Articles tagged with Archeological Sites
A Stanford-led study suggests that Hawaiian green sea turtles are still far from recovering to their historic levels, with 80% of major nesting sites having disappeared. The research analyzed historical and current data, revealing a significant decline in the population's geographic range and abundance.
Researchers found King Richard III in a hastily dug, lozenge-shaped grave under a Leicester car park, suggesting gravediggers were in a hurry to bury him. The grave was too short for the king's body, and his torso was crammed in, with evidence of hands being tied during burial.
A new method of sourcing artefacts in high definition improves our understanding of past human behaviour. By matching artefacts to specific quarries at volcanoes, researchers can reconstruct spatial resolution and gain a deeper insight into cultural significance.
A team of scientists analyzed isotopes from the bones and teeth of the first New Zealanders, identifying their likely diet and childhood origins. The study suggests that the first group shared similar diets, while others had highly variable diets reflecting their geographical movements.
Fossil discoveries in Tanzania reveal the oldest evidence of the split between Old World monkeys and apes, dating back to 25 million years ago. The findings document two new primate species: Rukwapithecus fleaglei and Nsungwepithecus gunnelli.
A team of scientists from the University of Houston and a filmmaker will share their discoveries about remnants of an ancient city in the Honduran rainforest, using light detection and ranging (lidar) technology. They will also showcase previously undisclosed images of apparent archeological sites.
A recent study led by Joseph Ferraro, Ph.D., sheds light on the diet and food acquisition strategies of early human ancestors in Africa. The research team found that hominins at Kanjera South, Kenya, relied on a combination of hunting and scavenging behaviors to acquire nutritious animal remains.
A new University of Arizona study in the journal Science challenges two prevailing theories on how the ancient Maya civilization began, proposing that its origins are more complex than previously thought. The research suggests that both Ceibal and La Venta, two ancient Mayan sites in Guatemala, were part of a broader cultural shift occ...
The study provides a comprehensive depiction of the early human ancestral remains from Malapa, including their unique lower back curvature and more flexible spine. The findings suggest that Au. sediba walked in a way that was a 'compromise' between bipedalism and quadrupedalism.
A scientist has revealed how an ancient Egyptian marriage certificate played a pivotal role in confirming the veracity of inks used in the Gospel of Judas. The discovery sheds new light on the intensive scientific efforts to validate the controversial text, which suggests that Jesus requested that his friend, Judas Iscariot, betray him...
Researchers at the University of Cincinnati have made groundbreaking discoveries in a well-preserved Maya village, including new crop varieties and household gardens. The findings shed light on ancient Maya agriculture and its impact on the natural world.
Researchers found that federal agencies are more effective at preserving archaeological sites in the Grand Canyon National Park than in the adjacent Kaibab National Forest. The study highlights the need for better protection and preservation efforts in vulnerable landscapes due to differing policies and limited resources.
A University of Florida study of nearly 5,000 Haiti bird fossils shows that human arrival did not cause simultaneous bird extinction, contradicting a commonly held theory. The research provides range and dispersal patterns from A.D. 600 to 1600, which may be used to create conservation plans for tropical mountainous regions.
The University of Leicester has discovered the remains of King Richard III using a wealth of evidence including DNA, radiocarbon dating and skeletal analysis. The skeleton was found in Leicester city centre and matches two of Richard III's maternal line relatives, confirming his identity.
Researchers found that Mound A at Poverty Point was constructed in under 90 days, requiring an estimated 9,000 laborers. The site's unique soil composition and lack of erosion during construction support this rapid build timeline.
A team of researchers from the University of York analyzed snail shells from Mediterranean caves to study past humidity levels. The findings show that the western Mediterranean was warmer and stickier when first farmers arrived in Italy and Spain thousands of years ago.
Researchers at the University of Witwatersrand and University of Johannesburg have discovered a new species of ancient fox, Vulpes Skinneri, from the Malapa site. The fossils, which date back two million years, show distinct differences from existing fox species and provide insight into the evolution of modern African mammals.
A new study finds that most of the pipestone used to create ancient artifacts in Ohio came from quarries in Illinois, contradicting a long-held assumption. Researchers analyzed mineralogical signatures and found that over 65% of the pipes were carved from flint clay in northern Illinois.
Researchers at the University of Sheffield have found intriguing parallels between modern-day Syria and Bronze-Age Syria, where urban decline, government collapse, and drought led to a regional government's downfall. The study, which used obsidian tools from the ancient city of Urkesh, suggests that climate change, militarism, and unsu...
