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‘Real mummy’s curse’ behind sale and trade of mummified remains exposed

A new study has found evidence of potentially hazardous microbial growth on mummified human and animal remains sold online, posing risks to buyers. The analysis also highlighted non-compliance with postal regulations, putting delivery workers and others at risk. Stronger oversight is needed across online marketplaces and industries.

SourceStaffordshire University·JournalInternational Journal of Cultural Property·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateAug 13, 2026

No bosses, no problem! Pre-Hispanic farmers built giant water system bottom-up, archaeologists reveal

Researchers argue that policymakers in Colombia can adopt a similar cooperative strategy to solve the country's current water management crisis. The pre-Hispanic field systems of La Mojana cover an astonishing 500,000 hectares and were likely built by local communities in a short period of time through cooperation.

SourceUniversity of Cambridge·JournalCommunications Sustainability·DateAug 11, 2026

Rethinking the earliest stages of cereal domestication

A new integrated isotope study reveals that environmental conditions, rather than human selection, drove the initial increase in cereal grain size in southwest Asia around 11,000 years ago. The research found that larger grains grew under wetter conditions, while smaller wild-sized grains grew under drier conditions.

SourceKiel University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateAug 11, 2026

How dogs evolved differently across the globe to match human traits

Research reveals how dogs developed specialized forms in response to human needs, such as compact sled dogs for Arctic regions and lean hunting dogs for tropical forests. Genetic adaptations also emerged to cope with oxygen-poor air at high altitudes, mirroring human populations' genetic traits.

SourceTaylor & Francis Group·DateAug 9, 2026
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation, USB-C)

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation, USB-C) provide clear calls and strong noise reduction for interviews, conferences, and noisy field environments.

Well-worn wins: Wild capuchin monkeys prefer stones with a proven track record of cracking nuts

In a new study, researchers found that wild capuchin monkeys prioritize stones with proven track records of cracking nuts, even if they're not the mechanically optimal choice. This demonstrates that primates rely on durable physical traces to guide their tool selection.

SourceMax Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology·JournalProceedings of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences·DateAug 5, 2026

Ancient DNA reveals Ice Age humans preferred female mammoths

A study of ancient DNA from over 500 mammoth bones found that Ice Age humans selectively targeted female woolly mammoths, unlike the sex ratio among naturally occurring remains. The research sheds light on how ancient humans and mammoths interacted across the Late Pleistocene.

SourceStockholm University·JournalCurrent Biology·DateJul 30, 2026

What sheep's teeth can tell us about life in a medieval Kazakhstan town

In medieval Kazakhstan, people living in Dzhankent city employed diverse herding practices to ensure milk and dairy products were available year-round. The study found they bred sheep throughout the year, with most births occurring in spring months, to keep them producing milk during winters.

SourceUniversity of Michigan·JournalArchaeometry·DateJul 29, 2026
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

Apple iPhone 17 Pro delivers top performance and advanced cameras for field documentation, data collection, and secure research communications.

Three new kings, and a new understanding of the Assyrian King List

Researchers have uncovered the identities of three kings omitted from the Assyrian King List, shedding new light on early Neo-Assyrian political history. The discoveries suggest that the AKL may not be an impartial chronographic work, but rather a legitimizing canon of kings used to remove short-lived or parallel rulers.

SourceUniversity of Chicago Press Journals·JournalJournal of Cuneiform Studies·DateJul 28, 2026

Archaic human parents also had a hard time raising kids

Archaeic human parents likely had to provide constant parental care due to deformed head shapes in fossilized humans. Human babies are born less developed than other great apes, requiring specialized care, and this helps explain the origins of cooperative social behaviors.

SourceUniversity of Tokyo·JournalProceedings of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences·TypeImaging analysis·DateJul 28, 2026

Mesolithic hunter-gatherers on Malta

Researchers estimate that Mesolithic foragers occupied Malta between 8,500 and 7,500 years ago, surviving on the island due to long-distance sea crossings. The authors predict a population size of up to 419 individuals, which dropped to 170 by 9,000 years ago, suggesting a temporary or seasonal occupation.

