Articles tagged with Archeology
A team of researchers conducted in-depth chemical analysis on three medieval bronze doors created by Barisanus of Trani. The study revealed that one door is the oldest and provided insights into its construction methods, showcasing the skill and expertise of medieval craftsmen.
Researchers analyzed pottery production and circulation to identify border dynamics between El Argar and neighboring groups. The study reveals asymmetrical relations between the core area of El Argar and its neighbors, with the latter maintaining less centralized social structures.
Researchers at Cleveland Museum of Natural History propose that early humans used naturally sharp rocks as cutting tools before developing their own stone technology. This new hypothesis challenges current understanding of the origin of stone knapping, suggesting a more extensive use of natural resources than previously thought.
The research reveals that Neanderthals and Homo sapiens coexisted and shared aspects of daily life, technology, and burial customs. These interactions fostered cultural exchange, social complexity, and behavioral innovations.
A team of archaeologists and Indigenous scholars calls on museums to better care for animal remains, recognizing power imbalances and respecting Native American traditions. The approach emphasizes self-reflection, lifelong learning, and partnering with Indigenous groups to rethink catalogue, storage, and display methods.
Researchers discovered a collection of 27 fossilized bones with shaped into hand tools 1.5 million years ago by early human ancestors. This find suggests that hominins had an advanced understanding of toolmaking, adapting techniques to different materials, indicating greater cognitive skills.
Researchers have discovered fossilized eggs from three feathered bird-like dinosaurs, two herbivorous dinosaurs, and a previously unknown crocodile-like species in the Cedar Mountain Formation. The findings provide valuable insights into the diversity of ancient life forms and their habitats.
Researchers at Ateneo de Manila University discover evidence of advanced seafaring and boatbuilding in the Philippines and Island Southeast Asia dating back to around 40,000 years ago. Microscopic analysis of stone tools reveals clear traces of plant processing, indicating a high level of technological sophistication.
Researchers discovered signs of human remains being manipulated and dissected, indicating cannibalism among Late Ice Age societies in Central Europe. The findings suggest that cannibalism may have occurred due to conflicts over resources or territories, rather than necessity.
Archaeologists and designers collaborated to recreate five historical outfits based on Faras Cathedral wall paintings. The reconstructed garments featured traditional dyeing techniques and natural pigments, showcasing the cultural heritage of medieval Nubia.
Researchers found evidence of human-caused lead pollution in the Aegean Sea around 5,200 years ago, with a significant increase occurring during the Roman Empire's expansion. This finding pushes back previous estimates by approximately 1,200 years.
A newly discovered papyrus from Israel provides direct insight into Roman jurisdiction and legal practice. The document details a spectacular criminal case involving forgery, tax evasion, and the fraudulent sale and manumission of slaves in the Roman provinces of Iudaea and Arabia.
A new study assesses the historical knowledge of AI chatbots like ChatGPT-4 and finds they struggle with nuanced, PhD-level inquiry. The models performed best on legal systems and social complexity but struggled with topics such as discrimination and social mobility.
A newly discovered Tetrarchic boundary stone provides valuable historical insights into the sweeping tax reforms of Roman Emperor Diocletian. The inscription mentions two previously unknown village names, a new imperial surveyor, and reflects the socio-economic dynamics during the Tetrarchy period.
The University of North Florida will establish a three-year Archivist-in-Training program with a $350K grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities. Thirty UNF students will receive paid internships to preserve historical collections, including African American history and oral histories, in Northeast Florida.
A study published in PLOS ONE investigates how early hominins selected rocks for toolmaking between 1.6-1.0 million years ago in the Ethiopian highlands. The research demonstrates that early humans made informed decisions based on factors like durability and efficiency, providing new insights into their technological behaviors.
A new study combines science and history to uncover new insights into Greco-Roman medical practices. Researchers recreated Galen's 2nd-century CE dissections, clarifying discrepancies in the text and shedding light on the enduring influence of ancient medicine on modern thought.
A new map reveals unique 'geologic fingerprints' across most of the African continent, enabling researchers to match artifacts and remains with their likely region of origin. The tool is particularly valuable for understanding human migration patterns, modern wildlife trafficking, and the history of the transatlantic slave trade.
A recent study introduces a new computational approach to analyze architectural remains, uncovering insights that qualitative methods might overlook, including quantification of defined angles in structures as early as the Natufian period. The research highlights architectural diversity during the Natufian and early Neolithic period, s...
Archaeologists have found evidence of mass violence and cannibalism at the Early Bronze Age site of Charterhouse Warren in England. The discovery of over 3,000 human bones suggests that the people were massacred, butchered, and partly consumed by enemies to dehumanize them.
