Articles tagged with Iron Age
Researchers analyzed DNA from 142 individuals buried in medieval graves, finding that close biological relatives were rare among those buried together. The study also sheds light on the lives of children in early Christian Scandinavia, suggesting gender identity was recognized early in life.
Researchers have discovered a remarkably well-preserved iron-smelting workshop in eastern Senegal that dates back to the 4th century BCE. The site, which was used for nearly eight centuries, provides new insights into late prehistoric metallurgical practices in Africa.
A new study from Bar-Ilan University identifies the elderly in Iron Age Israel through household artifacts, revealing their social status, influence, and integration within family structures. The research advances beyond traditional methods of identifying the elderly, providing a fresh window into their lived experiences.
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.
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.
A tree-ring study published in Climatic Change suggests that severe summer droughts in 364, 365 and 366 CE led to the 'Barbarian Conspiracy' of 367 CE. The researchers argue that these droughts triggered food shortages and reduced grain supply to Hadrian's Wall, providing a motive for the rebellion.
A specialized manufacturing process was used to produce a large-scale production of purple dye in ancient Israel's Tel Shiqmona. The discovery sheds new light on the Iron Age production of this valuable resource.
Researchers analyzed seven severed skulls of men from Puig Castellar and Ullastret sites, revealing different mobility patterns and localisation trends. The study suggests that the nailed heads ritual was not a uniform practice across Iberian communities, but rather varied between settlements.
A groundbreaking study finds evidence of female political and social empowerment in ancient Britain, where land was inherited through the female line. This system, known as matrilocality, was found to be widespread across Iron Age Britain, with dominant matrilines established before 400 BC.
A new study from Stockholm University provides fresh insights into the Viking Age monetary system, revealing a flexible pricing system that used both oxen and silver as units of payment. The Forsa Ring inscription describes fines paid in these forms, indicating a more practical and efficient financial system.
Researchers analyzed ancient plant and animal remains to study historic food chains in ancient Syria. The analysis revealed a diet rich in grains, olives, grapes and dairy products, similar to the modern Mediterranean diet.
A new genetic analysis of Celtic burial mounds in Baden-Württemberg, Germany, confirms the long-held suspicion that two princes were biologically related. The study finds a close relationship between the two individuals and suggests that power structures among early Celtic elites may have been based on biological kinship.
Researchers recruited Hellenic Marine volunteers to test the Dendra armor's combat suitability. The experiment revealed that the armor did not limit a warrior's fighting ability or cause severe strain on the wearer.
Archaeologists excavated Building G at Tossal de Baltarga, revealing a way of life derailed by violence. The site's destruction was linked to the Second Punic War, with organic remains preserved, including an iron pickaxe and gold earring.
A three-year research project at the University of Oldenburg examines the resettlement history of Hazor, a Bronze Age megacity in eastern Mediterranean, and its impact on early Israelite identities. The team aims to uncover how narratives about these events influenced the shaping of early Israelite cultures.
The study reveals unprecedented insights into Philistine cultic rituals and beliefs, connecting them with broader Mediterranean religious traditions. The discovery of plant species with psychoactive and medicinal properties underscores the significance of nature in Philistine spirituality.
A study analyzing ancient DNA from 33 individuals found two separate farmer-associated ancestries in the region, connected to China's Yangtze River valley and Yellow River valley. The genetic results mirror cultural differences between regions, suggesting separate influence spheres and connections to distinct initial migration routes d...
A new study reveals that the mobility of Tibetan farmers and herders in prehistoric times influenced the settlement patterns and cultural connections across the plateau. The research found a strong correlation between the routes used for subsistence-oriented mobility and the social network of shared technologies and ceramic designs.
Researchers at the Francis Crick Institute have identified the first prehistoric person with mosaic Turner syndrome, characterized by one X chromosome instead of two. The study also found the earliest known incidence of Jacob's syndrome, Klinefelter syndrome, and an infant with Down Syndrome in ancient DNA samples.
Researchers analyzed bones from 52 sacrificed animals at the well-preserved site of Casas del Turuñuelo, revealing a pattern of repeated mass animal sacrifice in Iron Age Spain. The study sheds light on ritual protocols and intentional selection of adult horses over young animals.
A new study published in PLOS ONE provides detailed insights into the timing of events in ancient Gezer, a city known from Egyptian, Assyrian, and Biblical texts. The radiocarbon dates suggest that some proposed correlations between the archaeological record and ancient texts are plausible.