SourcePNAS Nexus·JournalPNAS Nexus·DateJul 28, 2026
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.

Societies around the world have buried their dead at home. Anthropologists want to understand why the practice started, and why it has largely disappeared

Researchers analyzed ancient burial records to understand why some societies practiced residential burials and how this practice changed over time. They found that residential burials were more common in older societies than expected, suggesting that cultural practices can shift significantly over centuries.

SourceField Museum·JournalAmerican Antiquity·DateJul 27, 2026

Silkworm cultivation predated the Silk Road in southern Central Asia

Researchers have discovered three well-preserved silkworm cocoons at an archaeological site in Uzbekistan that push back the earliest verified date for silkworm cultivation outside of China by nearly 2,000 years. The findings suggest that East Asian mulberry sericulture had reached southern Central Asia as early as 4,000 years ago.

SourceWashington University in St. Louis·JournalScience Advances·DateJul 23, 2026
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.

Scientists discover genetically distinct avocados in Nicaragua that people transported from South America thousands of years ago

Researchers have discovered a rich genetic diversity of avocado varieties in Central America, including those grown in Nicaragua, which could help boost sustainable agriculture and commercial varieties. By analyzing DNA from local farmers and examining leaf samples, the team found evidence of ancient migration from South America thousa...

SourceSmithsonian·JournalPlants People Planet·TypeObservational study·DateJul 22, 2026
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.

Hasmonean history is combined with the enigma of the Qumran calendar – to solve an ancient mystery of the Dead Sea Scrolls

A Tel Aviv University study proposes that the Qumran sect used a 364-day calendar for over two decades before abandoning it due to its mathematical imperfection and improved relations with Hasmonean leadership. The calendar's daily deviation from the astronomical year accumulated rapidly, posing practical problems for the community.

SourceTel-Aviv University·DateJul 14, 2026

When words signal conflict: Measuring exclusionary nationalism in prewar Japan

A study published in PLOS One reveals fluctuations in exclusionary nationalism in prewar Japan through changes in foreign place name writing. Notable turning points coincided with key political events, such as the appointment of a pro-international cooperation Foreign Minister and military coups.

SourceTokyo University of Science·JournalPLOS One·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJul 14, 2026

Unusual to share a grave with close relatives in the Middle Ages

Researchers analyzed DNA from 142 individuals buried in medieval graves, finding that close biological relatives were rare among those buried together. The study also sheds light on the lives of children in early Christian Scandinavia, suggesting gender identity was recognized early in life.

SourceStockholm University·JournalScience Advances·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 10, 2026

A common culture of cave dwellers

Researchers discovered evidence of cultural exchange between Neanderthals and modern humans at Üçağızlı II Cave, including shared use of non-utilitarian materials like marine seashells. The findings suggest a deep level of interaction between the two species.

SourceKyoto University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeObservational study·DateJul 6, 2026
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.

Early Americans’ primary diet was mammoths, other large mammals

A new study suggests that early humans in North and South America relied heavily on hunting large mammals, such as mammoths and giant ground sloths, for food and sustenance. The researchers estimate that at least 98% of their diet came from these large animals.

SourceUniversity of Wyoming·JournalScience Advances·TypeMeta-analysis·DateJul 6, 2026

Did elephant energetics decide Hannibal’s Alpine crossing route?

Researchers applied bioenergetic approach to evaluate competing theories about Hannibal's crossing, focusing on war elephants' energy demands. The study supports the Col de la Traversette as the more likely route, with an estimated energy cost of 5.42 TJ for the whole army.

SourceUniversity of Oxford·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJul 6, 2026
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.

Superworms might be the future of skeleton cleaning

A study published in PLOS One has confirmed the utility of superworm larvae for cleaning museum specimens. The larvae efficiently remove flesh from skeletons without causing damage, making them an environmentally friendly and safer option than existing methods.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS One·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 1, 2026

Were Clovis foragers in Late Pleistocene North America big-game hunters, or just big-game scavengers?

Researchers from Kent State University and others studied the Clovis archaeological record to determine if humans hunted or scavenged proboscidean animals. The study found that Clovis foragers likely practiced both hunting and scavenging, but it is currently impossible to distinguish between the two archaeologically.

