Articles tagged with Archeology
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.
A previously unidentified marine reptile fossil from Svalbard has been classified using X-ray analysis, providing unique insights into ancient life in the Norwegian archipelago. The study's findings suggest that fossils from this formation are particularly well-suited for radiographic imaging due to the presence of sulfur minerals.
Scientists found ceramic artefacts with wine residues from a Spanish olive jar dated between 1490-1520 AD on Isla de Mona, Puerto Rico. This discovery suggests that European wine was consumed by both Europeans and indigenous people shortly after the arrival of Spanish colonists.
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.
The study analyzed 45 copper objects from Northern Central Europe and Southern Scandinavia, revealing changes in distribution networks across prehistoric Europe. The findings suggest that copper artefacts originated primarily from southeast Europe before 3500 BC, with later sources including the Eastern Alps and British Isles.
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.
A new machine learning model can automatically translate Akkadian text written in cuneiform into English, with the first version using Latin transliteration achieving satisfactory results. The program is effective for translating short sentences and can be used as part of a human-machine collaboration to correct and refine its output.
Research at University of York and Tel Aviv University uncovers white grape variety, potentially oldest documented globally, hinting at sweet white wine's history in desert conditions. Genetic analysis links ancient seeds to modern varieties still grown around Mediterranean today.
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.
A team of researchers analyzed stone artefacts from Vanuatu, Solomon Islands, and Caroline Islands to understand relationship between western Pacific Polynesian societies. Geochemical analysis revealed six adzes sourced from a single fortified quarry complex in American Samoa, indicating long-distance mobility.
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.
Researchers analyzed six sealed copper alloy animal coffins using neutron tomography, identifying bones, textiles, and lead fragments that shed light on ancient Egyptian mummification techniques and ritual purposes.
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 team of international researchers has uncovered a more complex history of early horses in North America, suggesting they may have spread faster and earlier than previously thought. The study, published in Science, used archaeozoology, DNA sequencing, and Indigenous oral traditions to find that Native American communities were likely ...
A major conference will discuss the human cost of heritage loss due to climate change and explore how behavioural science can inform choices about what should be saved. International scholars and policy experts will examine how to measure the impact of Loss and Damage on coastal heritage.
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 found that cities in Mesoamerica with collective forms of governance, infrastructural investments, and collaboration tended to remain important for a thousand years or more. Early efforts to construct dense residential spaces and central plazas were key factors in sustainability.
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.
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.
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.
Archaeologists have discovered the earliest example of angular notched trephination, a type of cranial surgery, in the Ancient Near East. The discovery, made at Megiddo, Israel, suggests that one brother may have had leprosy, making them potentially among the earliest documented examples of the disease.
Neanderthals deliberately hunted down and slaughtered European straight-tusked elephants over 125,000 years ago, providing a significant source of nutrition. The study reveals that Neanderthals came together in larger social groups than previously assumed, with adult male individuals being overrepresented in the assemblage.
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.
Researchers discovered 'dhaka' pits that stored surface and ground water for the city, managing a stable supply during dry periods. The ancient civilization's innovative approach to water management may offer valuable lessons for modern societies.
The 'Golden boy' mummy is a 2,300-year-old undisturbed body equipped with 49 amulets of 21 different types, including golden and semiprecious stones. CT scans reveal these amulets were placed to protect the body and give it vitality in the afterlife.
A new study by a Penn State-led research team found that the intensification of crop use led to changes in age-independent mortality rates in pre-colonial North America. The first stage of agricultural intensification coincided with lower age-independent mortality, while the second stage was associated with a rise in it.
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.
A recent study published in PLOS ONE reveals the discovery of 92 fossilized egg nests belonging to titanosaurs, some of India's largest dinosaurs. The finds provide insights into the reproductive habits and nesting behaviors of these prehistoric creatures, shedding light on their lives shortly before they went extinct.
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.
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.
A new study links drought spells to the intensification of raiding activity by Hunnic peoples, who responded to climate stress by adopting new strategies and changing their social organization. The research suggests that extreme drought in the Carpathian Basin contributed to the fall of the Roman Empire.
An international survey of 419 early-career archaeologists found that only 21% believe they will find a permanent position, while 84% suffer from stress due to lack of career prospects. Despite this, many remain passionate about academia and value structured transition from graduate to permanent staff.
