Articles tagged with Archaeology
Researchers discovered 20 coins, including a rare halfpenny, indicating a thriving Anglo-Saxon community in Rome's 'Little England' with special treatment from the Pope. The coins suggest a bustling hub of craft and trade, contradicting a long-held assumption that foreign currency was forbidden in the city.
Fossils discovered in southern Africa have confirmed the first appearance of Homo erectus, which is believed to be directly ancestral to modern humans. The findings also reveal micro-evolutionary changes in P. robustus, a species that lived in the same landscape as Homo erectus.
A new study analyzed 500 spear points to understand how early humans in the Tennessee River Valley region adapted to unfamiliar environments, using resharpening techniques to manage resources. The research found that the Clovis groups were more likely to resharpen spearheads, indicating a concern for resource management, while the Cumb...
A 1834 British silver sixpence shows severe deformation, favouring minting anomaly over wear, corrosion, or impact. Non-destructive microscopy and chemical analysis reveal abrupt changes, steep-sided troughs, and overlapping displacement structures.
Researchers found decorated pottery with high-quality clay, temper, and production method, indicating a secretive community of artisans with access to specialized knowledge and resources. This discovery sheds light on the connection between the Safety Harbor culture in Tampa Bay and the Mississippian heartland.
Researchers analyzed carbonate deposits in the Pont du Gard aqueduct to uncover historical water management practices and population decline. The study suggests that the Plague of Cyprian led to the depopulation of Nîmes, causing the city's water supply to become unnecessary.
Researchers have created a new method to read ancient scrolls damaged by the Mt. Vesuvius eruption, using AI and X-ray technology. By scanning for lead in the ink, they were able to virtually unroll and read some of the text on damaged scrolls.
Researchers replicate 2,000-year-old burned papyrus scrolls, test a new method to decipher Herculaneum texts using X-ray tomography and leaded ink detection. The study provides a simple way to identify scrolls with leaded ink, which can be virtually unrolled and read.
Researchers discovered intricate designs on 18,000-year-old female figurines inspired by mammoth tusk growth patterns. The study highlights a 1,000- to 3,000-year gap in figurine creation across Europe during the Last Glacial Maximum.
Researchers at Cardiff University and the University of Nottingham found that bear baiting was an established activity in England by the twelfth century, with bears imported from Europe. The study analyzed bear bones and archival records to show the prevalence of bears in England and northern France during medieval times.
Researchers analyzed fossilized remains from Troodontid dinosaurs, revealing changes in hip and leg bones over time, shedding light on the species' development and potential health issues. The study's findings support the designation of a specific subset of fossils as the primary representative of Troodon formosus.
Researchers discovered the stones were hauled from Brimham Rocks, 11 miles west, using 'Isotopic fingerprinting' to match the stones' mineral profiles. The study confirmed a missing stone is hidden in plain sight in Aldborough, proving local legends and 19th-century theories correct.
A new study using ancient DNA from seeds in southeastern China reveals that melons likely originated in South Asia, rather than being developed from wild Chinese plants. The study also found that these ancient melons had light-green flesh and yellow peel, and were likely consumed as vegetables or mildly sweet fruit.
A new study proposes that wildfires and erosion in the southern Levant may have inspired Neolithic communities to discover pottery-making. The study suggests that observing naturally baked clay during intense fires led to the development of ceramics.
A new study analyzing a large dataset reveals that cattle were initially more abundant than sheep, but sheep increased in the 7th century, driven by monastic farms and wool production. The economy shifted towards draught cattle in the 10th to 12th centuries, but then declined as demand for meat and milk grew
Researchers from Aarhus University developed a low-cost multispectral imaging system that uses LEDs at 16 different wavelengths to reveal differences in materials. The system was tested at Sorte Muld and Fredbjerg, revealing new layers and changes in the fill that were difficult to distinguish in normal color photographs. This technolo...
Researchers discovered plant bundles from the Wuwangdun Tomb, containing rice, millets, and other cereals, wrapped in oak leaves, with similar structures to modern zongzi. The bundles were likely used as funerary offerings, distinguishing them from their modern counterparts.
