Articles tagged with Material Culture
Researchers found previously unknown interactions among people in southern Africa between the 5th and 20th centuries, revealing a complex network of cultural exchange. The study used geochemical analyses on copper objects to reconstruct connectivity across the region, providing new insights into the history of the area.
Researchers analyzed ancient Wari pottery to understand how the empire spread its aesthetic. They found that potters across the empire created their own ceramics, decorated in traditional Wari style, with distinct chemical signatures from different regions. This bottom-up approach highlights local agency and economies' importance.
Archaeologists found that potters across the Wari empire used the same black pigment, suggesting imperial control. The shift to manganese-based recipes implies 'quality control' and symbolic meaning behind the color black.
The Manis bone projectile point is the oldest known weapon made from bone, dated to 13,900 years, and provides direct evidence of mastodon hunting in the Americas. Researchers used CT scans and 3D software to isolate and assemble the bone fragments, revealing a spear point made from mastodon bone.
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.
An archaeological study has confirmed that cowrie-shell artifacts found in the Mariana Islands were used as lures for hunting octopuses. The devices date back to approximately 1500 B.C., making them the oldest known artifacts of their kind in the world.
A multidisciplinary study of Roman period wine jars reveals the use of native grapes for wine production and foreign pine for waterproofing tar pitch. The analysis provides insight into the cultural practices of ancient winemakers in coastal Italy.
Researchers analyzed 96 fired clay fragments across 11 islands to reconstruct ancient trade routes in the Caribbean. The study found that the cultural hub was centered on the northwest coast of Hispaniola, challenging previous assumptions about the region's historical significance.
Archaeologists uncover layers of houses and various objects from the 10th to 13th centuries, including Hnefatafl pieces and glass. The most significant find is nine walrus ivory fragments that were later analyzed using DNA and isotopic analysis to determine their origin.
Researchers from the University of Georgia Laboratory of Archaeology have discovered evidence of 'council houses' on the Cold Springs site, dating back to around 500 A.D. The findings indicate that democratic institutions associated with collective governance were present in the Americas for at least a millennium before European contac...
Researchers analyzed Châtelperronian tools in the Iberian Peninsula, finding evidence of local Neandertal extinction and replacement even before Homo sapiens arrived. The tool complex suggests older Iberian Neandertals disappeared, replaced by new groups using Châtelperronian technology.
Researchers have discovered that participants in California's Gold Rush dined on salted Atlantic cod, highlighting the importance of global maritime trade. The findings were made possible through genetic analysis of 18 cod bones recovered from Thompson's Cove, which confirmed the importation of Atlantic cod during the late 1850s.
Researchers analyzed thousands of space station photographs to discover that Russian cosmonauts use walls to display religious icons and Soviet heroes, reflecting national identity and cultural heritage. This study has practical applications for long-duration space missions, where understanding human identity and society is crucial.
Researchers have uncovered a 50,000-year-old social network spanning eastern and southern Africa, driven by changing rainfall patterns and climate change. The study, using ostrich eggshell beads, found nearly identical bead characteristics between 50,000 and 33,000 years ago, indicating a long-distance connection.
Researchers at the University of Zurich have found a unique 2,700-year-old leather scale armor in Northwest China that originated in the Neo-Assyrian Empire. The armor's design and construction indicate a technology transfer between West and East during the first millennium BCE.
A simple change in the way donor cells are processed can maximize a single cell's production of extracellular vesicles, which are small nanoparticles naturally secreted by cells. The finding offers new avenues for research around cellular therapies, where transplanted cells are used to help the body heal or work better.
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.
A recent discovery at Tikal reveals a previously unknown neighborhood designed to replicate Teotihuacan's citadel, sparking new insights into the interaction between the two civilizations. Excavations found evidence of occupation and surveillance, as well as artifacts linking Tikal to Teotihuacan's imperial power.
Researchers have found conclusive evidence that a massive cosmic airburst destroyed the biblical city of Tall el-Hammam in the Jordan Valley around 3600 years ago. The impact, which is believed to be equivalent to a 12-megaton explosion, was characterized by temperatures exceeding 2,000°C and the formation of melted metals and glass.
The Camel Site's life-sized carvings of camels and equids are part of a wider rock art tradition that depicted naturalistic animals. The reliefs were created using stone tools during the Neolithic period, approximately 6th millennium BCE.