A team of scientists found that small communities in Central Asia produced and supplied one-third of the tin found on a 3,000-year-old shipwreck. The tin was then traded to markets around the Mediterranean to make bronze metal.
A new diapsid reptile species has been discovered in Oklahoma with evidence of dental pathology, providing insights into its biology and evolution. The fossil, dated to the early Permian period, was analyzed using neutron tomography and revealed abnormalities in its teeth.
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.
A study using DNA analysis of a sacrificial spider monkey at Teotihuacàn, Mexico, reveals the earliest evidence of primate captivity and translocation in the Americas. The research provides insight into ancient trade networks and suggests that the spider monkey was a diplomatic gift between Teotihuacàn and the Maya civilization.
A new analysis confirms that ancient Roman coins featuring the portrait of 'Sponsian' are genuine, suggesting he was a real leader who ruled Roman Dacia in the 260s CE. The study used advanced microscopy and spectroscopy techniques to analyze the coins and uncover evidence of their authenticity.
A new study suggests that human activities such as burning forests for introduced grazing species led to the disappearance of Madagascar's large animals. The researchers found a drastic increase in charcoal and domesticated species like zebu cattle around 1,000 years ago, coinciding with the extinction of megafauna.
Researchers found the skeletal remains of a 5-8 year old spider monkey in Teotihuacán, Mexico, which provides the earliest evidence of primate captivity and translocation. The discovery also reveals gift diplomacy between Teotihuacán and Mayan elite, challenging previous beliefs about Maya presence in the region.
A new study disputes the evidence of ancient human footprints in North America, suggesting they may be thousands of years older than claimed. The dating method used relies on aquatic plant seeds, which absorb carbon from water rather than the atmosphere, potentially giving age estimates that are much older than the plants themselves.
A new ancient whale genus has been discovered in Morocco, dating back to around 40 million years ago. The species likely employed manatee-like swimming and feeding habits.
The study of Bronze Age Politiko-Troullia in Cyprus reveals farming practices for sheep and cattle. Analysis of animal isotopes indicates communal feasting on wild game like deer and pigs during special occasions.
A 17th century child mummy was found to be malnourished and sick with pneumonia, despite being born into a powerful aristocratic family. The virtual autopsy revealed that the child's soft tissue showed signs of obesity, but his bones indicated severe rickets or scurvy due to lack of sunlight exposure.
A study of the Skaftö wreck's cargo has provided new insights into 15th century trade routes. The research team mapped the origins of its cargo, including copper mined in Slovakia and Poland, and quicklime from Gotland, indicating that the ship took on cargo in Gdańsk before heading to Western Europe.
Fossils of ostrich-like dinosaurs from Mississippi provide valuable insights into the diversity and distribution of North American ornithomimosaurs. The discovery reveals that these dinosaurs lived side-by-side with multiple species, including giant body sizes weighing over 800kg.
A study published in PLOS ONE found that high-status individuals in medieval Norway had higher bone mineral density and were taller than those from lower socio-economic backgrounds. This suggests that socioeconomic status may have played a role in shaping health outcomes over time.
Researchers analyzed 2,100 obsidian artifacts from two archaeological sites in southwestern Iran, revealing seven distinct sources of the volcanic glass. The study suggests a greater number of settlements between source volcanoes and excavation sites, indicating larger social networks during the Neolithic Era.
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 propose a new explanation for how dinosaur mummies might form, suggesting desiccation and deflation as a common pathway. This process is also observed in modern animal carcasses, revealing that rare fossils may not be as unusual as previously thought.
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.
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.
Researchers at Bangor University used multibeam sonar to positively identify the SS Mesaba, a merchant ship that sent an iceberg warning to the Titanic in 1912. The wreck was found in the Irish Sea, revealing new information about this infamous maritime event.
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.
A new study by UC Santa Barbara researchers Anabel Ford and Mattanjah de Vries reveals that cacao was accessible to the general populace and used in celebrations at all levels of ancient Maya society. The analysis of 54 archaeological ceramic sherds from El Pilar, Belize, found evidence of cacao residues in all vessel types, including ...
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.
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.
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.