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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. Field finds of obsidian flakes.
DECOLONIZING SPAIN’S MUSEUMS In my work as a curator of archaeological assemblages at the British Museum and as a bio-archaeology researcher at the Natural History Museum in the United Kingdom, I have observed how nations and cultural institutions grapple with their colonial legacies. Unlike the U.K.,
New archaeological research reveals insights into the first-known seafarers to brave ocean crossings from Asia to the Pacific Islands more than 50,000 years ago. Foraging in the Rainforest A key finding of the excavation was a tree resin artifact that was made at this time. Then the hardened resin was snapped into shape.
Archaeology, the science of unearthing and interpreting humanity’s ancient past, is entering a transformative era. A New Way to Study Ancient Artifacts For decades, archaeologists have relied on traditional methods to analyze artifacts and architectural remains. “This is our game-changing innovation.
a) Location of early metallurgical activities in Anatolia and Gre Fılla archaeological site. Among the architectural remnants and everyday artifacts, researchers have uncovered compelling evidence of early copper use and production. b) The context where the vitrified material (GRE-VRF) was found. c) Chisel axe.
Recent analysis of artifacts from two Lusatian Culture cemeteries suggests that early metallurgists were not only working with iron from terrestrial sources but also incorporating metal from ataxite meteorites—an extremely rare form of nickel-rich iron that originates in space. Pin fragment (E) from Częstochowa-Mirów (4).
Traditionally, scholars have debated linguistic origins based on indirect clues—symbolic artifacts, brain size, or the complexity of tool-making. The genetic evidence suggests that Homo sapiens had the capacity for language long before the first clear signs of symbolic behavior appear in the archaeological record.
Application of ArchaeologyArchaeology is the study of human past through material remains. archaeologists study past humans and societies primarily through their material remains – the buildings, tools, and other artifacts that constitute what is known as the material culture left over from former societies.
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.
But what sets these artifacts apart is what they reveal: that some of our distant hominin ancestors were not just using stone—they were thinking beyond it. This may be the earliest archaeological hint of social learning in technological contexts. Journal of Archaeological Science, 35(6), 1566–1580.
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.
But recent archaeological findings reveal that even domestic livestock were transformed to project power and control. 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. 1 Van Neer, W.,
Dating back more than 20,000 years, this artifact provides a fascinating glimpse into how Ice Age hunter-gatherers perceived and interacted with their landscape. Researchers have uncovered an extraordinary engraving on the cave floor, suggesting it may be the oldest known three-dimensional map.
The SWP field school offers UTM students the opportunity to be trained in archaeological excavation within their campus grounds. Teaching prompted us to reassess our skills and rediscover the motivations that led us to pursue archaeology originally.
The graves, filled with artifacts like ornate belt fittings and everyday items, reflected a shared culture. Archaeological evidence suggested these people coexisted peacefully, identifying themselves as part of the broader Avar society. ” Oxford Journal of Archaeology. But ancient DNA analysis told a different story.
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. Cheval also emphasizes the importance of direct experience in hand-spinning when interpreting such artifacts.
Recent archaeological discoveries 1 are challenging long-held assumptions about the maritime capabilities of prehistoric hunter-gatherers. Huw Groucutt Evidence from Malta Excavations at the Latnija site in northern Malta have uncovered artifacts dating back approximately 8,500 years.
A new study published in the Journal of Paleolithic Archaeology 1 has upended this assumption. To correct this, the team organized a workshop where archaeologists directly examined artifacts from both traditions side by side. Journal of Paleolithic Archaeology , 8 (1). But do they? The results were striking. Carmignani, L.,
Using experimental archaeology, advanced 3D scanning, and photogrammetry, they recreated and analyzed the wear patterns on stone tools from Melka Wakena. ” Melka Wakena’s archaeological record offers a glimpse into these capabilities. “This was frequently associated with increased cognitive capabilities.”
Bone tools found in Olduvai, photographed in the Pleistocene Archaeology Lab of CSIC. Bone tools found in Olduvai, photographed in the Pleistocene Archaeology Lab of CSIC. Researchers have uncovered a collection of systematically shaped bone tools at Olduvai Gorge, dating back to 1.5
In a new study published in the Cambridge Archaeological Journal 1 , researchers from institutions across Europe compiled the most comprehensive cross-cultural knot database to date. By analyzing 338 distinct knots from archaeological archives and museum collections, they discovered a surprisingly stable repertoire. . Eronen, J.
