Articles tagged with Experimental Archeology
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 at University of Arizona discovered a spike in carbon-14 dating to 664 B.C., pinpointing the last known extreme solar storm event. The study provides crucial data for scientists studying sun's activity and offers insights into massive storms' effects on Earth's atmosphere.
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 conducted the first-ever archeological survey in space on the International Space Station, using daily photos to document how astronauts actually used areas. The study found discrepancies between the intended and actual use of certain areas, with some being used for storage or personal items.
A pilot study by scientists replicates ancient Neanderthal butchering methods to study their diet. The results show that fire-roasted birds are easier to process, with raw birds requiring more effort and resulting in fewer traces on the bones.
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.
A unique collaboration between archaeologists and MeatEater highlights the prevalence of equifinality, where distinct processes can lead to the same outcome. The experiment tested Clovis stone tools' efficiency in processing a bison, offering insights into early human technologies.
Recent research connects biological domestication to early food globalization, proposing a new conceptual framework that challenges traditional narratives. Archaeological investigations have shown that plant and animal domestication entailed a more gradual transition spanning thousands of years across extensive geographies.
A new study at the University of Liège reveals that hunter-gatherers used spearthrowers to hunt game at the 31,000-year-old archaeological site of Maisières-Canal. This finding pushes back the estimated age of this hunting technique by 10,000 years and sheds light on its impact on human evolution.
A groundbreaking study using ArchCUT3-D software analyzes ancient rock engravings, uncovering unique techniques and production procedures. The research sheds light on the craftsmanship, artistic expression, and cultural context of ancient cultures.
Researchers from Washington University in St. Louis suggest that ancient humans may have chosen certain wild plants for domestication based on their ability to be easily 'tamed'. Plants with high plasticity, or the capacity to respond to environmental changes, can produce more yields and easier-to-sprout seeds.
Researchers found that food hardness and tool size do not always correlate as closely as thought. Cultural learning plays a significant role in the tool choice of bearded capuchin monkeys, with some populations using disproportionately heavy tools for certain foods.
The discovery pushes back the timeline of pre-Neanderthal hominins in Europe by 200,000 years, with the site yielding over 300 well-preserved footprints. The findings have significant implications for our understanding of human evolution and dispersal in the Middle Pleistocene.
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.
A new study reveals that boomerangs were used to shape the edges of stone tools by Australian Indigenous communities. The research demonstrates comparable use-wear impacts on boomerangs as those observed on Paleolithic bone retouching tools, over 200,000 years ago.
Researchers analyzed 96 fired clay fragments across 11 islands to reconstruct ancient trade routes in the Caribbean. The study found that the cultural hub was centered on the northwest coast of Hispaniola, challenging previous assumptions about the region's historical significance.
Researchers have found that Bronze Age daggers were used to process animal carcasses, including slaughtering livestock and butchering carcasses. The discovery was made using a new method that extracted organic residues from the daggers, revealing micro-residues of collagen and associated bone, muscle, and tendon fibres.
Researchers explored Magdalenian engraved plaquette use at Montastruc (France) using experimental and digital techniques. The findings suggest that these ancient artworks were likely used to appear as if moving in the firelight.
A new study suggests that mummification in prehistory was more common in Europe than thought, dating back to 8,000 years ago. The researchers found evidence of desiccation and hyperflexion in skeletal remains from the Sado Valley in Portugal.
A team of researchers developed an enhanced version of a modern forensic test to solve a 5000-year-old cold case. The test confirmed the cause of death for a Neolithic man whose remains were found in a mass grave on the coast of Northern Chile, suggesting he died by drowning in shallow saltwater.
Researchers analyzed a ceramic pot from Sicily and found eggs of whipworm parasites, confirming it was used as a chamber pot. The technique provides a crucial tool for identifying ancient pots with special purposes.
Researchers analyzed thousands of space station photographs to discover that Russian cosmonauts use walls to display religious icons and Soviet heroes, reflecting national identity and cultural heritage. This study has practical applications for long-duration space missions, where understanding human identity and society is crucial.
Researchers at UC3M have created an open laboratory for the population to participate in digitizing and analyzing archaeological heritage. Volunteers will receive training in archaeology, digital humanities, and software skills.
Researchers at VUB have detected vitamin D deficiency in cremated human remains through the analysis of interglobular dentine. This innovation allows for the identification of past populations' exposure to sunlight and daily activities, shedding new light on environmental and sociocultural factors influencing health.
Researchers found that dancing with elk tooth ornaments creates similar wear marks on the teeth as those found in ancient Stone Age graves. The study used microanalysis to compare modern and ancient elk tooth wear marks, providing insight into the past's auditory experiences.
