Archaeology

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

Latest in Archaeology

Egyptian relief artwork of Thutmose II

Pharaoh’s tomb is the biggest ancient Egyptian discovery since King Tutankhamun Pharaoh’s tomb is the biggest ancient Egyptian discovery since King Tutankhamun

Artwork depicting 16th century bear baiting match

Gruesome bear fights once entertained Elizabethan England Gruesome bear fights once entertained Elizabethan England

A selection of the mummified bodies in the exhibition area of the Egyptian museum in Cairo.

What do Egyptian mummies smell like? Surprisingly pleasant. What do Egyptian mummies smell like? Surprisingly pleasant.

Cut and impact marks indicating cannibalism on various human parts of the skeleton from the Maszycka Cave.

Butchered skulls point to Europe’s Ice Age cannibals Butchered skulls point to Europe’s Ice Age cannibals

a hand written text from the 16th century CE

500-year-old Transylvanian diaries detail the peril of the Little Ice Age 500-year-old Transylvanian diaries detail the peril of the Little Ice Age

By Laura Baisas

Diagram showing potential labret piercing abrasions on teeth

Ice Age hunter-gatherers may have had cheek piercings, even as children Ice Age hunter-gatherers may have had cheek piercings, even as children

Selection of coins and jewelry from Hezingen Nordic archeological site

‘Devil’s money’ discovered at medieval cult site ‘Devil’s money’ discovered at medieval cult site

A portion of the Bayeux Tapestry showing King Harold riding to his residence, Bosham. The full tapestry depicts the Norman Conquest of England in 1066.

Medieval toilet helps uncover lost home of the England’s last Anglo-Saxon King Medieval toilet helps uncover lost home of the England’s last Anglo-Saxon King

By Laura Baisas

the stone remains of a castle, revealing an archway, wall, and a tower

In a global crisis, working harder isn’t the best solution In a global crisis, working harder isn’t the best solution

By Laura Baisas

a step pyramid built with stone above several smaller buildings

Apex predators were sacrificed nearly 2,000 years ago in Teotihuacán Apex predators were sacrificed nearly 2,000 years ago in Teotihuacán

By Laura Baisas

Sforza Castle and fountain

Da Vinci was right: Secret tunnels found in Italian castle Da Vinci was right: Secret tunnels found in Italian castle

Quill pen on old journal with parchment background and handwriting.

Know how to read cursive? The National Archives wants you. Know how to read cursive? The National Archives wants you.

By Laura Baisas

two stones with depictions of the sun engraved on them

Neolithic Europeans sacrificed stones to beg the sun to return Neolithic Europeans sacrificed stones to beg the sun to return

By Laura Baisas

an archeologist wearing a hard hat digs in a hole alongside skeletal remains

British Iron Age burial grounds reveal women had power British Iron Age burial grounds reveal women had power

By Laura Baisas

The bow of the RMS Titanic as it sits under the water.

‘Titanic’ artifact salvage efforts paused indefinitely ‘Titanic’ artifact salvage efforts paused indefinitely

The 3D map on the Ségognole 3 cave floor in the Paris Basin in northern France.

Oldest-known 3D map also celebrated the female form Oldest-known 3D map also celebrated the female form

By Laura Baisas

a line of gold coins, which feature emperors, on a black background.

Rare Roman gold coins discovered in Luxembourg Rare Roman gold coins discovered in Luxembourg

By Laura Baisas

several dark dots on mummified skin. the skin appears to be white since it is under a strong white light

Intricate tattoos on 1,200-year-old mummy revealed by lasers Intricate tattoos on 1,200-year-old mummy revealed by lasers

By Laura Baisas

a skull next to a yellow note that reads: "Skull from Ephesus.”

Sorry, this skull does not belong to Cleopatra’s sister Sorry, this skull does not belong to Cleopatra’s sister

By Laura Baisas

Atmospheric photo of the site at dusk, showing the location at the convergence of two gorges. 2023 excavations of inner fortress are visible in foreground.

Drone reveals ancient fortress is 40x larger than archaeologists once thought Drone reveals ancient fortress is 40x larger than archaeologists once thought

By Mack DeGeurin