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

A digital replica of a temple

Temple linked to Hercules and Alexander the Great discovered in ancient megacity in Iraq

By Jennifer Nalewicki published

Archaeologists have discovered two temples, one buried atop the other, in the ancient megacity of Girsu in Iraq. One temple is linked to Hercules and Alexander the Great.

Archaeology
Three skulls of sacred mummified baboons from Egypt.

Ancient Egypt's sacred baboons had tough lives, study suggests

By Tom Metcalfe published

Ancient baboon mummies show signs of poor diet and lack of sunlight during captivity.

Archaeology
Archaeologists estimate the "curse tablet," made from a folded lead sheet and inscribed with proto-alphabetic characters, may be at least 3,200 years old.

Ancient 'curse tablet' may show earliest Hebrew name of God

By Tom Metcalfe last updated

Archaeologists working in the West Bank say they've discovered a tiny lead "curse tablet" that may include the oldest known mention of the Hebrew name of God "Yahweh" ever found.

Archaeology
A gold coin depicting Jesus Christ.

Byzantine gold coin with 'face of Jesus' unearthed by metal detectorist in Norway

By Jennifer Nalewicki published

A metal detectorist stumbled upon a rare gold coin while exploring the mountains in southern Norway.

Archaeology
Photograph of curse tablet in light colored stone, in the shaped of a rough square. Photograph of the front, back and side.

'Curse tablet' with oldest Hebrew name of god is actually a fishing weight, experts argue

By Tom Metcalfe published

Researchers say they see no sign of an inscription on a tablet previously thought to contain the Hebrew name for the god Yahweh.

Archaeology
Statuette of the goddess Irhevbu or princess Edeleyo from the Benin Kingdom in Nigeria.

7 extraordinary African kingdoms from ancient times to centuries ago

By Tom Metcalfe published

There's much more to ancient Africa than Egypt.

Archaeology
An aerial view of the foundation of a building.

1,400-year-old structure discovered near Sutton Hoo in England may have been a pagan temple or cult house

By Jennifer Nalewicki published

The site is part of a royal compound that archaeologists think may have been overseen by King Raedwald.

Archaeology
We see a rectangular outline of what may be a burial pit.

Possible Arctic graveyard may be northernmost Stone Age cemetery — but there are no human remains to prove it

By Kristina Killgrove published

Archaeologists in Finland have identified a 6,500-year-old site as potential cemetery with 200 graves.

Archaeology
Two people inspect a collection of artifacts.

Nearly 8,000 medieval coins and 7 Bronze Age swords unearthed in Germany

By Jennifer Nalewicki published

Volunteer conservationists in Germany have unearthed a collection of artifacts, including Bronze Age swords, medieval coins and jewelry.

Archaeology
Hoard of copper coins tarnished green and fused together from centuries of corrosion into a single lump that weighs about 12 pounds (5.5 kg).

2,000-year-old coin stash discovered at ancient Buddhist shrine in Pakistan

By Tom Metcalfe published

Researchers think the coins are from a Buddhist shrine established amid much older ruins.

Archaeology
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