article thumbnail

Tracing Ancient Networks: The Journey of Obsidian Artifacts into Alberta's Archaeological Record

Anthropology.net

Despite Alberta's lack of volcanic activity, numerous obsidian artifacts have been unearthed across the province, prompting questions about their origins and the prehistoric networks that transported them. Allan / Archaeological Survey of Alberta Occasional Paper 43 (2024) 1-7.

article thumbnail

Spain’s Move to Decolonize Its Museums Must Continue

Sapiens

In early 2024, Spain’s culture minister announced that the nation would overhaul its state museum collections, igniting a wave of anticipation—and controversy. The colonial frameworks under which museums were originally established allowed Western powers to amass vast collections of artifacts—often under dubious circumstances.

Museum 126
educators

Sign Up for our Newsletter

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

article thumbnail

Immersive 3D Technology Reshapes the Study of the Human Past

Anthropology.net

A New Way to Study Ancient Artifacts For decades, archaeologists have relied on traditional methods to analyze artifacts and architectural remains. The team matched 3D scanned pottery fragments with physical artifacts, streamlining their study of sherds located in distant museum collections. 1 Cobb, P. J., & Azizbekyan, H.

article thumbnail

The Oldest Known Alphabet Unearthed in Ancient Syria

Anthropology.net

These artifacts were found alongside skeletons, jewelry, pottery, and other items in a well-preserved tomb from the Early Bronze Age. Our artifacts are older and from a different area on the map, suggesting the alphabet may have an entirely different origin story than we thought," Schwartz noted. 2024, November 21).

Artifacts 105
article thumbnail

Ancient Tree Resin Reveals Earliest Human Presence in the Pacific

Anthropology.net

This discovery, centered on an ancient tree resin artifact, challenges previous assumptions about when and how early humans moved through this complex island chain to reach Sahul, the landmass combining modern-day Australia and New Guinea during the Pleistocene. 2024 Read more Credit: Gaffney et al.

article thumbnail

Paleolithic Discoveries at Soii Havzak Rockshelter Illuminate Human Migration in Central Asia

Anthropology.net

Artifacts suggest that the Zeravshan Valley was not only a migration route but potentially a place of cultural exchange. A Window into Climate and Migration Beyond individual artifacts, Soii Havzak provides clues about the larger environmental shifts that early humans endured. 1 Zaidner, Y., & Kurbanov, S. Antiquity , 1–8.

article thumbnail

Ancient Hierakonpolis: The Earliest Evidence of Livestock Horn Modification

Anthropology.net

Credit: Journal of Archaeological Science (2024). Hieroglyphic depictions and ritual artifacts reveal that early Egyptians often used animals to represent gods, cosmic forces, or societal ideals. Right: Sheep skull T54–2 shown from (a) front and (b) left front side, with close-up of the frontal bone area between horn core bases.