also shaped present-day Greece, supporting theories on Indo-European languages.
Researchers successfully germinated seven ancient Judean date palm seeds from archaeological sites, gaining genetic insights into the evolution of crops. The study suggests that hybridization between date palms and wild Cretan palms occurred over 2,200 years ago, influencing agricultural practices.
Ancient dune fields in Gale crater provide evidence of variable wind directions, shedding light on Mars' climate evolution. The findings suggest that the Martian surface may have been less hospitable to life than previously thought, with a vast expanse of desert sand representing a snapshot of time.
Scientists have discovered ancient honey hunting in prehistoric West Africa using chemical analysis of pottery fragments. The study found that around one-third of the pottery vessels used by the ancient Nok people were used to process or store beeswax, indicating a significant role of honey in their diet.
A recent fossil discovery of four new snakefly species has deepened the mystery surrounding their evolutionary history and distribution. The ancient insects, dating back 50 million years, were found in British Columbia and Washington state, where scientists had previously believed they required cold winters to thrive.
The study of 111 ancient genomes sheds light on the history of the Scythians, a legendary horse warrior culture. Genetic analysis reveals two main sources of origin for nomadic Iron Age groups, with one from the Altai Mountains and another from the western Ural Mountains.
Researchers analyzed ancient Maya house remains to find a link between autocratic governance and wealth inequality. They found that societies with more collective governance had more similarly sized houses, indicating less wealth disparity.
A recent report highlights the profound implications of human actions on the biosphere, emphasizing the need for effective planetary stewardship. The study reveals that humanity is now the dominant force of change on the planet, and that we are at the dawn of a transformative decade.
Researchers at LSU discovered a vast network of ancient Maya salt kitchen buildings, indicating the salt was produced on a large scale. Salt cakes were standardized units, potentially used as currency, and played a crucial role in the economy.
The Antikythera Mechanism, a 2,000-year-old device used to predict astronomical events, has a newly recreated gearing system that conforms to physical evidence and matches descriptions on the Mechanism. The team recovered cycles for all planets using an ancient Greek mathematical method.
Researchers applied a new method to analyze ancient dental calculus, identifying dairy proteins and bacterial fragments that shed light on ancient diseases. The single-pot solid-phase-enhanced sample preparation (SP3) approach increased the number of unique protein fragments detected.
New fossil discoveries of ancient lamprey growth series overturn conventional wisdom on the origin of vertebrates, including humans. Ancient lamprey larvae were found to have large eyes and toothed suckers like adult phases, contradicting long-held ideas about their evolutionary history.
Researchers outline proposals for 'technosignatures' - evidence of technology use in other parts of the Universe- to search for intelligent extraterrestrial life. The study suggests searching for industrial pollution, large satellite swarms, and gigantic space engineering work as potential signs of civilization.
Researchers analyzed 70,000 ancient skeletons to find declining rates of transmission for these chronic infectious diseases. The analysis suggests that pathogens may evolve to cause less harm to humans over time, leading to reduced transmission.
A new study uses multiple approaches to investigate the diet of ancient dogs in the Americas, revealing a diverse diet including maize, walnuts, grapes, fish, and duck. The analysis also sheds light on human-dog dietary overlap, providing insights into human health and diet.
Research integrating genetics and archaeology reveals that diverse East Asians derive ancestry from a shared lineage that split over 40,000 years ago. This ancient lineage contributed to the development of modern languages, including Sino-Tibetan and Japonic families.
A new international study suggests that the reversal of Earth's magnetic poles 42,000 years ago triggered major climate shifts, leading to global environmental change and mass extinctions. Researchers used ancient New Zealand kauri trees to create a detailed timescale of how Earth's atmosphere changed over this time.
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.
Researchers from HKU have discovered evidence of a reduced atmosphere on ancient Mars, dating back 3.5 billion years. The team used infrared remote sensing and spectroscopy to analyze mineralogy and geochemistry of ancient rocks, revealing weathered conditions indicative of a reducing environment.
Researchers analyzed ancient dental calculus from 41 individuals and found milk proteins in 8 individuals, dating back to 4,000-3,200 years ago. The study suggests that early African pastoralists consumed dairy products without the genetic adaptation for lactase persistence, possibly through fermentation.
A new trace fossil, Glossifungites gingrasi, has been named after University of Alberta paleontologist Murray Gingras. The discovery provides insight into ancient water salinity levels and helps narrow down the type of organism that created the burrow.
Dogs were likely domesticated from Eurasian wolves around 23,000 years ago, and later accompanied humans to the Americas. Genetic analysis suggests all ancient dogs belonged to a single haplogroup lineage, A2b, which is no longer found in the continent.
Researchers used data from Curiosity rover and Earth comparisons to determine temperature impact on Martian rocks, finding it was the biggest factor in weathering sediments.
A team of scientists used ancient marine fossils and gravitational wave astronomy to develop a more accurate palaeo-thermometer for predicting climate change. The improved thermometer uses machine-learning tools to extract temperature from GDGT concentrations with an accuracy of just 3.6 degrees, nearly twice that of previous models.
Researchers detected Mexican marigold in ancient Maya ceramic vessels, which they believe were mixed with tobacco to enhance its effects. The discovery sheds light on ancient Maya drug use practices and paves the way for further studies on psychoactive plants.
Researchers developed a method to account for missing soft-bodied organisms in ancient food webs, revealing differences between hard- and soft-bodied taxa that have existed for at least 48 million years. This work strengthens future research in ancient food web reconstruction and allows for more robust predictions of future ecosystems.
