Articles tagged with Archeological Sites
New fossil evidence suggests that ancient primates, including Teilhardina brandti, had specialized grooming claws as well as nails. This finding overturns the prevailing assumption that the earliest primates had nails on all their digits and provides crucial insights into their daily behavior and evolutionary story.
A study reanalyzes ages of human remains found at the Anzick site in Montana, resolving a previously discovered discrepancy between Clovis artifacts and human remains. The analysis suggests that Anzick may be the only known example of burial in the Clovis culture.
Researchers have overturned centuries-old thought on the source of ancient turquoise used by Aztec and Mixtec civilizations in Mesoamerica. Geochemical analyses reveal that true geologic source lies within Mesoamerica, not the American Southwest.
A new study provides detailed 3D models of the USS Emmons, a US Navy destroyer that sank in 1945. The mapping technique using multibeam echosounding and photogrammetry will aid in preserving this World War II battle site for future research and education.
Chemical analysis of rat remains from Polynesian islands shows changes humans made to local ecosystems, including native species extinctions and alterations to food webs. The study advances a new method for detecting human transformations of local ecosystems in the past.
A 2.5 metre-deep excavation at Eastland Port uncovered moa bones and stone tools made of obsidian and chert, dating back to the early 1300s.
Researchers used historical aerial imagery and modern airborne laser scanning to locate and contextualize archaeological features in Jerash, Jordan. The study revealed previously unmapped structures and refined the city's water supply system, providing insights into ancient society.
Researchers suggest iron-rich rocks near ancient lake sites on Mars could hold clues to past life, with sedimentary rocks rich in iron and silica being the most promising candidates for fossil preservation. This study aims to aid NASA's next rover mission by identifying the best places to search for evidence of ancient life.
Researchers found that construction of the Grand Caillou mound began around 800 years ago and was abandoned 600 years later, likely due to changes in the river channel. The site's architecture suggests a high level of environmental and engineering expertise among its builders.
Archaeologists from Université libre de Bruxelles uncover an exceptionally well-preserved mummy dating back to 1000-1200 AD at the Pachacamac site, offering insights into Pre-Colombian burial practices. The discovery provides valuable information on the local ancestors' worship and fertility symbols found in the area.
Researchers studied the Grand Caillou mound in coastal Louisiana, uncovering a timeline of natural and human events that shaped its construction and abandonment. The study provides insights into how Native peoples selected their villages' locations, using methods such as sediment coring and radiocarbon dating.
Dr. Catherine Frieman's excavation uncovers intact 4,000-year-old cremation and evidence of unaccountable medieval activity on the same site. The team found a large mound over the burial that existed from prehistory to the middle ages, protecting the center of the barrow.
The study reveals a stunning relation between ceremonial sites and cemeteries, underpinning complex Andean concepts of death and renewal. It was discovered that the site's features can be related to the surrounding landscape, highlighting the importance of Kipia as a local huaca.
A 48,000-year-old Kenyan cave has yielded a treasure trove of ancient items, including crayons and shell beads, that offer new insights into the dawn of modern man. The site's continuous record of human habitation dates back 78,000 years, providing valuable evidence of early Homo sapiens behavior.
Hyneria lindae, a 12-foot ancient fish, had a blunt snout, small eyes, and sensory canals to detect pressure waves. Its well-preserved skeleton provides insights into its ecosystem and the evolution of vertebrates during the Devonian Period.
Research finds current Kyl-Bingaman Amendment limits US satellite imagery resolution, restricting scientific research opportunities in Israel and Palestine. An 'open-skies policy' is recommended to meet international standard of 0.5m.
Researchers found symbolic objects in Hayonim Cave, Israel, characterized by repetitive notches on scapulae and a hyoid of gazelle, suggesting cultural identification of the Levantine Aurignacian culture. The findings provide insights into the origins and spread of this ancient culture.
Archaeologists discovered evidence of ancient Neolithic communities using fungi as tinder to start and transport fires at the La Draga site. Researchers analyzed a unique set of remains, finding six fungal species used for this purpose, including Daedalea quercina and Coriolopsis gallica.
Researchers found charred remains of wild plants and domesticated crops like barley in the burial sites of ancient nomads, suggesting cultural exchange and trade. The discovery provides insights into the diet and food habits of the people belonging to the catacomb culture, dating back to the Bronze Age.
