Archaeology(Page 5)

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

Latest in Archaeology

Charred scroll from Herculaneum undergoing laser scan

AI revealed the colorful first word of an ancient scroll torched by Mount Vesuvius AI revealed the colorful first word of an ancient scroll torched by Mount Vesuvius

The cave lion remains from Siegsdorf, Germany are displayed alongside a reproduction of a wooden spear similar to those used by Neanderthals.

Neanderthals may have hunted mighty cave lions Neanderthals may have hunted mighty cave lions

By Laura Baisas

Sweet potato, brown eggs, and corn in a husk on a stove. Traces of sweet potato, peanut, chili peppers, papaya, and more were found in coprolite samples from Puerto Rico.

Mummified poop reveals a diverse ancient Caribbean diet Mummified poop reveals a diverse ancient Caribbean diet

By Laura Baisas

Human hand bones during an archaeological dig.

Sensitive to pain? It could be your Neanderthal gene variants. Sensitive to pain? It could be your Neanderthal gene variants.

By Laura Baisas

White Sands NPS staff excavating fossilized human footprints from lakebed

Do the ancient human footprints at White Sands date back to the last ice age? Do the ancient human footprints at White Sands date back to the last ice age?

By Jocelyn Solis-Moreira

A map of Britain in the late 13th century.

Grisly medieval murders detailed in new interactive maps Grisly medieval murders detailed in new interactive maps

By Laura Baisas

Otzi the Iceman remains laid out on a stretcher

‘Dark’ archaeologists scour melting ice for ancient artifacts ‘Dark’ archaeologists scour melting ice for ancient artifacts

By Jocelyn Solis-Moreira

A hyenea shows its jaws. Giant hyenas went extinct about 500,000 years ago, but were roughly 240 pounds and skilled scavengers like their modern counterparts.

How many ancient humans does it take to fight off a giant hyena? How many ancient humans does it take to fight off a giant hyena?

By Laura Baisas

Yellow pollen spring out from a coniferous tree. The pollen that makes us sneeze every spring, may have helped lay the groundwork for the migration of our very distant ancestors into Eurasia.

Pollen could hold clues to mysteries of early human migration Pollen could hold clues to mysteries of early human migration

By Laura Baisas

A view of the Cueva de los Marmoles entrance from the inside. Skeletal remains from at least 12 prehistoric individuals have been found inside.

Early humans carved old skeletal remains from burial caves into tools Early humans carved old skeletal remains from burial caves into tools

By Laura Baisas

An archeologist wearing gloves holes a wedge shaped piece of wood dating back to the Early Stone Age.

World’s oldest known wooden structure pre-dates our species World’s oldest known wooden structure pre-dates our species

By Laura Baisas

Stone Age animal engravings in Namibian caves guided Indigenous trackers over time

Stone Age animal engravings in Namibian caves guided Indigenous trackers over time Stone Age animal engravings in Namibian caves guided Indigenous trackers over time

By Laura Baisas

A worker uncovers a mummy belonging to the pre-Inca Ychsma culture buried in a shallow funeral chamber on an ancient sanctuary during an excavation in the Huaca Pucllana, in the heart of a residential area in the district of Miraflores in Lima, on September 5, 2023.

1,000-year-old mummy with full head of hair and intact jaw found in Peru 1,000-year-old mummy with full head of hair and intact jaw found in Peru

By Laura Baisas

Four skulls of human ancestors A. africanus, A. afarensis, H. erectus, H. neanderthalensis, and one modern human skull.

An ‘ancestral bottleneck’ took out nearly 99 percent of the human population 800,000 years ago An ‘ancestral bottleneck’ took out nearly 99 percent of the human population 800,000 years ago

By Laura Baisas

A stone jar against a yellow and orange desert background.

Ancient Egyptian mummy balm probably smelled delicious Ancient Egyptian mummy balm probably smelled delicious

By Jocelyn Solis-Moreira

A Late Bronze Age urn from Austria in roughly 1400-1300 BCE, containing cremated human remains. The urn is open on a table, with dusty pieces spilling out of it.

Cremated remains still hold clues to life and death in the Bronze Age Cremated remains still hold clues to life and death in the Bronze Age

By Laura Baisas

Part of the exposed Roman walls with the room layout already recognizable. The remains of the floor construction are still preserved in the foreground of the picture.

