Articles tagged with Archeological Sites
Researchers found evidence of intentional post-mortem modifications to human remains, including fractures and scrapes, at a cave in southern Spain. These alterations suggest that the ancient humans reused and repurposed their own burial sites for practical purposes.
A study of a European pond turtle found in an ancient Polish grave provides insights into the Wielbark culture burial custom. The analysis reveals that turtles likely entered the graves after burial, contradicting previous theories of their role in rituals.
A team of archaeologists has found evidence of intentionally crafted limestone spheroids at the Ubeidiya site, dating back 1.4 million years. The discovery challenges existing beliefs about early hominin capabilities and technological achievements, suggesting a desire for symmetrical shapes in stone.
Researchers from Kyushu University discovered intentional cranial modification among the Hirota people on Tanegashima island, characterized by a flattened back of the skull. The practice, which predates written history, was likely used to signify group affiliation and preserve social status.
A study analyzing genomic data from 34 fossils, including the famous sambaquis shell mounds, found that Luzio, São Paulo's oldest skeleton, was a descendant of the ancestral population that settled the Americas at least 16,000 years ago. The research also revealed differences between coastal and inland communities, suggesting two disti...
Researchers suggest using geoarchaeological tools to study human migration in space, with a focus on preserving material records on the moon and Mars. The study aims to address concerns about accidental crashes and limited protections for space heritage.
A study found that ancient kurgans in the Eurasian steppes can preserve steppe grasslands and biodiversity due to their cultural significance. The presence of spiritual and cultural values on these sites increases the chance of grassland presence, comparable to protected areas.
Researchers have identified finger-marks on a cave wall in France as the oldest known Neanderthal engravings, dating back to around 75,000 years ago. The marks were made using a plotting analysis and photogrammetry to create 3D models, confirming that they are deliberate, organized shapes created by human hands.
Researchers discovered evidence of scarlet macaw breeding in Old Town, New Mexico, dating back to the early 1100s. The findings suggest that macaw breeding was occurring north of its known range and may shed light on the practice of breeding and keeping these birds in the Americas.
Researchers found 7 aerophones made from bird bones at the Eynan-Mallaha site, dating back to circa 12,000 years ago. The flutes imitate raptor calls, similar to those of kestrel and sparrowhawk birds hunted by Natufian people.
The 'Surviving the Crisis Years' project aims to uncover why communities in southern Georgia were more resilient during the Bronze Age-Iron Age transition. The team will excavate a fortress site and analyze artefacts, animal remains, and social structures to understand this phenomenon.
The study reveals significant declines in fish species, particularly sharks and rays, linked to human impacts. Archaeological analysis provides insight into lost environments and informs conservation baselines.
Researchers uncovered traces of Giardia duodenalis, a common cause of debilitating diarrhoea, in two Jerusalem latrines dating back to the biblical Kingdom of Judah. The study suggests dysentery was endemic in the Kingdom of Judah.
A study of skeletal remains from 19th-century England found high incidences of growth delays, vitamin deficiencies, and respiratory disease among child laborers. The analysis suggests low-protein diets and harsh working conditions led to the health consequences.
Researchers have uncovered the oldest known architectural plans of human-made mega structures, dated to between 7,000 and 8,000 years ago. These engravings depict desert kites used to trap wild animals, showcasing a milestone in intelligent behavior and spatial representation.
A new study found that early human ancestors adapted to diverse food resources and mosaic landscapes, which increased their resilience to climate changes. The researchers analyzed over 3,000 fossil specimens and archeological sites, revealing a preference for biomes with high plant and animal diversity.
Scientists have used sub-surface imaging and aerial surveys to uncover the Red Lily Lagoon area in West Arnhem Land, revealing significant implications for understanding the First Australians. The study provides a new way to understand the rock art in the region, which is recognized globally for its significance and distinctive style.
A new study reveals that the earliest Sapiens migrated to Europe in three distinct waves, sharing cultural traditions with ancient Lebanese and French artifacts. The findings challenge previous assumptions about human arrival in Europe and provide insight into the gradual replacement of Neanderthals.
The Ortiz site in Cabo Rojo, Puerto Rico, has yielded five adult human remains with ages dating back to 1800BC, challenging simplistic assumptions about ancient culture. The mortuary practices and Strontium isotope analysis suggest standard burial practices over many centuries.
Conclusive evidence of chicken breeding in the Yayoi period of Japan has been discovered at the Karako-Kagi site. The study found that chickens were bred in the area during the middle Yayoi period, around 381-204 BCE, providing clear evidence that breeding occurred on the Japanese archipelago.