Researchers linked two sites in South Africa to the Toba volcanic eruption, demonstrating that ancestors thrived during the event. Microscopic glass shards found at these sites provide a precise temporal link between activities at one site and another.
Researchers analyzed ancient tools, ornaments, and human remains to find that early Homo sapiens adapted to climate change by staying interconnected. The study found that a vast social network helped these ancestors survive a volcanic eruption 40,000 years ago and potentially inform our response to modern global warming.
Researchers at Leang Burung 2 rock shelter on Sulawesi island discovered archaic cobble-based cores and flakes indicating human occupation at least 50,000 years ago. The findings provide key insights into early human occupation and cultural evolution in the Indonesian region.
A Bronze-Age burial mound in Cornwall has been discovered, dating back 2,000 BC. The site will be excavated to uncover its secrets and shed light on the region's prehistoric past.
Archaeological evidence from P?narba?? and Boncuklu in Turkey suggests indigenous people adopted agriculture on a small scale, possibly for non-economic reasons. The findings indicate the spread of agriculture was not uniform throughout central Anatolia.
A new study provides a comprehensive understanding of paleoenvironments in Kenya's Rift Valley, shedding light on how early humans adapted to rapidly changing landscapes. The research reveals that tectonics and climate played a crucial role in shaping the region's geological history and human evolution.
Three studies highlight significant shifts in climate, tool-making, and trade in East Africa around 300,000 years ago. The region underwent transformations from floodplains to grasslands, driving human mobility, information gathering, and potentially trade.
Researchers found that humans in South Africa flourished during the volcanic winter caused by the Toba super volcano eruption. The study, published in Nature, used cryptotephra analysis to narrow down the time of the event and its impact on human ancestors.
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.
A new study describes a 5.5-million-year-old fossil turtle species from eastern Tennessee, revealing important differences between this species and others. The discovery provides insight into the evolution of turtles, suggesting that many ancient slider species died out without leaving direct descendants.
A team of archaeologists uses LiDAR technology to map a significantly larger area of Ceibal in Guatemala, uncovering over 15,000 ancient Maya architectural remains. The resulting map covers 470 square kilometers and provides a detailed timeline of growth and change at the site.
Researchers from CNRS and Saudi Commission for Tourism and National Heritage have uncovered life-sized dromedary sculptures in northwest Saudi Arabia, dating back to the first centuries BC or AD. The discovery provides significant insights into the evolution of rock art in the Arabian Peninsula.
A mass grave uncovered in Repton, Derbyshire, has been dated to the late 9th century, consistent with the Viking Great Army's presence in England. The graves contain a mix of men and women, including several with signs of violent injury, suggesting a possible ritual burial site.
A recent study on dice reveals that their design changed significantly over time, reflecting shifting worldviews about luck and fairness. Dice were initially lopsided in Roman times and early medieval periods, but standardization emerged around 1450 with the adoption of Renaissance-era ideas about chance and probability.
A new 508-million-year-old bristle worm species from the Burgess Shale has provided key insights into the origin of the head in annelids. The fossil discovery reveals that the annelid head evolved from posterior body segments with pair bundles of hair-sized bristles, a hypothesis supported by developmental biology.
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 team of Uppsala researchers discovered a wealth of previously unknown microscopic animal fossils in Greenland rocks, dating back over half a billion years. The finds reveal a diverse array of soft-bodied organisms that likely made up the majority of ancient ecosystems.
A study analyzing heritage data from the Digital Index of North American Archaeology predicts that sea-level rise will destroy vast numbers of archaeological sites and cultural landscapes in the southeastern US. Over 13,000 recorded sites are at risk, including over 1,000 listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
The discovery of a large defensive ditch at Ebbsfleet, Kent suggests that the site was once a Roman base used to protect Caesar's fleet. The team believes the first landing took place in Pegwell Bay, matching Caesar's own account and consistent with topography clues.
Research reveals high degrees of wealth-based inequality led to unstable ancient societies, contrasting with modern expectations.
Researchers used fossil records to infer a semidesertic environment in the Iberian Peninsula during the middle Miocene. The study analyzed body sizes of mammalian species to reveal a dry climate with high precipitation seasonality.
