Articles tagged with Archeology
A genomic study of the Tarim Basin mummies in western China found that they were direct descendants of a once widespread Pleistocene population known as Ancient North Eurasians. The mummies show no evidence of admixture with other Holocene groups, forming a previously unknown genetic isolate.
A new model has been developed to help archeologists uncover new Pleistocene sites in Cyprus, revealing more evidence of historic hunter-gatherer activity on the island. The study suggests that there may have been more human activity on Eastern Mediterranean islands during the last ice age than previously thought.
Researchers used a powerful X-ray technique to identify nanoparticles in the wood of King Henry VIII's favorite ship, the Mary Rose. The findings reveal previously undetected products that could cause damage to the historic vessel.
A UArizona-led team has discovered nearly 500 ancient ceremonial complexes in southern Mexico, similar to the largest Maya monument Aguada Fénix. The findings suggest that the Olmec civilization played a significant role in shaping the development of the Maya civilization.
A team of scientists discovered that Europeans were present in the Americas in 1021 AD, marking the earliest known point of Atlantic crossing. This date also signifies humanity's circumnavigation of the planet.
The study found that early Homo sapiens had an omnivorous diet in the tropical rainforest of Southeast Asia, consuming both plants and animals. The zinc isotope analysis revealed a mix of specialized adaptations to this environment, differing from previous assumptions about human diet.
A Middle Bronze Age city in the Jordan Valley was destroyed by a high-temperature fire, likely caused by a meteorite impact. The site contains evidence of shocked quartz, melted pottery, and diamond-like carbon, supporting a cosmic airburst hypothesis.
A study at Jordan River Dureijat site in northern Israel uncovered a wide variety of hook shapes and sinkers, indicating humans had profound knowledge of fish behavior. The findings coincide with the beginning of agriculture in the region, highlighting the importance of aquatic resources for human subsistence.
Detailed analyses of cremated bone fragments from Tomb of Nestor's Cup uncovered at least three humans with varying life stages, alongside animal remains like goats and dogs. The study sheds new light on funeral practices and ancient Greek culture.
A new study reveals the persistence of human ancestors at the margins of the monsoon in India until approximately 177,000 years ago. This finding supports the presence of Acheulean populations in the region and provides crucial insights into the environmental conditions that allowed them to thrive.
A 16,000-25,000-year-old jawbone from Sulawesi provides conclusive evidence of Pleistocene-era humans in the region. The fossil exhibit unusual dental wear patterns, offering insights into the daily lives and dietary habits of early Homo sapiens.
A recent discovery at Tikal reveals a previously unknown neighborhood designed to replicate Teotihuacan's citadel, sparking new insights into the interaction between the two civilizations. Excavations found evidence of occupation and surveillance, as well as artifacts linking Tikal to Teotihuacan's imperial power.
Researchers explore human-forest interactions across space and time to understand the origins of the Anthropocene in tropical forests. The study reveals that traditional Indigenous land management has long-term significance in tropical regions, highlighting the need for fairer and more sustainable futures.
An international team of scientists suggests that early humans in New Guinea collected cassowary eggs near maturity and then raised the birds to adulthood, with evidence supporting this behavior dating back 18,000 years. The researchers used eggshells to determine the developmental stage of ancient embryos/chicks when the eggs cracked.
Ancient human societies adapted to tropical ecosystem dynamics, revealing their adaptability and resourcefulness. By studying these past interactions with the environment, scientists can better understand how to conserve tropical environments.
Researchers found that ancient Siberian human populations interacted with outside dog populations at least 2,000 years ago, suggesting dogs were traded as goods. The study reveals that modern dog breeds like Samoyeds and Siberian Huskies maintain significant ancestry from a lineage established prior to 9,500 years ago.
Researchers found shell beads in Morocco dating back 142,000-150,000 years, shedding light on early human communication and cognitive evolution. The discovery suggests that humans have been using nonverbal cues to express identity and affiliation for hundreds of thousands of years.
Researchers at Max Planck Institute found that early human groups in Europe endured cold climatic conditions for over 7,000 years. The team used archaeological materials to generate climatic data, revealing a higher degree of climate flexibility than previously believed.
Researchers at Binghamton University used thermal imaging drones to detect coastal seeps on Easter Island, finding areas where freshwater emerges from the sea. The technology allows for high-resolution images of these sources, enabling researchers to better understand how ancient communities used them to survive.
The discovery of bone tools in Contrebandiers Cave, Morocco, dating back to 120,000-90,000 years ago, provides strong evidence for the manufacture of clothing during this period. The tools, which showed signs of skinning for furs and pelts, are similar to leather working tools found in other archaeological records.
