Articles tagged with Archaeological Sites
A team of researchers analyzed teeth from five archaeological sites in the Euphrates Valley, revealing that early farming communities were inclusive and open to newcomers. Women were found to be more likely than men to move between communities, possibly to avoid inbreeding.
Researchers analyzed the gut microbiome of a 1,000-year-old mummy from Zimapán, Mexico, revealing specific types of bacteria present. The findings expand knowledge of ancient microbiomes and may provide clues to the individual's life, including their diet, health, and lifestyle.
A study published in PLOS One reveals that ancient humans in central Italy butchered elephants for meat and raw materials, with a consistent strategy used during warm periods of the Middle Pleistocene. The site of Casal Lumbroso features over 300 skeletal remains from a single straight-tusked elephant alongside more than 500 stone tools.
Researchers used 3D modeling, field experiments to confirm how Rapa Nui people moved iconic moai statues. The team found that the statues were likely walked in a zig-zag motion along carefully designed roads using rope, with a physics-backed explanation.
A new study has uncovered evidence that Jamestown colonists brought donkeys to North America, rewriting the story of their arrival. The horses and donkeys were likely butchered and eaten during the infamous winter of starvation.
Researchers analyzed ancient teeth from 71 people in modern Syria to reconstruct mobility patterns of Neolithic farming villagers. They found that most people stayed local, but women were more likely to move between communities, suggesting complex social dynamics.
A world-first study reveals the Endurance was not designed for compressive ice conditions, despite Shackleton knowing of its shortcomings. The ship had several structural deficiencies, including weak deck beams and frames, that contributed to its demise.
Neolithic farmers in Central Europe integrated new cereal varieties into their range of crops between the 6th and early 4th millennium BCE. This led to more resilient and flexible agriculture, enabling the cultivation of winter and summer crops and adapting to changing environmental conditions.
A team from the University of Seville recreated La Pileta Cave's morphology and rock art using LiDAR technology. The research provides new tools for understanding and preserving cultural heritage, including accurate 3D models and immersive educational experiences.
A groundbreaking discovery of Paleolithic tools in Ayvalık, Turkey, reveals that early humans may have used the northeastern Aegean coast as a route to enter Europe. The find provides valuable insights into early human presence, technological variability, and raw material preferences during the Pleistocene era.
The study found shocked quartz grains at three North American archaeological sites, indicating extreme heat and pressure. This supports the Younger Dryas Impact hypothesis, which proposes that a fragmented comet exploded over Earth, leading to megafauna extinctions and Clovis culture collapse.
A new study has shed light on the metal trade in the Bronze Age, revealing that Sardinia was more connected to Scandinavia than previously thought. The research used a multi-proxy approach to analyze copper, tin, lead, and osmium isotopes, finding that bronzetti figures were primarily made from copper sourced from Sardinia.
A recent genetic study by James O'Connell and colleagues concludes that humans first arrived in Australia no more than 50,000 years ago, challenging the traditional 65,000-year arrival date. The research suggests that the Sahul peoples, who are believed to be the ancestors of modern Aboriginal Australians, interbred with Neanderthals o...
A new species of hypercarnivorous crocodyliform, Kostensuchus atrox, has been discovered in prehistoric Patagonia with a length of 11.5ft and weight of 250kg. This predator was likely one of the top predators in its ecosystem.
The study of Gribshunden's preserved artillery reveals insights into the technology and tactics used by European explorers in their quest for global domination. The discovery sheds light on why Denmark failed to compete with Iberian powers in colonizing the Americas, instead focusing on consolidating rule over the Baltic region.
Researchers discovered traces of betel nut compounds in dental calculus from a 4,000-year-old burial site in Thailand, shedding light on the ancient practice. The study used new methods to analyze ancient teeth and found evidence of psychoactive plant use that was previously invisible to archaeologists.
A study published in Comptes Rendus Géoscience refines understanding of ocean levels, coastlines, and ancient migratory corridors in Africa and West Asia. The research uses improved glacial isostatic adjustment modeling and DNA data to explore alternative land and sea routes into and out of Africa.
New research shows that ancient Japanese rice farming did not necessarily lead to the abandonment of cultural practices, particularly culinary traditions. Millet, a sister crop of rice, was largely left behind in Japanese cuisine despite its popularity in Korean cooking.
Researchers analyzed four complete donkey skeletons and remains to discover that Egyptian donkeys were incorporated into ritual burials during the Early Bronze Age in present-day Israel. Local donkeys were also part of the diet, according to the study published in PLOS One.
The discovery of thousands of animal bones at a remote garrison site in northeastern Mongolia sheds new light on the lives of soldiers and civilians who lived along the medieval Liao Empire's long wall. The analysis suggests a largely self-sufficient pastoral economy, with evidence of herding, hunting, fishing, and seasonal climate var...
Researchers confirm human presence in the Americas between 23,000 and 21,000 years ago with a new study that uses ancient mud to date footprints. The findings contradict previous understanding of the peopling of North America and have sparked a reevaluation of archaeological theories.
Researchers discovered a massive 330-acre ancient agricultural site in Michigan, featuring raised field systems and clustered garden beds. The site, dating back to the 10th century, reveals intensive farming practices by ancestral Native Americans, challenging previous estimates.
Otago researchers have recovered ancient genomes from Papua New Guinea, shedding light on the genetic diversity of pre-colonial coastal communities. The study reveals that cultural groups did not intermarry for some time, suggesting a complex tapestry of different cultures and peoples.
