Archaeology

The latest digs, ideas, and discoveries about our past, from ancient cities to our prehistoric ancestors.

Latest in Archaeology

a large bird with brown, gray, and white plumage walks in an open grassland

Ancient funerals may have included a ritual feast on a giant bird Ancient funerals may have included a ritual feast on a giant bird

By Laura Baisas

An illustration of what the aurora might have looked like during a polar reversal about 41,000 years ago. The green glow of an aurora is much further south than we see it today.

Sunscreen may have kept ancient humans alive during a polar reversal Sunscreen may have kept ancient humans alive during a polar reversal

By Laura Baisas

a large gold nugget

Huge gold nugget found by metal detector enthusiasts set for auction Huge gold nugget found by metal detector enthusiasts set for auction

By Laura Baisas

A burned section of a large ice age fireplace.

Ice age humans built sophisticated fireplaces Ice age humans built sophisticated fireplaces

By Laura Baisas

Gary Feinman and a crew member exposing a plaster floor on Terrace 925 in El Palmillo.

Inequality isn’t inevitable, according to ‘unprecedented’ archeology study Inequality isn’t inevitable, according to ‘unprecedented’ archeology study

small gumballs in bright colors including green, blue, red, pink, orange, white, yellow, and purple

Chew on this: The 10,000-year history of gum Chew on this: The 10,000-year history of gum

By Lauren Leffer

several stone tools uncovered in a cave

Archaeologists hike up a cliff and find 20,000-year-old stone tools Archaeologists hike up a cliff and find 20,000-year-old stone tools

By Laura Baisas

Cave site on near ocean coast of Malta at sunset

Cave discovery could rewrite 1,000 years of Mediterranean history Cave discovery could rewrite 1,000 years of Mediterranean history

Archeologists find ancient child remains inside Maya altar Archeologists find ancient child remains inside Maya altar

By Laura Baisas

Archeologists working on gravesite excavation

Mass grave of over 120 Roman soldiers found under soccer field Mass grave of over 120 Roman soldiers found under soccer field

Medieval copy of Canterbury Tales

A surprising number of medieval scribes were women A surprising number of medieval scribes were women

Top down photo of stone grave site

Sacrificed teens discovered in ancient Mesopotamian burial site Sacrificed teens discovered in ancient Mesopotamian burial site

This image, made with Multispectral Imaging and processed using the Minimal Noise Fraction method, brings out annotations on the left-hand side which were invisible to the naked eye, including the stamp ‘Huntingfield’ believed to have been added in the 16th century when the manuscript was repurposed as a binding.

Rare Merlin and King Arthur text found hidden in binding of medieval book Rare Merlin and King Arthur text found hidden in binding of medieval book

Close up of Sutton Hoo helmet fragments

Metal detector find may rewrite history of 7th century helmet Metal detector find may rewrite history of 7th century helmet

An Egyptian pharaoh tomb excavation site with people working

A mystery pharaoh’s massive tomb was discovered in Egypt A mystery pharaoh’s massive tomb was discovered in Egypt

Depas goblet, excavated by Heinrich Schliemann, 15 cm high, collection of classical archaeology, University of Tübingen. Credit: Valentin Marquardt, University of Tübingen

Trojans of all classes enjoyed a nice jug of wine Trojans of all classes enjoyed a nice jug of wine

Close up of mask-like face decoration on Iron Age vessel

Amateur metal detector uncovers massive Iron Age treasure hoard Amateur metal detector uncovers massive Iron Age treasure hoard

An 1803 portrait of Schinderhannes (left). Recent Genetic analyses have now also made it possible to determine the color of his skin, eyes, and hair, as well as positively identifying his skeleton (right).

Famed German robber’s skeleton identified after 220-year-long mix-up Famed German robber’s skeleton identified after 220-year-long mix-up

By Laura Baisas

Mummy on sheet and cardboard with pixelated midsection

Medieval mummy found in accused smuggler’s home Medieval mummy found in accused smuggler’s home

a man with long dark hair and beard is wearing a white and green robe and holding a shepherd's crook. he is a actor portraying saint patrick

Where are St. Patrick’s remains? It’s a hot debate. Where are St. Patrick’s remains? It’s a hot debate.

By Laura Baisas