Researchers found identical structures in horseshoe crab and ancient sea scorpion eyes, suggesting contrast enhancement evolved over 400 million years. The findings shed light on the evolution of compound eyes in arthropods.
A team of scientists used data from NASA's Kepler telescope to calculate that the thick disc of the Milky Way is about 10 billion years old. This finding resolves a long-standing question about the age distribution of stars in the disc.
The study challenges scholarly consensus on the Justinianic Plague's effects, finding no detectable decrease in economic vitality or demographic decline. Historical texts exaggerate plague mortality, and burial customs remained unchanged despite the outbreak.
A recent study by researchers at SESYNC found no concrete evidence to attribute the effects of the Justinianic Plague to the pandemic. The team examined diverse datasets, including written sources, inscriptions, and pollen samples, but found that trends continued without change before and after the plague outbreak.
A new study suggests people have been eating only oysters in months with the letter 'r' - September to April - for at least 4,000 years. Researchers analyzed snail parasites on discarded shells to determine the seasonal pattern of oyster harvesting.
Researchers from Spain and Portugal have identified the careo irrigation channels of Sierra Nevada as the oldest underground aquifer recharge system in Europe. The study, published in Journal of Hydrology, reveals that this ancient technique was used to channel water for centuries, with evidence dating back to the 11th Century.
A Yale professor and his team discovered an abrupt 60-year megadrought that led to the collapse of the Neo-Assyrian Empire. The drought weakened the empire's agricultural base, allowing neighboring forces like the Babylonians to conquer Nineveh in three months.
Birch bark tar was the world's oldest glue, used in the Palaeolithic Period and up to late antiquity, according to recent research. Archaeological artefacts suggest it was procured despite birch scarcity, highlighting the strength of traditional practices among the Gauls.
Researchers used ground-penetrating radar to resolve 96% of human tracks at White Sands National Monument, gaining insights into biomechanics and extinct fauna. The technique may unlock behavioral and biomechanical archives of Pleistocene animals.
The Flinders University team created a highly realistic virtual experience of the wreck, including a digital reconstruction of how it sank. The three-minute dive is available on YouTube and offers insights into Iceland's forgotten history during the 17th century.
An international research team has found evidence of human activity on the island of Naxos at least 200,000 years ago, forcing a reevaluation of human movement in the region. The discovery pushes back the known settlement timeline by tens of thousands of years and suggests that early humans were capable of adapting to new environments.
A recent survey reveals rich patterns in anthropologists' views on sensitive controversies, with disciplinary subfield, gender, and politics identified as key predictors. The study draws on social intuitionism to interpret the results, suggesting that shared moral intuitions may aid scholars in coming to consensus.
Archaeological analysis of Bronze Age cemeteries in southern Germany reveals that nuclear families lived with foreign women and individuals from lower social classes. The study, published in Science, suggests a complex social structure where wealth was correlated with biological kinship or foreign origin.
A recent study published in Open Archaeology reveals that Tholos A at Apesokari, a Bronze Age circular tomb on Crete, was deliberately placed to control parcels of land and increase visibility from a specific path. The article's use of GIS analysis sheds new light on the role of burial sites and mortuary practices in Prepalatial Crete.
Scientists have found evidence of prehistoric humans storing and consuming animal bone marrow at Qesem Cave, dating back to around 400,000 years ago. The discovery suggests that early Paleolithic people had a sophisticated understanding of food preservation, allowing them to store bone marrow for up to nine weeks before feasting on it.
Astronomers have uncovered two historic events in the Andromeda Galaxy, with evidence suggesting major changes to its structure occurred a few billion years ago and much earlier. The findings provide insights into the evolution and formation of both the Andromeda Galaxy and our own Milky Way.
A team of researchers has developed a method to screen bone samples for collagen using near-infrared spectrometry, reducing the need to destroy valuable remains. This breakthrough could enable scientists to analyze ancient DNA and gain insights into human history.
Researchers uncover traditional fish preparation techniques employed by fisherfolk in Panama and Egypt, revealing patterns of modifications to fish skeletons comparable to those found in archaeological sites. The study provides a powerful model for identifying fish butchering and preservation methods at archaeological sites worldwide.
Researchers used machine learning to identify previously unidentified cave entrances in a densely vegetated area of Belize. The computer program successfully picked up smaller caves that were invisible to the naked eye, and confirmed the existence of several large surprise finds, including a collapsed cave complex.