A study published in PLOS ONE warns of the dangers of coastal erosion on Libya's Cyrenaican coast, where numerous important archaeological sites are at risk. The research highlights increasing rates of erosion linked to human activities and climate change, emphasizing the need for detailed management and mitigation plans.
Researchers develop innovative method to analyze ancient bones, making collagen quantifiable and mapping possible. This technique supports the selection of samples for radiocarbon analysis, preserving valuable material and reducing destruction.
A revolutionary investigation has shed light on pioneering female migrants who arrived in Orkney during the Bronze Age. Ancient DNA analysis revealed a major influx of non-local people, dominated by women, challenging previous assumptions about the archipelago's influence during this period.
A recent study published in Science reveals that domestic horses transformed human life in North America following their reintroduction. The research used archaeological materials, historical sources, and Indigenous knowledge to understand when, why, and how horses were integrated into Native Nations' lifeways.
Researchers used a new method to analyze temperature records stored in bacteria, revealing surprisingly stable temperatures in the Tanana Valley over 14,000 years. This finding challenges previous assumptions about climate fluctuations and their impact on early human migrations.
Researchers found previously unknown interactions among people in southern Africa between the 5th and 20th centuries, revealing a complex network of cultural exchange. The study used geochemical analyses on copper objects to reconstruct connectivity across the region, providing new insights into the history of the area.
Archaeologists have discovered evidence of ritualistic belief and economic factors intertwined for Neolithic people in northwest Arabia. Excavations at a mustatil east of AlUla revealed animal offerings, human interment, and suggest repeated pilgrimages, challenging previous understandings of the region's culture.
Researchers analyzed ancient Wari pottery to understand how the empire spread its aesthetic. They found that potters across the empire created their own ceramics, decorated in traditional Wari style, with distinct chemical signatures from different regions. This bottom-up approach highlights local agency and economies' importance.
A study published in PLOS ONE analyzed a Bronze Age debris deposit in Mycenae, Greece, revealing the types of animals that lived there and how they were used as a source of subsistence. The analysis of animal remains and associated artifacts provides clues to the social dynamics of ancient settlements and responses to natural disasters.
Researchers at the University of Colorado Boulder reenacted an ancient trek using logs on their heads, inspired by sherpas in Nepal. The team found that simple devices called tumplines enabled them to carry heavy loads over longer distances without getting fatigued.
A study published in PLOS ONE reveals that two elite brothers from Late Bronze Megiddo, Israel, had access to trephination, a rare brain surgery procedure, around 1500 BC. The brothers' tomb contained evidence of chronic disease and advanced bone lesions, suggesting they survived due to their wealth and status.
The new Radiocarbon 3.0 method provides valuable new insights into the earliest human history, starting with the interaction between Homo Sapiens and Neanderthals in Europe. This is achieved through updated radiocarbon pretreatment, latest AMS instrumental advances, and the application of the Bayesian model coupled with the new IntCal20.
The Manis bone projectile point is the oldest known weapon made from bone, dated to 13,900 years, and provides direct evidence of mastodon hunting in the Americas. Researchers used CT scans and 3D software to isolate and assemble the bone fragments, revealing a spear point made from mastodon bone.
Researchers analyzed cremated bone fragments from burial mounds in Derbyshire, UK, finding evidence that Vikings crossed the North Sea with animals from Scandinavia. The study suggests that most likely, they were travelling alongside humans on ships.
Neanderthals at Combe-Grenal consistently preferred to hunt in open tundra-like habitats, unaffected by climatic changes over many millennia. The study's findings provide insights into the subsistence strategies of Neanderthal populations and their adaptability to environmental shifts.
A study of 10 mummified crocodile remains discovered in an undisturbed tomb at Qubbat al-Hawā offers new insights into pre-Ptolemaic mummification practices. The unique preservation style suggests a different approach to carcass evisceration and resin use compared to other archaeological sites.
Researchers at Linköping University found that climate fluctuations and agriculture coincided with the rise and fall of Persian Empires in southeastern Iran. The study suggests that climate played a crucial role in shaping these civilizations.
A new study on ancient Scandinavian genomes reveals a surprising increase in variation during the Viking period, indicating intense gene flow from eastern Baltic region, British-Irish Isles, and southern Europe. The gene pool bounced back after the Viking period, with northern Scandinavian gene pool showing a rare genetic component.
A new study suggests that the Maya people utilized market-based economies in the midwestern Guatemalan highlands over 500 years ago. The research found that local people managed access to nearby obsidian sources and developed independent acquisition networks, similar to contemporary market-based economies.
A new study analyzes 48 ancient human genomes and over 16,500 modern Scandinavian genomes to reconstruct the region's genetic history. The research shows that ancestries introduced during the Viking period later declined, suggesting ancient immigrants contributed proportionately less to the modern gene pool.
