A new deep learning model classifies Japanese Sue ware from 3D scans with high accuracy, using three-dimensional point clouds directly. The model achieved an overall accuracy of 93.2%, performing almost perfectly on visually distinct categories, while focusing on regions that may correspond to expert archaeologists' considerations.
SourceNagoya University·JournalJournal of Archaeological Science·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateMar 26, 2026
A team of researchers led by Professor Hiroki Obata reconstructed the structure of prehistoric fishing nets from ancient pottery using X-ray CT. The study revealed a rich diversity in net-making techniques between regions and highlighted the importance of sustainability practices in ancient cultures.
SourceKumamoto University·JournalJournal of Archaeological Science·TypeImaging analysis·DateSep 26, 2025
Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope
Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope combines portable Schmidt-Cassegrain optics with GoTo pointing for outreach nights and field campaigns.
Researchers analyzed pottery production and circulation to identify border dynamics between El Argar and neighboring groups. The study reveals asymmetrical relations between the core area of El Argar and its neighbors, with the latter maintaining less centralized social structures.
SourceUniversitat Autonoma de Barcelona·JournalJournal of Archaeological Method and Theory·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 17, 2025
A new study suggests that pre-colonial people in Brazil may have gathered in summer months to feast on migratory fish and share alcoholic drinks. The researchers analyzed pottery fragments dating back to between 2300 and 1200 years ago, which revealed evidence of fermented beverages and processing of fish.
SourceUniversity of York·JournalPLOS One·DateFeb 5, 2025
Researchers have uncovered clay tablets with ancient cuneiform writing, game boards, and large structural remains at the ancient Mesopotamian site of Kurd Qaburstan in Iraq. The study sheds new light on literacy, urban development, and social inequality in this Middle Bronze Age city.
A groundbreaking study in PLOS ONE analyzed fat residues trapped in pottery vessels to uncover the prehistoric culinary traditions of central Germany. The results show a diverse range of food sources, including dairy products, meat, and plant-based foods, with significant changes occurring between the Early Neolithic and Late Bronze Age.
SourceUniversitat Autonoma de Barcelona·JournalPLOS ONE·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 21, 2024
Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter
Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter is a trusted meter for precise measurements during instrument integration, repairs, and field diagnostics.
Researchers capture cultural differences in pottery forms without selective transmission, attributing them to cognitive biases and community-specific techniques. This finding has implications for interpreting archaeological artifacts, potentially leading to new insights into the dynamics of cultural assimilation and artistic innovation.
SourceKobe University·JournalPNAS Nexus·TypeObservational study·DateFeb 28, 2024
A contemporary experiment suggests that ceramic shapes can be used as a proxy for ancient cultures, with variations between communities more pronounced than within. Community-specific deviations in morphological features support this assumption, highlighting individual variation among potters.
Scientists have created a vibrant blue pottery pigment using less cobalt, which retains high temperature stability and chemical resistance. The new pigment, derived from barium aluminosilicate, substantially reduces the need for cobalt ions, making it a more affordable and accessible option.
SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalACS Applied Optical Materials·DateFeb 22, 2024
Prehistoric pottery production discovered to be linked to hunter-gatherer communities, not solely farming, and influenced culinary traditions in Europe. Analysis of pot residues reveals information on cooked products and food processing methods.
SourceNicolaus Copernicus University in Torun·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateDec 11, 2023
A research team developed a low-cost, effective water filtration solution using clay pots lined with pine tree resin and silver particles. The device can purify water by removing bacteria and generating clean drinkable water, addressing the Navajo Nation's lack of access to clean water.
SourceUniversity of Texas at Austin·JournalEnvironmental Science & Technology·DateOct 25, 2023
SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB
SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB transfers large imagery and model outputs quickly between field laptops, lab workstations, and secure archives.
A new study analyzed protein residues from ancient cooking cauldrons and found evidence of deer, sheep, goats, and cow family members being consumed during the Maykop period. The researchers also discovered milk proteins, indicating that dairy was a part of the diet.
SourceCell Press·JournaliScience·TypeObservational study·DateAug 18, 2023
Researchers have made a groundbreaking discovery in the form of an oil amphora from the Roman region of Betica, featuring written text on its underside. The fragment, which corresponds to the seventh and eighth verses of Virgil's poem 'The Georgics', reveals insights into the poet's life and knowledge of the fertile Guadalquivir plain.
SourceUniversity of Córdoba·JournalJournal of Roman Archaeology·TypeObservational study·DateJun 21, 2023
A new study using thermoluminescence dating has challenged the prevailing theory about the early inhabitants of the US Virgin Islands. The research team found that multiple cultures coexisted on the islands simultaneously, contradicting the widely accepted theory of three major waves of immigration.
