Archaeology

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Illustration of ancient humans in White Sands.
The 1st Americans were not who we thought they were For decades, we thought the first humans to arrive in the Americas came across the Bering Land Bridge 13,000 years ago. New evidence is changing that picture.
Archaeological evidence shows that early humans may have traveled across the Arctic in boats similar to the umiaks used by today's Yupik and Inuit peoples.
Did humans cross the Bering Strait after the land bridge disappeared? Evidence suggests that people likely boated across the narrow passage between Russia and Alaska when the crossing was submerged.
A facial reconstruction of Ramses II
Facial reconstructions help the past come alive. But are they accurate? DNA analysis is changing the science of facial reconstructions and making them more lifelike than ever before.

Latest about Archaeology

Andriamamelo cave art panel.

'Unique' cave art discovered in Madagascar hints at connections with ancient Egypt and Borneo

By David Burney published

The art is the first ancient pictorial art, which depicts images of nature with human-like and animal-like figures, to be found in Madagascar.

Archaeology
A piece of metal with an inscription.

Medieval 'curse tablet' summoning Satan discovered at the bottom of a latrine in Germany

By Jennifer Nalewicki published

A rolled-up piece of lead found in Germany was actually a 15th-century "curse tablet."

Archaeology
A photo of an inscribed metal bowl against a blue background.

800-year-old healing bowl emblazoned with double-headed dragon unearthed in Turkish castle

By Owen Jarus published

A "healing bowl" marked with drawings of a scorpion, dog and double-headed dragon has been unearthed in a castle in Turkey.

Archaeology
Spiroid fractures of two humeri from Los Zumacales with several resulting fragments. Some are typically "butterfly-shaped."

People buried at 'mega' stone tombs in Spain were defleshed and their bones fractured after death

By Kristina Killgrove published

A tomb in Iberia that dates to 6,000 years ago contained bones that were cracked after death.

Archaeology
A man holds two ceramic tiles.

2,200-year-old tiles found in Jerusalem provide direct link to the history of Hanukkah

By Jennifer Nalewicki published

Archaeologists in Jerusalem have unearthed 16 ceramic tile fragments used in the construction of a Greek fortress.

Archaeology
A museum exhibition featuring the skeleton of a shaman.

9,000-year-old double burial with shaman and infant reveals she may have been his 4th-great-grandmother

By Jennifer Nalewicki published

A genetic analysis gives new insight into the identity of a Mesolithic hunter-gatherer who died 9,000 years ago.

Archaeology
Hominin skull shape animation gif.

When did Homo sapiens first appear?

By Kristina Killgrove published

What's the oldest fossil evidence humans have for our species?

Archaeology
Horse remains and bridle bit from Urd Ulaan Uneet.

Painted saddle found in Mongolian tomb is oldest of its kind

By Kristina Killgrove published

A fifth century Mongolian saddle is one of the earliest examples of evidence of modern horse riding.

Archaeology
A close-up of organic material growing on the Great Wall of China.

The Great Wall of China is being held together by 'biocrusts'

By Jennifer Nalewicki published

Ancient workers used a blend of organic materials such as mosses and lichen to build the architectural marvel and help protect it from erosion.

Archaeology
A metal ax

3,500-year-old axes potentially used for 'cult practice' discovered in Polish forest

By Jennifer Nalewicki published

Five axes found in Poland date to 3,500 years ago, and may have been used as either tools to chop wood or for sacrificial purposes.

Archaeology
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