Research in Saudi Arabia reveals multiple pulses of increased rainfall transformed the arid region into a hospitable route for human population movements. The discovery of thousands of stone tools shows changing human culture over time, documenting transition from Lower Palaeolithic Acheulean to Middle Palaeolithic technologies.
A team of archaeologists led by Paola Villa has uncovered an unprecedented array of bone tools crafted from elephant bones at the Castel di Guido site in Italy, dating back to around 400,000 years ago. The discovery reveals a high level of cognitive intellect and technological sophistication among early humans during this period.
A study of over 26,000 graves reveals that early medieval Europe's burial transformation was not as simple as a linear trajectory from variable to standardized. Instead, there is significant regional variability and cultural connections between areas like Kent and northern France.
Researchers have discovered a Roman road submerged in the Venice Lagoon, indicating potential permanent settlement and connections to wider Italian Veneto Region. The findings suggest that the road may have been used by travellers and sailors, providing new insights into ancient trade routes.
A new, non-destructive archaeogenetic sampling method has been developed to extract genetic material from archaeological human remains without causing significant damage. This allows for the preservation of artefacts and enables further analysis through stable isotope and radiocarbon studies.
A rare bone point, dated between 5,300-3,800 years old, has been discovered near the Lower Murray River, providing insights into Ngarrindjeri country's material culture. The artefact, likely made from a macropod bone, was found during excavation work and is believed to have been used for piercing soft materials or as a projectile point.
The Material Minds Project investigates how cultural artefacts shape our minds and processing information. Using a unique blend of archaeology, vision science, and cognitive philosophy, the project tests the hypothesis that materiality drives cognitive change.
A study revealed that individual differences can be detected in same-shaped pottery vessels, with greater variation during the formation process than in the finished form. Researchers used video footage and hand movement analysis to identify unique patterns, shedding light on how individuals adapt traditional skills.
The Natodomeri fossil site in northwest Kenya is yielding a complete skull and partial skeleton of an early modern human, as well as extensive archeological material. The site's discovery provides a unique opportunity to compare early humans from the same time period but existing in different places.
A recent study using ancient DNA, archaeological artifacts, and written records confirms the existence of state-enforced resettlement in 15th century southern Peru. The research reveals that nonlocal people were forcibly relocated to support the economy and quell threats to authority, transforming the Andean sociopolitical landscape.
Archaeologists have discovered a Canaanite temple in National Park Tel Lachish, featuring extensive ruins dating to the 12th century BCE. The excavation has yielded gold artifacts and cultic figurines, including the oldest known etching of the Hebrew letter 'Samech'.
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.
Melting of 'eternal ice' patches in northern Mongolia poses a significant threat to traditional reindeer herding and exposes fragile cultural artifacts to the elements. The study, published in PLOS ONE, highlights the urgent need to address global climate change's impact on Inner Asia.
Birch bark tar was the world's oldest glue, used in the Palaeolithic Period and up to late antiquity, according to recent research. Archaeological artefacts suggest it was procured despite birch scarcity, highlighting the strength of traditional practices among the Gauls.
A study of 9500-year-old bone samples found that people from western Norway were genetically similar to those east of the Baltic Sea in Russia, while eastern Scandinavians were more similar to central and western Europe. The discovery highlights multiple waves of migration to Scandinavia.
Researchers have recovered over 2000 artefacts from the edges of contracting glacial ice in Norway, dating back to 4000 BC. The finds suggest a pattern of increased activity in the Late Antique Little Ice Age and again during the Viking Age, likely driven by changes in climate and human migration.
A team of University of Arizona researchers has discovered that a previously thought to be small turquoise mine was actually a significant source of the mineral, producing 25% more turquoise than previously estimated. The study uses both archaeology and geochemistry to gain a complete picture of operations at the mine.
The study reveals that communities with strong co-operation largely belonged to the same archaeological culture, providing a novel method for independent evaluation of the archaeological record. The researchers used modularity analysis on a comprehensive database of copper artefacts from the Balkans, dated from 6200 BC to 3200 BC.
A team of archaeologists discovered lipid-based biomarkers for whole wheat in a frozen Bronze Age container, providing new insights into the spread and exploitation of cereal grains. The finding has significant implications for studying early farming practices in Eurasia.
