An international team of geneticists and archaeologists, led by experts from Trinity College Dublin and Bournemouth University, have made a groundbreaking discovery that sheds light on the structure of British Iron Age society, particularly highlighting evidence of female political and social empowerment. This pioneering research utilized an extraordinary opportunity to sequence the DNA of over … Read more
A groundbreaking new study led by archaeologist Xingtao Wei and his team, recently published in the International Journal of Osteoarchaeology, has unveiled some of the earliest known evidence of humans processing bones into powder for cooking. The discovery, dated to between 6,085 and 6,369 BC, was made at the Xielaozhuang (XLZ) site in Henan province, … Read more
The study conducted by researchers from the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, along with an international team, has provided groundbreaking insights into the genetic composition and social organization of Avar-era populations in present-day Austria. This archaeogenetic study, which analyzed human remains from over 700 individuals dating back to the Early Middle Ages, sheds new … Read more
Ella Egberts, a researcher from the Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), embarked on a groundbreaking archaeological expedition in Iraq in November and December as part of a pilot project aimed at uncovering surface artifacts from the Paleolithic era. Her research focuses on the geomorphological history of the Iraqi Western Desert, specifically in the Al-Shabakah region. This … Read more
The discovery of a collection of bone tools in northern Tanzania’s Olduvai Gorge has provided an extraordinary glimpse into the technological abilities of early human ancestors. Unearthed by archaeologists, these artifacts—dated to 1.5 million years ago—now stand as the oldest known bone tools, predating previous discoveries by nearly a million years. This groundbreaking find challenges … Read more
Sweden’s Viking Age population, much like other ancient societies, faced a myriad of health challenges, including severe oral and maxillofacial diseases, sinus and ear infections, osteoarthritis, and other ailments. This insight comes from a recent study conducted by researchers at the University of Gothenburg, who employed cutting-edge X-ray techniques to examine Viking skulls, shedding light … Read more
Sheep have been a cornerstone of human civilization for over 11,000 years, serving not just as a source of food but also providing materials essential for survival, like wool and milk. From the pastoral landscapes of the Fertile Crescent to the windswept steppes of Eurasia, sheep have played an essential role in shaping human societies … Read more
In recent years, archaeologists have made significant strides in uncovering and understanding the complexities of early medieval cult practices. One of the latest and most exciting discoveries is that of a previously unknown cult site at Hezingen in the eastern Netherlands. Led by Dr. Jan-Willem de Kort and his team, this discovery sheds light on … Read more
An international team of archaeologists, ethnologists, and historians has made a groundbreaking discovery on the Arabian Peninsula that could alter our understanding of early human migration and tool production. Their findings, published in the journal Archaeological and Anthropological Sciences, reveal the oldest-known evidence of systematic stone blade production in the region. The team uncovered the … Read more
For years, archaeologists have puzzled over unusual flat patches found on the outer surfaces of ancient European teeth. Unlike typical dental wear caused by chewing, these smooth areas appeared on the sides of the teeth, facing the cheeks. Scientists had struggled to explain their origin, but a new theory proposed by John Charles Willman, a … Read more