Archaeology

Archaeology

Human ancestors made the oldest known bone tools 1.5 million years ago

The excavation of bone tools at Olduvai Gorge in Tanzania expands the range of ancient hominids’ cultural innovations.

Archaeology

Mount Vesuvius turned this ancient brain into glass. Here’s how

Transforming the brain tissue to glass would have required an extremely hot and fast-moving ash cloud, lab experiments suggest.

Archaeology

Humans moved into African rainforests at least 150,000 years ago

This oldest known evidence of people living in tropical forests supports an idea that human evolution occurred across Africa.

Anthropology

An African strontium map sheds light on the origins of enslaved people

While genetic tests can reveal the ancestry of enslaved individuals, strontium analysis can now home in on where they actually grew up.

Archaeology

Here’s how ancient Amazonians became master maize farmers

Casarabe people grew the nutritious crop year-round on savannas thanks to networks of drainage canals and ponds.

Archaeology

Ancient, engraved stones may have been buried to summon the sun

Members of a Stone Age culture in Denmark may have ritually buried stones to counter the effects of a volcanic eruption.

Genetics

Iron Age Celtic women’s social and political power just got a boost

Ancient DNA indicates women stayed in their home communities and married partners from outside the area.

Archaeology

Archaeology’s top discoveries of 2024 include preserved brains and a lost city

From the plight of ancient Egyptian scribes to the identities of ancient Maya sacrifices, 2024 brought a rich medley of insights into human history.

Space

These discoveries in 2024 could be groundbreaking — if they’re true

Did microbes ever live on Mars? Did an "elevator" help build Egypt’s first pyramid? Some signs pointed to yes this year, but confirmation is still needed.

Archaeology

The oldest known ritual chamber in the Middle East has been found

Engravings and other evidence suggest ancient humans attended religious ceremonies in the cave as early as 37,000 years ago.

Archaeology

Neandertals may have built a hearth specifically to make tar

Findings from a cave in Gibraltar suggests Neandertals may have used complex fire structures to obtain adhesives from plants.

Archaeology

Ancient Central Americans built a massive fish-trapping system

Earthen channels directed fish into ponds that formed seasonally, providing a dietary bounty for Maya civilizations starting around 4,000 years ago.