A large-scale study of ancient human DNA from sub-Saharan Africa has shed light on the identity of prehistoric populations, their movements and genetic adaptations. The research found evidence of a population replacement in Malawi and identified a mysterious group that spanned from southern Africa to the equator.
Researchers found that mobile women brought new cultural objects and ideas, which increased during the Bronze Age, promoting technological development. Genetic analysis revealed diversity of female lineages from outside the region, indicating integration into local communities.
Researchers from University of Helsinki explore pre-colonial geometric earthworks in southwestern Amazonia, finding them to be important ritual spaces where indigenous peoples communicated with environmental beings. The study highlights the interconnectedness of human life with nature and the significance of these sites as sacred places.
Researchers at the University of York discovered that ancient Engaruka's irrigation systems and terraces were built to capture eroded sediments, benefiting farming practices for centuries. The study highlights the importance of this method of farming in sub-Saharan Africa and its potential applicability to modern day farming techniques.
Research reveals citrons and lemons were first citrus fruits to arrive in the Mediterranean, prized for their rarity and symbolic value. The study highlights the crucial role of Muslim traders in dispersing cultivated citrus across Northern Africa and Southern Europe.
A vast ancient trading network operating in Vietnam from 4,500 to 3,000 years ago has been uncovered by archaeologists. The network included specialist tool-makers and technological knowledge, with items manufactured and circulated over hundreds of kilometres.
A 3,000-year-old female statue was discovered at the Tayinat archaeological site in Turkey, measuring over 1 meter long and 0.7 meters wide. The statue features intricate carvings and is believed to represent a prominent matriarchal figure, possibly Kubaba or Kupapiyas, wife of King Suppiluliuma.
Researchers use ancient pottery to study Iroquoian social networks and find that the Jefferson County Iroquoians played a key role as brokers between Haudenosaunee and Wendat groups. This discovery sheds new light on the importance of this lesser-known population in upstate New York.
A new study suggests a European stockfish trade existed for 1,000 years, with cod bones from Haithabu providing evidence of fish caught in northern Norway being consumed on mainland Europe. The findings support the idea that traded fish played a significant role in knitting the European continent together economically.
The study analyzed ancient DNA from remains of 19 individuals and compared their genomes to over 330 other ancient genomes and 2,600 present-day humans. It found that Minoans and Mycenaeans were genetically similar, descending mainly from early Neolithic farmers who migrated thousands of years prior to the Bronze Age from Anatolia.
Researchers have discovered pollen evidence of Chrysocoma ciliata dating back 4,000 years, suggesting it may not be an invasive species. The plant's ability to thrive under drought conditions and colonize degraded landscapes has led some to question its status as an invasive species.
The study reveals that communities with strong co-operation largely belonged to the same archaeological culture, providing a novel method for independent evaluation of the archaeological record. The researchers used modularity analysis on a comprehensive database of copper artefacts from the Balkans, dated from 6200 BC to 3200 BC.
A team of archaeologists discovered lipid-based biomarkers for whole wheat in a frozen Bronze Age container, providing new insights into the spread and exploitation of cereal grains. The finding has significant implications for studying early farming practices in Eurasia.
A new phylogenetic tree resolves key relationships among vertebrates, including the identification of lungfishes as closest living relatives of land vertebrates. The study uses a novel set of analyses for building large-scale genomic datasets.
The study reveals that ancient Rapa Nui people consumed a balanced diet of seafood and terrestrial resources, with evidence suggesting deliberate management of agricultural crops. This challenges the ecocide hypothesis, which attributes societal collapse to environmental destruction.
Bioarchaeology International is a new journal that aims to unify perspectives in the field of bioarchaeology by providing a space for peer-reviewed articles and encouraging global discussion. The journal will release its inaugural issue on June 30, 2017, and will focus on integrating material and biological evidence left behind in graves.
The discovery provides insight into the society and copper production in the Timna region during the time of David and Solomon. The wool and linen pieces suggest a deeply hierarchical society dependent on long-distance trade to support its infrastructure.
Researchers at the Weizmann Institute of Science used advanced radiocarbon dating methods to determine the age of a massive stone tower in Jerusalem. The new date, around 800-900 BCE, is nearly 1,000 years younger than the previously assigned date of 1700 BCE and moves the construction of the tower to the Iron Age.
Researchers used multispectral imaging to discover a previously invisible Hebrew inscription on the back of a pottery shard dated to the eve of Judah's destruction by Nebuchadnezzar. The inscription features an administrative text, including a request for wine and a guarantee for assistance.
