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A team of archaeologists working in Southeast Asia is pushing toward a deeper understanding of history that amplifies Indigenous and local perspectives to challenge traditionalarchaeological timelines. Instead, we advocate for “deep history.” When you think of “prehistory,” what images come to mind?
Archaeological evidence and Oral Histories show people in what is today Ghana lived sustainably for millennia—until European colonial powers and the widespread trade of enslaved people changed everything. I felt compelled to share this story as an example of the power of archaeology to shift perspectives. It’s the year 2065.
The early human settlement of South America stands as one of the last great migrations in human history, yet the environmental conditions that shaped this journey remain debated. Although a single lithic tradition/category is assigned to each site, some contain more than one (e.g., The modelling work (e.g., The modelling work (e.g.,
Researchers from the University of São Paulo (USP) and the Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation (EMBRAPA) have identified semi-domesticated maize specimens from caves in Brazil’s Peruaçu Valley, revealing a unique chapter in the crop’s evolutionary history. Freitas, F. Allaby, R. G., & Brown, T.
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. ” The Ararat Plain Southeast Archaeological Project site.
Genomic Clues: Tracing Language Through Population Splits Unlike previous studies that relied on archaeology or comparative anatomy, this research examines how human populations began to branch off from one another. Yet, despite its central role in human evolution, determining when and how language first emerged remains a challenge.
Application of ArchaeologyArchaeology is the study of human past through material remains. Archaeology, then, is both a physical activity out in the field, and an intellectual pursuit in the study or laboratory. Here the methods of archaeology and ethnography overlap. How were those pots used?
2025 The study, published in Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports 1 , examined 26 iron objects from burial sites at Częstochowa-Raków and Częstochowa-Mirów. Rethinking Early Ironworking The presence of meteoritic iron in Polish burial sites adds another layer to the complex history of early iron use in Europe.
The Archaeological Indicators of Intentional Burial Determining intentional burial practices relies on distinguishing human-placed items from naturally occurring elements. This gap suggests that burial practices may not have had an unbroken tradition across time and species. 1 Been, E., & Barzilai, O.
style='mso-element:field-begin'> TOC o "1-4" h z u Archaeology of power and identity: the political use of the discipline. style='mso-element:field-begin'> TOC o "1-4" h z u Archaeology of power and identity: the political use of the discipline.
However, the scale of ochre extraction and the evident skill involved at Lion Cavern marks this site as a unique focal point in the history of human creativity and ritual. This extensive ochre extraction reveals not a simple, one-time usage, but a complex tradition of quarrying, refining, and transporting the mineral across great distances.
Conclusion: The Future of Central Asian Archaeology The Soii Havzak site marks a significant step forward in understanding the complex tapestry of human prehistory in Central Asia.
Exposed section of archaeological sediments dated to to 110 thousand years ago at Tinshemet cave A new study, published in Nature Human Behaviour 1 , brings fresh insight into this question. Instead, it points to the possibility of shared traditions, passed between groups over time. Tinshemet Cave during the excavations.
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.
A New Chapter in the Alphabet's History Previously, scholars believed the alphabet emerged in or near Egypt as a tool for simplifying the complex hieroglyphic and cuneiform systems of the time. The find also highlights the importance of interdisciplinary archaeological work. What Was the Purpose of the Cylinders?
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. The research marks a milestone in the study of Indigenous weapons, combining centuries of traditional knowledge with cutting-edge biomechanical technology. 1 Diamond, L.
Ancient Mud Unlocks 130,000 Years of Australia’s Fire Management History Australia’s relationship with fire extends back thousands of years, with Indigenous land management practices deeply shaping the continent’s ecology.
Within a few decades, they built an empire that stretched from the Eurasian steppe to the heart of Central Europe, reshaping political landscapes and leaving an imprint on European history. These European burials included individuals with "eastern-type" traits—characteristics often associated with nomadic steppe traditions.
An Ancient Cave with Modern Questions Franchthi Cave, nestled in the Peloponnesian peninsula of Greece, has been a silent witness to 40,000 years of human history. It serves as a critical archaeological site for understanding the transition from Mesolithic hunter-gatherers to Neolithic agriculturalists.
a) Location of early metallurgical activities in Anatolia and Gre Fılla archaeological site. These findings challenge the traditional timeline, which places the advent of copper metallurgy in the Chalcolithic period, around 4000 BCE. b) The context where the vitrified material (GRE-VRF) was found. c) Chisel axe.
Moment, But a Slow Discovery The traditional view of early toolmaking suggests that one particularly clever hominin, perhaps while cracking a nut or smashing a bone, accidentally broke a rock and discovered the sharp edges it produced. million years ago. Not a "Eureka!" This could involve examining sites older than 3.3
They were the remains of animals deeply intertwined with the histories and cultures of Indigenous communities. Lakota elder Milo Yellow Hair looks over bison skulls stored in the CU Museum of Natural History. Are they places where we treat archaeological objects as inanimate things? These weren’t just scientific specimens.
In fact, it is because of the ancestors of the Hopi and Zuni people, and the Pai Tribes, that archaeological sites exist in the Grand Canyon. It is also because of the Hopi and Pueblo people that archaeological sites exist within Chaco Canyon. CC What is the traditional origin history of the Hopi people?