Archaeologists uncover evidence of permanent habitation, agriculture, and cultural exchange along the Medieval Wall System in Mongolia. The study reveals that these walls served not just military ends but also administrative and symbolic functions, challenging traditional perceptions of nomadic societies.
New multi-proxy analysis suggests llamas were domesticated in the region prior to the Incas' arrival. The findings shed light on the early history of camelid domestication in Chile.
Researchers have uncovered evidence of humans using whale bones as tools from 20,000 years ago, shedding light on the marine ecology of the time and the role whales played in past ecosystems. The study identifies five species of large whales used by early humans.
A new study by Bournemouth University reveals that the 'war-cemetery' at Maiden Castle did not die in a single event, but rather experienced lethal violence spanning multiple generations. The findings question the traditional narrative of Roman conquest and highlight the need for reevaluation of other archaeological cemeteries.
Researchers propose reawakening ancient native crops to address climate change, leveraging knowledge from Indigenous communities. The alternative approach combines food production and biodiversity protection, offering a low-input solution for adapting to changing climate conditions.
Scientists have re-dated the world's oldest complete wooden hunting weapons using amino acid geochronology, establishing a new age of approximately 300,000 years. The findings highlight significant leaps in early human hunting capabilities and cooperative behavior around 200,000 years ago.
Researchers analyzed 788 obsidian artifacts from the Templo Mayor, finding diverse sources of obsidian used for both ritual and everyday objects. The study suggests a complex economy that relied on conquest and active trade with rival polities.
Researchers analyzed over 1,700 ancient grape seeds to discover that grape cultivation in Italy began during the Late Bronze Age, with gradual domestication taking place over centuries. The study reveals that Italian wine heritage dates back to Western Europe's broader landscape.
A new study published in PLOS One has found the first direct, physical evidence of human-animal combat from Europe during the Roman Empire, with a skeleton showing signs of bite marks from a large cat like a lion. This discovery provides new insight into the life and history of Roman-era England.
The article highlights the vulnerability of US Gulf coast archaeological sites to climate change-induced sea level rise and extreme weather. The study calls for an integrated approach combining coastal ecosystem management with archaeological and historical resource preservation using Indigenous traditional ecological knowledge.
A groundbreaking database of over 55,000 housing measurements from around the globe supports research on correlations between housing size and inequality. The study examines patterns of inequality and their social consequences in human society.
Researchers analyzed ancient stone tools found in the Robberg caves, revealing specific methods of core reduction that indicate shared ideas among prehistoric people. The study suggests that these ancient humans were more connected than previously thought, with similar tool-making techniques found across different regions.
Researchers at Brown University have uncovered a 2,400-year-old altar that sheds light on the tumultuous relationship between Tikal and Teotihuacan. The painted panels depict a deity resembling the 'Storm God', further evidence of Teotihuacan's influence on the Maya city.
A new study reveals significant shifts in prehistoric hunter-gatherer populations in Europe due to climate changes at the end of the last Ice Age. The population declined by half, but some areas in central Europe showed stability or even an increase in population size, indicating human migration towards the east.
A complete Quina technological system, used for making tools, was discovered in southwest China dating back 50,000 to 60,000 years. This finding disputes the widely held belief that development in China was sluggish during most of the Paleolithic period.
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.
Researchers analyzed human remains from a settlement site in Kosenivka, Ukraine, providing insights into the lives of ancient people. The study found that meat made up less than 10% of their diets, with plant-based foods being the primary source of nutrition.
A new study led by University of Arizona researcher François Lanoë reveals that Indigenous people in the Americas interacted with early dogs and wolves as far back as 12,000 years ago. The discovery sheds light on how long humans have had relationships with the ancestors of today's dogs.
A new research collaboration between the K’ómoks First Nation and Simon Fraser University highlights how Indigenous cultural heritage policies can protect archaeological sites threatened by development. The study found that the K’ómoks First Nation’s Cultural Heritage Policy provides a pathway to reconciliation and greater certainty fo...
Archaeologists have found evidence that Roman-era barbarian warriors used stimulants before battle, including small spoon-shaped objects attached to their belts. The researchers believe that these stimulants may have been widely used throughout history to motivate soldiers and reduce stress and fear during warfare.
Archaeologists have discovered that early North Americans made needles from the bones of fur-bearers, including foxes, hares, and cats, which were likely used to create garments for warmth. The findings provide strong evidence for tailored garment production using bone needles and fur-bearing animal pelts.
A study published in PLOS ONE suggests that 12,000-year-old stones from Israel may have been used as spindle whorls to turn fibers into yarn, representing a key milestone in the development of rotational tools including wheels. The stones feature a circular shape with a central hole, allowing them to rotate faster and more efficiently.
Archaeologists have uncovered a multi-layered archaeological site in the Zeravshan Valley, central Tajikistan, revealing crucial evidence of early human migration and development. The site, known as Soii Havzak, dates back to various periods between 20,000 and 150,000 years ago and offers valuable clues to ancient climate and environment.
The ancient town of al-Natah in northern Arabia provides insights into early urbanization, characterized by a central district, residential districts, and protective ramparts. The site represents a transitional stage between mobile pastoralism and complex urban settlements, with estimated 500 residents.
Fossils from over 600,000 years ago show a shift in animal communities between warm and cold climate fluctuations. The Notarchirico site provides evidence of the emergence and disappearance of species such as cave lions, straight-tusked elephants, and red deer.
A study of a 2000-year-old Yayoi individual's genome found that the majority of Japanese immigration came from the Korean Peninsula during the Yayoi and Kofun periods. The discovery provides new insights into the details of ancient immigration patterns to Japan.