Articles tagged with Bronze Age
A new study from Stockholm University found that the most severe droughts in the ancient Eastern Mediterranean arose when multiple natural climate cycles coincided. This helped explain why the drought associated with the Late Bronze Age collapse were so severe, pushing societies beyond a critical hydroclimatic threshold.
Researchers developed a new tool to track ancient climate from wetland sediments, revealing turbulent environmental past in the Mediterranean. People adapted creatively, developing new technologies and strategies, such as floodwater farming and herd animal management.
Researchers uncover evidence of recurrent high-mountain occupation and systematic exploitation of copper-rich minerals in Cova 338. The site provides new insights into the role of high mountain environments in Pyrenean prehistoric societies.
Researchers have discovered a 3,000-year genetic link between the Old Irish Goat and ancient goats living in Ireland during the Late Bronze Age. The study sheds light on the breed's remarkable continuity and highlights its importance as a living piece of Ireland's ancient heritage.
Researchers have discovered six Bronze Age mining sites in southwestern Spain, revealing extensive metal extraction and trade networks. The findings provide a concrete archaeological context for previous studies on the origin of Scandinavian Bronze.
A Bronze Age sword from Bavaria was analyzed at Berlin X-ray source BESSY II to gain insights into the region's material craftsmanship. The study provides valuable information on the tools and techniques used during the Middle Bronze Age in southern Germany.
Researchers discovered Yersinia pestis DNA in a 4,000-year-old domesticated sheep from Arkaim, Russia, providing a missing link for the Bronze Age plague's widespread spread. The findings suggest that people, livestock, and an unidentified natural reservoir played a dynamic role in the disease's evolution.
Scientists have discovered wolf remains, thousands of years old, on a small, isolated island in the Baltic Sea. The study suggests that grey wolves may have been managed or controlled by prehistoric societies, with evidence of complex relations and interactions between humans and wolves.
Archaeologists uncover vast planned settlement Semiyarka, dating back to 1600 BC, which challenges current understanding of steppe societies and reveals complex bronze production systems. The site provides insight into a period of history when nomadic communities transitioned into permanent settlements.
The study reveals that pottery production was organized in specialized workshops near clay deposits, indicating a hierarchical organization of the El Argar society. The findings suggest a structured economy with regional and economic interactions, contradicting previous ideas about local production.
Researchers analyzed over 1,700 ancient grape seeds to discover that grape cultivation in Italy began during the Late Bronze Age, with gradual domestication taking place over centuries. The study reveals that Italian wine heritage dates back to Western Europe's broader landscape.
Research reveals Nubian women from the Kerma culture (2500-1500 BCE) carried heavy objects and children on their heads daily, using techniques like head straps known as tumplines. This study supports a growing perspective that sees the human body as a biological archive of lived experiences.
A new computer modeling tool suggests that Bronze Age people may have traveled directly over the open ocean between Denmark and Norway. The simulations indicate that such trips were possible, but required a boat with specific capabilities and good weather forecasting.
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.
A research study led by Hamza Benattia Melgarejo has uncovered the first Bronze Age settlement in the Maghreb, dating back to between 2200 and 600 BC. The excavations at Kach Kouch, Morocco reveal a human occupation with distinct phases of settlement, showcasing a thriving agricultural economy based on crops like barley and wheat.
Researchers have uncovered clay tablets with ancient cuneiform writing, game boards, and large structural remains at the ancient Mesopotamian site of Kurd Qaburstan in Iraq. The study sheds new light on literacy, urban development, and social inequality in this Middle Bronze Age city.
Researchers at Cranfield University used drone mapping to uncover a 3000-year-old mega fortress in the Caucasus, which was found to be significantly larger than initially thought. The site's complex structure and landscape evolution provide new insights into Late Bronze Age and Early Iron Age societies.
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.
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.
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.
Researchers at University of Göttingen studied Bronze Age spear combat using multi-stage experiments to understand fighting styles and mark formation on spearheads. The study provides insights into wear formation, trauma, and combat contexts, benefiting future research and museum curation.
Researchers challenge traditional theory that warrior groups with Steppe genetic component violently replaced local population. They propose alternative scenario where groups with Steppe ancestry mixed with demographically weakened locals.
Researchers found the woman was embalmed with costly imported ingredients, contradicting traditional beliefs about mummification. The study also revealed she suffered from arthritis and had a unique facial expression that may be attributed to a cadaveric spasm caused by intense pain.
Researchers analyzed ancient plant and animal remains to study historic food chains in ancient Syria. The analysis revealed a diet rich in grains, olives, grapes and dairy products, similar to the modern Mediterranean diet.
A Bronze Age purple dye workshop has been found on the Greek island of Aegina, featuring tools, ceramics, and snail shells that reveal the production process. The site provides insights into Mycenaean culture and trade during the Late Bronze Age.
Researchers uncovered evidence of ancient Mongolian cuisine using protein analysis on Bronze Age cauldrons. The study revealed that nomads collected animal blood for sausage production and fermented yak milk, providing insights into the traditions and diet of Bronze Age nomads.
Researchers discovered that the Dendra armour was flexible enough to permit full movement and resilient enough to protect the wearer from most blows. The findings shed new light on ancient warfare and its impact on the Eastern Mediterranean region.
Researchers recruited Hellenic Marine volunteers to test the Dendra armor's combat suitability. The experiment revealed that the armor did not limit a warrior's fighting ability or cause severe strain on the wearer.
A recent study reveals that humans inhabited a lava tube in northern Saudi Arabia for thousands of years, with evidence of repeated occupation and a transition to oasis agriculture. The site provides valuable insights into the history of human settlement in the region.