A study of a European pond turtle found in an ancient Polish grave provides insights into the Wielbark culture burial custom. The analysis reveals that turtles likely entered the graves after burial, contradicting previous theories of their role in rituals.
Researchers uncovered traces of Giardia duodenalis, a common cause of debilitating diarrhoea, in two Jerusalem latrines dating back to the biblical Kingdom of Judah. The study suggests dysentery was endemic in the Kingdom of Judah.
A new study finds that modern-day Scottish, Welsh and Northern Irish people share a common genetic heritage with ancient Pictish populations, contradicting long-held assumptions of exotic origins. The research also reveals surprising genetic similarities between Picts and present-day groups in the UK.
Researchers discovered extensive use of iron staples in Notre-Dame's construction, dating back to the 1160s, making it a pioneering example of iron-based architecture. The study sheds light on the medieval Parisian iron market and its role in shaping the city's history.
A new study analyzes 48 ancient human genomes and over 16,500 modern Scandinavian genomes to reconstruct the region's genetic history. The research shows that ancestries introduced during the Viking period later declined, suggesting ancient immigrants contributed proportionately less to the modern gene pool.
Researchers found chlorobenzenes in a corroded Roman bowl dated to the Late Iron Age, which may pose a threat to archaeological preservation due to pollution in soil. Soil polluted with chlorobenzenes can lead to increased corrosion and damage to ancient artifacts.
New research shows that Viking beadmakers in Denmark used sophisticated methods to upcycle old Roman glass mosaics into glass beads. The findings reveal a circular economy approach, where glassmakers reused valuable materials to reduce waste and conserve resources.
A joint study by the Israel Antiquities Authority, Tel Aviv University, and the Weizmann Institute of Science has revealed the world's earliest known evidence of opium use in the Late Bronze Age. Eight ceramic vessels containing opium residue were found in Canaanite graves at Tel Yehud.
Researchers studied the Temagami BIF rock formation to understand the early Earth's interaction between ocean, continent and atmosphere. They found oxygen-producing organisms on landmasses 2.7 billion years ago, 200 million years before the Great Oxidation Event.
Archaeologists are leading excavations on the site of Leicester Cathedral, uncovering over 120 burials from the late Saxon period to the recent past. The excavations will reveal insights into the lives of people who lived and died in Leicester, including aspects of the Roman town that predated the Cathedral.
Researchers at Seoul National University analyzed charred food lumps from a 2,300-year-old site in southern India, revealing evidence of millet flatbreads and pulse batter. The study provides new insights into the diet and culinary practices of ancient South Asian populations.
The study reveals that ancient metal items were sourced from various Mediterranean locations, including Iberian and eastern Alpine regions. This discovery provides insight into the coastal mobility and cultural interactions between indigenous communities in France and the broader Western Mediterranean basin.
A recent study of the Suontaka grave challenges traditional beliefs about gender roles in Iron Age and Early Medieval communities. The analysis suggests that the buried individual had Klinefelter syndrome, indicating a non-binary person who was valued and respected by their community.
Researchers found geochemical evidence of pre-coinage silver trade in the Late Bronze and Iron Age periods, with Hacksilber playing a crucial role. The study analyzed Hacksilber from 13 sites dating back to 1300 BCE, revealing its origin from the Southern Aegean and Balkans.
Archaeologists have discovered that ancient chickens lived significantly longer than modern fowl due to their sacred status. Researchers used a new method based on the tarsometatarsal spur to estimate ages and found that over 50% of Iron Age bones were from birds aged over two years.
The study of 111 ancient genomes sheds light on the history of the Scythians, a legendary horse warrior culture. Genetic analysis reveals two main sources of origin for nomadic Iron Age groups, with one from the Altai Mountains and another from the western Ural Mountains.
Researchers from the Israel Antiquities Authority, Tel Aviv University, and Bar Ilan University discovered rare fabric dyed with royal purple dating back to King David and King Solomon's time. The dye was produced from species of mollusk found in the Mediterranean Sea and is often mentioned in the Bible.
The study sequenced the genome of 442 bone fragments from the Viking Age and found that Vikings had a lot more genes from Southern and Eastern Europe than anticipated. This suggests that the Vikings frequently interbred with people from other parts of the world, contradicting traditional images of them as Nordic blonds.
Researchers have identified cannabis and frankincense on two Iron Age altars in a biblical Judahite shrine, shedding new light on cult practices. The study suggests cannabis was used as a psychoactive to stimulate ecstasy during ceremonies.