SourceKent State University·JournalJournal of Archaeological Science Reports·TypeLiterature review·DateJul 1, 2026
Rigol DP832 Triple-Output Bench Power Supply

Rigol DP832 Triple-Output Bench Power Supply powers sensors, microcontrollers, and test circuits with programmable rails and stable outputs.

Neandertals in North-Western Europe in focus

A new genetic study provides the most detailed picture to date of late Neandertal diversity in North-Western Europe. The researchers found that these Neandertals were part of a larger and more well-connected regional population, unlike previously seen in Siberia.

SourceMax Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology·JournalNature·DateJun 24, 2026

Ancient DNA found on cave walls

Researchers have found evidence of ancient human DNA on cave walls, even where bones or artifacts are absent. The discovery opens up new possibilities for studying prehistoric human behavior without disturbing archaeological deposits.

SourceMax Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology·JournalNature Communications·DateJun 24, 2026
GQ GMC-500Plus Geiger Counter

GQ GMC-500Plus Geiger Counter logs beta, gamma, and X-ray levels for environmental monitoring, training labs, and safety demonstrations.

Microbes frozen in ancient rubbish heaps help reconstruct ancient Greenlanders’ farms, seal hunts, and toilets

Researchers found well-preserved bacterial communities in ancient middens, including species from human feces and animal hosts. The study suggests that these communities provide a unique glimpse into the daily life of Paleo-Inuit and old Norse, including their farming, seal hunts, and toilets.

SourceFrontiers·JournalFrontiers in Microbiology·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 17, 2026

Ancient fire record rewritten: Researchers push earliest evidence of human fire use back to over a million years

A new study found evidence of repeated fire use at Wonderwerk Cave between 1.07 and 1.79 million years ago, revealing that early humans brought naturally occurring fire into the cave and maintained it. The findings provide new insights into how our ancestors first began to harness fire.

SourceThe Hebrew University of Jerusalem·JournalPLOS One·TypeObservational study·DateJun 15, 2026
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.

Goosebump moments in archaeological research

The book 'Human Identities in the Archaeological Record' reconstructs past identities from evidence like skeletons, belongings, and material culture. Researchers investigate how people ate, grew up, and were affected by disease and inequality.

SourceUniversity of Bonn·DateJun 12, 2026

Ancient hominins demonstrated long-term planning in tool production nearly 800,000 years ago

Researchers found that ancient hominins selected specific basalt sources for tool production, demonstrating advanced planning abilities and long-term technological traditions. This discovery highlights the ability of Acheulian hominins to plan, select, and exploit geological resources within a changing landscape.

SourceThe Hebrew University of Jerusalem·JournalScientific Reports·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 7, 2026
Garmin GPSMAP 67i with inReach

Garmin GPSMAP 67i with inReach provides rugged GNSS navigation, satellite messaging, and SOS for backcountry geology and climate field teams.

Half-ton early Bovines roamed 4-million-year-old grasslands in Europe

A study published in PLOS One reveals that early bovines, such as Parabos tigneresi, inhabited a humid environment and weighed up to half a ton 4 million years ago. The discovery of well-preserved fossils at the Camp de Ninots site has shed new light on the evolution of large-bodied buffalo and cattle.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS One·TypeObservational study·DateJun 3, 2026

Hidden carbon cost of urban construction: excavated soils may be an overlooked source of greenhouse gases

A new study found that excavated urban soils in South Korea emit measurable amounts of CO2 and CH4, highlighting a previously overlooked climate cost. Researchers suggest simple practices like soil capping and biochar amendment could be integrated into construction workflows to mitigate these emissions.

SourceBiochar Editorial Office, Shenyang Agricultural University·JournalBiochar·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 28, 2026

Researchers link specific microbiomes to archaeological bone degradation

A study published in PLOS One analyzed microbial communities in well-preserved and degraded bones from medieval cemeteries in Norway. The researchers found distinct microbial communities associated with different levels of degradation, suggesting that microbes play a role in bone preservation and decay.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS One·TypeObservational study·DateMay 27, 2026

Ancient DNA reveals web of marriage and migration in Peru

A new study analyzing ancient DNA alongside archaeological data suggests that population movement along Peru's Pacific coast began at least 800 years ago, centuries before the rise of the Inca Empire. Genetic evidence reveals mixed ancestry between people from different coastal regions over subsequent generations.

