Articles tagged with Prehistoric Archaeology
A new integrated isotope study reveals that environmental conditions, rather than human selection, drove the initial increase in cereal grain size in southwest Asia around 11,000 years ago. The research found that larger grains grew under wetter conditions, while smaller wild-sized grains grew under drier conditions.
Research reveals how dogs developed specialized forms in response to human needs, such as compact sled dogs for Arctic regions and lean hunting dogs for tropical forests. Genetic adaptations also emerged to cope with oxygen-poor air at high altitudes, mirroring human populations' genetic traits.
A study of ancient DNA from over 500 mammoth bones found that Ice Age humans selectively targeted female woolly mammoths, unlike the sex ratio among naturally occurring remains. The research sheds light on how ancient humans and mammoths interacted across the Late Pleistocene.
A new study documents fossil footprints of eight adult Paranthropus boisei individuals, indicating human-like body sizes and complex social structures. The discovery provides a rare snapshot of 'fossil behavior' from an ancient hominin group in northern Kenya.
Researchers discovered evidence of cultural exchange between Neanderthals and modern humans at Üçağızlı II Cave, including shared use of non-utilitarian materials like marine seashells. The findings suggest a deep level of interaction between the two species.
For at least 1,000 years, early herders in eastern Africa continued to fish, hunt, and gather alongside livestock, revealing a diverse diet that varied greatly from person to person. This strategy likely helped them adapt to a changing environment and ensured survival.
The discovery of complex stone tools at the Lingjing archaeological site in China suggests that ancient humans were capable of advanced technological thinking and creativity. The tools, crafted by Homo juluensis, show a high level of organization and planning, indicating a deep understanding of stone properties and fracture mechanics.
The study reconstructs the genetic profile of a small group of Neanderthals from Stajnia Cave, Poland, providing a coherent genetic picture of Neanderthals in this part of Europe. The discovery sheds light on the distribution of a particular Neanderthal maternal lineage in western Eurasia.
Researchers use ancient DNA and burial practices to show that family ties can be more than just blood-related. This challenges traditional views of kinship, highlighting the importance of cultural and anthropological perspectives in understanding family dynamics.
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.
Researchers reconstructed diets of prehistoric communities in north-central Poland, shedding light on how people adapted to changing environments and social landscapes. The study found that Corded Ware communities herded animals in forests and that millet consumption varied among groups, reflecting identity and group boundaries.
Researchers found that Palaeolithic sign sequences are statistically comparable to the earliest proto-cuneiform script, dating back 40,000 years. The analysis of over 3,000 geometric signs on 260 objects revealed complex and informative systems used by early humans to convey information.
Researchers created a model using centuries of scientific theory and scholarly research to test the accuracy of chatbots in generating images and narratives about Neanderthals. The study found that accuracy rests on AI's ability to access source information, with many generated content referencing outdated research.
A new methodology uses photogrammetry and microtopographic analysis to analyze fine engravings in Late Paleolithic portable art, improving the reliability of archaeological interpretations. The technique provides a detailed characterization of groove morphology and variations in depth and width.
A remarkable prehistoric hammer made from elephant bone has been uncovered in southern England and analysed by archaeologists. The roughly 500,000-year-old tool provides an extraordinary glimpse into the ingenuity of early human ancestors who made it, likely either early neanderthals or Homo heidelbergensis.
The discovery of hand stencil rock art in Sulawesi, Indonesia, dates back at least 67,800 years, pushing back the known history of human settlement in Australia. The findings support the idea that modern humans arrived in Sahul via the northern migration route, with implications for our understanding of Australian Aboriginal culture.
The study uses a numerical model to simulate encounters between Neanderthals and modern humans on the Iberian Peninsula. Climate fluctuations significantly influenced population dynamics, with mixing possible in certain regions. The research offers a broader explanatory framework for interpreting archaeological and genomic data.
Researchers from the University of Copenhagen have developed an educational dynamic 3D computer game about the Neolithic period in Northern Europe using AI and free digital tools. The game features two AI-driven characters and allows players to explore a dramatized universe, promoting interactive learning and historical accuracy.
The study provides a comprehensive, interoperable geospatial catalogue of Middle and Late Bronze Age settlement sites in western Anatolia, documenting 483 archaeological settlements. This dataset fills a long-standing gap in regional Bronze Age research, enabling researchers to explore regional dynamics at scales not previously possible.
The study reveals a 81m dinosaur trackway as the longest known in China and the fastest running theropod trackway from the Cretaceous period. The analysis indicates that medium-sized theropods ran at speeds of up to 45 km/h, while large theropods walked at slower speeds.
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.
Researchers found systematic plant imagery in ancient Halafian pottery with precise symmetry and numerical sequences, suggesting early farming villages had sophisticated mathematical thinking about dividing space and quantities. The study contributes to ethnomathematics, identifying mathematical knowledge embedded in cultural expression.
Researchers discovered Yersinia pestis DNA in a 4,000-year-old domesticated sheep from Arkaim, Russia, providing a missing link for the Bronze Age plague's widespread spread. The findings suggest that people, livestock, and an unidentified natural reservoir played a dynamic role in the disease's evolution.
Researchers used AI to analyze variscite samples, predicting their geological origin with 95% accuracy. The study reinterprets prehistoric trade routes, revealing new information about the spread of this highly valued mineral throughout Western Europe.
A 12,000-year-old clay figurine from Nahal Ein Gev II in northern Israel depicts a woman and goose, revealing human-animal interaction and symbolic expression. The piece showcases naturalism, light manipulation, and artistic innovations predating the Neolithic era.