Researchers discovered 13 full and fragmentary projectile points in Idaho dating back to around 15,700 years ago, providing significant details about early human life in the Pacific Northwest. The findings suggest a complex technology and potential genetic-cultural connections between ice age peoples of Northeast Asia and North America.
Researchers are conducting on-site surveys and generating high-resolution damage maps for 20-square-mile region affected by the Category 4 storm. The goal is to inform protection efforts and help communities recover from the disaster.
A new study has shed light on the lost medieval chapel of St Erasmus at Westminster Abbey, revealing its role as a royal burial site and its connection to the cult of a disembowelled saint. The chapel, demolished in 1502, is believed to have held relics, including a single tooth, and featured gruesome images of the saint's martyrdom.
Researchers found that food hardness and tool size do not always correlate as closely as thought. Cultural learning plays a significant role in the tool choice of bearded capuchin monkeys, with some populations using disproportionately heavy tools for certain foods.
An international team of researchers found evidence of cooked fish remains at the Gesher Benot Ya'aqov archaeological site in Israel, dating back approximately 780,000 years. This discovery predates previous knowledge by about 600,000 years and sheds light on the evolution of cooking techniques.
Research by a University of Texas at Austin doctoral candidate reveals that some American parrot remains may have been captured locally rather than imported from Mexico. The study suggests that the ecology of the past can be different from today's, and natural history collections are essential for research.
A joint study by TAU and Hebrew University accurately dated 21 destruction layers at 17 archaeological sites in Israel, using geomagnetic field reconstruction. The new data verify Biblical accounts of Egyptian, Aramean, Assyrian, and Babylonian military campaigns against the Kingdoms of Israel and Judah.
A research team at Kumamoto University has identified the separation of Japanese cockroaches in ancient pottery, dating back over 5,000 years. The study found that the smokybrown cockroach was native to western Japan and the Yamato cockroach was native to eastern Japan.
Researchers found chlorobenzenes in a corroded Roman bowl dated to the Late Iron Age, which may pose a threat to archaeological preservation due to pollution in soil. Soil polluted with chlorobenzenes can lead to increased corrosion and damage to ancient artifacts.
A recently discovered shrine at the Berenike site in Egypt's Eastern desert has provided unprecedented discoveries linked to the presence of the Blemmyes, a nomadic people. The Falcon Shrine contains offerings such as harpoons and cube-shaped statues, as well as a stele with indications related to religious activities.
New research shows that Viking beadmakers in Denmark used sophisticated methods to upcycle old Roman glass mosaics into glass beads. The findings reveal a circular economy approach, where glassmakers reused valuable materials to reduce waste and conserve resources.
A team from Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz discovered a settlement adjacent to the caliph's palace, showing it was inhabited by Christians or Jews before its construction. The excavation revealed ancient mosaics, a water cistern, and stone structures made of basalt, providing new insights into the area's history.
Researchers discovered that ancient Maya cities in Mesoamerica were heavily polluted with mercury, contaminating the soil and water. The pollution was caused by the frequent use of mercury and cinnabar paints, powders, and other products, which leached into the environment and pose a potential health hazard today.
A recent genetic study has found that three-quarters of the Early Medieval population in Eastern England was comprised of migrants originating from Continental regions bordering the North Sea. These migrants intermarried with local populations, but integration varied greatly from region to region.
A joint study by the Israel Antiquities Authority, Tel Aviv University, and the Weizmann Institute of Science has revealed the world's earliest known evidence of opium use in the Late Bronze Age. Eight ceramic vessels containing opium residue were found in Canaanite graves at Tel Yehud.
Research at Abu Hureyra, Syria, suggests that hunter-gatherers may have tended small numbers of animals outside their dwellings between 12,800 and 12,300 years ago. This finding challenges the widely held view that crop cultivation began first.
A team of scientists discovered the earliest gibbon fossil, dating back to 7-8 million years ago, in southwestern China. The find enhances our understanding of the evolution of hylobatids and their close relationship to modern-day gibbons.
Recent excavations at Româneşti, western Romania, provide insights into the adaptation and craftsmanship of early Homo sapiens around 40 thousand years ago. The site yielded standardized chipped stone bladelets and grindstones suggesting a projectile workshop.
Researchers analyzed 306-million-year-old fossilized animal feces and found biomolecular information about long-extinct diets. The study revealed that an unidentifiable extinct animal was a meat-eater or on a predominantly carnivorous diet, with high proportions of cholesterol-derived molecules and a lack of plant-derived biomarkers.
Researchers studied dietary patterns and offerings at a Roman necropolis, uncovering insights into Western Roman Empire's food culture. The study used anthropological and archaeozoological approaches to analyze ancient Roman cuisine and funerary practices.