SourceUniversity of Sydney·JournalNature Communications·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMay 22, 2026
Creality K1 Max 3D Printer

Creality K1 Max 3D Printer rapidly prototypes brackets, adapters, and fixtures for instruments and classroom demonstrations at large build volume.

Rainforest foragers intensified plant use long before agriculture

A new study reveals that humans in Sri Lankan tropical rainforests were consistently consuming plants and animal resources, with a gradual shift toward greater plant consumption over time. This trend begins in the Late Pleistocene and continues into the Holocene, far earlier than the first confirmed evidence for domesticated crops.

SourceMax Planck Institute of Geoanthropology·JournalNature Ecology & Evolution·DateMay 20, 2026

Climate change is destroying Arctic cultural heritage sites

Researchers found significant erosion damage to graves in a 17th-century whaling site in Svalbard, with textiles nearly completely degraded over 30 years. The study reveals the physical cost of climate change on Arctic cultural heritage sites and the need for revised policies.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS One·TypeObservational study·DateMay 20, 2026

Advanced construction techniques and domestic layouts discovered in Roman-Byzantine villages of Syria

Archaeological studies of Roman-Byzantine villages in Syria reveal advanced construction techniques and domestic layouts that can inform future restoration projects. The findings offer an extensive analysis of building materials used in the construction of a village called Ba'ude.

SourceUniversity of Sharjah·JournalBulletin of the American Society of Overseas Research·TypeSurvey·DateMay 19, 2026
Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M4 Pro)

Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M4 Pro) powers local ML workloads, large datasets, and multi-display analysis for field and lab teams.

Even after adopting cattle, early herders kept hunting and gathering

For at least 1,000 years, early herders in eastern Africa continued to fish, hunt, and gather alongside livestock, revealing a diverse diet that varied greatly from person to person. This strategy likely helped them adapt to a changing environment and ensured survival.

SourceUniversity of British Columbia·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 18, 2026

Historical DNA connects 1.3 million living relatives to 17th-century Maryland settlers and may have identified the colony’s second governor

A study of 49 colonists from St. Mary's City, Maryland, reveals over 1.3 million living genetic relatives of founding settlers. The research team used DNA to propose possible identities for previously unknown individuals buried in the city's Chapel Field cemetery.

Source23andMe Research Institute·JournalCurrent Biology·TypeObservational study·DateMay 14, 2026
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 first domesticated horses: 6,000 years of a complex story

New research reveals that humans used horses in organized ways as early as the 4th millennium BCE, challenging the accepted timeline of full domestication. The study's findings suggest a more complex and nuanced history of human-horse relationships, highlighting the significant impact of horses on major historical developments.

SourceUniversity of Helsinki·JournalScience Advance·TypeSystematic review·DateMay 13, 2026
Meta Quest 3 512GB

Meta Quest 3 512GB enables immersive mission planning, terrain rehearsal, and interactive STEM demos with high-resolution mixed-reality experiences.

Ice Age butcher’s tools are a sign of ancient humans’ creativity during hard times

The discovery of complex stone tools at the Lingjing archaeological site in China suggests that ancient humans were capable of advanced technological thinking and creativity. The tools, crafted by Homo juluensis, show a high level of organization and planning, indicating a deep understanding of stone properties and fracture mechanics.

SourceField Museum·JournalJournal of Human Evolution·DateMay 7, 2026

DNA matches identify four more sailors from Franklin expedition

Researchers from the University of Waterloo have identified four more members of Sir John Franklin's 1845 expedition using DNA samples extracted from skeletal remains. The new discoveries bring the total number of identified sailors to six, providing previously unavailable details about the circumstances and locations of their deaths.

SourceUniversity of Waterloo·JournalJournal of Archaeological Science Reports·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 6, 2026
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.