A National Science Foundation-funded research team has discovered the remains of a camp used by explorers of the 'Heroic Age' of Antarctic exploration, dating back to 1912. The site was found using a combination of written accounts and historic images, matching an archival photograph from the Terra Nova expedition.
A University of Alberta researcher's findings may rewrite the history of humanity's migration out of Africa. The study uncovered fossils, artifacts, and evidence of continuous human occupation in the region dating back at least 200,000 years.
Research published in PLOS ONE reveals that extinct human microbes from archeological sites closely resemble those found in present-day rural African communities. The study suggests that the modern cosmopolitan lifestyle resulted in a dramatic change to the human gut microbiome.
Researchers identified stone-tipped spear points at the South African site of Kathu Pan 1, dating back 500,000 years. This finding suggests that humans were using such technology 200,000 years earlier than previously thought, shedding new light on early human adaptations and capacities.
A University of Toronto-led team identified spear tips used in hunting 500,000 years ago, pushing back the timeline of human adaptations and capacities. The discovery highlights the importance of early hafted tools in hunting weaponry.
Researchers at Simon Fraser University have improved the dating of early human settlement in the Polynesian triangle by applying uranium/thorium dating to coral artifacts. The study estimates that the first boats arrived between 880 and 896 BC, narrowing the previous timeline from 178 years to just 16 years.
Archaeologists uncover unique sacred compound at Tel Beth-Shemesh, shedding light on early power struggles between Philistines and local populations. The site's desecration suggests a deliberate attempt to erase a sacred site by the invading Philistines.
The University of Leicester has made a major discovery in the search for King Richard III, uncovering human remains at the Grey Friars church site. The team has also found various medieval artifacts and structures, shedding light on the city's rich history.
Archaeologists are near discovering King Richard III's possible burial place following major finds including medieval inlaid floor tiles, paving stones and a lost garden. The University of Leicester's archaeological dig at Greyfriars will continue for another week after huge public support and global media interest.
The University of Leicester archaeological team has found the church of the Franciscan Friary, where King Richard III was buried. The location confirmed by a three-trench excavation reveals medieval architectural fragments and floor tiles.
Researchers at the University of Sheffield have uncovered the origins and trading routes of ancient obsidian tools in Syria. The study reveals that exotic obsidian artefacts originated from a volcano three times farther away than expected, providing new insights into changing Bronze-Age economics and geopolitics.
A team of archaeologists and geologists have discovered a large quantity of skeletal remains at the Alken Enge site, including a fractured skull and thigh bone hacked in half, suggesting violent conflict. The remains are believed to be from hundreds of warriors who were sacrificed around the time of the birth of Christ.
A new system developed at Vanderbilt University aims to transform how archaeologists map large sites, providing higher resolution imagery and three-dimensional models. The SUAVe system, set to be tested in Peru, has the potential to catalog many archaeological sites quickly, addressing concerns about development and time.
A team of international researchers has dated and directly analyzed organic artifacts from Border Cave in South Africa, revealing evidence of San material culture dating back 44,000 years. This finding pushes the timeline for the emergence of modern human culture earlier than previously thought.
A colossal human figure, 1.5m tall, with intricate details and Hieroglyphic Luwian inscription, was discovered at the Tayinat gate complex in southeastern Turkey. The sculpture is part of a monumental gate complex that dated back to the Neo-Hittite Kingdom of Patina.
Researchers at Brown University have discovered a pyramid in El Zotz, Guatemala, that provides new information about the Maya civilization. The temple features ornate masks depicting different phases of the sun and stucco carvings revealing how the Maya conceived of the heavens.
A team led by Dr. James Adovasio and Dr. C. Andrew Hemmings will explore ancient coastlines in the northeastern Gulf to determine where early Americans might have lived over 12,000 years ago. The mission aims to shed light on the peopling of the Americas and may uncover new evidence that challenges current archaeological record.
Archaeologists are uncovering the secrets of a mass sacrifice of over 200 warriors in a bog near Alken, Denmark. The dig aims to clarify the circumstances behind the ritual sacrifice and analyze the remains to shed light on the Iron Age culture.
Researchers at UAB discovered newborn twin girls' remains in Olèrdola archaeological site, providing first documented case of prehistoric twins. The discovery offers insights into child burial practices and socio-cultural relationships during the Iberian Age.
The National Geographic Emerging Explorers program recognizes young trailblazers in various fields who are pushing boundaries of discovery, adventure, and global problem-solving. The 2012 class includes cyborg anthropologist Amber Case, digital storyteller Lucy Cooke, and behavioral ecologist Iain Couzin.