New research from Flinders University suggests the Zuytdorp shipwreck was caused by a storm, not poor navigation. The authors analyzed historical records and weather patterns to support their findings.
The study reveals a high degree of technical mastery in the use of animal tendons, reed wood, and birch bark pitch to create bows and arrows. The findings shed new light on Neolithic archery techniques and materials in Europe.
A genetic study of the beaked hazelnut reveals that ancient Indigenous peoples cultivated and traded this plant across British Columbia. The research challenges settler-colonial narratives by establishing a large-scale cultivation network dating back 7,000 years.
A new study led by University of Arizona researcher François Lanoë reveals that Indigenous people in the Americas interacted with early dogs and wolves as far back as 12,000 years ago. The discovery sheds light on how long humans have had relationships with the ancestors of today's dogs.
Researchers studied ancient texts to understand how people in ancient Mesopotamia experienced emotions in their bodies. They found similarities with modern bodily maps, but also contrasting results, such as feelings of happiness being associated with the liver and feet, unlike modern humans who experience it in the hands.
A new research collaboration between the K’ómoks First Nation and Simon Fraser University highlights how Indigenous cultural heritage policies can protect archaeological sites threatened by development. The study found that the K’ómoks First Nation’s Cultural Heritage Policy provides a pathway to reconciliation and greater certainty fo...
Researchers developed a new hydrogel that quickly neutralizes harmful acids and stabilizes waterlogged wood from shipwrecks. The gel is designed to disperse acid- and microbe-fighting compounds through the wood, gradually dissolving over time to avoid surface damage.
Brazilian scientists have discovered ancient maize specimens in caves that exhibit primitive traits similar to those of the ancestral plant from Mexico, where domestication began. The findings support the theory that domestication may also occurred in South America.
North American Early Paleoindians utilized bones of canids, felids, and hares to create bone needles in modern-day Wyoming. This innovative technique potentially enabled the production of tailored fur garments, facilitating their dispersal into colder climates around 13,000 years ago.
A team of researchers from over 5 countries found a Neanderthal structure in Vanguard Cave, Gibraltar, that matches theoretical studies on anoxic heating. The discovery suggests Neanderthals had advanced cognitive abilities, including organization and practice to extract resin.
A recent study found that Viking colonizers of the Faroe Islands and Iceland came from different Scandinavian populations. The researchers analyzed genetic samples from 139 men and compared them to samples from Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Iceland, and Ireland, revealing a 'founder effect' that persists in today's male populations.
Researchers found that ancient rock painting sites by water generated strong echoes that could be heard by people approaching the site. The echoes allowed prehistoric hunter-gatherers to perceive their surroundings in a unique sensory environment. This discovery sheds light on the importance of sound reflections in past societies.
Researchers analyzed ceramic fragments of husking trays to identify their use as specialized containers for baking cereal-based doughs. The study provides clear evidence regarding the uses of these artifacts and the nature of the foods processed in them.
Researchers at Penn State found that Indigenous communities played key roles in the adoption and dispersal of peaches across the continent. Peaches were likely widespread across Interior Southeast settlements as early as 1620, 100 years after Spanish expeditions in Florida and Georgia.
Researchers analyzed the House of the Greek Epigrams in Pompeii using VR-based eye tracking and GIS. They found that varying light conditions and dynamic movement affected participants' relationship with artworks. The study reveals a complex visual palimpsest made up of moving views, interconnected journeys, and comings and goings.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins University discovered clay cylinders with alphabetic writing from around 2400 BCE, upending previous knowledge of alphabet origins. The find suggests that people were experimenting with new communication technologies earlier than thought.
A USF study has confirmed the existence of hallucinogenic cocktails in ancient Egyptian fertility rituals, using a Bes mug as evidence. The concoction, flavored with honey and other ingredients, was likely used to induce dream-vision in magic rituals reenacting Egyptian myths.
A study published in PLOS ONE suggests that 12,000-year-old stones from Israel may have been used as spindle whorls to turn fibers into yarn, representing a key milestone in the development of rotational tools including wheels. The stones feature a circular shape with a central hole, allowing them to rotate faster and more efficiently.
Researchers from LSU and the University of Texas at Tyler excavated the earliest ancient Maya salt works in southern Belize, revealing a small salt-making site with ties to nearby communities. The discovery provides insight into the local enterprise and trade connections of the ancient Maya during the Early Classic period.
The MEMELAND project will analyze sediments and soil in lakes across Europe to reveal how medieval farming shaped today's landscapes and biodiversity. The study aims to protect northern Europe's essential biodiversity by understanding the environmental changes that occurred during this period.