SourceUniversity of Southern Denmark·JournalHeritage Science·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 17, 2023
Researchers found that traditional handmade clay jars, called onggi, ferment kimchi faster and produce more beneficial bacteria due to their unique porous structure. The study highlights the connection between the earthenware's material properties and the fermentation process, providing new insights into ancient technology.
SourceGeorgia Institute of Technology·JournalJournal of The Royal Society Interface·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 12, 2023
Sony Alpha a7 IV (Body Only)
Sony Alpha a7 IV (Body Only) delivers reliable low-light performance and rugged build for astrophotography, lab documentation, and field expeditions.
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.
SourceUniversity of York·JournalRoyal Society Open Science·DateMar 14, 2023
Researchers analyzed ancient Wari pottery to understand how the empire spread its aesthetic. They found that potters across the empire created their own ceramics, decorated in traditional Wari style, with distinct chemical signatures from different regions. This bottom-up approach highlights local agency and economies' importance.
SourceField Museum·JournalJournal of Archaeological Science·DateMar 14, 2023
Archaeologists found that potters across the Wari empire used the same black pigment, suggesting imperial control. The shift to manganese-based recipes implies 'quality control' and symbolic meaning behind the color black.
SourceField Museum·JournalJournal of Archaeological Science·DateMar 7, 2023
A research team at Kumamoto University has identified the separation of Japanese cockroaches in ancient pottery, dating back over 5,000 years. The study found that the smokybrown cockroach was native to western Japan and the Yamato cockroach was native to eastern Japan.
SourceKumamoto University·JournalJournal of Archaeological Science Reports·TypeObservational study·DateOct 12, 2022
Apple iPhone 17 Pro
Apple iPhone 17 Pro delivers top performance and advanced cameras for field documentation, data collection, and secure research communications.
A joint study by the Israel Antiquities Authority, Tel Aviv University, and the Weizmann Institute of Science has revealed the world's earliest known evidence of opium use in the Late Bronze Age. Eight ceramic vessels containing opium residue were found in Canaanite graves at Tel Yehud.
SourceTel-Aviv University·JournalArchaeometry·DateSep 20, 2022
Scientists have uncovered evidence of cereal cooking, dairy products and meat-based dishes in ancient pots from Scottish crannogs. Cereal biomarkers were detected in one-third of pots, providing the earliest biomolecular evidence for cereals in absorbed pottery residues.
SourceUniversity of Bristol·JournalNature Communications·TypeObservational study·DateSep 6, 2022
Researchers analyzed 96 fired clay fragments across 11 islands to reconstruct ancient trade routes in the Caribbean. The study found that the cultural hub was centered on the northwest coast of Hispaniola, challenging previous assumptions about the region's historical significance.
SourceFlorida Museum of Natural History·JournalJournal of Archaeological Science·DateJun 22, 2022
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.
SourceTel-Aviv University·JournalScientific Reports·DateJun 15, 2022
Aranet4 Home CO2 Monitor
Aranet4 Home CO2 Monitor tracks ventilation quality in labs, classrooms, and conference rooms with long battery life and clear e-ink readouts.
Researchers from Goethe University and the University of Bristol analyzed prehistoric pots and found complex distributions of plant lipids, indicating the processing of various plant species. The study reveals that leafy greens were first used in West African cuisine around 3,500 years ago.
SourceGoethe University Frankfurt·JournalArchaeological and Anthropological Sciences·TypeImaging analysis·DateJan 28, 2022
Researchers have found conclusive evidence that a massive cosmic airburst destroyed the biblical city of Tall el-Hammam in the Jordan Valley around 3600 years ago. The impact, which is believed to be equivalent to a 12-megaton explosion, was characterized by temperatures exceeding 2,000°C and the formation of melted metals and glass.
SourceUniversity of California - Santa Barbara·JournalScientific Reports·TypeObservational study·DateSep 28, 2021
A new study reveals evidence of beer drinking 9,000 years ago in southern China, with ancient pots found at a burial site containing residues consistent with beer fermentation. The discovery suggests that ritualized drinking played a significant role in forging social relationships and cooperation among ancient communities.
AmScope B120C-5M Compound Microscope
AmScope B120C-5M Compound Microscope supports teaching labs and QA checks with LED illumination, mechanical stage, and included 5MP camera.
A study of organic residues on ceramic pottery from rural and urban Sicily during the 9th to 12th century AD reveals a diverse range of vegetables, fruits, beeswax, and animal food products. The findings are consistent with Arabic literature's colorful dishes and highlight regional differences in cuisine preferences and ceramics use.
Researchers at Northern Arizona University developed a computerized method that uses machine learning to analyze visual information, allowing for rapid sorting of thousands of pottery fragments. The system achieved accuracy comparable to human experts and provided a visual record of its thought process.
