This site uses cookies to improve your experience. To help us insure we adhere to various privacy regulations, please select your country/region of residence. If you do not select a country, we will assume you are from the United States. Select your Cookie Settings or view our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Cookie Settings
Cookies and similar technologies are used on this website for proper function of the website, for tracking performance analytics and for marketing purposes. We and some of our third-party providers may use cookie data for various purposes. Please review the cookie settings below and choose your preference.
Used for the proper function of the website
Used for monitoring website traffic and interactions
Cookie Settings
Cookies and similar technologies are used on this website for proper function of the website, for tracking performance analytics and for marketing purposes. We and some of our third-party providers may use cookie data for various purposes. Please review the cookie settings below and choose your preference.
Strictly Necessary: Used for the proper function of the website
Performance/Analytics: Used for monitoring website traffic and interactions
In early 2024, Spain’s culture minister announced that the nation would overhaul its state museum collections, igniting a wave of anticipation—and controversy. It is crucial to understand that decolonizing efforts in museums do not equate to an immediate, wholesale return of cultural material. 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. The authors acknowledge the contribution of Abdul Razak Macap, a social anthropologist at the Regional Cultural Heritage Center in Manokwari.)
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. Credit: Jambon et al. A Witnessed Meteorite Fall?
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.
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.
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.
Found in tombs scattered across the region, these delicately carved, hand-sized artifacts bear geometric designs whose purpose has sparked debate for centuries. Deciphering the Plaques: A History of Theories Since the 1800s, scholars have speculated about the meaning of these artifacts, numbering around 1,626 recovered to date.
These artifacts—used for processing grains in early Neolithic settlements—were not merely discarded tools. Published in the Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports 1 , the research provides fascinating new perspectives on how early farmers conceptualized time, continuity, and legacy. 1 Zamzow, E., Valentini, M.
But recent archaeological findings reveal that even domestic livestock were transformed to project power and control. This discovery reshapes our understanding of early animal domestication and its cultural significance in Predynastic Egypt. Credit: Journal of Archaeological Science (2024). DOI: 10.1016/j.jas.2024.106104
Their findings underscore the importance of Central Asia not only as a geographical way point but as a cultural and technological nexus where different human populations may have encountered each other over millennia. Artifacts suggest that the Zeravshan Valley was not only a migration route but potentially a place of cultural exchange.
Found in different parts of Europe, these two industries have often been grouped together as “transitional industries,” implying that they might share a common technological or cultural origin. A new study published in the Journal of Paleolithic Archaeology 1 has upended this assumption. But do they? 4a) blade-like. (4b)
In the 8th century CE, the Avars—an enigmatic group with roots in the East Asian steppes—settled in Central Europe, weaving a tapestry of cultural cohesion amid genetic diversity. Their findings reveal an intriguing story of cultural integration despite distinct genetic divides. ” Even weapons were rare in the graves.
Bone tools found in Olduvai, photographed in the Pleistocene Archaeology Lab of CSIC. Credit: CSIC This finding changes the way we think about early human cognition, technological adaptability, and cultural innovation. Bone tools found in Olduvai, photographed in the Pleistocene Archaeology Lab of CSIC.
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. The radiocarbon dating places these tools firmly within the Early Epigravettian, aligning with known sites across Italy.
The Acheulian culture, which emerged around 1.75 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. DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0161322
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. What Comes Next?
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.
They were the remains of animals deeply intertwined with the histories and cultures of Indigenous communities. That’s a problem, says William Taylor, curator of archaeology at the University of Colorado Museum of Natural History and co-author of the study. Are they places where we treat archaeological objects as inanimate things?
The archaeological discovery of Preclassic clay figurines atop the San Isidro pyramid in El Salvador raises profound questions about the social and ritualistic lives of Mesoamerican cultures. “This discovery contradicts the prevailing notion about El Salvador’s cultural backwardness or isolation in ancient times.
In a groundbreaking study published in Nature Human Behaviour 1 , researchers delve into the intricate world of ancient jewelry, unearthing evidence of nine distinct lost cultures that thrived across Europe between 34,000 and 24,000 years ago. Critics argue that archaeology has leaned too heavily on genetic evidence. Baker, Rigaud, et.
