Articles tagged with Historical Archeology
A recent study suggests that the ancient Maya's agricultural strategies may have been more effective than previously believed. The research, which analyzed airborne lidar data, found that Maya settlements in Mexico and Guatemala were able to maintain a stable food supply despite environmental challenges.
The Assyrian army, led by King Sennacherib, built a massive siege ramp at Lachish using human chains and thousands of stone blocks. The ramp was constructed in about 25 days, allowing the army to breach the city walls and conquer the city.
Researchers identified six human blood proteins, including serum albumin and immunoglobulin G, in the red paint of a 1000-year-old gold mask. The presence of bird egg proteins suggests the use of a binding material to preserve the paint on the metal surface.
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.
A 500-year-old English illuminated manuscript provides fresh insights into Catholic beliefs in England before the Reformation. The metre-long prayer roll contains religious verse and illustrations, including symbols of Christ's crucifixion, which were connected to a famous pilgrimage site.
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 advances in iron metallurgy, horse riding, and agricultural productivity played a significant role in the development of military machines. Mega-empires emerged as societies supporting tens of millions of inhabitants and covering vast territories.
A new analysis spanning 10,000 years of history and ten major world regions found that world population size, major technological advances, and geographical connectivity are key drivers of military technology evolution. The study's methodology employed a resource called Seshat: Global History Databank to empirically test prior hypotheses.
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 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.
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.
A new study highlights the need for a national policy to protect submerged Indigenous sites, which are at risk due to climate change, dredging, and seabed mining. Archaeological discoveries off the Pilbara coastline in Western Australia have uncovered ancient stone tools, rock art, and engravings dating back over 7,000 years.
A new study generated 137 whole-genome sequences from eight Middle Eastern populations, filling a major gap in international genomic projects. The researchers found 4.8 million previously undiscovered genetic variants, which could hold medical relevance.
Researchers conducted extensive analysis on the sandstone blocks at Stonehenge, revealing detailed information about their composition and origins. The study contributes to our understanding of the monument's construction and history.
An international team of scientists uses archeological digs and palaeoclimate records to study human interactions with the environment during past climate-change events. This approach can help identify tipping points in climate history and provide insights into how cultural diversity has contributed to human resilience.
Researchers in the Southern Levant identified substantial historical sea level changes, with a 2.5m rise occurring around 2000 years ago. This finding has significant archaeological implications for the region.
A multi-disciplinary team has reconstructed ancient population and land use, showing that humans shaped much of the terrestrial biosphere by 12,000 years ago. The study found a close correlation between areas of high biodiversity and areas long occupied by Indigenous peoples.
Researchers develop a new land-use classification system to improve climate models by incorporating archaeological data, revealing the diversity and intensity of human activities that affected past land cover. The project aims to fill gaps in climate modeling predictions and provide insights into global climate patterns.
A new open-access paper calls for archaeologists and history professionals to collaborate with marginalized communities to redress the harm perpetuated by colonialism. The authors suggest preserving damaged monuments alongside contextual exhibits highlighting acts of resistance against white supremacy, shifting attention from preservat...
The excavation of shell middens off two sites in the Gulf of Mexico and Northern Europe reveals new insights into the hidden history of submerged landscapes. The study challenges the current understanding of coastal life in these regions by pushing back the inhabitation timeframe by hundreds of years.
The Max Planck Institute of Geoanthropology has received a €2 million Arcadia grant to document Mongolian archaeological heritage over five years. The project, MAPSS, will compile an open-access online database of heritage sites in English, Mongolian, and Russian.
Researchers have uncovered evidence of what may be the earliest-known use of symbols, dating back to around 120,000 years ago. The discovery was made on a bone fragment in central Israel and features six similar etchings that are believed to hold symbolic or spiritual significance.
Archaeological grape seeds from excavations in Troyes and Reims provide insights into the history of Champagne wine growing. Wild vines were cultivated throughout the period studied, with domestic varieties emerging as early as the 1st century AD.