New fossil finds from the Jebel Irhoud site in Morocco provide evidence that human ancestors ate a diet rich in game, including gazelle and wildebeest. The discovery pushes back the origins of Homo sapiens by 100,000 years to around 300,000 years ago.
The discovery of ancient Homo sapiens fossils in Morocco pushes back the origins of our species by 100,000 years. The fossils, dated to around 300,000 years ago, reveal a modern-looking face and teeth, but an archaic braincase shape.
A recent study challenges GIS credibility in assessing shoreline erosion to archaeological sites, highlighting the need for more current imagery sources and semi-regular updates. The research suggests that while GIS can be useful in identifying areas at risk, its limitations due to volatile weather conditions must be acknowledged.
A portable measuring device has been developed to detect optimal ripeness in tomatoes, allowing producers to monitor the fruit's composition without destroying it. The device uses Raman spectroscopy and can be used for other foods that change color during ripening, such as peppers and pumpkins.
A new study from ANU found that sagittal crest size in male gorillas and orangutans is linked to their social behavior. Females prefer larger crests, indicating a possible form of social signalling related to sexual selection.
Researchers developed an automated drill that can make complex cranial surgeries 50 times faster than standard procedures, reducing time and increasing safety. The drill uses software to set safe cutting paths and has an automatic emergency shut-off switch.
Researchers from Australian National University have found that parturition scars on skeletal remains are not a reliable indicator of childbirth. The technique has been used in police investigations to narrow down identities, but it could lead to complications or delays if incorrectly applied.
A comprehensive study on the bones of Homo floresiensis has found that they most likely evolved from an African ancestor and share a common ancestor with Homo habilis. The findings contradict the popular theory that Homo floresiensis evolved from Homo erectus.
A recent study published in PLOS ONE analyzed 194 native Latin American maize populations, revealing three distinct geographic groups of maize in Mexico and four groups in South America and the Caribbean. The findings suggest that genetic variation in maize populations may reflect human migration patterns and agricultural development.
Researchers have identified ancient fava beans in Northern Israel, dating back 14,000 years, to understand the evolution of the crop and improve its biodiversity. The findings provide crucial clues about the time and place where wild faba plants grew naturally.
Researchers found that fluted Clovis points have a thin groove that acts as a shock absorber, increasing point robustness and ability to withstand physical stress. The technique, absent in Northeast Asia, allowed early colonizers to travel long distances with confidence.
The Anthropocene Working Group addresses geological critics' concerns about a new epoch, emphasizing the presence of distinctive strata. The group's research highlights human-driven transformations with physical evidence, such as artificial radionuclides and plastics.
Researchers from University of Cambridge find that ordinary people left homesteads to become nomadic herdsmen or took up arms with tribes. Meanwhile, some Huns adopted settled agriculture, enjoying a more stable lifestyle.
Researchers used satellite analysis and GIS to show that 75% of ancient Silk Road sites align with optimal pasture-driven pathways for nomadic herders, revealing new insights into the network's geography
A large carved jade pendant, once belonging to an ancient Maya king, was discovered in southern Belize. The pendant, inscribed with a historical text, is now believed to have been buried during a time of crisis due to climate change and the collapse of the Maya civilization.
New study from Tel Aviv University and Hebrew University finds evidence of a fluctuating geomagnetic field in ancient Judean jar handles, with peak strength in the 8th century BCE. The research suggests that the Earth's magnetic field has undulated for thousands of years and is not weakening.
Researchers uncovered hundreds of large, mysterious geoglyphs in Brazil's Amazon rainforest, challenging assumptions about the ecosystem. The sites were found to have been built using sustainable 'agroforestry' practices, which concentrated on economically valuable tree species.
Researchers analyze how ancient South Asian population coped with changing environmental conditions using lake records and speleothem data. They found that the civilization developed in a diverse environment where water was critical for survival, and its populations were well-adapted to varying climate conditions before urbanization.
The project investigates Buddhist networks in Eastern Central Asia from the 6th-14th centuries, exploring transregional links between China, India, Tibet, and Central Asian regions. The team will analyze manuscripts and conduct field research to understand how Buddhism spread and evolved.
Researchers used computer technology to learn how past societies responded to climate change, identifying crops and strategies that can be useful today. The studies found that drought-tolerant crops like Hopi corn and foxtail millet could become crucial for human survival in areas impacted by climate change.
Researchers from OU, BU, and Smithsonian found that Arctic ground squirrels arrived on Chirikof Island at least 2,000 years ago, contradicting previous assumptions. The study's results have implications for conservation efforts in the region, highlighting the need for long-term data to determine native and indigenous species.