A three-year research project at the University of Oldenburg examines the resettlement history of Hazor, a Bronze Age megacity in eastern Mediterranean, and its impact on early Israelite identities. The team aims to uncover how narratives about these events influenced the shaping of early Israelite cultures.
Researchers analyzed well-preserved microbiomes from 4,000-year-old teeth in Ireland, providing a snapshot of oral health in the past. The study found evidence of dysbiosis and an unusual abundance of S. mutans bacteria, suggesting that our ancestors' mouths differed significantly from ours.
Researchers have recovered ancient microbiomes from 4,000-year-old teeth in Ireland, revealing major changes in oral microenvironments. The study identified bacteria linked to gum disease and provided the first high-quality ancient genome of Streptococcus mutans, a major culprit behind tooth decay.
Researchers discover 'blueprint' for prehistoric Fenfolk's home interiors and daily routines in Must Farm site. The settlement revealed surprisingly comfortable lifestyles with modern-style homes, honey-glazed venison meals, and fine linen clothes.
A new study reveals that the mobility of Tibetan farmers and herders in prehistoric times influenced the settlement patterns and cultural connections across the plateau. The research found a strong correlation between the routes used for subsistence-oriented mobility and the social network of shared technologies and ceramic designs.
A new study of early Bronze Age examples from Luxembourg and Britain provides insights into family relationships in prehistoric communities. Genetic evidence reveals that children were buried with their biological mothers, suggesting a patrilineal descent system.
A team of scientists from CNRS and RCU reveals a massive walled oasis dating back to the Bronze Age, shedding new light on human occupation and social complexity in pre-Islamic Arabia. The fortification, estimated to be over 14km long, enclosed a rural territory of nearly 1,100 hectares.
A new study published in PLOS ONE provides detailed insights into the timing of events in ancient Gezer, a city known from Egyptian, Assyrian, and Biblical texts. The radiocarbon dates suggest that some proposed correlations between the archaeological record and ancient texts are plausible.
A study published in PLOS ONE found correlations between climate change and human population trends in Central European regions. During warm periods, populations increased due to improved crops and economies, while during cold periods, populations decreased, leading to cultural shifts and potential social inequality.
Two Late Bronze Age urn burials analyzed, uncovering animal bones and jewelry among cremated remains of a woman and child. The findings provide insights into prehistoric funerary practices and shed new light on the rituals surrounding death in ancient cultures.
A groundbreaking study has unraveled the secrets of a 3,800-year-old extended family from a Bronze Age necropolis in the Russian steppe. The research reveals that most women buried in the kurgan were immigrants, while their sisters found new homes elsewhere, highlighting the importance of female marriage mobility in prehistoric societies.
A new study analyzed protein residues from ancient cooking cauldrons and found evidence of deer, sheep, goats, and cow family members being consumed during the Maykop period. The researchers also discovered milk proteins, indicating that dairy was a part of the diet.
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.
Researchers discovered three 4,000-year-old cases of Yersinia pestis in human remains from mass burials in Somerset and Cumbria. The findings indicate the plague may have been easily transmitted across Britain, contradicting previous assumptions that it was brought by fleas.
A research team at Göttingen University analyzed data from over 1,000 prehistoric burials in Europe, finding that 10% of individuals did not fit the binary norm. The study suggests that non-binary persons were formally acknowledged and protected in prehistoric societies.
Researchers found evidence of ancient drug use in Europe using human hair analysis, revealing the presence of scopolamine, ephedrine and atropine in Bronze Age containers from Menorca. The substances may have been derived from nightshade plants used in shamanic rituals.
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.
The discovery of Hala Sultan Tekke, a Cypriot village with extensive copper production and trade hubs, reveals that Cyprus was the largest copper producer around the Mediterranean during the Bronze Age. The city's well-protected harbour and central location facilitated lively trade with neighbouring regions.
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 Cornell University have found that severe drought, lasting three consecutive years, likely accelerated the collapse of the Hittite Empire in ancient Anatolia. The team analyzed tree ring and isotope records to pinpoint this period of severe dryness, which matches the timeline of the empire's disappearance.
Researchers uncovered evidence of blue-green algae presence in a German lake dating back 11,000 years, with species diversity increasing significantly after Bronze Age burials. Climate change and industrial agriculture have since accelerated the growth of these toxic algae.
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.
Researchers analyzed 100 ancient genomes to understand kinship and marriage rules in Minoan Crete and Mycenaean Greece. They found that cousin marriages were common, with over 90% of sons marrying within their own family's hamlet.
Researchers analyzed the genomes of over 2,800 individuals in Europe to study the evolution of immune system genes. They found that mutations advantageous for defending against pathogens increased in frequency after the Bronze Age, while those increasing disease risk fell.
Researchers at the University of Huddersfield used ancient DNA to reveal large-scale immigration in Early Bronze Age Orkney, contrary to popular belief. The findings also showed unusual female-dominated immigration during this period.
Researchers analyzed metal ingots from a 14th century B.C. shipwreck to understand the origins of copper and tin used in bronze production. The study found that two-thirds of the tin came from Turkey, contradicting previous assumptions about its source.
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.
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.
Researchers at the University of Connecticut uncovered a remarkably well-preserved Early Bronze Age village in Afragola, Italy, providing insights into daily life and agriculture during this era. The site reveals a diverse range of food sources, including grains, fruits, and nuts, as well as evidence of seasonal changes, thanks to the ...
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.
Researchers discovered the Griffin Warrior likely grew up near the seaside city he would rule and was from wealthier social status. Ancient DNA analysis showed that around 5,000 years ago, people with ancestry from Eastern Europe spread across the European continent and into Western Asia.