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Archaeology, the science of unearthing and interpreting humanity’s ancient past, is entering a transformative era. ” The Ararat Plain Southeast Archaeological Project site. Redefining Archaeological Exploration The integration of MR and AR technologies marks a significant leap forward for archaeology.
However, the journey to this unique bond between humans and canines was far from straightforward. A new study 1 suggests that in prehistoric Alaska, humans repeatedly domesticated and lived alongside not just dogs but also wolves, wolf-dog hybrids, and even coyotes. Selected terminal Pleistocene/Early Holocene specimens ( C.
High in the Zeravshan Valley of Tajikistan, the Soii Havzak rock-shelter has provided researchers with an invaluable glimpse into early human migration routes and daily life in Central Asia. It contains layers of human occupation spanning the Middle and Upper Paleolithic periods, approximately 150,000 to 20,000 years ago.
One of the most intriguing chapters in human evolution is the story of the Denisovans, a mysterious, now-extinct hominin group that left a significant genetic footprint in the DNA of modern humans. Overview of the distinct Denisovan populations that introgressed into modern humans.
Discovery of a Potential New Human Species A groundbreaking study published in Nature Communications 1 has proposed the existence of a new human species, Homo juluensis. This ancient hominin, believed to have lived in eastern Asia between 300,000 and 50,000 years ago, is a significant addition to our understanding of human evolution.
This suggests that children may have recognized and elaborated upon the figurative potential of their own creations, blending play and representation in a uniquely human way. Journal : Cambridge Archaeological Journal , 2015. Journal : PLoS ONE , 2024. Journal : Journal of Archaeological Method and Theory , 2023.
A collection of 15 marine fossils, deliberately transported to the cave over 39,800 to 54,600 years ago, reveals that Neanderthals may have been the first fossil collectors in human evolutionary history. Interestingly, parallels can be drawn with modern human behavior. Marine fossils from the Prado Vargas Cave in Spain.
This new analysis, published in the journal Antiquity 1 , sheds unsettling light on the darker side of prehistoric human behavior. Antiquity, December 2024. ” The Scene of the Massacre The story begins in the 1970s, when excavators first uncovered over 3,000 human bones and fragments deep within the Charterhouse Warren shaft.
Tools as a Catalyst for Evolution The ability to create and use tools is a hallmark of human evolution. A groundbreaking study by researchers from the University of Tübingen, led by Dr. Alexandros Karakostis, provides fresh insights into how changes in brain function enabled early humans to wield tools with precision.
Researchers from the ROOTS Cluster of Excellence at Kiel University have introduced a groundbreaking way 1 to apply modern philosophical concepts, like the United Nations Human Development Index (HDI), to ancient societies, offering fresh perspectives on how and why these communities thrived.
The LaPrele Mammoth Site: A Window into Early North American Life Archaeological discoveries at the LaPrele mammoth site in Wyoming continue to shed light on the ingenuity and adaptability of Early North Americans, who lived in North America nearly 13,000 years ago.
The Origins of Burial Practices in Human Evolution Around 120,000 years ago, both Homo sapiens and Neanderthals began practicing intentional burial in the Levant region, shaping a complex cultural narrative in human evolution. Been et al.,
This discovery not only predates the arrival of modern humans ( Homo sapiens ) in the region by 20,000 years but also highlights the Neanderthals' sophisticated engineering and teamwork. Evidence of Experimental Archaeology To confirm their hypotheses, the researchers recreated the Neanderthal hearth. inches deep. . 1 Ochando, J.,
For centuries, our understanding of early irrigation in Mesopotamia has relied largely on indirect evidence, such as cuneiform texts and archaeological remains of later canal networks. This is a rare case where nature has preserved a vital piece of human history. Journal of Archaeological Method and Theory, 31 , 1062–101.
A recent study, published in the European Journal of Archaeology 1 , suggests these plaques may represent one of humanity's earliest attempts at recording genealogy—a non-verbal precursor to modern ancestry documentation. Journal : European Journal of Archaeology , 2004. Journal : Cambridge Archaeological Journal , 2009.