Archaeologists are addressing modern-day issues like biodiversity conservation and climate change by analyzing past data and solutions. The field has evolved to a highly scientific approach using advanced instrumentation and computers.
Researchers uncover ancient elephant migration routes and habitats through shipwrecked ivory analysis, challenging previous expectations of African elephant distribution. The study provides insights into the impact of the ivory trade on elephant populations and offers potential for tracing illicit ivory sources.
Researchers have discovered a camp with a warehouse on the Dutch islands of Curaçao and Bonaire, revealing everyday objects from the first half of the eighteenth century. The findings shed light on the impact of informal maritime commerce on society and daily life in colonial communities.
A new study examines 12,000 years of sea-level rise and finds that changes in land area and human cultures happened at variable rates, out of step with the prevailing rate of sea-level rise. Researchers warn that future sea-level rise will not always be simple and that human responses will be equally localized.
Researchers found evidence of mounted horseback riding in ancient China, with signs of chronic use of saddles and metal bits on horse skeletons. The discovery suggests that the region played a crucial role in spreading equestrianism to early Chinese civilizations.
Archaeologists discovered a rare and unusual collection of artifacts at a Classic Maya sweat bath in Guatemala, suggesting the structure was embodied by an amphibian goddess. The offering included human remains, juvenile animals, and stone tools, indicating the community's attempt to appease the goddess for survival.
A 480,000-year-old archaeological site in Sussex, England, has provided unprecedented insights into the life of a poorly understood human species. The site reveals that early humans engaged in cooperative activities and shared tools, suggesting highly social spaces for interaction and learning.
A study from Washington University in St. Louis reveals that Indigenous people in Oconee Valley continued to live and resist European influence for nearly 150 years, reframing historical narratives of early colonial encounters. The research highlights the longevity and endurance of Indigenous Mississippian traditions.
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.
The discovery of two underwater archaeological sites off northwest Australia dates back to when the current seabed was dry land. Hundreds of stone tools made by Aboriginal peoples have been found at these sites, providing new evidence of their ways of life.
A new study using ancient DNA found at least three population dispersals that brought people to the Caribbean, challenging traditional views of the region's early settlement. The researchers also discovered biological and cultural diversity among the early settlers.
A new study analyzing ancient DNA from 93 early Caribbean islanders reveals at least three separate colonization events in the region. The findings provide genetic evidence of distinct population histories and interactions between the earliest settlers and newcomers from South America.
A team of researchers sequenced 55 ancient genomes from northern China, finding correlations between genetic changes and subsistence strategy shifts. The study reveals that the West Liao River region experienced significant genetic changes over time, while the Yellow River showed a general stability but received genetic contributions f...
A new study reveals that most cultural changes in the Near East had no lasting effect on the genetics of local people in Beirut. Only three periods - Iron Age, Alexander the Great's arrival, and Ottoman Empire domination - left a lasting genetic impact.
Archaeogenomic analysis reveals two influential genetic events and evidence of long-distance individual movement in Anatolia, Northern Levant, and the Southern Caucasus. Genetic mixing and individual mobility were key factors in the development of regional genetic melting pots and early state-level societies.
French prehistory saw two significant migration waves: Neolithic and Bronze Age, which mixed with native hunter-gatherers. The study found that 7,000 years of admixture between these groups still influences the genomes of French people.
Archaeological finds of Boa vertebrae on Martinique and Guadeloupe suggest the snake's cultural significance in pre-Columbian Lesser Antilles. The discovery also highlights the importance of interdisciplinary research to reconstruct lost pasts.
Researchers discovered the walls and artifacts of Fort San Antón de Carlos, a Spanish fort built in 1566 on present-day Mound Key. The fort is an early example of tabby architecture and confirms the location of the Calusa capital.
Researchers analyzed 96 ancient genomes to understand the arrival and demographic structure of peoples with Steppe-related ancestry into late Neolithic, early Bronze Age Switzerland. Genetic analysis suggests a complex process involving gradual mixture of parallel, highly genetically structured societies.
