Archaeology

The Great Pyramids of Giza - Khufu's on the right and Cheops's on the left, Giza Plataeu, Egypt
The Great Pyramids of Giza in Egypt (Image credit: Shutterstock)

Humans have left clues of our existence throughout time, leaving behind burials, artifacts and written records that hint at our evolution, beliefs, practices and cultures. Studying the archaeological record shows us that the oldest known bones belonging to Homo sapiens are 300,000 years old, or that the world’s oldest civilizations arose at least 6,000 years ago. 

Discover more

—What is archaeology?

—Amazing facial reconstructions

—What was the longest-lasting civilization?

Whether you’re looking for facts about the ancient Egyptians, the discovery of an ancient human skull, a gold hoard dating to the fall of the Roman Empire or how the latest technology is helping us find hidden pyramids, Live Science's expert science writers and editors are here to give you the latest coverage on our past with archaeology news, articles and features.  

Explore Archaeology

Editor's Picks

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

The Ishtar Gate of Babylon as seen at the Pergamon Museum in Germany.

Babylon's Ishtar Gate may have a totally different purpose than we thought, magnetic field measurements suggest

By Jennifer Nalewicki published

Archaeologists measured the magnetic fields found in clay bricks to determine the construction date of Babylon's Ishtar Gate.

Archaeology
Necklace in situ.

Ancient Roman necropolis holding more than 60 skeletons and luxury goods discovered in central Italy

By Kristina Killgrove published

A newfound necropolis in central Italy that once sat near an exclusive villa along an ancient road holds the remains of 67 people and their treasures, including gold jewelry.

Romans
A collection of letters, notebooks and other documents lying on a table

Doctor injected dog and rabbits with bacteria from assassinated US president in bizarre autopsy experiments, documents reveal

By Harry Baker published

Newly unveiled documents belonging to the physician who carried out an autopsy of assassinated U.S. President William McKinley reveal an unorthodox experiment in which the doctor injected bacterial samples from McKinley into several pets.

Archaeology
The remains of rare silver coins that were part of religious worship in an ancient Greek settlement.

Part of Hadrian's 1,800-year-old aqueduct and rare Greek coins unearthed near Corinth

By Tom Metcalfe published

The enormous aqueduct was built in the second century to carry water to the city of Corinth from a lake 50 miles away.

Romans
People in yellow safety vests work at a dirt covered medieval cemetery in Longwall Quad, Magdalen College under excavation.

1st-ever ancient case of Turner syndrome, with just 1 X chromosome instead of 2, found in ancient DNA

By Kristina Killgrove published

A new DNA technique has detected evidence in Iron Age skeletons of Turner, Klinefelter and Down syndrome.

Archaeology
Archaeologist Federico Bernardini (left) and astronomer Paolo Molaro at the Castelliere di Rupinpiccolo near Trieste in northeastern Italy with a large stone map.

Are 3,000-year-old carvings from Italy a star map? Researchers can't agree.

By Tom Metcalfe published

A new study suggests the disk was made to accurately represent the brightest stars at least 2,400 years ago, possibly as an aid for planting crops. But other experts are not convinced.

Archaeology
An aerial view of an ancient village.

Ancient fortifications revealed underneath Bronze Age village on Italian island

By Jennifer Nalewicki published

The arc-shaped stone wall served as protection for the ancient Mediterranean village.

Archaeology
A reconstruction of a walled fortification with trees and fields in the center.

4,000-year-old wall found around oasis in Saudi Arabia likely defended 'against raids from nomads'

By Owen Jarus published

Ancient people in what is now Saudi Arabia built a 9-mile-long wall along the Khaybar Oasis, which still exists today.

Archaeology
Two blue glass beads and a gold pendant set with a garnet unearthed from an Anglo-Saxon cemetery.

Anglo-Saxon teen girl discovered buried with lavish jewelry strewn across her head and chest

By Sascha Pare published

Archaeologists in England have discovered the remains of a teenager and child buried in a spooning position in an Anglo-Saxon cemetery dating to the sixth or seventh century A.D.

Archaeology
An aerial view of the altar.

2,700-year-old temple with altar overflowing with jewel-studded offerings unearthed on Greek island

By Jennifer Nalewicki published

The temple sits adjacent to a sanctuary dedicated to the Greek goddess Artemis.

Archaeology
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