But recent archaeological findings reveal that even domestic livestock were transformed to project power and control. Credit: Journal of Archaeological Science (2024). Journal of African Archaeology , 13(2), 187-206. Journal of Archaeological Science , 172 (106104), 106104. DOI: 10.1016/j.jas.2024.106104
Moreover, this finding contributes to a broader narrative that places Neanderthals as active participants in the cultural evolution of early humans. Their ability to develop and share complex technologies like tar-making illustrates their pivotal role in shaping the trajectory of human development. A., & Langejans, G. Leierer, L.,
The deserts of northern Africa and the Arabian Peninsula have long been the focus of archaeological research, revealing their roles as cradles of early human civilization and migration routes through so-called “green corridors.” The Narabeb site showing location of former lake. Middle Stone Age lithics from Narabeb.
Reprinted under a CC BY license, with permission from AFALULA-RCU-CNRS, 2024. 2024, PLOS ONE , CC-BY 4.0 Future archaeological work may reveal more about the timing and extent of urbanization in this region and its unique trajectory. 3D virtual reconstruction of the Bronze Age site of al-Natah. Credit: Charloux et al.,
The results challenge long-held assumptions about how early humans controlled tool shape and suggest that the differences in Levallois core designs may be more influenced by cultural traditions than previously thought Why Levallois Technology Matters Levallois technology represents a milestone in human cognitive and technological evolution.
Photo by Marcello Canuto) The Power of Lidar in Archaeology Lidar, a laser-based detection system, allows archaeologists to scan landscapes by sending thousands of laser pulses per second and mapping the terrain based on how these pulses reflect off surfaces. 1 Auld-Thomas, L., Canuto, M. Morlet, A. Estrada-Belli, F., Chatelain, D.,
But how did ancient humans experience and describe these feelings? By analyzing one million words of Akkadian cuneiform, researchers unearthed fascinating connections between emotional states and specific body parts, offering fresh insights into human emotional experience through time. Credit: Modern/PNAS: Lauri Nummenmaa et al.,
Credit: Scientific Reports (2024). Archaeological findings 2 have confirmed that axe-like tools date back over 44,000 years, making the kodj one of the most ancient weapons still known today. While weapon design plays a critical role in efficiency, the ultimate factor remains the human behind the tool. Cornish, B.,
The Ancient Artistry of Ochre Mining in Eswatini The Lion Cavern at Ngwenya, Eswatini, holds groundbreaking evidence 1 of humanity's earliest intensive ochre mining practices, dating back 48,000 years. Optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) dating methods confirmed its use as the world’s oldest ochre mine.
A new study published in the Journal of Paleolithic Archaeology 1 has upended this assumption. Neanderthals vs. Modern Humans: Who Made What? Meanwhile, the Uluzzian industry has long been associated with modern humans. This has implications for how we view the spread of modern human culture. But do they? 4b) Core. (5,
Credit: Science (2024). In contrast, modern shrub density in some forests is now higher than it was 130,000–115,000 years ago—a period with a similar climate to today’s but without human intervention. ladder fuels). 1 Mariani, M., Herbert, A., Adeleye, M., Florin, S. Kershaw, P., Theuerkauf, M., Stevenson, J.,
Although some archaeological studies propose that spindle whorls made of bone or antler existed around 20,000 years ago, they were likely decorative rather than functional for spinning. “It really changes the way you think about your archaeological finds.” “Whorls probably helped lead to those inventions.”
The genomes of most modern humans contain up to 4% Neanderthal DNA. Many modern humans have some admixture of Neanderthal DNA, an indication that Homo sapiens and Homo neanderthalensis knew one another, also in the Biblical sense. Credit: Scientific Reports (2024). ” This chimes with previous archaeological finds.
A recent study sheds new light on its human history, highlighting the deep impact of migrations from New Guinea into this region approximately 3,500 years ago. Challenges of Deciphering Human Migrations Studying Wallacea’s genetic history isn’t without its challenges. Human Biology , 83(4), 587–607. Kealy, S.,
NEH Grantees: August 2024 kskordal Tue, 10/01/2024 - 14:52 Image Congratulations to the following National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) Grantees, announced in August 2024, for their project in classical studies and adjacent fields: Caitlín Barrett and Kathryn Gleason (Cornell University): Toward an Archaeology of Lived Experience: Modeling Embodied (..)