Researchers discovered a 5,500-year-old ceremonial site at Murayghat in Jordan, featuring clusters of dolmen remains and large megalithic structures. The site suggests that early societies coped with disruption by building monuments and redefining social roles.
Neolithic farmers in Central Europe integrated new cereal varieties into their range of crops between the 6th and early 4th millennium BCE. This led to more resilient and flexible agriculture, enabling the cultivation of winter and summer crops and adapting to changing environmental conditions.
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 team of researchers led by Professor Hiroki Obata reconstructed the structure of prehistoric fishing nets from ancient pottery using X-ray CT. The study revealed a rich diversity in net-making techniques between regions and highlighted the importance of sustainability practices in ancient cultures.
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.
The study found shocked quartz grains at three North American archaeological sites, indicating extreme heat and pressure. This supports the Younger Dryas Impact hypothesis, which proposes that a fragmented comet exploded over Earth, leading to megafauna extinctions and Clovis culture collapse.
The discovery of Spicomellus afer reveals an armoured dinosaur with metre-long spikes on its neck and tail weapon, showcasing the diversity of ankylosaurs' armour. This find pushes back the evolution of ankylosaur tail weapons by over 30 million years.
A study published in Comptes Rendus Géoscience refines understanding of ocean levels, coastlines, and ancient migratory corridors in Africa and West Asia. The research uses improved glacial isostatic adjustment modeling and DNA data to explore alternative land and sea routes into and out of Africa.
An international team of researchers proposes that a meteorite impact just west of Winslow, Arizona, created Meteor Crater and triggered a massive landslide in the Grand Canyon. The study found evidence of a paleolake forming at the same time, with driftwood dating back to around 55,000 years.
Researchers challenge claims of an incestuous ruling elite in Neolithic Ireland, citing a lack of evidence and unsuitable comparisons. The study argues that burial practices were not strictly determined by lineage, but rather reflect the community's social dynamics.
Researchers challenge the idea of an incestuous social elite ruling over ancient Ireland, citing a lack of corroborating evidence from nearby settlements and dietary practices. The study suggests that the society was more equal, with people sharing resources and living in similar dwellings.
A new species of pterosaur, Nipponopterus mifunensis, has been discovered in Japan, providing crucial insight into the diversity and evolution of pterosaurs in East Asia. The fossil, found in the Mifune Group geological formation, features striking characteristics not seen in any previously known species.
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 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.
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.
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.
Scientists have re-dated the world's oldest complete wooden hunting weapons using amino acid geochronology, establishing a new age of approximately 300,000 years. The findings highlight significant leaps in early human hunting capabilities and cooperative behavior around 200,000 years ago.
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.
The study found direct evidence of psychoactive plant use in ancient Chavín de Huántar, Peru, revealing exclusive rituals that reinforced the social hierarchy. The use of hallucinogens created an air of mystique and control, convincing leaders of their mystical power.
The book argues that domestication began as a natural process, with humans unintentionally influencing the evolution of plants and animals through habitat creation. This perspective has significant implications for conservation initiatives today.
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.
A new study led by Washington State University archaeologist Tim Kohler challenges traditional views that disparities in wealth emerged suddenly with large civilizations. The research found that wealth inequality started to increase roughly 1,500 years after the advent of agriculture, driven by population growth and competition for land.
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.
Researchers analyzed ancient stone tools found in the Robberg caves, revealing specific methods of core reduction that indicate shared ideas among prehistoric people. The study suggests that these ancient humans were more connected than previously thought, with similar tool-making techniques found across different regions.
A new study reveals significant shifts in prehistoric hunter-gatherer populations in Europe due to climate changes at the end of the last Ice Age. The population declined by half, but some areas in central Europe showed stability or even an increase in population size, indicating human migration towards the east.
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 study suggests that children were involved in creating prehistoric cave art due to their unique mental and cognitive traits, which allowed them to communicate with entities from the beyond. Children were believed to be liminal beings, bridging the gap between worlds, and delivering messages to non-human entities.
Researchers discovered 27 standardized bone tools over 1.5 million years old in Tanzania's Olduvai Gorge, pushing back known standardization by 500,000 years. The discovery suggests an early ability for planning and knowledge transmission among ancient populations.
Researchers analyzed human remains from a settlement site in Kosenivka, Ukraine, providing insights into the lives of ancient people. The study found that meat made up less than 10% of their diets, with plant-based foods being the primary source of nutrition.
A study published in PLOS ONE suggests that 12,000-year-old stones from Israel may have been used as spindle whorls to turn fibers into yarn, representing a key milestone in the development of rotational tools including wheels. The stones feature a circular shape with a central hole, allowing them to rotate faster and more efficiently.
The study reveals large genomic differences between European aurochs, North Asian aurochs, and South Asian ancestor, with evidence of human intentional feeding and targeted domestication. The genome of the central European aurochs was fully decoded for the first time, providing insights into the history of wild cattle in Europe and Asia.
Researchers at University of Göttingen studied Bronze Age spear combat using multi-stage experiments to understand fighting styles and mark formation on spearheads. The study provides insights into wear formation, trauma, and combat contexts, benefiting future research and museum curation.
A recent study has uncovered a previously unknown farming society in Morocco, dating back to the Final Neolithic period. The site of Oued Beht reveals extensive evidence of large-scale agriculture and deep storage pits, providing significant insights into the role of North Africa in shaping Mediterranean prehistory. This discovery chal...