The University of Leicester has developed a non-destructive X-ray technique that can analyze artifacts of any shape or texture, providing high-quality phase information without causing damage. This technique has the potential to eliminate the need for destructive sampling and provide vital context information for museum collections.
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 discovered a well-preserved Bronze Age warrior's tomb in Greece containing over 2,000 objects, including four golden signet rings featuring Minoan iconography. The findings suggest cultural sharing between the ancient civilizations, challenging the theory of mere plunder.
Archaeologists have uncovered an 11,000-year-old engraved shale pendant at the Early Mesolithic site of Star Carr in North Yorkshire. The subtriangular artifact contains series of lines that may represent a tree or tally marks, and is the earliest known Mesolithic art in Britain.
A study by Hebrew University researchers and international colleagues found that different cultural approaches to tasks like pottery-throwing didn't produce distinct outcomes. Instead, most hand positions were culture-specific while vessel shapes remained largely unified across cultures.
Archaeologists at Hebrew University of Jerusalem uncovered a Sphinx fragment belonging to pharaoh Mycerinus, who ruled over 4,000 years ago. The find is significant as it is the only known Sphinx of this king discovered worldwide.
A Concordia University study explores how Christian pilgrims give souvenirs to spark interest in religion and perpetuate their faith. Pilgrims believe gifts can open a conversation with God, fulfilling their desire to pass down their faith.
A new system developed at Vanderbilt University aims to transform how archaeologists map large sites, providing higher resolution imagery and three-dimensional models. The SUAVe system, set to be tested in Peru, has the potential to catalog many archaeological sites quickly, addressing concerns about development and time.
Researchers at Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona have implemented a digital cataloguing system that uses data matrix codes to reduce manual registration errors in archaeological heritage. The system, tested on Spanish and African sites, demonstrates substantial advantages over manual coding in terms of speed and reliability.
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.
Archaeologists Alice V. M. Samson and Bridget M. Waller argue that the bared-teeth motif, commonly linked to death and aggression, actually represents social affiliation and benign intent in pre-Columbian Caribbean cultures.
A study of Classic Maya homes in Belize reveals the commoners' method of recording their own history, not just family history, but also their place in the cosmos. The analysis found human remains, artifacts, and color symbolism used to signify important dates and the cyclical nature of life.
Researchers at the University of Gothenburg suspect climate change is behind the shipworm's emergence in the Baltic Sea, posing a threat to 100,000 well-preserved shipwrecks. The group aims to develop methods to protect these treasures, including covering them with geotextile and bottom sediment.
Archaeologists at Fernbank Museum of Natural History have discovered unprecedented evidence of De Soto's path in Georgia, including rare glass beads and metal artifacts. The findings suggest a probable stop near McRae, Ga., and provide a significant link to the infamous conquistador's journey through Native communities.
A UCLA archaeologist finds that eBay's online auction house has an unexpected chilling effect on looting of antiquities, diverting villages to producing fake artifacts instead. The proliferation of these copies reduces incentives to loot and depresses the market for real items.
Researchers discovered evidence of earliest known domestic horses in Kazakhstan, which were both ridden and milked. The findings suggest horse domestication began around 5,500 years ago, earlier than previously thought, and had a significant impact on society.
A team of Israeli and Palestinian archaeologists, guided by UCLA and USC experts, has reached the first-ever agreement on the disposition of the region's archaeological heritage. The 39-point document proposes repatriation of artifacts to their original state, protection of cultural sites, and equal access for scholars and the public.
A new study from Harvard University and colleagues challenges previous knowledge about the origins of urbanization, proposing that smaller groups made decisions leading to city growth. The research analyzed artifacts at Tell Brak in Mesopotamia over an 800-year period, revealing patterns of population growth and settlement clusters.
Researchers examined medieval and Renaissance manuals and art to understand gladiatorial combat tactics. They infer that battles typically had three critical moments: initial contact, wounding, and grappling before concluding without bloodshed.
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.
A team of archaeologists from Boston University has uncovered the story of life among rural Maya in Belize's Sibun River Valley during the Late Classic Period. The research reveals a community that practiced sustainable agriculture and maintained dense vegetation to support their trade product: cacao.