Researchers discovered chemical evidence of grape wine in Georgia as early as 5400-5000 BC, and radiocarbon age determinations confirm Neolithic hunter-gatherers innovated viniculture around 5800-6000 BC. The study also found abundant grapes in the region during this period, highlighting deep historical roots of Georgian wine culture.
A new study reveals nearly 500 finger and toe bones belonging to tiny early primates, some as small as a mustard seed, dating back 45 million years. The fossils, representing nine different taxonomic families of primates, provide evidence that early anthropoids were minuscule creatures.
The USF team uses 3D imaging and photogrammetry techniques to preserve historic sites like Castillo de San Marcos and Fort Matanzas. The project aims to document the forts' histories and cultural influences, strengthening management and conservation efforts.
A new report found that field site directors who fail to establish clear ground rules are more likely to tolerate or engage in harassment. The study also highlights the importance of positive leadership, mutual support, and inclusion for creating a safe work environment.
Archaeologists discovered ancient Egyptian-like plant impressions indicating that prehistoric peoples in the Butana Group were cultivating wild sorghum until it was genetically altered into a domesticated form. This finding pushes back the process for domesticating summer rainfall cereals by over a thousand years.
Researchers have demonstrated how aerial thermography is transforming archaeology by introducing a new realm of possibilities for collecting site data. The study showcases the potential of this methodology to reveal archaeological features, detect hidden structures, and analyze environmental conditions.
Researchers have identified a new species of prehistoric crocodile, Deltasuchus motherali, from a fossil site in north central Texas. The species, which lived around 95 million years ago, is estimated to have grown up to 20 feet long and ate a wide variety of prey, including turtles and dinosaurs.
Researchers developed a peptide mass fingerprint technique to identify whale species from old baleen samples too degraded for microscopy. The method accurately identified 10 species of whales and helped archaeologists understand which species prehistoric groups hunted and how resources were used.
Researchers from University of Helsinki explore pre-colonial geometric earthworks in southwestern Amazonia, finding them to be important ritual spaces where indigenous peoples communicated with environmental beings. The study highlights the interconnectedness of human life with nature and the significance of these sites as sacred places.
A vast ancient trading network operating in Vietnam from 4,500 to 3,000 years ago has been uncovered by archaeologists. The network included specialist tool-makers and technological knowledge, with items manufactured and circulated over hundreds of kilometres.
A 3,000-year-old female statue was discovered at the Tayinat archaeological site in Turkey, measuring over 1 meter long and 0.7 meters wide. The statue features intricate carvings and is believed to represent a prominent matriarchal figure, possibly Kubaba or Kupapiyas, wife of King Suppiluliuma.
The study reveals that communities with strong co-operation largely belonged to the same archaeological culture, providing a novel method for independent evaluation of the archaeological record. The researchers used modularity analysis on a comprehensive database of copper artefacts from the Balkans, dated from 6200 BC to 3200 BC.
A recent fossil site discovery reveals that low oxygen levels during the Early Jurassic led to a stressed marine ecosystem, with only a few species surviving. The study tracks how this event impacted local communities, including a collapse of fish populations and changes in species composition.
A recent study found that domesticated cats descend from the African wildcat or Felis silvestris lybica subspecies. The origins of cat domestication are attributed to the Near East and ancient Egypt around 10,000 years ago, where farmers welcomed wildcats to control rodents.
Researchers at the Weizmann Institute of Science used advanced radiocarbon dating methods to determine the age of a massive stone tower in Jerusalem. The new date, around 800-900 BCE, is nearly 1,000 years younger than the previously assigned date of 1700 BCE and moves the construction of the tower to the Iron Age.
Fossil evidence reveals a previously unknown east-west migration route for some mammals across North America, challenging previous hypotheses. Researchers propose that sea otters and potentially other animals traversed the northern edge of the Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt to reach California from Florida.
The discovery of ancient Homo sapiens fossils in Morocco pushes back the origins of our species by 100,000 years. The fossils, dated to around 300,000 years ago, reveal a modern-looking face and teeth, but an archaic braincase shape.
Archaeologists discover a 14-16 year old with bone cancer from the pre-Colombian settlement Cerro Brujo, Panama, dated around 1300 AD. The individual was buried in a fetal position with clay pots and a shell trumpet, indicating a ritual burial.
The publication of rare species' location data can inadvertently contribute to poaching and further species declines. Biologists must reevaluate their publishing culture to protect endangered species.