Articles tagged with Historical Archeology
Researchers found King Richard III in a hastily dug, lozenge-shaped grave under a Leicester car park, suggesting gravediggers were in a hurry to bury him. The grave was too short for the king's body, and his torso was crammed in, with evidence of hands being tied during burial.
Researchers have discovered evidence of ancient agriculture in southern China, predating the arrival of domesticated rice. The use of a new analysis technique on grinding stones revealed starch from tropical palms, indicating that people may have cultivated these plants around 5,000 years ago.
The Jicarilla Apache successfully avoided incorporation on an American Indian reservation by assimilating into the Pueblo colonies and Hispanic societies. Their enclavement strategy allowed them to preserve their culture and avoid extermination for nearly two centuries.
A team of atmosphere chemists has created a method to analyze ancient sulfur isotopes in ice cores, allowing for precise determination of the impact of volcanic eruptions on global climate. This breakthrough resolves debates over historical episodes of cooling and provides new insights into past climate events.
A new study recommends using air curtains and cooling layers to preserve China's Terracotta Warriors and other historic relics. The measures aim to prevent environmental degradation and protect the over 1,500 relics in large museums like the Qin Terracotta Museum, which attracts over 5 million visitors annually.
The University of Leicester has discovered the remains of King Richard III using a wealth of evidence including DNA, radiocarbon dating and skeletal analysis. The skeleton was found in Leicester city centre and matches two of Richard III's maternal line relatives, confirming his identity.
Researchers found four well-preserved ships and an ancient harbor structure from the Hellenistic period, shedding light on a lesser-known era of history. The discoveries suggest that additional remains may be found in the coastal sediment before storms destroy them.
Archaeologists from the University of Leicester have uncovered human remains consistent with battle wounds, but not fitting the Tudor description of King Richard III as a hunchback. The discovery marks a significant shift to laboratory analysis to confirm the identity of the skeleton.
Archaeologists are near discovering King Richard III's possible burial place following major finds including medieval inlaid floor tiles, paving stones and a lost garden. The University of Leicester's archaeological dig at Greyfriars will continue for another week after huge public support and global media interest.
Researchers have discovered paving stones in the 'lost garden' of Robert Herrick, believed to be from Richard III's time. The discovery is a significant find, bringing them closer to locating the king's grave. Further investigation has also revealed fragments of window tracery and medieval silver pennies at the site.
Researchers have found evidence of ancient popcorn in Peru, dating back 6,700 to 3,000 years. The discovery provides valuable information on the evolution of corn and its adaptation to different environments.
The Great Dismal Swamp was once a human refuge for Indigenous Americans, runaway slaves, and others. Researchers have uncovered evidence of maroon communities that thrived there from the 1600s to 1860, highlighting the swamp's role as a sanctuary since 1800.
At the 39th annual CAA conference, researchers will showcase their innovative approach to recording archaeological data using iPads, reducing time and improving accuracy. This 'Paperless' project utilizes digital technology to create a complete analysis of homes, shops, and businesses at Pompeii.
A Greek trade emporium on Egyptian soil thrived under the protection of powerful Eastern empires. The Greeks who inhabited Naukrtis formed a unique culture despite being from warring city-states, emerging with a national Greek identity. This arrangement enabled the exchange of art and culture between Greece and Egypt.
Researchers have found approximately 90 pre-Columbian settlements in South Brazil, contradicting traditional assumptions of sparsity in inland areas. The discoveries include fertile soils and round depressions that could be the remains of ancient water reservoirs.
A University of Leicester archaeologist has discovered a bone belonging to a late 19th-century tortoise from Stafford Castle, providing the earliest archaeological evidence for pet tortoises. This find sheds light on the changing attitudes towards family pets in British society during the late 19th century.
Researchers have discovered a link between radiocarbon dating and Egyptian historical chronology, which challenges traditional associations. The study suggests that the Minoan Santorini eruption occurred before the 18th Dynasty and during the Hyksos Period.
A study combining genetic, archaeological, and linguistic data reveals that genetic variation in Africa is structured geographically and linguistically. The research provides a clearer picture of the continent's history and highlights the importance of independent lines of evidence in interpreting genetic and genomic data.
A new project aims to develop preservation strategies for heritage iron by measuring corrosion rates and assigning lifespans based on environmental conditions. The research team will test novel sensors and collaborate with museums and commercial sectors to optimize conservation, reducing energy expenditure and costs.
