Articles tagged with Archeological Periods
The Assyrian army, led by King Sennacherib, built a massive siege ramp at Lachish using human chains and thousands of stone blocks. The ramp was constructed in about 25 days, allowing the army to breach the city walls and conquer the city.
Ancestral puebloans in Chaco Canyon thrived for over a millennium through indigenous agriculture and water irrigation, but their activities led to environmental degradation. The researchers found significant changes in the local woodlands beginning around 600 B.C., contributing to severe erosion and cropland deterioration.
Researchers found that Maya rulers altered their cities' structures and alignments to reflect their own desires and authority. Many temples were built on top of existing ones or abandoned altogether, shifting the focus from community ritual to ruler-centric politics.
Researchers pinpointed the date of the Ilopango volcano's Tierra Blanca Joven eruption, identifying its impacts on climate and society. The eruption is believed to have cooled the atmosphere by 0.5 °C for a few years, with effects largely limited to the local region.
Scientists link the end of the Green Sahara to a previously unknown megadrought in Southeast Asia, which lasted over 1,000 years and shifted human settlement patterns. The study provides new insights into the impact of climate change on societal adaptations and upheavals.
Scientists have discovered a connection between the end of the Green Sahara and a previously unknown megadrought in Southeast Asia, which lasted over 1,000 years and affected human settlement patterns. The drought, linked to changes in the Saharan vegetation, led to reduced monsoon moisture across the region.
Archaeologists have discovered a Canaanite temple in National Park Tel Lachish, featuring extensive ruins dating to the 12th century BCE. The excavation has yielded gold artifacts and cultic figurines, including the oldest known etching of the Hebrew letter 'Samech'.
A study analyzing carbonate minerals in Soreq Cave, Israel, suggests the summer monsoon periodically impacted the region during the last interglacial period. The findings coincide with archaeological evidence of human migration out of Africa, implying paleoclimate may have influenced early human movement.
Archaeologists found evidence of household items, tools, and ceremonies that suggest Native communities in Marin County persisted outside of missions. These findings challenge the dominant narrative of cultural extinction and highlight the resilience of Coast Miwok communities.
The study found that ancient Andean societies developed specific environmental knowledge to conserve water and avoid frost, enabling them to flourish in an arid region. The discovery of micro-terraces and non-centralized agrarian systems suggests a resilient approach to agriculture that continues to inspire indigenous communities today.
A recent study by Dana Bardolph found that female authors are underrepresented in American archaeology journals, accounting for less than 29% of published articles. The research suggests a pervasive gender bias in academia and publishing, with potential factors including authorial behavior and the submission process.
A pioneering study reveals that prehistoric hunter-gatherers in Japan used ceramic vessels to cook freshwater and marine organisms, including high-trophic level aquatic foods. The discovery sheds light on the emergence and widespread adoption of ceramic technology in hunter-gatherer societies.
Researchers analyzed Mayan containers for nicotine traces, revealing physical evidence of tobacco use dating back to the Late Classic Maya period (600-900 AD). The study confirms the intended use of an ancient container and highlights the importance of mass spectrometry in analyzing organic residues.
Ancient structures at Göbekli Tepe in Turkey were initially thought to be the world's oldest temples, but an archaeologist argues they may have been large communal houses instead. The presence of art and decoration does not necessarily mean the buildings were exclusively religious spaces.
The study confirms the existence of an Edomite state before the 8th century B.C. and demonstrates two major phases of copper production in the region. The discovery of massive fortifications, over 100 building complexes, and Egyptian scarabs provide strong evidence for metal-working activities.
Neurobiologist William H. Calvin argues that bigger brain size didn't lead to general intelligence improvements in human evolution. However, after a significant burst of creativity around 75,000 years ago, humans made rapid advancements in complex tasks like art and language.
A new study has identified biochemical remains of human tissue in a coprolite, providing definitive evidence for sporadic cannibalism in the Southwest. The analysis suggests that at least seven people were systematically cut up and consumed by residents of an Anasazi site around 1150.
An international team is investigating archaeological sites in the Kuril Islands, searching for clues about early human migration to the Americas. The research aims to determine if seafaring people from the islands connected with Alaska's Aleutian Islands, potentially providing insights into the peopling of the continent.
Archaeologists have uncovered a large Middle Kingdom temple in the Nile Delta, with traces of five earlier temples dating back to around 3100 BC. The discovery includes ritual objects and burial grounds, providing insight into ancient Egyptian temple rituals.
Archaeologists found that prehistoric Indian villagers in southeastern Iowa consumed knotweed and little barley seeds, which were rich in carbohydrates. The discovery sheds light on the diet and agriculture practices of the Oneota Culture, a Native American tribe that lived from 1580 to 1640.
The excavation, led by CU-Boulder and the Southwest Heritage Foundation, aims to answer questions about how the Chacoan system operated and how these sites were established. The Bluff Great House appears to be architecturally similar to great houses at Chaco Canyon.