SourceNorthern Arizona University·JournalJournal of Archaeological Science·DateMay 17, 2021
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.
SourceUniversity of Bristol·JournalNature Communications·DateApr 14, 2021
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.
SourceLouisiana State University·JournalJournal of Anthropological Archaeology·DateMar 22, 2021
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.
SourceUniversity of Cambridge·JournalJournal of Archaeological Science·DateDec 9, 2020
Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount
Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount provides precise tracking capacity for deep-sky imaging rigs during long astrophotography sessions.
Researchers at Kumamoto University used X-rays to visualize 28 maize weevil impressions on ancient pottery shards from the late Jomon period. The study provides evidence of the early presence of food pests like weevils in Japan and suggests lessons can be learned from ancient pottery about modern epidemics and disasters.
A study revealed that individual differences can be detected in same-shaped pottery vessels, with greater variation during the formation process than in the finished form. Researchers used video footage and hand movement analysis to identify unique patterns, shedding light on how individuals adapt traditional skills.
A study has tracked the shift from hunter-gatherer lifestyles to early farming in prehistoric Europe. Dairy products were found in 80% of pottery fragments from the Atlantic coast of Britain and Ireland.
SourceUniversity of York·JournalNature Communications·DateApr 27, 2020
Researchers analyzed ancient pottery fragments from 61 sites in the Baltic region, revealing distinct food preferences and culinary practices among different groups. The study found evidence of dairy products in some vessels, suggesting cultural fusion with early farmers.
SourceUniversity of York·JournalRoyal Society Open Science·DateApr 21, 2020
A new method of dating pottery allows archaeologists to date prehistoric finds with remarkable accuracy. The method, developed by the University of Bristol team, dates pots directly using fatty acids left behind from food preparation.
SourceUniversity of Bristol·JournalNature·DateApr 8, 2020
Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M4)
Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M4) runs demanding GIS, imaging, and annotation workflows on the go for surveys, briefings, and lab notebooks.
Researchers analyzed ancient fats and lipids in pottery from the Amur River in Russia, dating back 16,000-12,000 years. The study reveals that separate groups developed similar technological solutions to process food during periods of major climatic fluctuation.
SourceUniversity of York·JournalQuaternary Science Reviews·DateJan 31, 2020
Researchers analyzed skulls to uncover relationships between people groups, upending longstanding hypotheses about the Caribbean's colonization. The study reveals the presence of Caribs in Jamaica, Hispaniola, and the Bahamas, supporting Columbus' accounts of fierce raiders.
SourceFlorida Museum of Natural History·JournalScientific Reports·DateJan 10, 2020
Archaeologists unearthed shards of ceramic vessels at Real Alto site in Ecuador, which date back to the formative period and coincide with Valdivia culture. The findings suggest a new archaeological culture existed simultaneously with Valdivia on the Pacific coast of Ecuador.
SourceFar Eastern Federal University·JournalAntiquity·DateJul 24, 2019
The study found that Early Celts in Burgundy imported Mediterranean pottery, olive oil, and wine, and adapted them to their own culture. They used foreign vessels to drink local beers spiced with pine resins, as well as home-grown beverages like millet-based beer.
Anker Laptop Power Bank 25,000mAh (Triple 100W USB-C)
Anker Laptop Power Bank 25,000mAh (Triple 100W USB-C) keeps Macs, tablets, and meters powered during extended observing runs and remote surveys.
Analysis of 1,000-year-old pottery reveals domestic production was not a gendered activity, with both male and female fingerprints found on sherds. The shift towards gender equity in Chaco Canyon coincided with high demand for pottery, suggesting more people, including men and women, produced pottery
SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 3, 2019
A study analyzed ancient Neolithic Chinese pottery and found evidence of early alcohol production techniques, dating back around 7,000 to 8,000 years. The researchers identified cereal malts, moldy grains, and herbs as fermentation starters, suggesting the creation of low-alcohol beverages.
SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 3, 2019
Researchers found a way to reconstruct these indigenous communication networks, showing how they laid the groundwork for Native American political systems. The analysis utilizes sophisticated social network analysis to map social and political connections between dozens of Native American villages.
SourceWashington University in St. Louis·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 18, 2019
Archaeologists used a portable X-ray fluorescence detector to analyze ceramic pieces from the Java Sea Shipwreck, pinning their origins to specific kiln sites in southeastern China. The findings reveal complex trade networks between Asia and Africa in the 12th and 13th centuries, challenging traditional Eurocentric views of globalization.
SourceField Museum·JournalJournal of Archaeological Science·DateFeb 8, 2019
Davis Instruments Vantage Pro2 Weather Station
Davis Instruments Vantage Pro2 Weather Station offers research-grade local weather data for networked stations, campuses, and community observatories.
