An international team has made a groundbreaking discovery at the Chez-Pinaud-Jonzac Neanderthal site, shedding light on a lesser-known aspect of Neanderthal technology. The findings, published in PLOS ONE, have challenged the notion that anatomically modern humans were the sole users of bone tools. Traditionally, it was believed that only anatomically modern humans possessed the knowledge … Read more
Archaeologists made a remarkable discovery near Peru’s capital, unearthing a pre-Hispanic mummy atop a hill next to a professional soccer club’s practice field. The Associated Press team had the opportunity to observe the mummy, which was surrounded by coca leaves and laid facing upwards, showcasing long black hair. Its lower limbs were securely tied with … Read more
Officials in Germany have announced the discovery of a remarkably well-preserved bronze sword that is over 3,000 years old. The sword, found during recent excavations in Noerdlingen, Bavaria, is believed to date back to the end of the 14th century B.C. This places it in the middle of the Bronze Age. The Bavarian state office … Read more
According to Manon Louviot, a musicologist at the University of Oslo, medieval religious music was not primarily intended to be beautiful or complex. Instead, it served practical purposes beyond mere pleasant listening. Louviot’s research project, titled “BENEDICAMUS: Musical and Poetic Creativity for a Unique Moment in the Western Christian Liturgy c.1000-1500,” focused on the significance … Read more
In York, archaeologists have employed state-of-the-art 3D scanning technology to investigate an intriguing Roman burial practice. This pioneering application of 3D scans to Roman burials is the first of its kind worldwide. The groundbreaking use of 3D imaging has provided archaeologists with unprecedented insights into this peculiar and enigmatic burial tradition. Adults and children, interred … Read more
An analysis of ancient feces from two Jerusalem latrines dating back to the biblical Kingdom of Judah has revealed the presence of Giardia duodenalis, a single-celled microorganism known to cause severe diarrhea in humans. The University of Cambridge led the research, and their findings, published in the journal Parasitology, indicate that this is the earliest … Read more
Ancient workshops and tombs were recently uncovered at the Saqqara necropolis near Cairo, according to Egyptian antiquities authorities. The site, which forms part of the historic capital Memphis and is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site, revealed workshops used for the mummification of humans and sacred animals. These workshops date back to the 30th … Read more
Recent research has put forth a hypothesis suggesting that the earliest evidence of human lip kissing can be traced back to a specific region in South Asia 3,500 years ago. It suggests that this practice may have subsequently facilitated the spread of the herpes simplex virus 1 to other areas. However, a new article published … Read more
In a groundbreaking discovery reported in the open access journal PLOS ONE on May 17, 2023, ancient engravings dating back 7,000 to 8,000 years have unveiled the oldest scale plans of human-made megastructures. These engravings depict the impressive desert kites, expansive structures utilized for trapping animals. The revelation of these intricate plans signifies a remarkable … Read more
In 1493, when Christopher Columbus arrived at what is now known as the US Virgin Islands during his second voyage across the Atlantic, the islands were already inhabited. However, the origins of the population on St. Croix, St. John, and St. Thomas remain uncertain. A research team comprising members from the United States, Argentina, the … Read more
Researchers at Heriot-Watt University in Scotland have made a significant discovery regarding the early use of fire by humans in Europe. According to a paper published in Scientific Reports, the scientists present evidence suggesting that our European ancestors were utilizing fire for various purposes, such as cooking, heating, and defense, as early as 250,000 years … Read more
In 1914, a discovery was made under the great ziggurat of Aššur in Iraq—a foundation deposit dating back to approximately 1800-1750 BC yielded two beads. These beads, which were found during excavations conducted by the Royal Museums in Berlin and the German Orient Society, have recently been identified as amber through the use of Fourier … Read more
Archaeologists made an important discovery at Pompeii, revealing two additional skeletons of male victims who likely perished during the catastrophic eruption of Mount Vesuvius in AD 79. The recent excavations took place in the “Chaste Lovers” block of buildings within Pompeii. It is believed that these two individuals, aged at least 55, were killed when … Read more
After five years of archaeological research, an international team of experts led by archaeologists from The University of Western Australia and the Western Australian Museum has shed new light on the tragic Batavia maritime disaster and subsequent mutiny. The findings, published in Historical Archaeology, reveal a wealth of evidence that sheds new light on this … Read more
An international team of researchers, led by the University of Southampton, conducted a study that sheds light on the hunting behaviors and diets of Neanderthals and other humans who lived in western Europe. Using tooth enamel, the scientists examined chemical properties to determine how prehistoric people survived off the land near the Almonda Cave system … Read more
Neanderthals, often depicted as primitive meat-eaters, are receiving a blow to their popular image with a groundbreaking new study. The research, which analyzed bacteria collected from Neanderthal teeth, reveals that our close cousins consumed a significant amount of roots, nuts, and other starchy foods. This dietary preference had a profound impact on the composition of … Read more
Cooking food has been a significant part of human history, predating our own species. Scientists believe that our early human cousins, such as Homo erectus, were using fire to cook their food almost 2 million years ago. Recently, a study discovered potential evidence of the earliest known instance of rudimentary cooking: the remains of a … Read more
A recent study conducted by the Human Evolutionary Biology group at UPV/EHU sheds light on an intriguing find. During an excavation led by Jesus Altuna in 1985 at Erralla cave in Zestoa, Gipuzkoa, an almost complete humerus bone from a canid species was discovered. At the time, it was challenging to determine which specific canid … Read more
In southeastern Turkey, at the ancient site of Sayburç, archaeologists have made a significant discovery that could potentially be the earliest known narrative scene. Dating back 11,000 years, the site features two panels depicting humans interacting with dangerous animals. What sets these images apart is their unique relationship to each other, forming a coherent narrative. … Read more
Researchers have made an intriguing discovery regarding the ancient Egyptian practice of mummification, shedding light on the intricate chemistry involved. In a recent study published in the journal Nature, an embalming workshop dating back around 2,500 years was unearthed, containing a collection of well-preserved pottery jars. Remarkably, these jars were inscribed with instructions such as … Read more