Articles tagged with Historical Archaeology
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.
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.
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 ...
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
The article highlights the vulnerability of US Gulf coast archaeological sites to climate change-induced sea level rise and extreme weather. The study calls for an integrated approach combining coastal ecosystem management with archaeological and historical resource preservation using Indigenous traditional ecological knowledge.
A groundbreaking database of over 55,000 housing measurements from around the globe supports research on correlations between housing size and inequality. The study examines patterns of inequality and their social consequences in human society.
A complete Quina technological system, used for making tools, was discovered in southwest China dating back 50,000 to 60,000 years. This finding disputes the widely held belief that development in China was sluggish during most of the Paleolithic period.
A team of archaeologists and Indigenous scholars calls on museums to better care for animal remains, recognizing power imbalances and respecting Native American traditions. The approach emphasizes self-reflection, lifelong learning, and partnering with Indigenous groups to rethink catalogue, storage, and display methods.
Archaeologists reconstructed human land use and land cover over the past 12,000 years in South Asia, revealing hunter-gatherer practices as dominant across periods. The study provides critical information for modeling climate impacts of human populations.
Archaeologists and designers collaborated to recreate five historical outfits based on Faras Cathedral wall paintings. The reconstructed garments featured traditional dyeing techniques and natural pigments, showcasing the cultural heritage of medieval Nubia.
Researchers believe they have located Harold Godwinson's private power centre, a high-status house with latrine, at Bosham, West Sussex. The site is significant as it represents an Anglo-Saxon show-home and provides insight into the origins of aristocratic centres in England.
A newly discovered Tetrarchic boundary stone provides valuable historical insights into the sweeping tax reforms of Roman Emperor Diocletian. The inscription mentions two previously unknown village names, a new imperial surveyor, and reflects the socio-economic dynamics during the Tetrarchy period.
A new study by Tel Aviv University reveals Rujm el-Hiri's original alignment does not match celestial observations, casting doubt on its use as an astronomical observatory. The site's current orientation differs from its original position due to thousands of years of geodynamic shifts.
Humanity's presence on Mars leaves behind a valuable archaeological record, with scientists arguing that it deserves cataloging and preservation. Anthropologist Justin Holcomb advocates for considering the impact of human exploration on Martian sites and planning missions to minimize damage.
A new research collaboration between the K’ómoks First Nation and Simon Fraser University highlights how Indigenous cultural heritage policies can protect archaeological sites threatened by development. The study found that the K’ómoks First Nation’s Cultural Heritage Policy provides a pathway to reconciliation and greater certainty fo...
A study analyzing DNA from skeletal remains in Pompeii casts reveals the cosmopolitan origin of the city's inhabitants, contradicting previous physical appearance-based assumptions. Genetic data also sheds light on ancestry, sex, and familial relationships, challenging traditional notions.
Researchers have used ancient DNA to corroborate a 800-year-old Norse saga about King Sverre Sigurdsson's military raid. The study reveals details about the 'Well-man,' including his likely blue eyes, blond hair, and ancestral origins in southern Norway.
The National Endowment for the Humanities has awarded a Preservation Assistance Grant to Texas A&M University's Anthropology Research Collections. The grant will help protect and improve access to the university's anthropological and archaeological materials, while also providing new learning opportunities for graduate students.
Researchers from UNH's Forensic Anthropology Lab worked with town officials to investigate and document the remains, which showed signs of hardship and health issues. The reburial ceremony marked a rare opportunity for closure and respect for the individuals buried in hasty unmarked graves.
Researchers at SWPS University recreated five outfits from the murals of the Faras Cathedral, shedding light on the evolution of royal and clerical attire in medieval Nubia. The study highlights the blend of Byzantine and Muslim influences, as well as the practical considerations of garment construction and dyeing.