Articles tagged with Archaeology
A recent study examining microscopic remains of clothing and burial items from 7,000-year-old graves in Sweden reveals the use of bird skins, furs, and feathers. The analysis method provides a fresh vantage point on Stone Age attire, shedding new light on the significance of soft organic materials.
Researchers found that Palaeolithic sign sequences are statistically comparable to the earliest proto-cuneiform script, dating back 40,000 years. The analysis of over 3,000 geometric signs on 260 objects revealed complex and informative systems used by early humans to convey information.
A new study has determined that the Ubeidiya site in the Jordan Valley dates back at least 1.9 million years, revealing a significant shift in our understanding of early human history. The discovery suggests that ancient pioneers were established in the Levant at the dawn of humanity's global expansion, using diverse stone tools.
A new study from Bar-Ilan University identifies the elderly in Iron Age Israel through household artifacts, revealing their social status, influence, and integration within family structures. The research advances beyond traditional methods of identifying the elderly, providing a fresh window into their lived experiences.
The Temasek Wreck, a maritime archaeological excavation in Singapore waters, has uncovered a significant collection of Yuan dynasty ceramics, including over 3.5 tonnes of ceramic shards and several intact pieces. The recovered blue-and-white porcelain weighs about 136 kg and exceeds that of any other documented shipwreck.
Researchers investigated social exclusion based on illness in medieval Denmark and found that people with stigmatized diseases like leprosy were buried just as prominently as their peers. The study suggests that medieval communities were variable in their responses to debilitating diseases.
A Bronze Age sword from Bavaria was analyzed at Berlin X-ray source BESSY II to gain insights into the region's material craftsmanship. The study provides valuable information on the tools and techniques used during the Middle Bronze Age in southern Germany.
A new study published in Nature found that hunter-gatherers in Belgium and the Netherlands adopted farming thousands of years later than elsewhere in Europe. The research suggests that migrant women played a pivotal role in introducing farming practices, bringing their knowledge and genes to the local communities.
A new study reveals that seabird guano was a driving force behind the Chincha Kingdom's sociopolitical expansion on Peru's coast. The nutrient-rich bird droppings boosted corn yields and supercharged agriculture, fueling the kingdom's economy, trade, population growth, and regional influence.
Researchers found that bison hunters stopped using a kill site in central Montana around 1,100 years ago due to severe droughts. The team's study suggests that environmental stressors, social and economic pressures, and the need for larger hunting operations drove the abandonment of the site.
The URBANK database aggregates and analyzes urban data to overcome fragmentation and variability in archaeological record. It offers a multidisciplinary platform for studying cities as dynamic networks of connected elements.
Recent advances in biomolecular archaeology enable museums to convert molecular data into accessible olfactory recreations. The Max Planck Institute research team developed a workflow for translating ancient chemical signatures into visitor-ready fragrances.
A new study found that the people of Deep Mani represent one of the most genetically distinctive populations in Europe, with many lineages tracing back to the Bronze Age, Iron Age, and Roman period. The research team discovered that present-day Deep Maniot men descend from a single male ancestor who lived in the 7th century CE.
Two Egyptian priests, Nes-Min and Nes-Hor, were scanned using CT technology to reveal details about their lifespans, health, and life experiences. The scans showed healed injuries, dental issues, and modern-day ailments, providing new insights into ancient lives.
A new study refines radiocarbon dating of marine remains in the Cantabrian region of Spain, improving precision for reconstructing human past during the Magdalenian period. The research provides new correction values to accurately interpret site chronology and fine-tune the 'clock' used to reconstruct Palaeolithic human populations.
Researchers found starch granules on ancient tools, dating back thousands of years, indicating the Four Corners potato was transported and used by Indigenous peoples. The study reveals a unique cultural identity developed through ancient transport, still significant among Native American communities.
Researchers analyzed dental calculus to determine the diet of Scythian communities, finding evidence of ruminant dairy consumption. They detected horse milk proteins in one individual's remains, challenging previous historical accounts.
A remarkable prehistoric hammer made from elephant bone has been uncovered in southern England and analysed by archaeologists. The roughly 500,000-year-old tool provides an extraordinary glimpse into the ingenuity of early human ancestors who made it, likely either early neanderthals or Homo heidelbergensis.
A study of ancient teeth from Pontecagnano reveals details about childhood growth and health, as well as adult diets that included cereals, legumes, and fermented foods. The analysis provides insights into the lifestyle and adaptations of the Iron Age Italian community.