Researchers like Eduardo Palacio-Pérez reinterpreted Palaeolithic art as having symbolic-religious significance, shifting away from purely decorative motives. This new perspective emerged in response to discoveries of paintings and engravings in caves, which were initially dismissed due to their naturalistic quality.
Researchers Gary Feinman and Linda Nicholas integrated textual information with archaeological research to provide a more holistic view of Shihuangdi's reign and its impact on eastern China. Their study reveals that the area was already inhabited before the emperor's colonization efforts, contradicting previous historical accounts.
A new study reveals that the Komodo dragon most likely evolved in Australia and dispersed westward to Indonesia. The research, published in PLOS ONE, also details fossil evidence of a new species of giant varanid found on the island of Timor.
A team of experts will dive into the sacred pools of Cara Blanca in central Belize to investigate their cultural significance and environmental history. The expedition aims to determine if these cenotes have similar sacred qualities as other Maya sites.
Recent discoveries in Chinese archaeology are forcing scientists to reconsider the origins of ancient Chinese civilization, highlighting a more complex and diverse history. The findings also raise questions about the impact of looting and development on China's cultural heritage.
Researchers argue that recent discoveries of tool use by wild primates force a re-think of traditional dividing lines between humans and other primate species. Julio Mercader's work, published in Nature, advocates for a new inter-disciplinary field to examine tool use in primates over time.
A team of scientists, led by Dr. James Adovasio, is searching for evidence of human occupation in the Gulf of Mexico, dating back over 12,000 years. The researchers are exploring submerged sites using remotely operated vehicles and divers to collect artifacts and animal fossils.
Ciguatera poisoning, caused by eating large carnivorous reef fish, may have prompted Polynesian migrations out of paradise. Researchers propose that climate change and ciguatera outbreaks led to historical mass migrations of Cook Islanders from Rarotonga to New Zealand, Easter Island, and possibly Hawaii.
Archaeologists are racing to preserve the ancient underwater town of Pavlopetri, off southern Laconia in Greece. The site, dating back to 2800 BC, offers major insights into Mycenaean society and its workings.
Metrological analysis of ancient houses reveals the use of standard models that were ingeniously adapted to suit individual situations. Architects used geometric figures and proportions to design homes for Pompeii's elite, resulting in unique solutions for each client.
Researchers have found that small islands in the Caribbean were preferred by early settlers for their rich marine resources and fertile coastlines. These smaller islands offered better wind flow, fewer mosquitoes, and more abundant fish, making them an attractive choice for subsistence and economic benefits.
Archaeologists have uncovered evidence of ancient copper-production center at Khirbat en-Nahas, dating back to the 10th century BCE, pushing back archaeological chronology by three centuries. The discovery supports biblical narratives and raises questions about the historicity of King David and Solomon's rule.
Researchers uncover clay bundle filled with metal objects, believed to be one of the earliest examples of African spirit practices in North America. The bundle, dated to around 1700, shows unique design and construction unlike other African-American spiritual practices.
A team of researchers from the University of Oregon refutes claims of Hobbit-like little people living in Palau, citing evidence of normal-sized hunters and gatherers. The study analyzed skeletal remains and cultural data dating back to around 3,500 years ago, finding no evidence of insular dwarfism or reduced stature population.
Recent discoveries at Yalbac, a Maya center in Belize, suggest that different groups, including nobles and commoners, built temples. The archaeologist's findings indicate that non-royals had the freedom to choose which temples to worship in and support.
Archaeologist Julie M. Schablitsky is leading an exploratory excavation of the grounds on John Paul Jones' boyhood home in Kirkbean, Scotland. The project aims to identify possible locations of outbuildings and cisterns using remote sensing techniques.
Smithsonian researchers discovered that chili peppers were cultivated and traded as early as 6,000 years ago across the Americas, contributing significantly to our understanding of ancient agricultural practices. The findings provide a new window into the past, allowing researchers to trace the history of chili peppers in the Americas.
The discovery is significant because it puts a face on an individual critical to the formation of St. Louis. The Ghost Horse Site, excavated by ITARP in 1998, yielded remains of an 18th-century structure believed to be Laclede's home.
A team of archaeologists has uncovered a previously unknown system of writing on a stone block in Veracruz, Mexico, believed to be the earliest in the New World. The Cascajal block dates back to around 900 BCE and features a distinct script with poetic couplets, challenging existing knowledge of Mesoamerican civilization.
