Articles tagged with Archaeometry
A new study reveals that most areas depicted as 'untouched' were actually inhabited and used by human societies for thousands of years, sustaining native biodiversity. The research supports empowering Indigenous peoples and local communities to promote long-term environmental stewardship and conservation.
A multi-disciplinary team has reconstructed ancient population and land use, showing that humans shaped much of the terrestrial biosphere by 12,000 years ago. The study found a close correlation between areas of high biodiversity and areas long occupied by Indigenous peoples.
Researchers analyzed tool fragments, raw materials, and complete objects excavated from two sites in Ribe, Denmark, to understand the evolution of Viking metalwork. They found rapid technological advances in combining metals into mixes and refining their process over time.
Archaeologists have found evidence of a kosher diet in pottery fragments from Oxford's early medieval Jewish community. The findings, published recently, reveal that the inhabitants of two houses used only meats from cattle, sheep and goat, with no pig bones present.
A multidisciplinary team from CNRS and other institutions studied a large seashell found in the Marsoulas Cave in the Pyrenees, dating back around 18,000 years. The shell is believed to be the oldest known wind instrument of its type, with researchers able to produce sounds similar to those on a modern conch.
Archaeological grape seeds from excavations in Troyes and Reims provide insights into the history of Champagne wine growing. Wild vines were cultivated throughout the period studied, with domestic varieties emerging as early as the 1st century AD.
Researchers used X-ray beams to examine a 1,900-year-old mummy, revealing details about the child's body and burial artifacts. The examination confirmed the presence of a sacred calcite amulet and provided insights into the preservation process used by ancient Egyptians.
Researchers from Université de Genève analyzed 16 glass beads found in Mali and Senegal, discovering they were made of Egyptian, Levantine coast, and Middle Eastern glass. The study sheds light on sub-Saharan Africa's extensive trade networks with Europe and Asia during the region's early development.
Researchers explore how standardized visualization influences our understanding of the world, linking material culture to brain development and social power dynamics. The study spans prehistoric societies to contemporary digital technologies, examining the role of reification in shaping our vision.
A recent study by a team of researchers from the University of Bologna has shed light on the Minoan system of fractions, revealing that the lowest fraction is 1/60. The results have significant implications for understanding the Linear B script and its use in measuring units of measurement.
A study led by University of Arizona researchers challenges the long-held view of the Plaza Tree of Pueblo Bonito as a living tree in an otherwise treeless landscape. Dendroprovenance analysis revealed that the tree did not grow where it was found, suggesting it may have come from distant mountain ranges.
Researchers found that captive wild boars developed greater muscle force than their natural counterparts, transforming them into 'bodybuilders'. This study provides a new methodology for archaeologists to analyze domestication processes and could aid in reintroducing captive-bred animals into the wild.
Scientists have pinpointed dysfunctional brain networks responsible for impaired speech and word finding in primary progressive aphasia (PPA), a type of dementia. The study found three brain regions that fail to communicate, leading to difficulties with sentence production, word comprehension, and word naming.
A new international study published in Science reveals that land use by early farmers and societies had a significant impact on global land cover by 3,000-4,000 years ago. The study uses crowdsourced archaeological data to assess long-term human impacts on the natural world.
The researchers used muon radiography to create the first 3D images of the Derbent fortress's underground space, confirming the hypothesis that it was a Christian temple. The unique shape and orientation of the building suggest an early Christian design, contradicting previous interpretations as an underground water tank.
The site, occupied between 71,000 and 54,000 years ago, reveals repeated use of an open-air settlement, challenging previous assumptions about short-lived settlements. Researchers found evidence of general activities, including tool-making, resource provisioning, and on-site consumption, indicating a stable settlement system.
Researchers analyzed human tracks from 14,000 years ago, discovering five individuals entered the cave barefoot, including young children who were active group members. The team found evidence of social or symbolic activities within inner chambers, suggesting humans engaged in fun activities during exploration.
The new technology allows for high-speed analysis of emulsion track detectors, essential for detecting dark matter particles. The faster microscopes will process tens of tons of nano-emulsion trackers with unprecedented accuracy in record time.
A team of researchers used the Seshat database to analyze 300,000 records on social complexity and religion across 500 past societies. They found that beliefs in big gods followed, not preceded, increases in social complexity, suggesting that collective identities are more important for cooperation.
A new study confirms that Anatolian hunter-gatherers adopted farming and were later descended by early Anatolian farmers. The findings provide genetic support for archaeological evidence that local hunter-gatherers developed agriculture independently, rather than being introduced by a large migration of farmers.