Researchers used rare earth element analysis to determine that human remains found at Vero Beach dated back to the late Pleistocene epoch around 13,000 years ago. This discovery sheds light on the lives of early North Americans, who likely co-existed with extinct giant mammals like mammoths and mastodons.
Archaeologists are utilizing information from multiple disciplines to inform and enhance their data, providing new insights into social systems, economic processes, and political dynamics. The field has expanded beyond anthropology to include perspectives from sociology and other social sciences.
Researchers have discovered evidence of humans consuming elephant meat and bone marrow in the Middle Palaeolithic site of Preresa, Madrid. The findings, published in the Journal of Archaeological Science, suggest that the practice was not as common as previously thought due to the difficulty of extracting marrow from bones.
University of Missouri anthropologist Robert Benfer has identified numerous earthen animal effigy mounds in coastal Peru, dating back to 4,000 years ago. The mounds exhibit astronomical orientations, aligning with celestial events such as the Milky Way and summer solstices.
A UCR graduate student's research has rewritten the history books on Maya women, showing they played a central role in society before colonialization. Patel discovered artifacts and relics that reveal priestess oracles, female deities, and religious rituals, highlighting women's lost status under Spanish rule.
The Center for Digital Antiquity expands its digital repository tDAR, making archaeological information accessible to researchers and the public. The grant enables the Center to enhance software and enlarge the community of users.
A team of archaeologists has discovered 77,000-year-old evidence of preserved plant bedding and the use of insect-repelling plants at Sibudu rock shelter in South Africa. The oldest plant remains date back to 77,000 years ago and include species with medicinal properties.
Researchers discover intact Sex Pistols graffiti on a London flat's walls, arguing it's a powerful representation of punk rebellion. The find challenges traditional notions of heritage and suggests a new approach to conservation.
A team of researchers has developed an artificial neural network model to predict the location of fossil sites. The software uses satellite imagery and maps to identify productive areas in the Great Divide Basin, Wyoming, and has already accurately pinpointed 79% of known fossil sites.
A Texas A&M study confirms that humans were hunting mastodons in North America around 13,800 years ago, 800 years before the traditional Clovis culture. This find supports extinction theories of large mammals at the end of the last Ice Age.
Researchers at Poggio Colla excavation site in Italy discovered a ceramic fragment with two images of a woman giving birth to a child, over 2,600 years old. The unique find is the first of its kind ever found in an Etruscan excavation, providing new insights into the culture.
Researchers have discovered a remarkable fossil site in Nevada where the remains of nine 45-foot-long ichthyosaurs suggest an even larger and more cunning sea monster existed: a Triassic kraken. The evidence implies that this ancient cephalopod was capable of intelligent manipulation of bones and preyed on these massive reptiles.
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.
A University of Colorado Boulder-led team excavated a Maya village in El Salvador and unexpectedly hit an ancient white road, known as a sacbe, that appears to lead to and from the town. The discovery provides valuable insights into the Maya's construction methods and daily life.
Archaeologists have uncovered a large Roman shipyard near Rome, which could be the largest of its kind in Italy. The massive building, dating back to the 2nd century AD, features eight parallel bays with wooden roofs and was likely used for shipbuilding activities.
Researchers have confirmed the age of Australopithecus sediba fossils to be 1.98 million years old, making it a strong candidate for our oldest direct human ancestor. The discovery provides new insights into early human evolution and sheds light on the beginnings of the Homo genus.
A series of papers on Australopithecus sediba reveals a surprisingly unique combination of advanced features, including a modern pelvis and evolved hand. The findings suggest that Au.sediba is the best candidate for the genus Homo.
A new study reveals Homo erectus used advanced Acheulian tools in East Africa at 1.8 million years ago, 300,000 years earlier than previously thought. The discovery sheds light on the origins of sophisticated tool-making technology and raises questions about human migration and climate change.
Researchers develop new method to link climatic records with plant and animal responses to climate change, enabling precise dating of archaeological sites. This breakthrough enables detailed analysis of human occupation patterns in Britain during the Ice Age.
Researchers have discovered a human ancestor older than previously believed, contradicting the Out of Africa model and suggesting a different role for Homo erectus. The findings, published in PLoS One, indicate that Homo erectus went extinct before modern humans arrived in Indonesia.
Archaeologists have created a 3D topographical map of the ancient Maya city 'Head of Stone', which reveals the location and size of its many buildings and architectural patterns. The site, dated from 800 B.C. to 900 A.D., includes a triadic pyramid, astronomical observatory, ritual ball court, and residential mounds.