Articles tagged with Archeological Sites
Researchers find fossil river channels in Libya with a distinctly volcanic signature, supporting the theory that monsoon rains fueled rivers to the Mediterranean. The discovery provides an alternative route for early human migrations out of sub-Saharan Africa.
A team of Princeton University researchers has developed an automated system that can reconstruct wall paintings from fragments, reducing the time needed from years to months. The 'Griphos' system employs a combination of computer algorithms and mirrors traditional archaeological procedures, enabling archaeologists to use it as a tool.
Archaeologists have discovered a treasure trove of stone tools at a site in West Sussex, revealing a thriving and developed population of northern Europe's last Neanderthals. The tools, which date back to between 35,000 and 42,000 years ago, showcase the group's sophisticated hunting skills and technological prowess.
Bill Middleton is using satellite imagery to build a detailed landscape map of Oaxaca, where the Zapotec people formed the first state-level and urban society in Mexico. The study will explore how the Oaxacan economy and environment changed as the Zapotec state grew and then collapsed.
Researchers confirm ancient sunflower domestication in Mexico dating back 4,000 years, contrary to previously believed eastern North American origin. This discovery highlights the importance of sunflower as a major oil seed crop and its potential for modern crop-breeding purposes.
Researchers are joining forces to study past earthquakes in the archaeological record, which can provide valuable insights into seismic hazard estimates. A new standardized method, known as the Archeological Quality Factor (AQF), is being proposed to document the certainty of ancient earthquake records.
A team of Israeli and Palestinian archaeologists, guided by UCLA and USC experts, has reached the first-ever agreement on the disposition of the region's archaeological heritage. The 39-point document proposes repatriation of artifacts to their original state, protection of cultural sites, and equal access for scholars and the public.
Scientists found that humans first hunted the flightless sea duck more than 10,000 years ago, but it persisted until about 2,400 years ago. The prolonged survival of the bird challenges the 'Pleistocene over-kill theory', which suggests that human arrival led to rapid extinction.
A team of archaeologists from the Field Museum and Shandong University have conducted a 13-year survey of southeastern Shandong Province using the regional settlement pattern survey method. This approach reveals the overall layout of settlements, providing insights into population density, trade, and other factors. The research sheds n...
Recent discoveries at Yalbac, a Maya center in Belize, suggest that different groups, including nobles and commoners, built temples. The archaeologist's findings indicate that non-royals had the freedom to choose which temples to worship in and support.
The discovery of well-preserved fossils in a blue hole off the coast of the Bahamas provides insights into early life on isolated islands. Fossilized bones of land-lubbing crocodiles and tortoises, as well as plant fossils, have been found, shedding light on the impact of human arrival on island ecosystems.
Research from University College London found that some of our closest extinct relatives had more in common with gorillas than previously thought. The study discovered that males continued to grow well into adulthood, leading to a significant size difference between males and females, similar to what is seen in gorillas.
Scientists at Brown University propose that an asteroid impact triggered catastrophic climate change, leading to the mass extinction of megafauna such as wooly mammoths. The theory is based on evidence of nanodiamonds and other extraterrestrial particles found in sediment samples from archeological sites.
The CU-Boulder team discovered the first ancient manioc field in the Americas, providing insight into how the Classic Maya supported dense populations. The field, buried under volcanic ash, was found to have been recently planted with manioc stalks, indicating a high level of agricultural productivity.
Fossils discovered in New Mexico reveal that dinosaurs and their predecessors lived side by side for 15-20 million years. The findings provide new insights into the evolution of dinosaur precursors and challenge long-held theories about the pace of changeover.
A newly excavated headless skeleton from Nasca, Peru provides important new data on ancient decapitation practices. The analysis suggests that decapitation was part of powerful rituals aimed at ensuring fertility and the continuation of life and rebirth of the community.
Researchers at Yale University and the University of Leicester have discovered an ancient solar observatory at Chankillo, Peru, dating back to the 4th century B.C. The site features a line of 13 towers aligned with the sun's position throughout the year, making it the oldest complete solar observatory in the Americas.
A team of researchers, led by Alyson Thibodeau and David J. Killick, used physical sciences techniques to analyze archaeological artifacts at the La Isabela settlement. They found that the silver-bearing ore brought from Spain was extracted using an improvised smelting process, contradicting earlier historical accounts.
The discovery suggests that modern humans migrated out of Africa and occupied parts of eastern Europe as early as 45,000 years ago. The findings are based on the analysis of stone tools, beadwork, and other artifacts found at the Kostenki site in Russia.
