Articles tagged with Prehistory
Researchers from the University of Birmingham have re-dated the end of the Greek Bronze Age to 925-1025 BCE, based on radiocarbon analysis of animal bones and plant remains. This new chronology challenges traditional estimates and has implications for our understanding of ancient civilizations in the Mediterranean.
Researchers from the Universities of York, Macquarie and Oxford discovered evidence that ancient Egyptians used complex embalming agents 1,500 years earlier than thought. The findings suggest that mummification originated in Upper Egypt during the Neolithic period, around 4500-3100 BC.
Australian National University researcher Noel Hidalgo Tan discovered hidden paintings on Angkor Wat temple walls, dating back almost 500 years. The artworks depict deities, animals and daily life, shedding light on a previously unknown period in Cambodian history.
Researchers have created a 3D representation of Richard III's spine, revealing a severe scoliosis with a 'spiral' shape and a pronounced right-sided curve. The model shows how the condition would have affected his appearance, with a short torso and higher right shoulder.
A doctoral candidate used historical proxies, including coins, to create an interactive map of ancient Antioch's boundaries. She found the city's influence extended farther than previously theorized and was particularly abundant along a known trade route.
A mathematical model accurately matches the historical record on the emergence of complex states in ancient societies. Simulated warfare drives the formation of large-scale complex societies.
Researchers reconstructed modern Europe's genetic history using ancient DNA from skeletons in central Germany, revealing dramatic migrations and a mysterious genetic turnover around 4000-5000 years ago. The study provides a high-resolution record of human DNA evolution over 4000 years, shedding light on the demographic history of Europe.
A new study by Emanuela Guidoboni and colleagues reveals the historical record on ancient and medieval earthquakes in L'Aquila has gaps that must be addressed to assess seismic hazard. The region experienced multiple strong earthquakes, with a tendency to produce simultaneous events varying in impact.
Researchers have recovered part of the genome of two individuals living in the Mesolithic Period, 7000 years ago. The study indicates that current Iberian populations don't come from these groups genetically. The genome found is the oldest from Prehistory and exceeds Ötzi, the Iceman, in 1700 years.
A new study suggests that large areas of western Amazonia were sparsely inhabited before European arrival, contradicting the idea that most of Amazonia was heavily occupied. The research found few signs of charcoal from fires, indicating low-intensity human impacts on forests.
Recent studies suggest that prehistoric pastoralist societies in Eurasia developed distinct economies and triggered the formation of extensive networks of interaction. These 'nonuniform institutional complexity' models describe how small-scale institutions impact wider-scale political economies and shape the growth of great empires.
Researchers have discovered that malaria and other insect-borne diseases have existed for at least 100 million years, co-evolving with birds and monkeys. The study uses preserved insects in amber to reveal the evolution of these pathogens, making it difficult to conquer them.
Researchers have pushed back the timeline of North America's first known hunters to at least 14,000 years ago, revealing a longer period of large mammal hunting and potentially contributing to their extinction. The discovery was made through DNA analysis of a spearhead found in a mastodon remains.
A new study published in Social Science Quarterly suggests that a preference for physically formidable leaders may have evolved to ensure survival in ancient human history. The research found a statistically significant association between height and perceived leadership capability and interest in running for office.
A UT Knoxville historian is using a $50,000 NEH grant to study small village settlements in ancient Israel, which he believes were just as vibrant and dynamic as city-states.
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.
A multidisciplinary project at the University of Leicester explores the role of historical diasporas in shaping Britain's population history. The study will examine cultural change mechanisms and legacy of early diasporas on the island.
Dr Jay Kennedy discovers a regular pattern of symbols in Plato's books, linked to Pythagoras' harmony of the spheres, revealing his philosophy on nature and God. This breakthrough challenges conventional wisdom and opens up new ways to unite science and religion.
Researchers have developed a long and accurate chronology of ancient Egyptian dynasties using radiocarbon analysis, narrowing down historical scenarios and imposing some revisions. The study constrains previous predictions, especially for the Old Kingdom, with more accurate comparisons to surrounding areas.
Researchers used nondestructive evaluation techniques to analyze ancient coins minted by King Agrippa I and II. The study revealed that the copper used in the coins likely came from mines previously thought not to have been opened until a century later, suggesting a closer relationship between the Romans and the region.
A new study suggests that the first Americans were better equipped to handle the challenges of the Younger Dryas period, which saw a rapid return to glacial conditions. The researchers found that cooling temperatures and environmental changes did not pose significant adaptive challenges to Paleoindian groups.
A new research institute dedicated to the Bronze Age will be established at La Bastida archaeological site in Murcia, Spain. The project aims to shed light on European prehistory and cultural heritage through systematic research and scientific analysis.
Theoretical biologist Peter Turchin and ancient historian Walter Scheidel developed a mathematical model using coin hoards to project population dynamics before and after 100 BC. The model suggests that the Roman population declined after 100 BC, contradicting the 'high count' hypothesis of vigorous growth.
A new study challenges the assumption that branding began with the Industrial Revolution, finding evidence of ancient commodity branding in Egypt and Iraq. Branding was a deep-seated human need to find value in goods, filled by labels on containers and practices surrounding production and distribution.
The study aims to explore the genetics of the coconut to infer historical relationships among populations. The research will focus on understanding the plant's ancient dispersal, geographical origin of domestication, and impact of human activities on population structure.
A Yale University team has confirmed the existence and location of the long-speculated Maya city Site Q in Guatemala. The discovery was made by Marcello Canuto's team, who found an in-situ panel carved with over 140 hieroglyphs that match the style and historical chronology of the Site Q texts.
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.
A team of international researchers, including University of Colorado at Boulder professor Robert Hohlfelder, are searching for the lost fleet of Persian warships in the seas off Greece's northern coast. The team used sonar, a manned submersible submarine and a remotely operated vehicle to locate the site, which was chosen after local ...
Experts at the University of Maryland Medical Center have re-examined historical records and found that symptoms described for Alexander's death, such as chills, sweats, and high fever, are consistent with typhoid fever. The disease can cause abdominal pain, which may have contributed to Alexander's reported agony.
A University of Wyoming professor and specialist in forensic anthropology is leading an effort to study the Kennewick Man skeleton, believed to be over 9,300 years old, before its reburial. The team of scientists hopes to gain insights into human evolution and population change in North America, which could shed light on the bone struc...