Scientists have developed a methodology to assess fish stocks by combining modern underwater surveys with historical records dating back to the 8th Century AD. The analysis found that some previously classified as
Researchers analyzed obsidian samples from various Neanderthal sites and found that common tools originated from specific sources. The study suggests a developed social network between groups of people from different regions during the Upper Paleolithic period.
A team of international scientists used radiocarbon dating to examine human societies on a broader and longer-term scale, finding that societies often experienced booms and busts simultaneously. This suggests that early globalization was possibly a strategy for societies to grow through migration, trade, and conflict with other societies.
Researchers analyzed copper-based artifacts to understand provenance and production of Egyptian metal objects, finding signs of localized ore sources and diverse metal origins. The findings offer new insights into ancient Egyptian metallurgy and supply networks, highlighting the importance of ongoing research.
Fecal stanols, organic molecules found in sediment, provide a more accurate clue to past population sizes. The study found Cahokia's population peaked early and slowly declined, contradicting collapse theories.
A team of researchers from institutions at the leading edge of palaeoproteomics have published guidelines to support good practices in the field and ensure robust, reproducible results. The guide aims to provide consistency to a new field, addressing issues such as data reporting standards, authentication measures, and lab contamination.
A Princeton University historian team analyzed four case studies to understand how societies coped with natural stresses, revealing socioeconomic factors often played a more significant role than environmental changes. Historians' nuanced interpretation adds context to past events, helping policymakers prepare for global climate change.
Scientists have discovered evidence that early modern humans on the coast of South Africa thrived through a 74,000-year-old ancient supervolcano eruption. The team found cryptotephra shards with a distinct chemical signature linking them to Mount Toba, confirming human occupation during the event.
Scientists discovered that early modern humans on the coast of South Africa continued to thrive despite a massive volcanic eruption around 74,000 years ago. The team found evidence of a 'refugia' area with abundant resources like shellfish, allowing human groups to survive the devastating event.
Researchers at Washington State University have developed a method to extract nicotine from ancient dental plaque, allowing them to trace tobacco use in prehistory. This breakthrough could help answer questions about who consumed tobacco and how it was used in ancient societies.
A team of archaeologists and scientists revised the chronology of the last hunter-gatherers in the Near East, finding that they could live comfortably in the steppe zone. The Natufian Culture, which existed from 14,500 to 11,500 years ago, was previously thought to be limited to the Mediterranean woodland zone.
Researchers analyzed archaeological and environmental data from 10,000-15,000 years ago to understand human responses to rapid climate shifts. They found that communities with socio-ecological continuity thrived in a warmer world, while those with disrupted settlements struggled to adapt.
A team of international archaeologists has re-examined a c. 8,500-year-old by-product from metal smelting and found conclusive evidence of an incidental copper firing event. The discovery provides new insights into the origins of metallurgy in the Near East.
The University of Leicester has developed a non-destructive X-ray technique that can analyze artifacts of any shape or texture, providing high-quality phase information without causing damage. This technique has the potential to eliminate the need for destructive sampling and provide vital context information for museum collections.
A team of researchers has discovered a unique assemblage of prehistoric artefacts, including disc-shaped beads and pendant objects, dated to between 30,000 to 22,000 years ago. The findings challenge the theory that Pleistocene human culture declined in sophistication as Homo sapiens ventured beyond India into Southeast Asia.
A new study challenges the idea that changes in Earth's orbit triggered Sahara desertification. Human activities, such as pastoralism, are believed to have contributed to the region's ecological shift towards desert-like conditions. The findings highlight the importance of understanding human impact on environmental systems.
Researchers found that measuring carbon isotope 13C can identify distortion in radiocarbon age of materials caused by fossil fuel emissions. This method allows for accurate age determination, even when atmospheric CO2 levels are high.
Scientists have discovered evidence of prehistoric milk production in southern Europe dating back to the onset of agriculture around 9,000 years ago. The study suggests that dairying played a crucial role in sustaining early farmers and spreading farming across the western Mediterranean region.
Researchers have uncovered widespread evidence of prehistoric milk production in southern Europe, dating back to the onset of agriculture around 9,000 years ago. The study found varying intensities of dairying and non-dairying activities across the northern Mediterranean region, with the slaughter profiles of domesticated animals mirro...
Archaeological remains in wetlands are threatened by rapid organic decay caused by acidic conditions. Researchers urge reevaluation of site preservation strategies and recommend urgent excavations to retrieve valuable artifacts.