Their findings point to a complex blend of cultural traditions, physical trauma, and ritual significance, raising new questions about Manteño funerary practices and the role of sacrifice in pre-Columbian Ecuador. The burial contained an assortment of artifacts, many of which were unusual for Manteño burials. 1 Juengst, S.
A multidisciplinary team of researchers explains historical, cultural, and ethical issues they considered while developing a 3D scan of a South African site to be shared with the world online. This has led to numerous archaeological and heritage sites appearing online in interactive 3D platforms, such as Sketchfab.
From the audience, as an anthropologist-in-training afraid her fieldwork would amount to nothing, I was thrilled to hear a cultural-historical reference on the nose enough for me to easily interpret (ventriloquize?). This statement might seem at first glance to be in line with an account that considers history and cultural conditions.
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. Like Ksâr ‘Akil 4, Egbert, too, was a now-missing, fossil child. 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.
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. 2024 A Global History of Ancient Games Board games have been part of human culture for millennia. Crist et al.,
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.
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. Different views of a roughly 4-inches-long (10.6
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.
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.
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. Al-Shanti, M.,
This shift, associated with the emergence of the Funnel Beaker Culture, led to permanent settlements and the construction of houses, megalithic tombs, and other structures. Such findings highlight the significance of ongoing archaeological research in uncovering the complexities of early human societies. 1 Brinch, M., Philippsen, B.,
The study, published in PLOS ONE 1 on December 11, 2024, uses bioarchaeological analyses to shed light on the diets, deaths, and cultural practices of this enigmatic population, linked to the Neolithic Cucuteni-Trypilla culture. Cultural Context The rarity of cremated remains in Trypillian burials adds another layer of intrigue.
Treasure hunting is long associated with endeavors to unearth concealed artifacts, illustrated best by buried troves of gold left behind by past communities. Accidents happen in dangerous sites, the promised artifact eludes hunters, or suspicion and disagreements turn violent. May engagements with the past be a part of the picture?
It contained more than 40 human graves and preserved layers of human artifacts, such as stone tools, going back 12,000 years.” The rich archaeological context, combined with new genetic data, is revealing a long and stable genetic history of the region’s inhabitants.
A new study in Science 1 reveals that many Native American populations across the Great Plains and the Rockies had incorporated horses into their cultures by the early 1600s, long before direct contact with Europeans. One horse was found among ritual artifacts, implying ceremonial significance.
The Oakhurst rock shelter, nestled in the cliffs of South Africa’s southern coast, has long been a focal point for archaeologists due to its wealth of artifacts and human remains. These findings offer a new perspective on human population stability and cultural evolution in southern Africa.
We invite submissions that probe the anthropological dimensions of AI: how it affects and is affected by human behavior, social norms, and cultural practices. AI is a complex field that appears poised to impact nearly every aspect of human life, from work to interpersonal relationships, education, mental health, and beyond.
The burials are part of ongoing excavations at 1 the archaeological site of Queneto, located in northern Peru. The latest discoveries at Queneto provide crucial data for archaeologists seeking to understand the early cultural and technological developments of pre-Incan societies.
In a groundbreaking revelation, an international team of researchers, spanning China, Australia, France, Spain, and Germany, has unveiled a sophisticated material culture in East Asia dating back an astonishing 45,000 years. Radiocarbon dating of the main cultural layer precisely places Shiyu between 45,800 and 43,200 years ago.
Jane Baxter, an anthropologist at DePaul University and author of " The Archaeology of Childhood ," supports this interpretation, noting the importance of recognizing ancient communities as groups of people engaging in human activities and interactions. The Oldest Known Ceramics The oldest known ceramics date back to around 28,000 B.C.E.
Unveiling a Mysterious Relic In a groundbreaking discovery, archaeologists from the Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA) have unearthed a remarkable artifact near Be'er Sheva—a jar made of elephant ivory ritually buried over 6,000 years ago.
Recent archaeological excavations in western Ukraine have yielded a treasure trove of stone tools dating back an astonishing 1.4 International collaboration among researchers from diverse European nations underscores the global significance of Ukraine's archaeological heritage and the collective pursuit of knowledge in the face of adversity.
We organize all of the trending information in your field so you don't have to. Join 5,000+ users and stay up to date on the latest articles your peers are reading.
You know about us, now we want to get to know you!
Let's personalize your content
Let's get even more personalized
We recognize your account from another site in our network, please click 'Send Email' below to continue with verifying your account and setting a password.
Let's personalize your content