Remnants of an ancient Roman society found buried in the Alps Remnants of an ancient Roman society found buried in the Alps

By Laura Baisas

This Gua Sireh Cave art was drawn with charcoal on limestone save walls and is dated between 1670 to 1830 CE. Two geometric figures, with one prominently wielding a weapon are featured.

Newly dated cave art tells a dark story in Borneo’s history Newly dated cave art tells a dark story in Borneo’s history

By Laura Baisas

Plaster casts of the remains of Pompeii's victims. In the Nineteenth Century, archaeologist Giuseppe Fiorelli developed a technique using plaster to study the remains of the victims of Mount Vesuvius’ furious eruption.

Pompeii’s archaeological puzzles can be solved with a little help from chemistry Pompeii’s archaeological puzzles can be solved with a little help from chemistry

By Laura Baisas

The remains of a Bronze Age cauldron and an artistic reconstruction of what it may have looked like thousands of years ago.

Bronze Age cauldrons show we’ve always loved meat, dairy, and fancy cookware Bronze Age cauldrons show we’ve always loved meat, dairy, and fancy cookware

By Laura Baisas

Three human skulls sitting on a shelf. Cranial modification has been used for millennia to reshape the human skull.

Japan’s Hirota people intentionally reshaped their skulls more than 1,000 years ago Japan’s Hirota people intentionally reshaped their skulls more than 1,000 years ago

By Laura Baisas

Men pose outside of Michigan State University’s first observatory, circa 1888. The observatory is located behind where Willis House now stands on MSU’s campus, just south of Grand River and north of West Circle Drive in North Neighborhood.

Michigan State students help unearth a 19th-century space observatory on campus Michigan State students help unearth a 19th-century space observatory on campus

By Laura Baisas

Closeup photo of water pipe segments fitted together in situ at Pingliangtai.

Ceramic pipes kept this town from flooding during monsoons 4,000 years ago Ceramic pipes kept this town from flooding during monsoons 4,000 years ago

By Laura Baisas

Archaeologists dig in the dirt with a brush and scraper.

Mysterious skull points to a possible new branch on human family tree Mysterious skull points to a possible new branch on human family tree

By Laura Baisas

Bronze Age arrow made of meteoric iron

This archaic arrowhead might be made from iron that fell from space This archaic arrowhead might be made from iron that fell from space

By Sara Kiley Watson

The physical reconstruction of the necklace found in the Neolithic village of Ba’ja in Jordan. It has about 16 strands of beads that meet together in a circle with a gemstone in it and three other strands on top.

Ancient child’s grave holds intricate necklace with more than 2,000 stones Ancient child’s grave holds intricate necklace with more than 2,000 stones

By Laura Baisas

Colorful gemstones nearly arranged. Iron content correlates to the signature purple hue in amethysts and elements including chromium, vanadium, and copper also impact a gem’s color.

Gemstones carry the tale of their geographic origins Gemstones carry the tale of their geographic origins

By Laura Baisas

NASA astronaut Buzz Aldrin walking across Tranquility Base with equipment after the Apollo 11 moon landing. Black and white photo.

Space junk is a precious treasure trove to some archaeologists Space junk is a precious treasure trove to some archaeologists

A mountain rises above the buildings of Machu Picchu. The former Inca royal estate stands at the meeting point between the Peruvian Andes and the Amazon Basin and is made up of close to 200 structures.

Machu Picchu was home to ancient people from all over South America Machu Picchu was home to ancient people from all over South America

By Laura Baisas

An aerial view of Mont Saint-Michel in northern France. The Paris Basin region is known for prehistoric funerary sites archaeologists use to study early neolithic settlements.

Scientists build intricate Neolithic family tree from 7,000-year-old DNA Scientists build intricate Neolithic family tree from 7,000-year-old DNA

By Laura Baisas

A group of colorful spices on a wooden table with a mortar and pestle.

Leftovers of a 2,000-year-old curry discovered on stone cooking tools Leftovers of a 2,000-year-old curry discovered on stone cooking tools

By Laura Baisas

An artistic reconstruction showing how this 300,000 year-old stick would have been thrown on a hunt. Two men stand in a shallow body of water, with one aiming the stick towards three birds.

A javelin-like stick shows early humans may have been keen woodworkers A javelin-like stick shows early humans may have been keen woodworkers

By Laura Baisas

A recreation drawing of “The Ivory Lady.” Her remains date back to the Copper Age and her individual burial and the treasures in her tomb indicate that she possibly held the highest status in her society. She is seated above other members who are attentively listening to her. She is also adorned in a red top with a headdress.

