Articles tagged with Archaeology
The Conservation Soft Box is an airtight, controlled environment case that preserves cultural heritage with minimal maintenance. It achieves similar results to expensive display cases but at a much lower cost, making it accessible to countries with limited resources.
Fossilized marine invertebrates accurately reflect past ecosystems' functional diversity, offering a powerful tool for understanding long-term ecological change and informing modern conservation efforts. The study supports the growing field of conservation paleobiology by validating the use of functional diversity metrics in fossil data.
Researchers found evidence of wild barley harvesting 9,200 years ago in Toda Cave, southern Uzbekistan, suggesting a more widespread transition to farming. The discovery contradicts the idea that agriculture developed independently in various parts of the world, instead revealing a more complex and interconnected process.
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.
The study reveals that victims had different dietary patterns and showed signs of higher mobility and physiological stress, suggesting they were outsiders. This finds supports a two-tiered ritual: local enemies killed in battle were dismembered as trophies; others, likely captives, were subjected to violent execution.
A 140,000-year-old child's skeleton from Israel reveals biological ties between Neanderthals and early Homo sapiens through unique morphological traits. The discovery confirms genetic exchanges between the two groups, with up to 6% of modern humans' genome originating from Neanderthals.
Researchers analyzed stone tools from Kenya's Homa Peninsula and found they were crafted from stronger, volcanic rocks brought from several miles away. This discovery pushes back the earliest known evidence of ancient humans transporting resources over long distances by 600,000 years.
A new study demonstrates that microscopic differences in iron can be spotted using X-ray fluorescence spectrometry, allowing archaeologists to identify the origin of Spanish iron objects. This technique follows a quiet revolution in southeast archaeology, where metal detectors have been adopted for large-scale survey work.
Researchers at ETSU's Gray Fossil Site have discovered the first fossil deer in North America, dating back 5 million years. The newly described fossils reveal the likely ancestor of modern white-tailed deer and highlight the incredible diversity of life that once flourished in Tennessee.
Scientists have uncovered the remains of a vast animal community that lived in the European Arctic 75,000 years ago. The bones represent the oldest example of an animal community in the region during this warmer period of the ice age, providing valuable insights into how wildlife responded to dramatic climate shifts.
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.
Researchers reanalyzed ancient honey residue from Greek shrine jars using modern techniques and determined its likely origin. The findings suggest the presence of ancient honey, but other bee products may also be present.
Researchers found that people who experienced malnutrition early in life may have survived threats like plague at greater rates until young adulthood. However, this survival advantage could drop significantly when entering middle and late adult years.
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.
The Seshat History of Moralizing Religion examines how societies across the world have answered ancient human questions about gods, morality, and the afterlife. The book reveals surprising insights into the development of religious traditions with a strong moral agenda, including Egypt's early adoption of divine punishment and reward.
Scientists think Neanderthals passed down different food preparation practices to neighboring groups, resulting in distinct butchery strategies. The differences in cut-mark patterns between Amud and Kebara caves may reflect unique cultural traditions of animal carcass processing.
Two Neanderthal groups living in Amud and Kebara caves in northern Israel butchered the same prey using similar tools but with distinct patterns of cut-marks on animal bones. These differences could represent cultural food practices such as drying or aging meat before butchering, which were passed down through generations.
The discovery sheds light on the complex connections between ancient Maya and central Mexican civilizations. Archaeologists found artifacts indicating early contact between the two regions around AD 350.
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.
Researchers found that crab and clam species have remained stable in the Broken Group Islands for the past 3,000 years due to their resilience etched into shells. The study's novel approach uses repair scars on clam shells to assess historical crab populations, providing a tool for coastal conservation efforts.
A new analysis reveals US media coverage of archaeology research prioritizes certain regions, such as the UK, Israel, and Australia, over others like China and Taiwan. The study's findings raise concerns about cultural affiliation and identity groups being excluded from mainstream narratives.
Researchers sequenced the oldest Egyptian genome from a 4,500-4,800 year-old individual, tracing ancestry to North Africa and the Fertile Crescent. The study provides genetic evidence of population mixing in ancient Egypt during this period.
Researchers decoded the complex history of ancient Arles' aqueduct system by analyzing limescale deposits and building materials. The study confirmed that the basin functioned as a header basin upstream of an aqueduct arcade bridge, and revealed the role of large lead pipes in supplying water to different parts of the city.
A new study reconciles opposing views on the spread of Neolithic farming by combining archaeology and genetics. The research found that cultural changes occurred through both people migration and the spread of ideas, depending on the region and period.
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...
A 40,000-year-old boomerang made from mammoth tusk has been discovered in a Polish cave, pushing back the known age of such artifacts in Europe. The analysis of this artifact provides new insights into the chronology of the Early Upper Paleolithic period.
A study in the Andes found that early farmers relied on consistent food resources and managed wild plants, contradicting the idea of an agricultural shift driven by hardship. The researchers analyzed ancient diets and found high proportions of plant material in the diet, supplemented by smaller amounts of meat.
Researchers tested a dugout canoe's feasibility for 30,000-year-old sea crossings in the Kuroshio Current. The experiment revealed strategic paddling strategies and a high level of seafaring knowledge among early modern humans.
A newly discovered Tiwanaku temple in Bolivia provides new insights into the ancient society's highly organized structure and its connection to trade routes. The temple's layout suggests it was used for rituals following the solar equinox, and fragments of keru cups found on its surface point to its function as a central hub for trade.