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. These new results from southernmost Africa are quite different, and suggest a long history of relative genetic stability.”
But every now and then, a new discovery forces a rewrite of this narrative, reminding us that human history is more intricate than we once thought. One such discovery has emerged from the archaeological site of Jebel Faya, a rock shelter nestled in the Emirate of Sharjah, United Arab Emirates.
Stavig situates Runa women’s reproductive and obstetric choices within the history of state violence against Indigenous women in Peru. Slocum reflects on her experiences conducting ethnographic research as part of a collaborative, community-centered archaeological project in Tahcabo, Yucatán, Mexico, from a decolonial feminist standpoint.
A Mysterious Ritual Resurfaces in the Archaeological Record In the rugged landscapes of northeastern Iberia, ancient fortresses once stood, their walls bearing silent witness to the turbulent rituals of Iron Age societies. Journal of Archaeological Science. One of the severed heads found at Ullastret. DOI: 10.1016/j.jas.2024.105035
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. Or echoes of a broader pan-Mesoamerican tradition? Were these figures sacred objects of devotion? Props in an ancient performance?
The Wajãpi had invited me to map archaeological sites in their territory. The Wajãpi already knew of my “archaeological finds”—the footsteps of Creator Hero from the beginning of time. What could my archaeological knowledge possibly offer to such a vast cosmological wisdom? I was excited. We just draw from different backgrounds.
To uncover this past, a team launched the country’s first archaeological research. The Praia Melão engenho and estate is the first archaeological site identified in São Tomé. São Tomé’s role in this devastating and transformational history is largely unknown—some people have never heard of the tiny nation.
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. World Archaeology, 24 (1), 82-102. Valdivia and the Coastal Tradition of Ecuador." History of the New World."
Hosek said, “In archaeology, there are vanishingly few instances in which we can tie a particular activity unequivocally to skeletal changes.” The researchers call for a more holistic approach to the study of early horse domestication, integrating genetic data and archaeological evidence from horse remains.
I call this a “confession” because “ (bio)archaeologists ” like me—scholars who identify with archaeology, biological anthropology, or both—are not necessarily known for centering social theories like Intersectionality in our subdisciplines. Bio)archaeology is no stranger to its colonial baggage. Intersectional Anthropology.
When skeletal remains are found, there are often questions over their precise relationship to other archaeological remains at the same site—such as stone and bone tools, animal remains, and other finds. But it has been unclear whether these were made by Neanderthals or modern humans.
A Race Against Time: The Destruction of Ancient Sites Unfortunately, the researchers also highlight a growing concern: the destruction of archaeological sites due to modern development. This serves as a stark reminder of how fragile our connection to deep history is. Their conclusion?
. ✽ THESE DAYS, IF YOU want to visit remarkable archaeological sites, such as Great Zimbabwe or Petra in Jordan , you don’t even need to leave your house. This has led to numerous archaeological and heritage sites appearing online in interactive 3D platforms, such as Sketchfab.
” Archaeological Evidence and Simulation Models The study’s findings align with empirical archaeological evidence from various Neolithic sites across Europe. This model was tested against a database of archaeological sites, with radiocarbon age measurements used as proxies for human activity and population size.
Archaeological discoveries in East Timor’s Laili rock shelter have unveiled evidence 1 of ancient human habitation dating back approximately 44,000 years. Archaeological evidence in Australia dates back at least 60,000 years, highlighting the ancient roots of Aboriginal cultures. 1 Shipton, C., Morley, M. Boulanger, C.,
In the vast tapestry of human history, certain discoveries emerge as seismic shifts, reshaping our understanding of our origins and the paths we've traversed. The archaeological record offers tantalizing glimpses into the dawn of linguistic expression. million years ago.
Credit: Pat Doak) Challenging the Traditional Narrative Previously, European accounts from the 1700s and 1800s suggested that horses spread into North America in significant numbers only after the Pueblo Revolt of 1680, when Pueblo people temporarily expelled Spanish settlers from New Mexico. 1 Taylor, W. Librado, P., Shield Chief Gover, C.,
The Role of Gift Giving in Traditional Societies Throughout human history, societies have transitioned through various organizational forms, such as bands, tribes, chiefdoms, and kingdoms. Despite the recognition of these forms, the quantitative criteria and mechanisms underlying these transitions have remained elusive.
How can we understand AI in the broader history of humans and technology? In what ways does AI challenge traditional anthropological concepts, theories, and methodologies? Where are there opportunities?
Sprinkled through Homer’s twin epics, Felice Vinci spotted a heap of similar anecdotes that pointed away from the traditional setting of the Iliad , an account of the Trojan War, and the Odyssey , the story of Ulysses’ 10-year journey home to Ithaca after the fall of Troy. This part of Homer’s Odyssey doesn’t sound very Mediterranean.
Another project looks at the connection between East Africa, Asia, and Mediterranean Europe and includes an interview with Chapurukha Kusimba, an Archaeology Journal Article on Early Swahili Towns and a 3D Reconstruction of the Songo Mnara site, which is a UNESCO site.
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