Researchers found that the bathing water in Pompeii's Republican Baths was contaminated with lead, zinc, and copper, compromising hygiene standards. The team also discovered cyclical patterns in carbonate deposits suggesting volcanic activity before the AD 79 eruption.
New research reveals that Indigenous communities in southern Brazil hunted large whales 5,000 years ago, long before previously thought. The study provides strong evidence of active hunting and sheds light on the economies, technologies, and lifeways of postglacial societies along the Atlantic coast of South America.
The discovery reveals early advanced hunting techniques and demonstrates that humans used arrow poison to increase hunting efficiency. Researchers found chemical residues of poison from the plant gifbol on 60,000-year-old quartz arrowheads in southern Africa.
The study of new hominin fossils from Thomas Quarry I in Morocco reveals an African population near the base of the Homo sapiens lineage. The 773,000-year-old fossils provide insights into the shared ancestry of H. sapiens, Neandertals, and Denisovans.
A new study reveals Africa's oldest known in situ cremation pyre containing the remains of an adult, dated around 9,500 years ago. The discovery suggests that ancient African hunter-gatherer communities had complex ritual practices involving posthumous removal and reburial of body parts.
This study provides direct evidence of nomadic groups' adoption and approval of agricultural economy in ancient China. The isotopic data show a shift from millet-based agriculture to wheat or rice agriculture, indicating a gradual social evolutionary process.
The study uses a numerical model to simulate encounters between Neanderthals and modern humans on the Iberian Peninsula. Climate fluctuations significantly influenced population dynamics, with mixing possible in certain regions. The research offers a broader explanatory framework for interpreting archaeological and genomic data.
The team discovered a building complex with pillars and walls suggesting a church, but also features indicating a three-nave structure. Decorated pottery depicting a Maltese cross was found, supporting the idea that the buildings were used as a Christian meeting place.
A study has identified fossilized vertebrate footprints from the Quaternary period in fossil dune deposits in Murcia, attributed to the straight-tusked elephant Palaeoloxodon antiquus. The trackway found at Torre de Cope suggests an adult elephant about 2.3 meters tall and weighing around 2.6 tonnes.
This study investigates how environmental variability and human migration influence the evolution of cooperation among humans. Simulation results reveal that cooperation is more likely to evolve when these factors are sufficiently high, hindering non-cooperative groups and encouraging cooperative groups.
Researchers discovered that stone tool production in the African rainforest during the Late Stone Age remained relatively constant over a period of 5,000 years. The findings from Pahon Cave in modern-day Gabon indicate that there were no specific cultural associations with this practice.
Researchers discovered a fingerprint in the tar used to build the Hjortspring boat, believed to be from an ancient seafarer. The find provides a direct link to the attackers who used the boat over 2,000 years ago.
Researchers have uncovered clues about the ancient Hjortspring boat's origins, including a partial human fingerprint and carbon-dating results indicating it was built in the 4th or 3rd century BCE. The findings suggest that the boat may have come from the Baltic Sea Region, where pine forests were more abundant.
Researchers found systematic plant imagery in ancient Halafian pottery with precise symmetry and numerical sequences, suggesting early farming villages had sophisticated mathematical thinking about dividing space and quantities. The study contributes to ethnomathematics, identifying mathematical knowledge embedded in cultural expression.
Researchers are studying the Cyclades using non-invasive methods like LIDAR and magnetometry, revealing signs of early human activity dating back thousands of years. The techniques help document sites without excavating, allowing for a more targeted approach to archaeology.
A severe drought around 61,000 years ago may have driven the decline and eventual extinction of Homo floresiensis, also known as Hobbits. The species abandoned their cave in Liang Bua due to prolonged drought and competition for resources.
The Ketton mosaic in Rutland depicts an alternative telling of the Trojan War, based on a lesser-known tragedy by Aeschylus. The research reveals that Roman British craftsmen were part of a wider network of trades passing design patterns down generations.
A study published in PLOS One reports over 16,000 dinosaur footprints discovered at the Carreras Pampas tracksite in Bolivia. The footprints indicate that dinosaurs walked, ran, swam, and even performed sharp turns along an ancient shoreline.
Researchers used historical geography to accurately measure Earth's rotation speed during a total solar eclipse in 709 BCE, providing new data about the Sun's activity. The study also supports recent solar cycle reconstructions and independently validates previous findings using radiocarbon analysis.
A large bundle of stone tools was deliberately buried near a waterhole in the remote outback around 170 years ago. The tools were likely used by Indigenous Australians to facilitate trade and daily life. Archaeologists from Griffith University have uncovered this cache, providing valuable insights into the region's history.