Researchers at Arizona State University have discovered a worked bone assemblage found near the Atlantic Coast of Morocco dating back to 120,000 years ago, suggesting the manufacture of clothing during this period. The find provides strong evidence for the emergence of complex culture and specialized tool manufacture in early humans.
Researchers found 62 bone tools at Contrebandiers Cave, Morocco, with shaping and use marks indicating they were used for scraping hides to make leather and furs. The discovery highlights the pan-African emergence of complex culture and provides evidence for the earliest clothing in the archaeological record.
Researchers have found that the cave was occupied by Neanderthals during a longer period of time than previously thought, from 94,000 to 59,000 years ago. The study also reveals evidence of modern human activity, such as fires, in the cave.
A new study reveals that the Early Bronze Age Yamnaya pastoralists adopted milk drinking, leading to vast steppe expansions across Europe and Asia. Analysis of ancient tartar samples identified a strong correlation between dairy consumption and expansion, with 94% of individuals showing evidence of milk drinking
The Camel Site's life-sized carvings of camels and equids are part of a wider rock art tradition that depicted naturalistic animals. The reliefs were created using stone tools during the Neolithic period, approximately 6th millennium BCE.
Research in Saudi Arabia reveals multiple pulses of increased rainfall transformed the arid region into a hospitable route for human population movements. The discovery of thousands of stone tools shows changing human culture over time, documenting transition from Lower Palaeolithic Acheulean to Middle Palaeolithic technologies.
A new study reveals evidence of beer drinking 9,000 years ago in southern China, with ancient pots found at a burial site containing residues consistent with beer fermentation. The discovery suggests that ritualized drinking played a significant role in forging social relationships and cooperation among ancient communities.
A team of archaeologists led by Paola Villa has uncovered an unprecedented array of bone tools crafted from elephant bones at the Castel di Guido site in Italy, dating back to around 400,000 years ago. The discovery reveals a high level of cognitive intellect and technological sophistication among early humans during this period.
A database of 3,000 lead isotope analyses has been compiled for the Iberian Peninsula, providing a comprehensive resource for geological and archaeological research. The IBERLID database includes standardized data on minerals, rocks, and metallic objects, facilitating comparison and analysis.
A study of over 26,000 graves reveals that early medieval Europe's burial transformation was not as simple as a linear trajectory from variable to standardized. Instead, there is significant regional variability and cultural connections between areas like Kent and northern France.
A recent study of the Suontaka grave challenges traditional beliefs about gender roles in Iron Age and Early Medieval communities. The analysis suggests that the buried individual had Klinefelter syndrome, indicating a non-binary person who was valued and respected by their community.
A new study reveals that the domestication of plants and construction of settlements based on agriculture in ancient Japan coincided with periods of relatively warm and stable climate. This challenges the conventional theory that a climatic cooling event drove humans to adopt agriculture.
The article reveals Thomas Cromwell's Tudor London mansion for the first time in unprecedented detail. The mansion had 58 rooms plus servants' garrets and a large garden, and was a hub of entertainment, administration, and personal space.
A new study suggests that pointed shoes, popular in medieval Britain, led to a sharp increase in bunions, particularly among the wealthy and clergy. The researchers found that those buried in richer sites had a higher prevalence of hallux valgus, highlighting the fashion trend's significant impact on foot health.
Analysis of 33,000 graves reveals a change in Western European burial practices from regionally specific grave goods to standardized, unfurnished burials between the 6th-8th centuries AD. This shift indicates a well-connected Europe with regular contact and exchange of ideas across vast areas.
Archaeologists discovered a rare child burial on Alor Island, Indonesia, dating back 8,000 years. The burial provides insights into burial practices of the time, with ochre pigment applied to the child's cheeks and forehead.
The Hittite cuneiform scripts will be made available online, providing access to 30,000 clay tablets and fragments written in the Hittite language. This digital platform aims to boost Hittitology research worldwide.
A noblewoman from the Tang Dynasty was buried with her donkeys, indicating she wanted to continue playing her favorite sport, Lvju, after death. Researchers found donkey bones in Cui Shi's tomb, providing the first physical evidence of donkey polo in Imperial China.
A Tel Aviv University study finds two writers composed 31 of 100 inscriptions from 8th-century BCE Samaria, providing insights into the logistical infrastructure of the kingdom of Israel and limited literacy rates in the early eighth century BCE.