Researchers have discovered evidence of cacao consumption by the Mississippian people in the 12th century at the Etowah Site in Georgia. The findings suggest that cacao was a staple at feasts in the region during this time period.
Researchers used AI and geometric morphometrics to analyze 243 historic vessels, tracking changes in shape and function over time. The study reveals that Edo-period
Researchers studied Qurayyah Painted Ware ceramics, 3200-yr-old, with black-and-red geometric designs, and found that they may have been used to create a unique identity, or 'brand', for pottery producers in ancient Arabia. The study also explored how these designs were transformed and diffused across different regions.
Researchers found 16 mummified individuals, a dog, and disturbed deposits in Theban Tomb 209, indicating a spatial logic in reuse and a kind of funerary memory. The study suggests that cultural rites were reconfigured, but not lost, as the tomb was repeatedly reactivated over time.
A 4,000-year-old stone plaque discovered in Indonesia provides the first evidence of portable Austronesian painted art, showcasing a distinctive sun-ray design characteristic of the tradition. The securely dated context reveals that these designs were used to communicate shared identities and affiliations between island communities.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
New evidence from Malta reveals that hunter-gatherers engaged in repeated long-distance sea journeys of at least 100km between Sicily and Malta for at least a millennium. This suggests that the Maltese Islands were part of a hitherto unknown, sustained long-distance sea voyaging network.
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.
A new study documents fossil footprints of eight adult Paranthropus boisei individuals, indicating human-like body sizes and complex social structures. The discovery provides a rare snapshot of 'fossil behavior' from an ancient hominin group in northern Kenya.
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.
A study analyzing over 180 ceramic vessels from southern Brazil reveals differences in diet among Indigenous, African, and European communities. Marine resources were more prevalent among Indigenous and Afro-descendant communities, while German immigrants relied on plant-based products.
Researchers analyzed bone and teeth samples from Petén, Guatemala, revealing maize was likely a staple in the ancient Maya diet. The study suggests maize played a significant role in both nutritional sustenance and symbolic significance for these communities.
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...
Indigenous Australians gathered whole grasses from the landscape and burned them in a cave for ritual practices dating back 25,000 years. The study found that people selectively targeted specific types of grasses for burning, with over 97% coming from temperate or cool-climate grasses.
A study in PLOS One identified T. rex as the likely cause of some tooth marks on fossils from Cretaceous-era Wyoming, providing insights into animal behavior and ecosystem dynamics. The researchers developed a guide to interpret tooth traces on fossils, distinguishing between natural and bite-related marks.
Researchers analyzed isotope data from over 100 individuals to find that some societies relied heavily on maize grown within diversified agricultural systems. These communities developed resilient polycultural food-production systems combining domesticated crops with wild plants and local ecological knowledge.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
A new genomic study has identified close family relationships among Scythian elite individuals, indicating that elite status was passed down through interconnected family lineages. The study also sheds light on the role of elite women in Scythian society, suggesting that women held high social status.
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.
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.
Prof. Orly Lewis is developing a flexible publishing platform for interactive knowledge environments, while Prof. Nir Friedman is creating an epigenomic liquid biopsy for early detection and monitoring of Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatohepatitis.
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.
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.
The Dutch trading ship "Dom van Keulen" has been identified as the centuries-old shipwreck discovered off the south coast of England holding 400 gold coins. The cargo included African gold, gum arabic, and saltpetre, providing important context for 17th-century maritime trade.
A two-year study found that pairing moderate drainage with biochar may reduce methane and carbon dioxide losses from agricultural peat soils. Biochar treatment reduced cumulative carbon dioxide emissions by up to 52%, while maintaining soil carbon stores.
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.
A new SFU study analyzed over 12,000 skeletons across Europe, revealing long-suspected gender-based diet inequalities. Men were more likely to have richer diets, while women were more frequently among those with poorer diets.
A new study by Bar-Ilan University suggests that a 2,700-year-old standing stone found at Tel 'Eton may shed light on King Hezekiah's religious reforms. The discovery reveals a rare glimpse into the domestic cult practices of ancient Judah during the First Temple period.
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.