A team of researchers from Binghamton University has created the first-ever high-resolution 3D model of Rano Raraku quarry, revealing over 1,000 moai statues. The model allows users to zoom in and pan across various features, providing a detailed look at the island's quarries and challenging previous theories about its history.
Researchers found evidence of multiple independent centers of quarrying activity and varied carving techniques, suggesting decentralized moai construction. The study's high-resolution 3D model provides new insights into the organizational processes of Rapa Nui society.
Researchers used AI to analyze variscite samples, predicting their geological origin with 95% accuracy. The study reinterprets prehistoric trade routes, revealing new information about the spread of this highly valued mineral throughout Western Europe.
Archaeologists uncover vast planned settlement Semiyarka, dating back to 1600 BC, which challenges current understanding of steppe societies and reveals complex bronze production systems. The site provides insight into a period of history when nomadic communities transitioned into permanent settlements.
A 12,000-year-old clay figurine from Nahal Ein Gev II in northern Israel depicts a woman and goose, revealing human-animal interaction and symbolic expression. The piece showcases naturalism, light manipulation, and artistic innovations predating the Neolithic era.
A new study found that medieval European societies supported plant diversity around Lake Constance, driven by agricultural practices and land management. Researchers integrated fossil pollen data with historical records to reconstruct the region's 4000-year history of biodiversity change.
Researchers discovered hidden symbols on ancient Roman glass cage cups that identify collective workshops and artisans. These 'makers' marks' provide a new perspective on the craftsmanship behind these intricate vessels.
A groundbreaking study reveals that domestic dogs exhibited significant variation in size and shape at least 11,000 years ago. The research analyzed 643 modern and archaeological canid skulls spanning the last 50,000 years, tracing the emergence of distinct dog forms deep into prehistory.
Fossils of millions of ancient sea sponges, discovered in the North American Phosphoria Rock Complex, suggest high silica content. The misidentification of these fossils could have significant implications for our understanding of the geological history of the region.
The study reveals that pottery production was organized in specialized workshops near clay deposits, indicating a hierarchical organization of the El Argar society. The findings suggest a structured economy with regional and economic interactions, contradicting previous ideas about local production.
A recent study from the University of Sydney proposes that Monte Sierpe, also known as the Band of Holes, was an ancient marketplace in the Pisco Valley, Peru. The researchers found evidence supporting this theory through statistical analysis and indigenous accounting records.
Researchers have uncovered evidence of successive occupations and adaptations by Indigenous communities in the region, including elaborate earthworks, raised fields, and complex canal systems. These findings provide insights into sustainable practices and highlight the importance of preserving the region's unique biocultural heritage.
Researchers successfully identified the skeletal remains of Duke Béla, a member of the Árpád and Rurik dynasties, using a combination of genetic and dental analyses. The study reveals that Béla was attacked by multiple individuals, consuming a diet rich in animal protein.
A recent study published in Science Bulletin has provided direct evidence for herbivory in pterosaurs, resolving a long-standing debate. Researchers discovered phytoliths and gastroliths in the stomach of Sinopterus, confirming its plant-based diet.
A new digital dataset reveals a 100,000 km increase in the Roman Empire's road network, covering over four million square kilometers. The Itiner-e dataset comprises 299,171 km of roads, with main roads making up 34.6% of total length.
An international team led by University of Arizona archaeologists has discovered a large ritual construction, Aguada Fénix, dating back to 1,000 B.C. The monument measures nearly a mile long and features a cross-shaped pit with ceremonial artifacts, including jade axes and pigments associated with cardinal directions.
A team of researchers has discovered a 2.75-million-year-old site in Kenya with continuous evidence of Oldowan technology use over 300,000 years, despite major environmental changes. The study reveals that hominins persisted in using the same tool kit to access new resources and survive.
Scientists study ancient oyster populations to guide present-day restoration efforts. By analyzing shell size and breakage, researchers can interpret how intensively communities harvested oysters, shedding light on the challenges of rebuilding depleted reef ecosystems.
A study published in PLOS One mapped ancient tomb distributions across China to identify patterns influenced by socioeconomic factors and geography. The research found that tombs from periods of relative stability were more common than those during times of war and instability.
A multidisciplinary team identified a network of water tunnels carved into soft tufa rock at Nahal 'Amal, which powered sugar mills during the Mamluk period. Radiometric dating suggests these channels supplied water to sugar mills, highlighting local ingenuity and adaptation to scarcity.
Researchers analyze stone tool technologies, revealing a coastal route from East Asia to the Americas around 20,000 years ago. The findings provide strong evidence for the global Paleolithic connection between North America and Northeast Asia.