Treasures from the ‘Ivory Lady’ tomb reveal a Copper Age woman’s extraordinary power Treasures from the ‘Ivory Lady’ tomb reveal a Copper Age woman’s extraordinary power

By Laura Baisas

A painting of a group of prehistoric residents of Tabon Cave in the Philippines, featuring four individuals of varying ages, using fiber technology at Tabon Cave, 39 to 33,000 years ago. It was painted by Carole Chwval for the exhibition "Trajectories and Movements of the Philippine Identity," curated by Hermine Xhauflair and Eunice Averion.

Damage on 39,000-year-old tools may reveal a prehistoric ‘Age of Bamboo’ Damage on 39,000-year-old tools may reveal a prehistoric ‘Age of Bamboo’

By Laura Baisas

A fresco painted on a wall in the ancient city of Pompeii that depicts a focaccia with fruit and possibly pesto sauce on it. It is served on a silver tray and has a wine chalice next to it.

A fresco discovered in Pompeii looks like ancient pizza—but it’s likely focaccia A fresco discovered in Pompeii looks like ancient pizza—but it’s likely focaccia

By Laura Baisas

Close-up photos of three fossil animal specimens from the same area and time horizon as the fossil hominin tibia studied by the research team. These fossils show similar cut marks to those found on the hominin tibia studied. The photos show (a) an antelope mandible, (b) an antelope radius (lower front leg bone) and (c) a large mammal scapula (shoulder blade).

Cut-up prehistoric bone raises questions about early human cannibalism Cut-up prehistoric bone raises questions about early human cannibalism

By Laura Baisas

An aerial view of the excavation site in Tiel, Netherlands. The excavation of the 4,000 year old sanctuary began in 2017.

Newly discovered ‘Stonehenge of the Netherlands’ is 4,000 years old Newly discovered ‘Stonehenge of the Netherlands’ is 4,000 years old

By Laura Baisas

Examples of engravings discovered in the Roche-Cotard cave (Indre et Loire - France). On the left, the "circular panel" (ogive-shaped tracings) and on the right the "wavy panel" (two contiguous tracings forming sinuous lines).

Neanderthals were likely creating art 57,000 years ago Neanderthals were likely creating art 57,000 years ago

By Laura Baisas

An archaeologist uncovers a skull and bones. The Trumpington Cross was found during the excavation of the burial in 2012.

This 7th-century teen was buried with serious bling—and we now know what she may have looked like This 7th-century teen was buried with serious bling—and we now know what she may have looked like

By Laura Baisas

This ancient Egyptian vessel once held a hallucinogenic brew

This ancient Egyptian vessel once held a hallucinogenic brew This ancient Egyptian vessel once held a hallucinogenic brew

By Sara Kiley Watson

Lucy, our ancient human ancestor, was super buff

Lucy, our ancient human ancestor, was super buff Lucy, our ancient human ancestor, was super buff

By Sara Kiley Watson

Humans ventured through Asia’s forests much earlier than we thought

Humans ventured through Asia’s forests much earlier than we thought Humans ventured through Asia’s forests much earlier than we thought

By Sara Kiley Watson

Scientists use AI to help uncover elusive Nazca lines

Scientists use AI to help uncover elusive Nazca lines Scientists use AI to help uncover elusive Nazca lines

By Sara Kiley Watson

An entrance to the Dinaledi Chamber of the Rising Star Cave system, part of the Cradle of Humankind World Heritage Site near Johannesburg, South Africa. Newly found grave sites and wall engravings have led a team of archeologists to reevaluate the meaning-making capacity of an early human ancestor, Homo naledi.

Extinct human cousins may have beaten us to inventing burial rituals Extinct human cousins may have beaten us to inventing burial rituals

By Laura Baisas

An conservator from English Heritage looks at one of over 50 pairs of tweezers Roman men and women used to remove armpit hair.

The Roman Britons cared a lot about hair removal, and it shows in artifacts The Roman Britons cared a lot about hair removal, and it shows in artifacts

By Laura Baisas

Notre Dame de Paris cathedral on sunny day

Workers rely on medieval era tech to reconstruct the Notre Dame Workers rely on medieval era tech to reconstruct the Notre Dame

A microphone on a dark stage.