A long-running ARC-funded project explores the recruitment and impact of Aboriginal men as native mounted police in Queensland, revealing ongoing psychological impacts of historical dispossession and frontier violence. The study argues that inter-generational trauma persists among Indigenous Australians.
Researchers analyzed ancient teeth and rib bones to reveal significant dietary diversification at the onset of Mongolia's earliest empires. Millet-based foods increased in consumption, suggesting imperial support for agricultural efforts.
Researchers using big data analytics have identified over three quarters of Spanish-founded colonial settlements in the former Inca Empire, providing new insights into social life and population history. The use of high-resolution satellite imagery also raises concerns about individual privacy and national security.
A team of archaeologists has discovered the oldest known Australian example of a communal type of Irish settlement, uncovering a large and vibrant clachan settlement hidden beneath an empty farm paddock. The discovery highlights the sustainable way of life maintained by over 500 Irish migrants who created a community in marginal land.
Researchers, including University of Arkansas archeologists Emily Beahm and Carl Drexler, aim to create safer and more inclusive field learning environments. Their project provides recommendations to prevent sexual harassment during undergraduate field-based courses.
A recent study published in Journal of Archaeological Science reveals that the Moai statues were believed to aid in agricultural fertility and production. The analysis of soil samples from two excavated Moai found high levels of essential nutrients, supporting the Rapanui people's practice of planting multiple crops together.
A new study suggests that global temperatures are causing the 'eternal ice' in the Sayan Mountains to melt faster than ever, threatening the livelihoods of traditional reindeer herders. This loss of cultural heritage could have long-lasting impacts on human knowledge and adaptation.
New research from Mongolia uncovers historic tool production and wild resource use, shedding light on premodern reindeer domestication. However, the study also highlights the devastating impact of climate change on modern reindeer herders' livelihoods and cultural heritage.
A Yale professor and his team discovered an abrupt 60-year megadrought that led to the collapse of the Neo-Assyrian Empire. The drought weakened the empire's agricultural base, allowing neighboring forces like the Babylonians to conquer Nineveh in three months.
Research suggests climate-related droughts triggered decline in Assyria's way of life and contributed to its collapse. The empire's reliance on rainfall for agriculture made it vulnerable to prolonged droughts, leading to instability and conflict.
Archaeological analysis of Bronze Age cemeteries in southern Germany reveals that nuclear families lived with foreign women and individuals from lower social classes. The study, published in Science, suggests a complex social structure where wealth was correlated with biological kinship or foreign origin.
Researchers have confirmed genetic ties among three individuals buried together after a 13th-century massacre by the Mongol army, shedding new light on the tragic event. The DNA analysis reveals a grandmother, daughter, and grandson were part of the same family.
Researchers at the University of Queensland have found that human-induced landcover change was globally extensive by 2000BC, four millennia ago. The study used crowdsourcing-from-experts approach to gather archaeological data and found long-term cumulative changes caused by early food producers.
A new international study published in Science reveals that land use by early farmers and societies had a significant impact on global land cover by 3,000-4,000 years ago. The study uses crowdsourced archaeological data to assess long-term human impacts on the natural world.
A new study published in Science sheds light on how our ancestors fed themselves, dramatically changing the world to grow food. By 3,000 years ago, intensive farming was common, reshaping environments for human sustenance.
Researchers used LiDAR data to digitally recreate the geomorphology of Cordoba before it was built over. The images show how both Iberian and Roman cities took advantage of the land's shape to build their settlements. This new information sheds light on the historical city's development.
The study analyzed life conditions, demographic aspects, funerary practices and genetic data to conclude that male domination emerged in later periods. Archaeological evidence suggests men's association with violence and force played a key role in shaping social complexity.
A new reading of the Mesha Stele suggests that biblical King Balak may have been a historical figure, based on high-resolution images revealing three consonants in the monarch's name. The name is now believed to be 'Balak', a king of Moab mentioned in the biblical story of Balaam, rather than the previously accepted 'House of David'.