The interbreeding of Homo sapiens and Neanderthals is a well-established fact, revealing a fascinating chapter in human evolution. This research has pinpointed the Zagros Mountains, a significant mountain range on the Persian Plateau, as a key region where these two human species overlapped.
Cut marks on ancient fossils have been identified as evidence of human exploitation of large mammals in Argentina more than 20,000 years ago, according to a study published on July 17, 2024, in the open-access journal PLOS ONE 1 by Mariano Del Papa of the National University of La Plata, Argentina, and his colleagues.
A new study 1 challenges long-held beliefs about the origins of horseback riding, casting doubt on the Kurgan hypothesis, which claims that humans first began domesticating horses as early as the fourth millennium B.C. Horseback riding can indeed leave subtle marks on the human body. Can Horseback Riding Change Your Skeleton?
Reassessing long-standing assumptions about early human diets, recent archaeological findings 1 from burial sites in the Peruvian Andes between 9,000 and 6,500 years ago suggest a surprising narrative. Human remains from Peru's Wilamaya Patjxa site reveal that ancient Andean diets were predominantly plant-based. 1 Chen, J.
Recent archaeological findings 1 in West Papua have unveiled new insights into one of the most significant migrations in human history—the journey of early Homo sapiens into the Pacific Islands. This site, rich in archaeological deposits, provided a window into the lives of the early humans who inhabited the region.
A groundbreaking study 1 of ancient human DNA from the Oakhurst rock shelter in South Africa is shedding new light on population history in one of the world’s earliest regions of modern human activity. It contained more than 40 human graves and preserved layers of human artifacts, such as stone tools, going back 12,000 years.”
“Even when they pass on, you still respect and honor them as non-human relatives. In a new paper published in Advances in Archaeological Practice 1 , Ward and his colleagues are calling for museums to take a more ethical, culturally informed approach to caring for the bones of animals, particularly those tied to Indigenous traditions.
Recent archaeological studies in Sicily reveal crucial information about early human migration into the Mediterranean islands. This research offers fresh perspectives on the expansion routes and adaptive behaviors of early human communities. These sites are believed to contain sediments with significant archaeological potential.
Researchers have developed an innovative population model 1 that sheds new light on the complex dynamics of human dispersal across Europe during the Aurignacian period, approximately 43,000 to 32,000 years ago. By examining these factors, the researchers have identified four distinct phases in the process of human settlement across Europe.
Delving into the Past: Exploring the Enigmatic Landscapes of Arabia The Arabian Peninsula, a land shrouded in mystery and ancient lore, conceals within its arid embrace a treasure trove of archaeological wonders. These fossil-rich deposits offer a tantalizing glimpse into the fauna that once roamed Arabia's ancient landscapes. 1 Stewart, M.,
Archaeological discoveries in East Timor’s Laili rock shelter have unveiled evidence 1 of ancient human habitation dating back approximately 44,000 years. Excavations revealed thousands of stone artifacts and animal bones, indicating human presence approximately 44,000 years ago.
Archaeologists have long debated the exact paths taken by early modern humans on their journey to Australia. While genetic data has estimated the arrival of Homo sapiens in Australia to be under 50,000 years ago, archaeological findings suggest an earlier presence, possibly as far back as 65,000 or even 80,000 years ago.
Were humans or climate change responsible for these losses? The Role of Human Hunting Researchers from the Danish National Research Foundation's Center for Ecological Dynamics in a Novel Biosphere (ECONOVO) at Aarhus University have concluded that human hunting played a decisive role in these extinctions.
Photograph: Nikola Solic/Reuters Discovery and Significance The fossil in question was excavated in 1989 at the Cova Negra archaeological site in Valencia, Spain. This finding underscores the importance of understanding the compassionate and collaborative nature of Neanderthal societies, shedding light on the broader story of human evolution.
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