A lost ‘bawdy bard’ act reveals roots of naughty British comedy A lost ‘bawdy bard’ act reveals roots of naughty British comedy

By Laura Baisas

A close up of a skull and teeth.

Plague DNA was just found in 4,000-year-old teeth Plague DNA was just found in 4,000-year-old teeth

By Laura Baisas

An older couple shares a kiss against a backdrop of fall trees.

Ancient Mesopotamian texts show when and why humans first kissed Ancient Mesopotamian texts show when and why humans first kissed

By Jocelyn Solis-Moreira

An aerial view of a desert kite in the Jebel az-Zilliyat region of Saudi Arabia. The kite dates back to the Stone Age and was a kind of hunting trap.

Blueprints engraved in stone from Saudi Arabia and Jordan could be the world’s oldest Blueprints engraved in stone from Saudi Arabia and Jordan could be the world’s oldest

By Laura Baisas

The skull of a victim of the explosion of earthquakes that accompanied the explosion of Mount Vesuvius in 79 ce.

‘Violent’ earthquakes accompanied the infamous volcanic eruption that buried Pompeii ‘Violent’ earthquakes accompanied the infamous volcanic eruption that buried Pompeii

By Laura Baisas

A rock called Grotte Mandrin with a mountain in Mediterranean France. The cave records some of the earliest migrations of Homo Sapiens in Europe.

Humans and Neanderthals could have lived together even earlier than we thought Humans and Neanderthals could have lived together even earlier than we thought

By Laura Baisas

Ligurian plates recovered from the hospital waste dump that date back to the second half of the 16th century CE.

Renaissance-era doctors used to taste their patients’ pee Renaissance-era doctors used to taste their patients’ pee

By Laura Baisas

Red cherry shaped as butt on orange and purple ombre background

A scientific exploration of big juicy butts A scientific exploration of big juicy butts

By Rachel Feltman

An artist's impression of Watling Lodge fortlet, which also once stood along the Antonine Wall, and would have been similar to the fortlet discovered near Carleith Farm.

Archaeologists found a lost Roman fortlet in Scotland Archaeologists found a lost Roman fortlet in Scotland

By Laura Baisas

Emae Island, one of the Outlier islands located in Central Vanuatu.

‘Fingerprints’ confirm the seafaring stories of adventurous Polynesian navigators ‘Fingerprints’ confirm the seafaring stories of adventurous Polynesian navigators

By Laura Baisas

An animal coffin with a human-headed part-eel, part-cobra figure wearing a double crown. The figure is associated with Atum, an ancient Egyptian god of pre-existence and post-existence.

Ancient Egyptians mummified animals and put them in beautiful tiny coffins Ancient Egyptians mummified animals and put them in beautiful tiny coffins

By Laura Baisas

Ancient Maya idol in Copán, Guatemala

Ancient Maya masons had a smart way to make plaster stronger Ancient Maya masons had a smart way to make plaster stronger

The dig at the Villa of the Quintilii. The cella vinaria are in the foreground and treading floor and presses are behind.

This ancient Roman villa was equipped with wine fountains This ancient Roman villa was equipped with wine fountains

By Laura Baisas

Scottish Tartans Authority chair John McLeish (right) and tartan historian Peter MacDonald (left), bring the Glen Affric tartan to V&A Dundee curator James Wylie (center) to be exhibited for the first time at the museum.

Slàinte mhath! The oldest piece of Scottish tartan fabric has been identified. Slàinte mhath! The oldest piece of Scottish tartan fabric has been identified.

By Laura Baisas

Two Swahili women in traditional headwear and dresses. Black and white portrait.

Ancient DNA confirms Swahilis’ blended African and Asian ancestry Ancient DNA confirms Swahilis’ blended African and Asian ancestry

By Jocelyn Solis-Moreira

Notre Dame cathedral in Paris with scaffolding and construction work following a fire in 2019.

The Notre Dame fire revealed a long-lost architectural marvel The Notre Dame fire revealed a long-lost architectural marvel

By Laura Baisas

Underwater image of sunken ship, Ironton, in Lake Huron

Get a high-tech tour of the long-lost Ironton shipwreck discovered in the Great Lakes Get a high-tech tour of the long-lost Ironton shipwreck discovered in the Great Lakes

Mexico's Monte Alban archaeological site, including stone step and structures with mountains in the distance.

What the longest-lasting Mesoamerican cities all had in common What the longest-lasting Mesoamerican cities all had in common

By Laura Baisas