Researchers from the University of Bonn used strontium isotope analysis to determine the origins of victims in a 1,400-year-old Maya mass grave. The study found that most victims grew up at least 95 miles from Uxul, with some showing signs of high social status.
Archaeologists re-examine the remains of a medieval male found at Prague Castle, who was identified as Viking by Nazis and Slavonic warrior by Soviets. The team analyzes the sword and grave goods to determine his identity, which may have fueled modern political conflicts.
Researchers analyzed ear ossicles from 20 juveniles excavated in 18th-19th century burial grounds to understand maternal pre-pregnancy and late pregnancy diets. The study provides a unique link between diet and early pregnancy health.
A recent study found that ancient pigs in Europe lost their Near Eastern genetic signature due to hybridization with European wild boar. This suggests that pig management in Europe was extensive and that artificial selection had a limited impact on the development of modern European commercial pigs.
A recent study analyzing eight premodern states reveals that queen rulers and main wives exercised significant political power, including determining succession, governing policies, and influencing alliances. These women often wielded comparable power to their male counterparts, with agency extending beyond warfare.
Researchers have uncovered ancient ritual offerings near Lake Titicaca that pre-date the arrival of the Incas by several centuries. The findings suggest a more complex and ambitious spiritual system among the Tiwanaku people, who developed in the area between 500-1,100 AD.
A study published in PLOS ONE reveals that clam gardens along B.C.'s coast date back at least 3,500 years, nearly twice as old as previously thought. This ancient Indigenous food security system has provided sustainable seafood for thousands of years.
Scientists discovered spectacled cormorant fossils in Japan dating back 120,000 years, indicating the bird's previously believed limited range was incorrect. Climate changes and human activity may have contributed to the species' extinction, with more research needed on its biological aspects.
A new study reveals that ancient communities in South America, particularly the Southern Jê people, played a significant role in expanding the critically endangered Araucaria forests between 1,410 and 900 years ago. The forests, which date back to the time of dinosaurs, were initially established on grasslands and expanded into highlan...
The oldest peace treaty, dating back over 3,200 years, shows that peaceful agreements were made through extensive negotiations between Egyptians and Hittites. The exhibition 'Peace. From Antiquity to the Present Day' challenges common clichés about ancient peace symbols, revealing a complex history of war and negotiation.
Researchers have found that the Botai horses from Kazakhstan are not the ancestors of modern domesticated breeds but rather the ancestors of wild Przewalski horses. The study also revealed that there are no surviving purely wild horses, and the earliest domestic horses gave rise to feral populations.
Archaeologist Sue O'Connor discovered the world's oldest known fish-hooks placed in a burial ritual on Alor Island, Indonesia. The five hooks date back to the Pleistocene era and provide evidence that fishing equipment was viewed as essential for transition to the afterlife.
A new study of 311 hominin fossils spanning four million years shows that stature and body mass advanced at different speeds. Hominin bodies evolved in 'pulse and stasis' fluctuations, with some lineages even shrinking.
UCSB researchers have developed a method for 3D through-wall imaging using drones and WiFi, enabling objects to be imaged in real-time with high resolution. The technology has potential applications in emergency search-and-rescue, archaeological discovery, and structural monitoring.
The American Association of Science advocates data sharing to improve transparency and reproducibility in field sciences like geology, ecology, and archaeology. Discipline-specific repositories can provide better services for researchers to access and use shared data.
A new study published in American Anthropologist reveals the transformation of Egyptian and Nubian culture through cultural entanglement. The researchers found that individual choices played a significant role in shaping the development of the Nubian state, allowing it to eventually conquer Egypt.
A pioneering study has examined a collective grave in Spain, providing insights into the lives of people around 6,000 years ago. The research reveals a uniform community with strong familial relationships, a homogeneous diet, and evidence of ancestral worship.
Archaeologists have found the oldest known pottery from Papua New Guinea, dating back 3,000 years, in a remote region of the highlands. The discovery sheds light on how technology spread among cultures and provides insights into early civilizations.
New research explores Viking Age causes by focusing on spoils beyond portable wealth, highlighting exotic lure and tangible symbols of power. Individuals could build reputations through raiding, gaining social capital and intangible benefits.
A researcher has uncovered a relationship between upright locomotion and spinal health, finding that human vertebrae with disc problems are closer in shape to those of chimpanzees than those without disc problems. The study suggests that evolution may not have fully adapted the human spine for bipedal walking.
Researchers challenge traditional views on Neanderthal childhood by finding strong emotional attachments and social relationships within their group. They also discovered children played a key role in symbolic expression and were cared for until sick or injured for extended periods.