Articles tagged with Historical Archaeology
A new study recalibrates the argon-argon dating method, allowing for highly precise and accurate dating of volcanic eruptions. This improvement enables geologists to attach accurate dates to geologic events, including past eruptions of volcanoes that threaten urban areas, and helps ground-truth other dating methods.
Researchers replicate 2,000-year-old burned papyrus scrolls, test a new method to decipher Herculaneum texts using X-ray tomography and leaded ink detection. The study provides a simple way to identify scrolls with leaded ink, which can be virtually unrolled and read.
Researchers analyzed ancient burial records to understand why some societies practiced residential burials and how this practice changed over time. They found that residential burials were more common in older societies than expected, suggesting that cultural practices can shift significantly over centuries.
A new study reveals widespread damage to Syria's archaeological sites due to looting and bulldozing, particularly in areas occupied by the Turkish military. The researchers used satellite imagery to analyze 200 sites across Syria, finding that 59% were affected since 2015.
Researchers have discovered three well-preserved silkworm cocoons at an archaeological site in Uzbekistan that push back the earliest verified date for silkworm cultivation outside of China by nearly 2,000 years. The findings suggest that East Asian mulberry sericulture had reached southern Central Asia as early as 4,000 years ago.
A study analyzing over 180 ceramic vessels from southern Brazil reveals differences in diet among Indigenous, African, and European communities. Marine resources were more prevalent among Indigenous and Afro-descendant communities, while German immigrants relied on plant-based products.
A new digital mapping project has created a comprehensive dataset to safeguard UNESCO World Heritage sites along coastlines at risk of flooding and erosion. The Global Coastal Heritage (Glo-CoH) dataset includes 1250 individual heritage sites, spanning over 235 million hectares across the globe.
Researchers applied bioenergetic approach to evaluate competing theories about Hannibal's crossing, focusing on war elephants' energy demands. The study supports the Col de la Traversette as the more likely route, with an estimated energy cost of 5.42 TJ for the whole army.
The Virtual World of Stonehenge offers an immersive digital tour of the original exhibition, allowing users to explore thousands of years of history. The experience includes interactive content, animation, soundscapes, and rarely seen prehistoric objects, making it a unique way to understand the world of Stonehenge.
The Dutch trading ship "Dom van Keulen" has been identified as the centuries-old shipwreck discovered off the south coast of England holding 400 gold coins. The cargo included African gold, gum arabic, and saltpetre, providing important context for 17th-century maritime trade.
Researchers at University of Alicante uncover significant evidence of large-scale arms trading and commercial exchange in the western Mediterranean during the late medieval period. The 43 helmets, originally attributed to Roman origin, have been redated to between the late 14th and early 15th centuries.
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.
A previously unknown floorplan has been discovered, pinpointing the exact location of Shakespeare's London property and revealing its layout and size. The finding challenges the long-held narrative that Shakespeare retired to Stratford after buying his Blackfriars house in 1613.
Researchers from UCO and IQUEMA laboratories analyze pigments in Domus of Salvius to reveal sophisticated understanding of materials and effects. The mixture of cinnabar and iron oxide was applied in a unique way, with a layer of goethite protecting the expensive cinnabar.
Researchers found evidence of Native American dice making and use dating back 12,000 years, with binary lots crafted from bone featuring markings for counting sides. This discovery challenges traditional views on the origins of probability theory.
A team of archaeologists used uranium–thorium dating to establish precise construction timelines for houses built out of coral in French Polynesia. The findings reveal previously hidden patterns of architectural development and cultural life in Pacific societies, challenging earlier theories about coral reuse.
The Monte Verde archaeological site in southern Chile is now believed to be 4,200-8,200 years old, rather than 14,500 years old as previously thought. This new age estimate supports an initial interior migration into continental North America as a viable colonization hypothesis.
Indigenous people in pre-European Michigan cultivated maize more prominently than previously thought. The researchers found that burial mounds were built near lakes that warmed later in spring and cooled later in fall, suggesting an extended maize-growing season and a greater cultural role for maize.
Researchers analyzed ancient maize cob fragments to reconstruct agricultural practices from nearly a millennium ago. The study reveals that the Chincha Kingdom used seabird guano as a high-powered fertilizer, transforming a desert landscape into one of the most productive riverine valleys in Peru.