A new investigation highlights the critical step of tooth extraction from animal skulls in ancient cultures. Experimental archaeology revealed that wet cooking and pit steaming were effective methods for extracting teeth without damaging them.
Researchers found that humans increased their ability to exploit different habitat types in Africa around 70,000 years ago, paving the way for a successful dispersal into Eurasia. This ecological flexibility allowed human groups to adapt to challenging climates and overcome geographic barriers.
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.
A new study on ancient dog DNA shows that dogs slowly spread southward alongside early farming societies in the Americas. The research found that all pre-contact dogs in Central and South America descended from a single maternal lineage.
A new study provides evidence that pigs were domesticated from wild boars in South China approximately 8,000 years ago. The researchers analyzed molar teeth of 32 pig specimens and found starch granules, human parasite eggs, and other signs of human interaction, indicating that pigs ate cooked foods, human waste, and scavenged food fro...
The Philippine archipelago has been found to have a sophisticated ancient technology dating back over 30,000 years, with evidence of seafaring capabilities and specific fishing skills. The discovery highlights the region's significance in the narrative of human migration and adaptation in Island Southeast Asia.
A new study combines ancient DNA with dietary evidence and linguistics to paint a vivid picture of pre-colonial coastal communities in Papua New Guinea. The research highlights the influence of migrations and interactions on genetic makeup, supporting previous studies on the settlement of remote islands.
A team of researchers discovered genetic evidence of a rare matrilineal community in Neolithic China dating back over 4,750 years. The study found that women stayed within their clan for life, while men often moved between clans, suggesting a relatively simple and egalitarian farming community organized around two matrilineal clans.
A new AI program, Enoch, has been developed to analyze ancient handwriting styles and estimate the age of undated manuscripts. The program, trained on radiocarbon dating data, was tested on 135 Dead Sea Scrolls and found realistic estimates for approximately 79% of the samples.
Researchers propose that early humans used fire to smoke and dry meat to preserve it for extended periods, safeguarding large game from predators and scavengers. This new hypothesis offers a fresh perspective on the origins of fire use in prehistoric humans.
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.
Researchers developed a new method for extracting and identifying proteins from ancient soft tissues, providing insights into past lives and diseases. The technique identified over 1,200 ancient proteins from 2.5mg of sample, offering a window on human history.
The study analyzed 371 archaeological monuments in Oman and found that they changed over time in response to environmental and cultural forces. Early monuments were built by larger groups, but as the climate dried out, smaller groups constructed smaller monuments and eventually built many of them in multiple visits.
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.
The Gobi Wall, constructed from rammed earth and stone, played a central role in regulating trade and asserting territorial control. Its adaptive design utilized local materials to manage frontier movement and conserve resources.
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 identified the earliest known use of Peganum harmala, a medicinal and psychoactive plant, in fumigation practices and inhalation nearly 2,700 years ago. The study reveals ancient Arabian therapeutic and sensorial practices using native plants for bioactive and psychoactive properties.
A new study by Greer Jarrett reveals that Vikings sailed farther away from Scandinavia and took routes farther from land than previously believed. The research identified a decentralized network of ports on islands and peninsulas that played a central role in trade and travel during the Viking era.
Researchers analyzed a skeleton with a severe knee injury to uncover the complexities of social attitudes towards individuals with disabilities in medieval Europe. The study found that despite negative cultural views, some individuals with disabilities received long-term care and prominent burials.
A new special issue in Proceedings of the Royal Society B explores lesser-studied plants and animals, revealing diverse and context-dependent ways domestication occurred. Studies analyze cereal grain evolution across Eurasia, challenging conventional narratives and introducing new definitions for domestication.
New research finds that Australopithecus sediba and Homo naledi used their hands for both tool use and climbing, with distinct patterns of finger bone structure indicating different grip types. The study reveals varying levels of dexterity and climbing abilities among ancient human relatives in South Africa.
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 personal names from archaeological findings to detect patterns of identity, openness, and change in ancient Hebrew societies. They found that the Kingdom of Israel had a more diverse naming landscape than Judah, indicating a more open and cosmopolitan society.
The study found direct evidence of psychoactive plant use in ancient Chavín de Huántar, Peru, revealing exclusive rituals that reinforced the social hierarchy. The use of hallucinogens created an air of mystique and control, convincing leaders of their mystical power.
Researchers analyzed a centuries-old Austrian mummy and found it remarkably well-preserved due to an unusual embalming technique involving wood chips, twigs, fabric, and zinc chloride. The mummy, of a local parish vicar, was identified through interdisciplinary analysis, including radiocarbon dating and stable isotope patterns.
The book argues that domestication began as a natural process, with humans unintentionally influencing the evolution of plants and animals through habitat creation. This perspective has significant implications for conservation initiatives today.
A Roman treasure hoard found in Thetford Forest indicates the town was a pagan cult centre until the 5th century. The hoard's diverse origins from across the Roman empire support this new chronology.
A new study reveals that the Neolithic Revolution in the southern Levant was triggered by catastrophic wildfires and climate-driven soil erosion, forcing early communities to adopt agriculture. Fertile soils formed in valley basins after hillslope degradation became hotspots for settlement and farming.
A specialized manufacturing process was used to produce a large-scale production of purple dye in ancient Israel's Tel Shiqmona. The discovery sheds new light on the Iron Age production of this valuable resource.
A study by Durham University found that unequal distributions of wealth correlated with longer-term human settlement over the last 10,000 years. However, this relationship was not causal, suggesting that humankind's survival is not linked to ever-increasing inequality.
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.