Archaeology

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

Latest in Archaeology

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

a tomb in a desert

Archaeologists find the 4,000-year-old tomb of an overachieving Egyptian magician Archaeologists find the 4,000-year-old tomb of an overachieving Egyptian magician

By Laura Baisas

A general view of (L-R) the church of Santi Luca e Martina, the Arch of Septimius Severus, the ruins of the Temple of Saturn and - in the background - the Amphitheatrum Flavium, commonly known as Colosseum (in Italian: Colosseo), on March 31, 2024 in Rome, Italy.

Ancient lead pollution may have lowered IQs across the Roman Empire Ancient lead pollution may have lowered IQs across the Roman Empire

By Lauren Leffer

Roman stone coffin being excavated in England

Construction crew discovers Roman stone coffin under British road Construction crew discovers Roman stone coffin under British road

Statue of Emperor Liu He

Researchers make brandy in replica of disgraced emperor’s 2,000-year-old tomb distillery Researchers make brandy in replica of disgraced emperor’s 2,000-year-old tomb distillery

Lamborghini Miura junkyard auction car

10 of the year’s most interesting auctions: Dinosaurs, coins, and Einstein’s love letters 10 of the year’s most interesting auctions: Dinosaurs, coins, and Einstein’s love letters

a mummy with a necklace of cheese

10 fascinating archeological discoveries of 2024 10 fascinating archeological discoveries of 2024

By Laura Baisas

Pyramids in Giza

Bubonic plague discovered in ancient Egyptian mummy DNA Bubonic plague discovered in ancient Egyptian mummy DNA

Aerial shot of Viking grave site

Viking women’s gravesites unearthed to find jewelry, coins, and a ‘vulva stone’ Viking women’s gravesites unearthed to find jewelry, coins, and a ‘vulva stone’

Chaunacops fish with 2024 Look Back article headline

Ghost ships to ghost sharks: 10 wildest underwater discoveries of 2024 Ghost ships to ghost sharks: 10 wildest underwater discoveries of 2024