A Tel Aviv University study finds the kingdom of Edom flourished in the Arava Desert during the 12th-11th centuries BCE, with expert analysis revealing a copper 'high-tech network' led by an affluent society. The researchers attribute the sudden improvement in copper production to Pharaoh Shoshenq I's military campaign.
Researchers have found the earliest direct evidence of milk consumption in human teeth dating back 6,000 years to Neolithic Britain. The discovery suggests that dairy products were a widespread dietary practice among ancient farmers.
Research on dental calculus reveals a monotonous potato-based diet for the poor, supplemented by eggs and wheat when available. The study of 42 people's remains found evidence of corn, oats, and milk foodstuffs, shedding new light on the Great Famine's social disaster.
A new ancient DNA study reveals the complex origins of populations in Central Asia, combining archaeological and genetic expertise to illustrate nuanced mechanisms of genetic diversity and change. The research, published in Science, is the largest in the world to date and addresses a significant gap in the ancient DNA dataset.
Researchers have confirmed genetic ties among three individuals buried together after a 13th-century massacre by the Mongol army, shedding new light on the tragic event. The DNA analysis reveals a grandmother, daughter, and grandson were part of the same family.
The ArchaeoGLOBE project provides the first global assessment of land use changes since the last ice age, driven by humans over the past 10,000 years. This study reveals profound implications for understanding contemporary global changes in land use, climate, and biodiversity.
A new map synthesizes data from over 250 archaeologists, showing that human activity altered the Earth's soil by 3,000 years ago. The study adds an archaeological perspective to historical land use models, challenging recent estimates of human behavior and environmental change.
A new international study published in Science reveals that land use by early farmers and societies had a significant impact on global land cover by 3,000-4,000 years ago. The study uses crowdsourced archaeological data to assess long-term human impacts on the natural world.
Researchers analyzed ear ossicles from 20 juveniles excavated in 18th-19th century burial grounds to understand maternal pre-pregnancy and late pregnancy diets. The study provides a unique link between diet and early pregnancy health.
A new 8,000-year-old structure has been found next to the oldest known boat building site in the world on the Isle of Wight. The site features an intact wooden platform with split timbers, providing evidence of advanced woodworking skills and technological advancements.
Researchers at Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin analyse fragile papyrus with nondestructive methods, detecting lead in blank patch and deciphering blurry image. A new technique allows them to study folded papyri without contact, opening doors for future studies on valuable finds.
Researchers found ancient parasite eggs in human coprolites at the Must Farm settlement, indicating that inhabitants were infected by eating raw aquatic animals. The discovery provides new insights into the intestinal diseases of prehistoric Britain and their possible connections to modern food trends.
A recent study found that ancient pigs in Europe lost their Near Eastern genetic signature due to hybridization with European wild boar. This suggests that pig management in Europe was extensive and that artificial selection had a limited impact on the development of modern European commercial pigs.
A recent study by Washington State University researchers found that women and professionals outside of university settings are underrepresented in high-impact, peer-reviewed archaeology publications. The authors suggest that structural barriers, lack of time and resources, and limited opportunities contribute to this disparity.
A team of researchers successfully reconstructed anthropic influences on sedimentation in the ancient harbour of Portus, a complex of harbour basins and canals that formed the hub of commerce in the Roman Empire. The findings suggest that the Romans were proactively managing their river systems earlier than previously thought.
Researchers analyzed ceramic vessels from Mont Lassois to determine ancient Celtic drinking habits. They found that the Celts consumed imported Mediterranean wines and local beers, contradicting the assumption that only elites drank foreign wine.
Researchers analyzed plant, animal, and human remains to reconstruct the diets of Portus Romae inhabitants. They found a shift from rich meat-based diets to more peasant-like diets after the Vandal sack in AD 455.
Researchers used LiDAR data to digitally recreate the geomorphology of Cordoba before it was built over. The images show how both Iberian and Roman cities took advantage of the land's shape to build their settlements. This new information sheds light on the historical city's development.
The study analyzed life conditions, demographic aspects, funerary practices and genetic data to conclude that male domination emerged in later periods. Archaeological evidence suggests men's association with violence and force played a key role in shaping social complexity.
Researchers have discovered over 100 massive stone jars in Laos, revealing more widespread use of these enigmatic containers than previously thought. The finds also include beautifully carved discs used as burial markers, showcasing intricate imagery including concentric circles, human figures, and creatures.
Researchers use cutting-edge techniques to extract ancient protein sequences from fossilized bones, revealing a common ancestor between two-toed sloths and giant ground sloths like Megatherium. The study challenges decades of scientific opinion on sloth evolution and provides new insights into the evolutionary history of animals.