Researchers discovered ancient plaquettes depicting net-based fishing methods in the Magdalenian site of Gönnersdorf, Germany. The findings provide insights into Upper Paleolithic fishing practices not previously known.
Researchers from the University of Bologna identified correlations between ancient cylinder seal designs and proto-cuneiform signs in southern Iraq. The study, published in Antiquity, sheds light on the birth of writing and may help decipher unknown signs.
A study of human skeletal remains from the Tudor warship Mary Rose reveals that handedness may influence clavicle bone chemistry as people age. The analysis found increased mineral content and decreased protein content in right clavicles compared to left, suggesting repeated stress on the right side during activities like sailing.
The ancient town of al-Natah in northern Arabia provides insights into early urbanization, characterized by a central district, residential districts, and protective ramparts. The site represents a transitional stage between mobile pastoralism and complex urban settlements, with estimated 500 residents.
The National Endowment for the Humanities has awarded a Preservation Assistance Grant to Texas A&M University's Anthropology Research Collections. The grant will help protect and improve access to the university's anthropological and archaeological materials, while also providing new learning opportunities for graduate students.
Research led by Penn State scientists found that indigenous hunter-gatherer practices played a key role in seed dispersal and genetic diversity of native plants. The study challenged the conventional notion of agriculture and suggested humans impacted plant populations long before farming began.
Fossilized enantiornithine birds from the Hell Creek Formation exhibit powerful leg muscles and feet adapted for carrying heavy prey, similar to modern raptorial birds. These discoveries expand our understanding of Late Cretaceous bird diversity and evolution.
A new study in PLOS ONE reports on the contents of 25 coastal and underwater cave sites in southern Sicily, uncovering three new sites with potentially important archaeological sediments. The findings provide key data for understanding the early expansion of Homo sapiens into the Mediterranean.
A new study reconstructs cave conditions in Tam Pà Ling, Laos, identifying human activities and environmental changes over 52,000 years. The findings suggest that early Homo sapiens fossils were deposited in the cave during periods of heavy rainfall, with possible forest fires or human use of fire nearby.
Researchers at SWPS University recreated five outfits from the murals of the Faras Cathedral, shedding light on the evolution of royal and clerical attire in medieval Nubia. The study highlights the blend of Byzantine and Muslim influences, as well as the practical considerations of garment construction and dyeing.
Ancient DNA analysis reveals the Viking Age trade routes of walrus ivory, confirming early encounters between European Norse and North American Indigenous peoples. Genetic fingerprinting identified specific Arctic hunting grounds as the source of traded ivory.
Researchers found that horseback riding can subtly alter the shape of the hip joint, but these changes are not definitive proof of horse domestication. Human remains from various time periods show similar skeletal changes due to other activities, casting doubt on the Kurgan hypothesis.
The study found a close correspondence between high levels of stress and disease in Indigenous populations and elevated immunoglobulins and C-reactive protein in their teeth. This new method provides a record of a person's health status from birth to early adulthood, offering valuable insights into past human experiences.
New research reveals ancient dingo fossils are most similar to Japanese dogs, 'singing dogs' of New Guinea, and highland wild dog of Irian Jaya. Modern dingoes have evolved to become larger and leaner over 3,000 years.
A study published in Journal of Anthropological Archaeology reveals that interpersonal violence was more common in Norway, with higher rates of trauma on skeletons and the presence of weaponry. In contrast, Denmark experienced more controlled violence linked to official executions.
Early humans likely used planted pike hunting techniques to bring down megafauna, such as mammoths and mastodons, around 13,000 years ago. Researchers found that spears tipped with razor-sharp rocks called Clovis points were not the primary tool for hunting large game.
A team of archaeologists uncovered an elite grave in Dornod Province, Mongolia, dating back to the pre-Mongol period. The find provides crucial insights into local communities' networks and organization during a period marked by post-imperial destabilization and intense political competition.
Researchers at George Washington University found that fossil hotspots in eastern Africa, such as the East African Rift System, bias our understanding of human evolution due to their limited geographic representation. The study suggests that scientists must take this bias into account when interpreting early human history and recommend...
Pinnacle Point, a cave system in South Africa, has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site due to its significance in understanding the origins of modern humans. The site has yielded important insights into human evolution and adaptation, particularly in relation to the sea.
Researchers believe a hydraulic lift system could have been used to raise and lower building stones, while water treatment facilities would have filtered sediment from the water. The discovery provides new insights into the construction of ancient Egyptian pyramids.