Researchers uncover the secret recipe behind Hessian crucibles, a 500-year-old alchemists' lab kit component that was previously unknown to be used in their manufacture. The discovery sheds light on the skill and ingenuity of ancient craftsmen who exploited modern materials centuries before they were understood scientifically.
Researchers analyzed human remains from grave sites and found high ratios of female-to-male remains at certain sites, suggesting the practice of raiding women was common. Many female remains showed signs of abuse, providing insight into the impact of warfare on local communities.
Researchers from France and Italy used synchrotron light to investigate the mysterious darkening of ancient Pompeii wall paintings, discovering chemical reactions involving chlorine, mercury, and calcite. The study provides new insights for conservators and preservation of Roman archaeological sites.
A team of Stanford researchers conducted the first comprehensive survey of the USS Macon's final resting place, a 1,000-foot-deep site off Monterey Bay. The airship was one of only two 'flying aircraft carriers' ever built and went down in 1935 without seeing combat.
The discovery is significant because it puts a face on an individual critical to the formation of St. Louis. The Ghost Horse Site, excavated by ITARP in 1998, yielded remains of an 18th-century structure believed to be Laclede's home.
New research led by University of Oregon's Douglas Kennett sheds light on Rapa, a French Polynesian Island, revealing a late pulse of colonization around A.D. 1200. The settlement date matches Easter Island's and provides insights into population dispersal mechanisms, highlighting the challenges of environmental degradation.
New research reveals that European Neanderthals had the capacity for symbolic thinking and possessed sophisticated artefacts around 44,000 years ago. This challenges the conventional interpretation of the Grotte de Fées site in Central France.
The discovery of Gansus yumenensis, a loon-like ancient bird, sheds light on the early history of modern birds. Fossils found in China suggest that aquatic environments played a crucial role in the evolution of birds.
A recent study reveals that both Egyptian and Nubian officials participated in the administration of Nubia during this time. The findings challenge traditional ideas of unidirectional change and modification of a subordinate population by a socially dominant group.
The University of Cincinnati and CERHAS have recreated 39 ancient earthworks using virtual reconstructions, offering a new way to explore the Adena, Hopewell, and Fort Ancient cultures. The traveling exhibit will include interactive displays, 3D models, and virtual tours.
Recent excavations at Suba Cave have uncovered a second, unexcavated cave, suggesting a major complex of uncertain function during the Iron Age. The team found evidence of heavy use during the early Roman period and discovered seven rough stone pillars in a corridor leading to what appears to be another chamber.
Researchers from the University of Cincinnati have uncovered a significant ancient Greek temple in coastal Albania, dating back to the late 6th century B.C. The temple's discovery is expected to contribute substantially to the understanding of religious life in the Adriatic region during the Archaic and Classical periods.
Researchers discovered an ancient brewery with a 1,800-liter capacity at Cerro Baúl, a sacred mountain in southern Peru. The brewery was abandoned and partially burned to the ground 1,000 years ago, along with a final batch of chicha, a fermented alcoholic drink central to the Wari culture.
Archaeologists at Silchester are using a Virtual Research Environment (VRE) to digitize their findings and facilitate collaboration with researchers worldwide. The project aims to reduce the time spent on digitization and enable easier comparison of data across different databases.
A new study suggests that the Olmec civilization imported pottery from other cultures, contradicting previous claims that it was the sole source. The findings use petrography to identify minerals in pottery fragments and reveal reciprocal trade between highland and lowland centers.
Scientists have discovered a new species, Falcarius utahensis, in Utah that provides clues about the evolution of plant-eating dinosaurs. The dinosaur had leaf-shaped teeth and a larger gut to digest plant material, and its neck and forelimbs were more elongated for reaching plants.
Researchers found well-preserved cedar timbers, curved steering oars, and limestone block-anchors from ancient Egyptian ships. The discoveries shed new light on Egypt's sea-faring past and provide insight into trade expeditions to the Red Sea region known as Punt.
Recent archeological research discovered that rice was the prevalent food source in northern China, alongside millet and wheat. The sophisticated knowledge of growing rice demonstrated by ancient Chinese farmers helped explain China's huge population today. The findings shed new light on China's agricultural history.
The SAA's Book Award recognizes 'Ancient Mexico & Central America' for its impact on archaeological research and understanding of Mesoamerica's cultural history. The book, written by Penn State adjunct professor Evans, is an informative and fun guide to the region.
The 'Dig Manchester' project has seen the community come together to uncover history, with businesses donating goods in kind and a sense of community pride emerging. The three-year programme will also involve similar projects in Northenden and Wythenshawe, aiming to promote local heritage and regeneration.