A team of researchers has discovered intestinal parasite infection in ancient faeces from the Çatalhöyük village, dating back to 7,100 BC. Whipworm eggs were found in two coprolites, providing early evidence of human disease in the Near East.
Researchers found evidence of 'tool kit' at Qesem Cave that was created by reusing discarded flint tools. The tiny, sharp objects were used with precision to process animal products, vegetal materials, and plant tubers.
A unique bark shield discovered in Europe has revealed that prehistoric people used bark to make shields, a first for its kind. The shield, dated between 395-255 BC, showed evidence of being made with wooden laths, a woven boss, and red chequerboard decoration.
Researchers discovered charred food remains at the Klasies River Cave in South Africa, indicating early humans were roasting plant starches from tubers and rhizomes as far back as 120,000 years ago. This finding supports the hypothesis that the duplication of starch digestion genes is an adaptive response to a high-starch diet.
New research suggests that sudden and severe climate change caused widespread population decline across South America between 8,000 to 6,000 years ago. The study found that unpredictable rainfall levels had a negative impact on early populations until around 6,000 years ago.
A genomic tour-de-force identifies two extinct lineages and suggests speed was only selected for recently in horse evolution. The study sheds light on the complex history of horses, highlighting their diverse past and its impact on conservation and breeding practices.
A new reading of the Mesha Stele suggests that biblical King Balak may have been a historical figure, based on high-resolution images revealing three consonants in the monarch's name. The name is now believed to be 'Balak', a king of Moab mentioned in the biblical story of Balaam, rather than the previously accepted 'House of David'.
Scientists have traced a prehistoric eruption to the lesser-known volcano Campi Flegrei in Naples, which dated back 29,000 years. The research, published in Geology, used computer models and sediment cores to identify the ash layer's origin.
Researchers from James Cook University analyzed 40,000-year-old bat faeces for clues about the landscape's past biodiversity. The study supports the corridor theory, suggesting a savanna corridor divided the former continent of Sundaland.
A new review suggests that social communication played a significant role in shaping the modern human face. The study, led by University of York researchers, concludes that our faces evolved not only due to factors like diet and climate but also to facilitate nonverbal communication and establish large social networks.
The Science of Chocolate project uses storytelling to promote interest in scientific careers, particularly among girls, by highlighting the work of women researchers. The project has received funding from the Spanish Foundation for Science and Technology and is published in Catalan and Spanish.
The research attributes the human-elephant relationship during the Pleistocene epoch to their mutual ecology and shared living environments. Both species likely hailed from ancestors that came to Europe from Africa and adapted to living conditions in Ice Age Europe, highlighting their genetic similarities.
A new study reveals that chromium on bronze weapons of the Terracotta Army is likely contamination from a nearby lacquer coating, not an ancient anti-rust technology. The excellent preservation of the bronze weapons may be attributed to the soil's moderate alkaline pH and low organic content.
Researchers found grains of barley and wheat on the Aland Islands and in Sweden, dating back 4,300-5,300 years. The discovery suggests that small-scale farming was adopted by the Pitted Ware Culture from farmers of the Funnel Beaker Culture.
Researchers have uncovered ancient ritual offerings near Lake Titicaca that pre-date the arrival of the Incas by several centuries. The findings suggest a more complex and ambitious spiritual system among the Tiwanaku people, who developed in the area between 500-1,100 AD.
Researchers from Polytechnic University of Valencia and Ingheritag3D have digitized the Nasrid sword attributed to Ali Atar, a 15th-century warlord. The study utilizes photogrammetry and 3D modeling techniques to document the intricate filigree and ornaments on the sword.
Researchers suggest that snail and clam shells found at Caribbean archaeological sites may indicate child involvement in foraging and grocery shopping. Children's contributions to their own subsistence were more efficient and meaningful than previously thought, changing the way archaeologists think about site materials and distribution.
The Sodré astrolabe is the oldest known mariner's astrolabe, dating back to 1496-1501. It has been certified as the earliest verifiable example of a transitional instrument between classic planispheric and open-wheel astrolabes.
The study analyzed 271 genomes from the Iberian Peninsula and found that a group of steppe descendants replaced almost all men 4,000 years ago. The research team also discovered that Basque genetics have hardly changed since the Iron Age, with a high frequency of the Y chromosome R1b.
A large-scale ancient DNA study reveals that local Y chromosomes were almost completely replaced during the Bronze Age in the Iberian Peninsula. Genetic variation among hunter-gatherers and intermingling with people from North Africa and the Mediterranean provide new insights into the region's history.