A new study reveals that seabird guano was a driving force behind the Chincha Kingdom's sociopolitical expansion on Peru's coast. The nutrient-rich bird droppings boosted corn yields and supercharged agriculture, fueling the kingdom's economy, trade, population growth, and regional influence.
A newly uncovered Roman sanctuary in Frankfurt's Nida district will be studied for its significance in Roman Germania. The site features 11 stone buildings, 70 shafts, and 10 pits used for ritual depositions, yielding ceramic vessels and animal remains.
New research reveals that Indigenous communities in southern Brazil hunted large whales 5,000 years ago, long before previously thought. The study provides strong evidence of active hunting and sheds light on the economies, technologies, and lifeways of postglacial societies along the Atlantic coast of South America.
The discovery reveals early advanced hunting techniques and demonstrates that humans used arrow poison to increase hunting efficiency. Researchers found chemical residues of poison from the plant gifbol on 60,000-year-old quartz arrowheads in southern Africa.
A new study found that Roman soldiers at Vindolanda fort near Hadrian's Wall were infected with intestinal parasites, including roundworms, whipworms, and Giardia duodenalis. This suggests inadequate sanitation and hygiene practices, potentially leading to malnutrition and chronic infections.
Researchers discovered a fingerprint in the tar used to build the Hjortspring boat, believed to be from an ancient seafarer. The find provides a direct link to the attackers who used the boat over 2,000 years ago.
A team of researchers from Binghamton University has created the first-ever high-resolution 3D model of Rano Raraku quarry, revealing over 1,000 moai statues. The model allows users to zoom in and pan across various features, providing a detailed look at the island's quarries and challenging previous theories about its history.
Researchers found that rats contributed significantly to Rapa Nui's deforestation by consuming palm nuts, preventing trees from regrowing. The islanders cleared land for agriculture and used slash-and-burn practices, but the slow-growing palm trees made them vulnerable to rat predation.
Researchers have uncovered evidence of successive occupations and adaptations by Indigenous communities in the region, including elaborate earthworks, raised fields, and complex canal systems. These findings provide insights into sustainable practices and highlight the importance of preserving the region's unique biocultural heritage.
Classic Maya cities rose due to climate downturns, intergroup conflict, and strong economies of scale, while deurbanization occurred when environmental degradation outweighed urban benefits. The study integrates population ecology theory and resolves the paradox of why agrarian populations would aggregate despite high costs.
Researchers from Uppsala University uncovered the earliest occupation and creation myth links of the Karnak Temple, establishing a 4000-year history of human settlement. The team's analysis suggests that the temple was built on an island of high ground formed by river channels, reflecting Ancient Egyptian cosmogony.
Satellite images reveal ancient stone mega traps, known as chacus, built by hunters and pastoralists in northern Chile. The structures were likely used to capture vicuña, a wild relative of the alpaca, and provide evidence of foraging populations that pre-date settled agricultural systems.
Researchers analyzed ancient teeth from 71 people in modern Syria to reconstruct mobility patterns of Neolithic farming villagers. They found that most people stayed local, but women were more likely to move between communities, suggesting complex social dynamics.
Researchers used 3D modeling, field experiments to confirm how Rapa Nui people moved iconic moai statues. The team found that the statues were likely walked in a zig-zag motion along carefully designed roads using rope, with a physics-backed explanation.
A new study has uncovered evidence that Jamestown colonists brought donkeys to North America, rewriting the story of their arrival. The horses and donkeys were likely butchered and eaten during the infamous winter of starvation.
A world-first study reveals the Endurance was not designed for compressive ice conditions, despite Shackleton knowing of its shortcomings. The ship had several structural deficiencies, including weak deck beams and frames, that contributed to its demise.
Archaeologists can now map hidden voids such as tunnels and channels using muon tomography, a method that detects changes in soil penetrability to cosmic radiation particles. The technology was successfully demonstrated at the City of David archaeological site in Jerusalem.
Researchers from Cranfield University discovered that ancient copper smelters at a 3000-year-old site in southern Georgia were using iron oxide as a flux to increase copper yield. This finding supports the theory that iron was invented by copper metalworkers, who experimented with iron-bearing materials in a metallurgical furnace.
A groundbreaking discovery of Paleolithic tools in Ayvalık, Turkey, reveals that early humans may have used the northeastern Aegean coast as a route to enter Europe. The find provides valuable insights into early human presence, technological variability, and raw material preferences during the Pleistocene era.