A new study reveals that human activity has shaped the world's landscapes for thousands of years, leading to significant extinctions and ecosystem changes. The research highlights four major phases of human impact, including global expansion, agriculture, island colonization, and urbanization.
Archaeologists uncover evidence that settlers from South Asia colonized Madagascar over a thousand years ago, using long-distance voyages across the Indian Ocean. The discovery provides the first archaeological signature of Austronesian expansion and challenges historical understanding of the island's settlement.
Researchers discovered a large amount of fish bones fermented in a pit around 9,200 years ago, suggesting the ancient Scandinavians had more advanced technology and culture. This finding compares to Neolithic people in the Middle East, who were traditionally thought to have settled earlier.
Recent excavations on Pedro González Island in Panama found dolphin bones at an archaeological site dating back 6,000 years. The absence of dolphin hunting evidence elsewhere in Central America suggests that islanders used innovative methods to catch the marine mammals.
The CU-Boulder study found that the ancient villagers of Ceren had significant interactions among families, village elders, craftspeople, and specialty maintenance workers. The village's high degree of preservation allowed researchers to see daily life in detail, with evidence of free market transactions and no control by elite royalty.
A study published in the Journal of Archaeological Science found evidence of mass breeding of raptors in ancient Egypt, including a mummified kestrel that died from force-feeding. The findings suggest that birds were kept and bred for religious purposes, with implications for falconry practices.
The study reveals that domestic animal size changed significantly over the centuries, with a minimum during the Early Middle Ages and a significant increase since the Late Middle Ages, especially for sheep.
A team of scientists has discovered a 55,000-year-old human skull at Manot Cave in Israel with distinctive modern human brain features. The findings support the hypothesis that early humans evolved in Africa or the Middle East rather than Europe.
Archaeologists discovered intestinal parasites' eggs from the Celtic period in Switzerland, indicating poor sanitation and mixed living environments. The parasite eggs suggest a lack of proper waste management and possible livestock introduction, highlighting the challenges faced by ancient communities.
A team of archaeologists has discovered evidence of frankincense being used in Roman burial rites in Britain, shedding new light on the country's funerary practices. The analysis of debris and skeletal remains from across Britain revealed that these precious substances were transported to the empire's northern outpost despite its decline.
A recent study by the British Geological Survey has analyzed the bone and tooth chemistry of King Richard III, revealing a change in diet and location in his early childhood and later life. The research suggests that Richard had a high status diet with expensive food and drink when he became king.
Climate scientist Compton Tucker receives the 2014 Vega Medal for his work on remote sensing, measuring global land photosynthesis from space. His research has led to a 33-year data set invaluable for scientists studying Earth's climate.
The genomes of King Richard III and one of his living descendants are being sequenced to shed light on his ancestry, health, and genetic makeup. The project will also analyze the genetic information of pathogens that may have caused diseases in the past.
A 300,000-year-old hearth discovered in the Qesem Cave provides conclusive evidence of repeated fire building over time, hinting at advanced social structure and intellectual capacity. The find suggests that early humans had a sophisticated understanding of space organization and social order.
Researchers discovered an additional active process producing nanodiamonds in sediments less than 3,000 years old, suggesting a possible extraterrestrial event. The study found no correlation between nanodiamond concentration and alternative processes, supporting the ET impact hypothesis.
Researchers developed a method to harden bones by growing aragonite on their surfaces, making them 50-70% sturdier. This technique has wide implications for preserving valuable remains and restoring cultural clues.
A new internationally agreed radiocarbon calibration curve will allow key past events to be dated more accurately. The research, led by the University of Sheffield and Queen's University Belfast, provides improved accuracy to archaeologists, environmental scientists, and climate researchers.
Researchers have uncovered a record of Neanderthal archaeology that was thought to be lost, revealing a key archaeological site with preserved geological deposits dating back 250,000 years. The discovery provides significant insights into the last Ice Age and Neanderthal behaviour.
A team of scientists has announced a new juvenile fossil cranium of the ancient ape species Lufengpithecus from Shuitangba, China. The discovery provides significant insights into the evolution and extinction of apes during the Miocene epoch.
A new high-tech analysis by University of Colorado Boulder researchers dated the oldest known petroglyphs in North America to at least 10,500 years ago. The Winnemucca Lake petroglyph site, located in western Nevada, features complex designs and vertical chain-like symbols carved into limestone boulders.