A team of researchers analyzed reams of bioarchaeological data from the Neolithic to Late Roman period and found low levels of migration in the region. Migration rates ranged from 6% to 9% of the population within the dataset, decreasing over time.
A study has discovered that unglazed ceramic cookware can retain the residue of not just the last meal cooked, but potentially earlier dishes, allowing for the reconstruction of ancient recipes. The research team analyzed chemical compounds adhering to and absorbed by the earthenware in which they were prepared.
A year-long cooking experiment found that charred remains, inner surface residues, and lipids absorbed within the ceramic walls record cooking events across different time scales. This provides insights into ancient culinary practices, resource usage, and vessel lifespan.
The digitally reconstructed shrine of Saint Thomas Becket has been created using new evidence and features iron grilles that enclosed the shrine. The reconstruction is based on surviving fragments discovered in Canterbury Cathedral and suggests the shrine was built between 1180 and 1220.
Researchers used cognitive science experiments to investigate the potential symbolic function of 40,000-year-old engravings found in South Africa. The findings suggest that these engravings evolved over time to serve an aesthetic purpose and marked group identity.
The Flinders University team created a highly realistic virtual experience of the wreck, including a digital reconstruction of how it sank. The three-minute dive is available on YouTube and offers insights into Iceland's forgotten history during the 17th century.
A unique bark shield discovered in Europe has revealed that prehistoric people used bark to make shields, a first for its kind. The shield, dated between 395-255 BC, showed evidence of being made with wooden laths, a woven boss, and red chequerboard decoration.
Researchers found that complex artefacts don't necessarily prove human ancestors had sophisticated reasoning, but rather an accumulation of improvements made across generations. The study used chains of volunteers to tackle engineering problems and showed that understanding was not necessary for improvement.
The book offers a comprehensive picture of the decade-long archaeological research on Greater Cahokia, uncovering new discoveries about the city's history, culture, and religion. Key findings include evidence of immigrant populations, diverse food sources, and the use of holly tea as a stimulant.
Researchers analyze human bite marks on lamb bones to develop new method for identifying ancient meals. The study found that over half of the bones bore human bite marks, allowing for the differentiation between human and animal consumption.
A team of archaeologists from the University of Sydney has discovered a piece of the world's oldest axe, which dates back to a Stone Age period of 45,000 to 49,000 years ago. The axe fragment was found in Western Australia and reveals that the first Australians were technological innovators.
A research team used traditional techniques to create replicas of ritual headdresses made by hunter-gatherers 11,000 years ago in North Western Europe. The study suggests that expedient manufacturing techniques were employed, involving packing the skull with damp clay and placing it in a bed of embers.
Archaeologists discovered ancient clam gardens in the Pacific Northwest, revealing a sophisticated marine management system. The findings challenge the notion of First Nations living in wild environments, instead showing they were farmers who cultivated productive clam habitats.
Researchers found that immigrants formed a sizable portion of Cahokia's population, contradicting traditional models of Native American groups. The analysis used strontium isotope ratios in teeth to determine the location of origin for individuals buried at the site.
A University of Toronto-led team identified spear tips used in hunting 500,000 years ago, pushing back the timeline of human adaptations and capacities. The discovery highlights the importance of early hafted tools in hunting weaponry.
Archaeologist C. Michael Barton is revolutionizing the field of archaeological modeling by integrating new methods with a radical shift in thought. His research suggests that even small communities can experience significant environmental impacts from practices like shifting cultivation and grazing.
Researchers discovered that trampling animals can push artifacts up to 21 centimeters into the ground, potentially altering a site's interpretation. This finding suggests that archaeologists should reanalyze some previous discoveries due to the significant impact of animal trampling on artifact context.
Researchers used computational modeling to simulate different land use practices in ancient societies, finding that a combination of shifting cultivation and grazing leads to more erosion runoff but also fertile farmland around tiny hamlets. The study sheds light on the importance of threshold effects when people alter landscapes for a...
A new research platform at Diamond Light Source will enable cultural heritage scientists to scan and image large relics up to two tonnes in weight with incredible precision. This will help uncover ancient secrets and answer questions about the origin, history, and technology used to create artefacts.
The team aims to create a visual archaeological database (VAD) to transform the documentation process of excavations. Using video cameras, digital scanning stations, and computer vision, they will analyze and reconstruct artifacts from the Apollonia-Arsuf site in Israel.
University of Missouri researchers found a significant variation in projectile points indicating experimental research by prehistoric artisans. The study suggests that the introduction of the bow and arrow technology prompted innovative thinking and experimentation to improve performance.