The study reveals that the Levänluhta population relied on a diverse range of livelihoods, including terrestrial, marine, and freshwater food sources. This diversity allowed them to survive a severe climate disaster in the 540s AD.
A genetic study of ancient bone samples in Finland discovered separate populations during the Iron Age, influencing modern Finns' gene pool. The study found lineages typical of hunter-gatherers and European farmers coexisted in different regions.
A team of scientists analyzed ancient genomes from Ashkelon, finding a European-derived ancestry introduced around the time of the Philistines' arrival. This genetic component was diluted by local Levantine gene pool over centuries, suggesting intense admixture between foreign and native populations.
A study by archaeologists at the University of Helsinki reveals that copper in ancient Finnish jewellery originated from southern Europe, particularly Greece and Bulgaria. The findings demonstrate extensive exchange networks between continental Europe and Finland across the Baltic Sea.
A recent study published in Nature reveals that ancient bones found in a Finnish lake contain DNA from the modern Sámi people, dating back to around 500-700 AD. The discovery contradicts previous theories about local populations and sheds light on the colonization history of Siberia.
A study reveals that pastoralists in ancient Eurasia adopted agricultural products through trade and social networks, driving changes in dietary dynamics. The shift occurred around the transition to the Iron Age, coinciding with the expansion of trans-regional networks and complex political structures.
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 Uralic-speaking people in Northern Europe inherited genetic material from ancient Siberians, arriving by the start of the Iron Age. The study reveals a mix of genetic, archaeological, and linguistic data supporting this theory.
New archaeological findings at Lund University confirm that Swedes produced malt for beer brewing during the Iron Age. The discovery was made in Uppåkra, southern Sweden, and dates back to the 400-600s.
Ancient European horse breeding practices likely contributed to the limited paternally-inherited Y chromosome diversity in modern horses. Selective breeding during the Iron Age may have reduced genetic variation, as humans prioritized reproductive success of selected stallions. The Roman Empire's shift towards male-based selective bree...
Recent research reveals that all Bronze Age iron artifacts were made from meteoric iron, a rare and valuable source of the metal. This finding challenges previous theories on the origins of bronze and provides new insights into ancient metalworking practices.
A 3,000-year-old female statue was discovered at the Tayinat archaeological site in Turkey, measuring over 1 meter long and 0.7 meters wide. The statue features intricate carvings and is believed to represent a prominent matriarchal figure, possibly Kubaba or Kupapiyas, wife of King Suppiluliuma.
New study from Tel Aviv University and Hebrew University finds evidence of a fluctuating geomagnetic field in ancient Judean jar handles, with peak strength in the 8th century BCE. The research suggests that the Earth's magnetic field has undulated for thousands of years and is not weakening.
Researchers analyzed White Painted and Bichrome Wares from three sites in Turkey's Hatay region, using x-ray and neutron analysis to determine production origins. The study suggests a complex pattern of trade and social interactions between Cyprus and the Amuq Valley during the Iron Age.
Dairy fats found on ancient pottery sherds suggest high alpine dairying began at least 3000 years ago. The findings provide early evidence of nutritious resources being produced and exchanged for socioeconomic development.
Researchers estimate that approximately one-third of British ancestors were Anglo-Saxon immigrants, who mixed with the native population. Genome sequences from ancient skeletons and modern-day DNA data reveal integrated communities and support a long-standing debate among historians and archaeologists.
The discovery suggests that Knossos rapidly grew and thrived after the collapse of the socio-political system around 1200 BC. The site was found to have a range of imports from mainland Greece, Cyprus, Egypt, Italy, Sardinia, and the western Mediterranean.
The Philistines brought exotic plants, including sycamore, cumin, and opium poppy, which had a significant impact on Israel's floral biodiversity. These cultivars were not found in archaeological sites prior to the Iron Age, reflecting a distinct agrarian regime and dietary preferences.
A team of researchers has recovered a magnetic field record from ancient minerals for Iron Age southern Africa, combining it with the weakening Earth's magnetic field. The data suggests that the region beneath southern Africa may be responsible for some recent and future pole reversals.
Archaeologists discovered intestinal parasites' eggs from the Celtic period in Switzerland, indicating poor sanitation and mixed living environments. The parasite eggs suggest a lack of proper waste management and possible livestock introduction, highlighting the challenges faced by ancient communities.