The discovery of a vessel with an estimated 500 maize weevils offers insights into the cultivation and distribution of chestnuts, food in the Jomon era, and the spirituality of ancient Japanese people. Researchers found that maize weevils were a dominant pest in stored rice and grains during this period.
The University of British Columbia study suggests that cacao was domesticated around 1,500 years earlier than previously thought in South America. Archaeological evidence from Ecuador shows that people were harvesting and consuming cacao 3,900 years ago.
SourceUniversity of British Columbia·JournalNature Ecology & Evolution·DateOct 29, 2018
Researchers found nutmeg residue on ceramic potsherds at a 3,500-year-old archaeological site in Indonesia. The discovery provides new insights into the early use of nutmeg and its impact on international trade.
SourceUniversity of Washington·JournalAsian Perspectives·DateOct 3, 2018
Kestrel 3000 Pocket Weather Meter
Kestrel 3000 Pocket Weather Meter measures wind, temperature, and humidity in real time for site assessments, aviation checks, and safety briefings.
Researchers discovered fatty residue in pottery dating back 7,200 years, indicating the presence of fermented dairy products and soft cheeses. The discovery suggests that cheese-making may have played a significant role in expanding farming territories and reducing infant mortality.
Researchers have found that early farmers at Çatalhöyük turned to drought-resistant sheep and goats during a sudden climate event 8,200 years ago. The study used ancient animal fats in cooking pots to detect changes in precipitation patterns, providing new insights into past climate conditions.
SourceUniversity of Bristol·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateAug 13, 2018
A three-year study by researchers at BioArCh, the University of York, suggests that ceramic vessels were used by early hunter-gatherer ancestors to store and process fish, with an association remaining stable even after climate warming. The study reveals new insights into prehistoric food processing habits during the post-glacial period.
SourceUniversity of York·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJul 16, 2018
GoPro HERO13 Black
GoPro HERO13 Black records stabilized 5.3K video for instrument deployments, field notes, and outreach, even in harsh weather and underwater conditions.
A study analyzing Japanese pottery samples reveals that nearly half of vessels contained fatty acids from aquatic foods, suggesting increased inshore fishing and shellfish gathering. Environmental changes at the beginning of the Holocene may have driven this shift in pottery usage.
SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJul 16, 2018
Dr. Catherine Frieman's excavation uncovers intact 4,000-year-old cremation and evidence of unaccountable medieval activity on the same site. The team found a large mound over the burial that existed from prehistory to the middle ages, protecting the center of the barrow.
A study has revealed that women played a significant role in transporting Corded Ware pottery across the Baltic Sea, with many arriving from Estonia and Finland. The research found that these female artisans mixed crushed ceramic fragments into Finnish clay to create their distinctive pots.
SourceUniversity of Helsinki·JournalJournal of Archaeological Science·DateMar 22, 2018
The diffusion of bell beakers in continental Europe was driven by the dissemination of ideas rather than migration, according to a recent genetic study. This finding refutes the long-accepted theory that the spread of cultural elements was associated with significant migrant movements.
SourceLudwig-Maximilians-Universität München·JournalNature·DateFeb 22, 2018
DJI Air 3 (RC-N2)
DJI Air 3 (RC-N2) captures 4K mapping passes and environmental surveys with dual cameras, long flight time, and omnidirectional obstacle sensing.
Chemical analysis of ancient pottery from Monte Kronio in Sicily reveals the presence of tartaric acid and sodium salt, characteristic of winemaking processes. The discovery provides a new perspective on the economy of ancient Italy, challenging traditional views on wine production.
SourceUniversity of South Florida (USF Health)·JournalMicrochemical Journal·DateAug 24, 2017
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.
SourceUniversity of Georgia·JournalScience Advances·DateAug 9, 2017
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.
SourceWeizmann Institute of Science·JournalRadiocarbon·DateJun 15, 2017
Researchers detected lipid residues in unglazed cooking pots from Libyan Sahara sites, dating back over 10,000 years. Over half of the vessels showed plant-based processing, including grains and aquatic plants.
SourceUniversity of Bristol·JournalNature Plants·DateDec 19, 2016
Researchers analyzed White Painted and Bichrome Wares from three sites in Turkey's Hatay region, using x-ray and neutron analysis to determine production origins. The study suggests a complex pattern of trade and social interactions between Cyprus and the Amuq Valley during the Iron Age.
Nikon Monarch 5 8x42 Binoculars
Nikon Monarch 5 8x42 Binoculars deliver bright, sharp views for wildlife surveys, eclipse chases, and quick star-field scans at dark sites.
Dairy fats found on ancient pottery sherds suggest high alpine dairying began at least 3000 years ago. The findings provide early evidence of nutritious resources being produced and exchanged for socioeconomic development.