Researchers use advanced techniques to confirm the ancient queen's identity, shedding new light on Egyptian mummification practices. The team's findings support the idea that the mummified legs belong to Queen Nefertari, a favorite wife of Pharaoh Ramses II.
Researchers found evidence of domesticated rice in South Asia up to 430 years earlier than previously believed. The study reveals a network of regional farmers supplied produce to ancient cities, using complex multi-cropping strategies across both seasons.
Using lead isotope analysis, UF archaeologist Ashley Sharpe has created a map to determine the birthplace of ancient people and animals in Central America. This method can help track the movement of prehistoric Maya and potentially solve mysteries surrounding their origins and demise.
Scientists have discovered evidence of prehistoric milk production in southern Europe dating back to the onset of agriculture around 9,000 years ago. The study suggests that dairying played a crucial role in sustaining early farmers and spreading farming across the western Mediterranean region.
A recent study suggests that individuals with autism may have played an important role in their social groups due to their exceptional memory skills and heightened perception. Collaborative morality, which emerged around 100,000 years ago, allowed for the acceptance and respect of people with autistic traits.
Archaeological remains in wetlands are threatened by rapid organic decay caused by acidic conditions. Researchers urge reevaluation of site preservation strategies and recommend urgent excavations to retrieve valuable artifacts.
Early Pacific seafarers likely harnessed El Nino and other climate patterns to settle Remote Oceania. The research suggests Samoa as a key staging area for East Polynesia colonization.
Historic analysis of East African ivory reveals where elephants roamed and were hunted during the 19th century, shedding light on the ecological impact of the ivory trade. The study maps elephant geography in the region and informs contemporary conservation strategies.
Researchers observed wild-bearded capuchin monkeys in Brazil creating fractured flakes and cores with characteristics of early Stone Age hominin tools. The monkeys' behavior suggests they may be extracting minerals or lichen from stones, but their actions are unintentional and distinct from human tool-making.
New uranium series analysis suggests Nan Madol, a Pacific island's ancient coral reef capital, was the earliest evidence of a chiefdom in the Pacific. The discovery enables archaeologists to study how societies transform into more complex and hierarchical systems.
Scholars studied archaeological and paleoenvironmental records to understand the intensification of agriculture in northern China, revealing a significant impact on fire frequency and natural environments. The findings suggest that millet cultivation played a crucial role in the emergence of ancient Chinese civilization.
Researchers discovered a well-preserved Bronze Age warrior's tomb in Greece containing over 2,000 objects, including four golden signet rings featuring Minoan iconography. The findings suggest cultural sharing between the ancient civilizations, challenging the theory of mere plunder.
Researchers have identified a unique set of protein markers in human hair that could be used to distinguish individuals. The findings demonstrate the robustness of these proteins and estimate that they would be sufficient to provide a unique pattern for an individual among a population of one million.
Scientists found a novel mutation in modern feral Hawaiian pigs that explains their black coats, suggesting humans across the world have selected and bred black pigs independently. The study suggests Polynesians brought domestic pigs to Hawaii 800 years ago and humans later selected for black coats on at least three separate occasions.
The Artazu VII site contains at least 40 species of micro- and macro-vertebrates, including extinct species like cave lion and steppe bison, preserved in anatomical connection. The site reflects the fauna in the area during the Upper Pleistocene epoch, providing high-resolution palaeoecological and palaeoenvironmental insights.
A recent study published in PLOS ONE suggests that climate change was not a primary driver of technological innovation among Stone Age humans. Researchers analyzed animal remains from South Africa's southern Cape, finding that human populations were able to absorb changes to the climate through resources like long-distance contact and ...
A team of researchers from the University of Alaska Fairbanks made a groundbreaking discovery after analyzing stable isotopes and lipid residues at prehistoric hearths along the Tanana River. The study found that early Alaskans' diets were more complex than previously thought, with salmon and freshwater fish playing a prominent role.
Researchers from the University of New Hampshire have developed a geospatial approach to better understand the roles of pre-European archaeological monument sites in Michigan. By utilizing a modeling technique called Maximum Entropy, they were able to identify the distinct niches occupied by burial mounds and circular earthwork enclosu...
Researchers developed a unique method to measure lightning strike energy by analyzing 'fossilized' sand cylinders created by thousands of years-old lightning strikes. The team found that the energy released in a single bolt of lightning peaks at over 20 megajoules per meter.
Researchers analyze human bite marks on lamb bones to develop new method for identifying ancient meals. The study found that over half of the bones bore human bite marks, allowing for the differentiation between human and animal consumption.