A Quiet Revolution in Clay In the archaeological record of East and Central Asia, the earliest ceramics are often associated with the late Upper Paleolithic to Mesolithic transition—typically tied to slow-burning hearths, storage pits, and seasonal camps. Archaeological Research in Asia, 35, 100416. link] Kuzmin, Y. Muntowski, P.,
Unlike many other archaeological sites that have been repeatedly excavated over decades, this cave has only recently been investigated systematically. Journal of Archaeological Science, Reports , 63 (105064), 105064. A Site for the Future Grotta della Lea is still in the early stages of study, but its potential is clear. Martini, I.,
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. Until recently, most archaeological efforts concentrated on the southern route.
These artifacts suggest that the inhabitants of Longtan were engaging in complex tool-making behavior typically attributed to Neanderthals in Europe. While Denisovans are best known from DNA evidence and a few fossil fragments found in Siberia and Tibet, their archaeological footprint remains largely unknown. Who Made the Tools?
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.” Initial surveys have revealed a landscape rich in artifacts, suggesting potential migration routes.
A recent study published in Archaeological and Anthropological Sciences 1 takes a significant step toward answering these questions. The Engraved Stones of the Levant The researchers focused on five artifacts from four archaeological sites: Manot Cave, Amud Cave, Qafzeh Cave, and Quneitra. First and foremost is sample size.
One such discovery has emerged from the archaeological site of Jebel Faya, a rock shelter nestled in the Emirate of Sharjah, United Arab Emirates. Examples of retouched artifacts from the stratigraphically youngest Middle Palaeolithic assemblage at Jebel Faya, Emirate of Sharjah, United Arab Emirates. Related Research Bretzke, K.,
. “This is the first time we’ve been able to document half a millennium of continuous, large-scale production of mollusk-based purple dye in a single place,” said Golan Shalvi, lead author of the study and director of excavations at the University of Haifa’s Zinman Institute of Archaeology. Galanaki et al.).
For centuries, the study of prehistoric life has relied on the fragile remnants of bones and artifacts. ” Implications for Archaeology and Genetics A New Era in Prehistoric Research The ability to extract DNA from sediments is revolutionizing the study of human and animal history. Unraveling Time with Sedimentary DNA No Bones?
Stone tools are often thought of as deliberately crafted artifacts, chipped and shaped by early hominins to serve a particular function. A study by Dr. Margherita Mussi, published in Quaternary International , examines naturally occurring basalt spheres from the Pleistocene archaeological sites of Melka Kunture, Ethiopia.
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. Are they places where we treat archaeological objects as inanimate things?
The SWP field school offers UTM students the opportunity to be trained in archaeological excavation within their campus grounds. Teaching prompted us to reassess our skills and rediscover the motivations that led us to pursue archaeology originally.
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.
Their remains and the artifacts found with them shed light on this major turning point in human evolution. They dug a trench as deep as two city busses stacked end-to-end that yielded millions of artifacts and food remains. But most Paleolithic sites only yield stone tools and other artifacts. It’s unclear if they ever arrived.
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. 1 Shipton, C., Morley, M.
Recent archaeological findings suggest that the Bronze Age board game, Hounds and Jackals—also known as Fifty-Eight Holes—may have originated not in Egypt, as previously believed, but in Asia. According to Crist and co-author Rahman Abdullayev, more precise evidence is needed from securely dated archaeological contexts.
Discovered in Poland, this artifact challenges our understanding of their cognitive abilities and symbolic culture. Tomasz Płonka, professor of archaeology at the University of Wrocław, “It is one of the quite rare Neanderthal objects of symbolic nature. Journal of Archaeological Science , 166 (105971), 105971.
Introduction: A Landmark Discovery in Qaleh Kurd Cave In a momentous archaeological breakthrough, French and Iranian researchers have unearthed compelling evidence of early human habitation in Iran's Central Plateau, pushing back the known timeline of human settlement in the region by an astonishing 300,000 years.
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In 1994, the Schöningen open-cast coal mine yielded an astonishing archaeological treasure: remarkably well-preserved hunting weapons dating back 300,000 years. Unveiling Woodworking Expertise The meticulous examination of wooden artifacts has uncovered a sophisticated understanding of woodworking among early humans. 1 Leder, D.,
Hosek said, “In archaeology, there are vanishingly few instances in which we can tie a particular activity unequivocally to skeletal changes.” Artifacts such as bridles and chariots from this period provide concrete evidence of horse domestication. in a culture known as the Yamnaya.
Artifacts and the Cellar's Significance Over a thousand artifacts were uncovered during the excavation, including pottery fragments, flint tools, and fossilized sea urchins. Such findings highlight the significance of ongoing archaeological research in uncovering the complexities of early human societies. 1 Brinch, M.,
An extraordinary archaeological site 1 located at the foothills of the Southern Pyrenees in Spain is shedding light on a little-known period of Neanderthal history. Archaeologists have unearthed hundreds of thousands of artifacts at the site, including stone tools and animal bones. Martinez-Moreno, J., & Mora, R.
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