Researchers have unearthed four-million-year-old ancestral fossils at the Gona site in Ethiopia, shedding light on early human evolution. The discovery offers a unique glimpse into the anatomy and behavioral capabilities of our ancient relatives, revealing that they lived in low-lying areas with swamps, springs, and volcanic centers.
Scientists have uncovered skeletal fossils of a human ancestor believed to have lived around 4.5 million years ago in northern Ethiopia. The fossils, described in the journal Nature, provide new evidence about the transformation of primitive chimp-like hominids into more human forms.
Researchers are developing a new prototype for retrieving 3D archaeological structure data from subsurface surveying, enabling the creation of an underground image of pre-Inca city Tiwanaku. This three-year project aims to overcome technological bottlenecks in processing and fusing large amounts of sub-surface data.
Archaeologists have confirmed the existence of a complex society in South America dating back over 5,000 years. The inland culture, based on agriculture, featured monumental architecture and sophisticated social hierarchies.
A sacrificial burial found at the pyramid reveals a grisly scene of bloodshed, with clear cultural connections to other burials and new elements. The discovery suggests that state power was celebrated through ceremony and sacrifice, contradicting past interpretations.
Excavations at Los Ajos, a 4,800-4,200 year old mound complex in Uruguay, revealed sophisticated levels of planning and cooperation. The site's farmers adopted early cultivars, including maize and squash, and exhibited an independent architectural tradition.
The discovery of a prosauropod dinosaur, ancestral crocodilians and a mammal-like cynodont reveals diverse terrestrial faunas at the end of the Triassic period. The findings contradict previous assumptions about the Triassic-Jurassic extinction event.
The Field Museum is reuniting scattered Kish collections from ancient Iraq using a $100,000 grant. The project aims to catalog and reconcile over 100,000 artifacts, making it possible for the first time to fully understand the site's historical significance.
Researchers find evidence of early human stone tools and bone marrow extraction at Majuangou site, suggesting strong connections to African hominins and rapid spread across Asia. The discovery pushes the known timeline of human presence in Northeast Asia by approximately 340,000 years.
The INEEL's Ecological and Cultural Resources Department developed a computer program to integrate historical, archaeological, and anthropological research data. The Data Management Tool (DMT) helps archaeologists navigate detailed information, draw interactive maps, and predict where new artifacts might be found.
The project aims to discover how the integrated community worked, how families interacted with each other and their involvement in the Underground Railroad. The team has found artifacts consistent with the time period of New Philadelphia, including broken dinnerware, iron nails and hardware.
A new study examines the complex relationships between pagans, historians, and heritage managers at Stonehenge. The research reveals a need for open and transparent dialogue to address conflicting demands and interests.
A team of archaeologists has unearthed conclusive evidence of early humans' control over fire in Eurasia, dating back to the Acheulian culture. The discovery, made at the Benot Ya'aqov site in Israel, reveals that ancient humans used fire for cooking and warmth, significantly impacting their diet and survival.
Researchers have uncovered three new rock art depictions of armored horses on the Purgatoire River in southeast Colorado, shedding light on the Comanche's use of horse armor. The finds are significant as they provide a unique window into Comanche history and culture, dating back to the 17th century.
A new analytical technique allows archaeologists to accurately date pottery and associated artifacts, resolving issues with organic material dating. The method involves extracting lipids from pottery fragments and radiocarbon dating them, providing a more reliable way to classify archaeological sites.
A recent archaeological discovery at a site in Colchester, Vermont, has shed new light on the presence of Native Americans in the region 9,000 years ago. The find includes fragments of Agate Basin points, which were used during the Late Paleoindian period and suggest that people from different regions shared cultural traits.
A digital library is being developed to gather, preserve, and publicize historical and real-time data for archaeologists, humanists, and social scientists. The library will focus on ancient Near Eastern studies and include electronic tools like DigKit and DigBase to collect, record, and share data.
Research suggests that early hominids lived in a more cooperative society than previously thought, with minimal sexual dimorphism and cooperating male behaviors. This challenges the idea of fierce competition among primates and instead reveals a social structure similar to modern humans and chimpanzees.
Researchers found Neandertals did not have long faces, but rather average or slightly reduced facial projection compared to earlier human ancestors. Modern humans' faces are significantly shorter due to evolutionary changes.
Archaeologists have uncovered a large storage bin with numerous seal impressions, indicating the presence of an elite population with special rights and elevated status. The findings suggest widespread trade and cultural exchange between western India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Central Asia during this period.
A team of archaeologists has confirmed the historicity of King Solomon's reign, citing evidence from excavations at Tel Rehov in Israel. The findings, published in Science magazine, provide a strong anchor for dating other sites with similar material culture to the time of the United Monarchy.