Researchers at Arizona State University and Vanderbilt University found that Peruvian trophy heads came from a greater variety of geologic zones than those buried in ancient tombs, suggesting they were victims of warfare or raiding. Meanwhile, stable isotope analysis revealed corn was cultivated in South America earlier than previously...
Researchers analyzed bone fragments at the Donner Family campsite in California's Tahoe National Forest, finding no conclusive evidence of cannibalism. The team discovered domestic and wild animals were consumed, but human bone was not identified.
Researchers from the University of Cincinnati have uncovered a significant ancient Greek temple in coastal Albania, dating back to the late 6th century B.C. The temple's discovery is expected to contribute substantially to the understanding of religious life in the Adriatic region during the Archaic and Classical periods.
The SAA's Book Award recognizes 'Ancient Mexico & Central America' for its impact on archaeological research and understanding of Mesoamerica's cultural history. The book, written by Penn State adjunct professor Evans, is an informative and fun guide to the region.
The 'Dig Manchester' project has seen the community come together to uncover history, with businesses donating goods in kind and a sense of community pride emerging. The three-year programme will also involve similar projects in Northenden and Wythenshawe, aiming to promote local heritage and regeneration.
The study confirms the existence of an Edomite state before the 8th century B.C. and demonstrates two major phases of copper production in the region. The discovery of massive fortifications, over 100 building complexes, and Egyptian scarabs provide strong evidence for metal-working activities.
The Field Museum is reuniting scattered Kish collections from ancient Iraq using a $100,000 grant. The project aims to catalog and reconcile over 100,000 artifacts, making it possible for the first time to fully understand the site's historical significance.
The INEEL's Ecological and Cultural Resources Department developed a computer program to integrate historical, archaeological, and anthropological research data. The Data Management Tool (DMT) helps archaeologists navigate detailed information, draw interactive maps, and predict where new artifacts might be found.
The project aims to discover how the integrated community worked, how families interacted with each other and their involvement in the Underground Railroad. The team has found artifacts consistent with the time period of New Philadelphia, including broken dinnerware, iron nails and hardware.
A recent archaeological discovery at a site in Colchester, Vermont, has shed new light on the presence of Native Americans in the region 9,000 years ago. The find includes fragments of Agate Basin points, which were used during the Late Paleoindian period and suggest that people from different regions shared cultural traits.
A digital library is being developed to gather, preserve, and publicize historical and real-time data for archaeologists, humanists, and social scientists. The library will focus on ancient Near Eastern studies and include electronic tools like DigKit and DigBase to collect, record, and share data.
The EarthWorks project uses architectural software and high-resolution computer modeling to virtually rebuild ancient Native American monuments. The team has successfully recreated the location and appearance of many region's earthworks constructed by the Adena, Hopewell and Fort Ancient cultures from as early as 600 BC.
A new excavation at Teotihuacan's Pyramid of the Moon reveals a distinctive Mayan-style burial with jade artifacts, suggesting a direct connection between Teotihuacan rulers and the Maya royal families. The discovery sheds new light on the government of Teotihuacan and its potential influence on Mayan politics.
An ivory statuette of a lion-tamer may be part of the throne given to Apollo by King Midas, according to Dr. Keith DeVries. The statuette's style and date match Phrygian art from Turkey, supporting a strong case for its association with the king's throne.
New research suggests earthquakes destroyed fortified buildings, changed river courses and made elite rulers vulnerable to attack in ancient civilizations. Scientists at Stanford University are painting a picture of an ancient world where earthquakes played a crucial role in shaping history.
Archaeologists have found a fragment of a French wine bottle made around the time of the American Revolution, confirming the existence of an old French site in Peoria, Illinois. The discovery resolves a decades-long debate over the village's location and sheds light on the life of Louis Chatellereau, a French farmer and fur trader.
Researchers use geophysical surveys and underwater explorers to discover two long-lost cities off the Egyptian coast. The cities are believed to have sunk due to earthquakes, with some evidence suggesting land subsidence or tsunamis as contributing factors.
A Vanderbilt University-led excavation has uncovered a remarkably preserved 8th century Maya royal palace at Cancuén, Guatemala, featuring over 170 rooms and 11 courtyards. The site's unique design and fine limestone construction have allowed it to remain largely intact for over 1,000 years.
The ancient port of Berenike continued to operate for centuries longer than previously thought, with entrepreneurs keeping costs low to maximize profits. Traders brought in luxury goods like elephants, gold, and red coral, while also exporting essential items like frankincense and Indian pepper.