A new paper highlights the importance of human historians in capturing emotional complexity behind world events as AI struggles to accurately represent Holocaust survivors' experiences. Historians possess skills that AI lacks, including the ability to capture human suffering and preserve fracture and silence.
A groundbreaking biography of Æthelstan highlights his overlooked achievements and the significance of his reign in shaping modern England. Woodman argues that Æthelstan created England in 927AD, citing evidence from original diplomas, literary records, and archaeological sites.
The study of Gribshunden's preserved artillery reveals insights into the technology and tactics used by European explorers in their quest for global domination. The discovery sheds light on why Denmark failed to compete with Iberian powers in colonizing the Americas, instead focusing on consolidating rule over the Baltic region.
Researchers found that people who experienced malnutrition early in life may have survived threats like plague at greater rates until young adulthood. However, this survival advantage could drop significantly when entering middle and late adult years.
The discovery of thousands of animal bones at a remote garrison site in northeastern Mongolia sheds new light on the lives of soldiers and civilians who lived along the medieval Liao Empire's long wall. The analysis suggests a largely self-sufficient pastoral economy, with evidence of herding, hunting, fishing, and seasonal climate var...
The Philippine archipelago has been found to have a sophisticated ancient technology dating back over 30,000 years, with evidence of seafaring capabilities and specific fishing skills. The discovery highlights the region's significance in the narrative of human migration and adaptation in Island Southeast Asia.
Researchers discovered a massive 330-acre ancient agricultural site in Michigan, featuring raised field systems and clustered garden beds. The site, dating back to the 10th century, reveals intensive farming practices by ancestral Native Americans, challenging previous estimates.
Otago researchers have recovered ancient genomes from Papua New Guinea, shedding light on the genetic diversity of pre-colonial coastal communities. The study reveals that cultural groups did not intermarry for some time, suggesting a complex tapestry of different cultures and peoples.
A team of researchers combined artificial intelligence and statistical modeling to analyze language patterns in three major sections of the Bible. They distinguished between three distinct scribal traditions spanning the first nine books of the Hebrew Bible, known as the Enneateuch. The model also determined the most likely authorship ...
Researchers propose that early humans used fire to smoke and dry meat to preserve it for extended periods, safeguarding large game from predators and scavengers. This new hypothesis offers a fresh perspective on the origins of fire use in prehistoric humans.
Researchers developed a new method for extracting and identifying proteins from ancient soft tissues, providing insights into past lives and diseases. The technique identified over 1,200 ancient proteins from 2.5mg of sample, offering a window on human history.
Archaeologists uncover evidence of permanent habitation, agriculture, and cultural exchange along the Medieval Wall System in Mongolia. The study reveals that these walls served not just military ends but also administrative and symbolic functions, challenging traditional perceptions of nomadic societies.
The Gobi Wall, constructed from rammed earth and stone, played a central role in regulating trade and asserting territorial control. Its adaptive design utilized local materials to manage frontier movement and conserve resources.
A new study by Bournemouth University reveals that the 'war-cemetery' at Maiden Castle did not die in a single event, but rather experienced lethal violence spanning multiple generations. The findings question the traditional narrative of Roman conquest and highlight the need for reevaluation of other archaeological cemeteries.
A new study by Greer Jarrett reveals that Vikings sailed farther away from Scandinavia and took routes farther from land than previously believed. The research identified a decentralized network of ports on islands and peninsulas that played a central role in trade and travel during the Viking era.
Researchers propose reawakening ancient native crops to address climate change, leveraging knowledge from Indigenous communities. The alternative approach combines food production and biodiversity protection, offering a low-input solution for adapting to changing climate conditions.
Researchers analyzed a skeleton with a severe knee injury to uncover the complexities of social attitudes towards individuals with disabilities in medieval Europe. The study found that despite negative cultural views, some individuals with disabilities received long-term care and prominent burials.
Researchers analyzed personal names from archaeological findings to detect patterns of identity, openness, and change in ancient Hebrew societies. They found that the Kingdom of Israel had a more diverse naming landscape than Judah, indicating a more open and cosmopolitan society.
Researchers analyzed 788 obsidian artifacts from the Templo Mayor, finding diverse sources of obsidian used for both ritual and everyday objects. The study suggests a complex economy that relied on conquest and active trade with rival polities.
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.
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.
A new study in PNAS examines the rise and fall of Piast Poland, identifying key factors that contributed to its collapse. The research highlights the importance of balancing capital accumulation with social connectivity for sustainable political systems.