Scientists have discovered that ancient wetlands experienced increased methane cycling during the Paleocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum, an ancient global warming event. This finding suggests that rapid global warming can disrupt methane cycling in wetlands, potentially exacerbating climate change.
Researchers used ancient crystals to test the theory that portions of Earth's ancient crust acted as 'seeds' for later generations of crust. A three-billion-year-old magmatic event led to a global spike in crust production, matching regions worldwide and pointing to a significant widespread event.
Researchers at the University of Colorado Boulder discovered a link between ancient cyanobacteria and the Great Oxygenation Event. The study suggests that these single-celled organisms played a crucial role in transforming the planet's chemistry, producing oxygen gas that paved the way for life on Earth.
A new study combining archaeological work with genetic technology sheds light on the peopling of the Caribbean. The analysis of 263 ancient human genomes shows two major migratory waves in the region, revealing a highly mobile population with distant relatives often living on different islands.
Researchers found a non-destructive way to analyze bitumen in Ancient Egyptian embalming materials, providing insights into its origin and processing. The method revealed that a mummy in a French museum could have been partially restored with pure bitumen.
A new study published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences suggests that climate change, not Genghis Khan, led to the decline of Central Asia's medieval river civilizations. The research found that decreasing river flow due to drought was equally important for the abandonment of these city-states as the Mongol invasion.
A study challenges the notion that Mongol invasions led to the demise of medieval riverine civilizations in Central Asia. Decreasing river flow was equally important for their decline as climate change and abandonment of irrigation systems were.
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 study reveals distinct dietary patterns in ancient Huaca Prieta and Paredones communities in north coastal Peru, with Paredones adults consuming high amounts of maize and terrestrial meat. The findings suggest diet differences may have facilitated resource exchange and economic specialization between nearby communities.
Researchers analyzed fossils of 70 plant taxa from central Tibet to understand the region's ancient environment. The study found that Tibet's landscape persisted in a similar form for at least 25 million years before giving way to its present-day plateau.
Researchers used satellite-tracked buoys to simulate ancient ocean migrations. They found that the vast majority failed to reach the Ryukyu Islands due to adverse weather conditions, suggesting intentional navigation. The study provides evidence of Paleolithic people's bold exploration and migration.
Researchers re-examined ancient fossils found in Myanmar's amber deposits, revealing that a species initially thought to be an ancient form of chameleon was actually part of the albanerpetontid lineage. The new findings indicate that these ancient amphibians were climbers with specialized tongues for catching food.
Researchers found evidence of mounted horseback riding in ancient China, with signs of chronic use of saddles and metal bits on horse skeletons. The discovery suggests that the region played a crucial role in spreading equestrianism to early Chinese civilizations.
A global study of ancient dog DNA found at least five different types of dogs more than 11,000 years ago in Europe, the Near East, and Siberia. The research team sequenced DNA from 27 dogs, showing that canine diversity originated when humans were still hunters and gatherers.
A new study sheds light on human responses to climate change in ancient Turkey, revealing local evidence of resilience and flourishing societies despite changes in the region. The research provides a significant new dataset that helps address questions about societal responses to proposed climate change.
Newly sequenced ancient dog genomes show a long shared history with humans, with dogs diverging from wolves around 11,000 years ago. The study reveals multiple dog lineages worldwide by this time, and genetic links to human migration patterns.
Researchers analyzed red and black inks from 100-200 AD papyri, finding lead used as a dryer rather than pigment. The discovery sheds light on complex ink recipes and potential connections to Renaissance paint practices.
Researchers detected iron-based compounds as ocher in ancient red ink, while lead, phosphorus, and sulfur were found in micrometric rings surrounding ocher particles in red ink. Lead compounds also appeared in black inks, likely used as drying agents rather than pigments.
Researchers found previously unknown lead compounds in ancient Egyptian red and black inks, suggesting they were used as a drying agent. The discovery challenges previous understanding of ancient lead-based pigments and may indicate widespread use of similar techniques earlier than thought.
The ancient Maya created a water filtration system nearly 2,000 years ago, using crystalline quartz and zeolite to remove harmful microbes and toxins from drinking water. This innovative system would still be effective today.
A study analyzing ancient DNA from Tibetan Plateau remains found that prehistoric bovids were genetically similar to modern Asian wild gaurs and diverged approximately 18,000 years ago. Rhinoceroses roamed the region between 8,000 to 6,000 years ago, suggesting a warm and moist environment at the time.
Researchers have discovered evidence of Byzantine and Early Islamic resource management practices through micro-geoarchaeological investigations of trash mounds in the Negev region of Israel. The findings provide insights into agricultural shifts during the Roman Imperial Period and Late Antiquity.
A University of Reading mathematician is collaborating with Microsoft to study ancient mathematical problems, including Diophantine equations, to aid in the development of encryption software. The project aims to create more secure data protection against quantum computers that can solve complex mathematical problems quickly.
A new display at Swansea University's Egypt Centre will showcase artefacts from Egypt, Greece, Rome, and other ancient civilizations to educate visitors about issues like identity, racism, and xenophobia. The exhibit aims to spark meaningful discussions on these topics, drawing from the rich material available in the ancient world.
A new study analyzed DNA from medieval latrines in Jerusalem and Riga, Latvia, providing insights into the microbiomes of pre-industrial agricultural populations. The findings highlight the value of ancient latrines as sources of bio-molecular information and may provide context for interpreting modern microbiome health.
A new study characterizes the microbial diversity of ancient gut contents from medieval latrines, providing insights into pre-industrial agricultural populations' microbiomes. The research highlights the value of ancient latrines as sources of bio-molecular information, shedding light on the health of modern microbiomes.