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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.
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. This approach to archaeologicalresearch places value on the continuous cultural and social development of humans.
By integrating insights from developmental psychology, researchers have identified playful and imaginative marks made by young artists, fundamentally rethinking prehistoric creativity. This new research confronts that narrative, positioning children as active creators whose unique contributions have long been overlooked.
Published in ArchaeologicalResearch in Asia 1 , the research introduces a computational approach that reveals unexpected complexity in the architectural development of Neolithic settlements. “Traditional methods often rely on subjective interpretations of architectural change,” says lead author Hadas Goldgeier.
13075 The research, published in Archaeometry 1 , suggests that before the first intentional toolmakers, hominins may have relied on "naturaliths"—sharp rock fragments created by natural geological or biological processes. These specimens and additional specimens can also be seen in figures S1-S28. Image by Michelle R. Bebber, Metin I.
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.
New research by Lorena Becerra-Valdivia, published in Nature Communications 1 , suggests that humans did not simply follow stable climates but adapted to fluctuating conditions, sometimes settling in areas experiencing severe cold. Although a single lithic tradition/category is assigned to each site, some contain more than one (e.g.,
By analyzing genetic divergences in early Homo sapiens populations, researchers argue that the biological capacity for language must have been present at least 135,000 years ago. The researchers propose that language might have played a key role. Fossils do not speak, and ancient DNA does not carry recordings of conversations.
These tools, characterized by a prepared-core technique that allowed for precise flake removal, have long been studied using traditional measurements. This new study offers a different lens: analyzing the entire three-dimensional structure of the core to assess how shape is controlled across different regions and tradition.
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.
Archaeology, the science of unearthing and interpreting humanity’s ancient past, is entering a transformative era. Researchers at the University of Hong Kong (HKU) Faculty of Arts have unveiled an innovative approach, combining Mixed Reality (MR) and Augmented Reality (AR) technologies with excavation practices.
Recent groundbreaking research in Antiquity 1 has revolutionized the understanding of ancient Maya civilization. Utilizing cutting-edge lidar technology, researchers from Tulane University and Northern Arizona University have uncovered more than 6,500 structures hidden beneath the dense forests of Campeche, Mexico.
Researchers have uncovered a collection of systematically shaped bone tools at Olduvai Gorge, dating back to 1.5 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.
But recent archaeological findings reveal that even domestic livestock were transformed to project power and control. Credit: Journal of Archaeological Science (2024). ” How Horn Modification Was Achieved Using advanced analysis, the researchers determined that the horn deformations were not natural. DOI: 10.1016/j.jas.2024.106104
2025 The study, published in Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports 1 , examined 26 iron objects from burial sites at Częstochowa-Raków and Częstochowa-Mirów. The researchers propose that the meteoritic iron used in these artifacts likely came from a locally observed meteorite fall. Credit: Jambon et al.
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.
The Archaeological Indicators of Intentional Burial Determining intentional burial practices relies on distinguishing human-placed items from naturally occurring elements. For this study, researchers examined skeletal positioning, potential grave goods, and signs of deliberate excavation. Been et al., 1 Been, E., & Barzilai, O.
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. Discovered 1 only recently, this rock-shelter sits 40 meters above a tributary of the Zeravshan River, approximately 10 kilometers north of Panjakent.
A new study published in the Journal of Paleolithic Archaeology 1 has upended this assumption. By directly comparing the stone tools (lithics) of these two cultures for the first time, researchers have found no meaningful technological connection between them. But do they? The results were striking. 3) Semi-tournant core. (4)
These stones, excavated by researchers from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, reveal early examples of rotational tools, predating the invention of the wheel by thousands of years. Instead, the researchers hypothesize that these perforated stones were spindle whorls, early tools used for hand-spinning yarn.
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.
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 vibrant shades offered by ochre became instrumental in creating artwork that spanned the boundaries of the Stone Age, preserving a tradition that endures in many modern cultures worldwide. The Archaeological Process: Tracing Ochre’s Journey The analysis at Lion Cavern involved 173 ochre samples from 15 different sites across Africa.
. “Melka Wakena’s unique high-altitude setting offers valuable insights into how early humans adapted to challenging environments,” the researchers wrote. Stone Selection as a Window into Hominin Cognition The researchers aimed to understand how early Acheulian toolmakers selected stones for their tools.
Unlike many other archaeological sites that have been repeatedly excavated over decades, this cave has only recently been investigated systematically. As researchers continue to study the material from Grotta della Lea, the site promises to deepen our understanding of the people who thrived in Europe’s last great Ice Age.
Collaborating with the team behind First Weapons , a television series aired by ABC, researchers employed state-of-the-art biomechanical tools to measure the energy, speed, and overall efficiency of these tools in combat. Australian Archaeology , 82 (1), 2–11. 1 Diamond, L. link] 2 Hiscock, P., O’Connor, S.,
Published in the Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports 1 , the research provides fascinating new perspectives on how early farmers conceptualized time, continuity, and legacy. A Window Into Early Mindsets What makes this research so compelling is its ability to reconstruct ancient ways of thinking. 1 Zamzow, E.,
The find also highlights the importance of interdisciplinary archaeological work. Using carbon-14 dating, the research team confirmed the age of the tomb, artifacts, and writing, providing robust evidence for the early development of alphabetic systems. What Was the Purpose of the Cylinders?
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-025-86093-w The study, led by Francesc Marginedas and a team of international researchers, builds on previous investigations of the site. Excavations have taken place since the 19th century, with researchers uncovering a mix of human and animal remains. Credit: Scientific Reports (2025). DOI: 10.1016/j.jhevol.2015.06.003
Insights from 130,000 Years of Climate and Human Impact The study tracked vegetation changes in southeastern Australia over the past 130,000 years, analyzing fossil pollen and archaeological data to determine how climate and human land use shaped the region’s ecology.
For decades, researchers have debated the nature of their interactions. 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. "Our Related Research Hublin, J.-J. Credit: Yossi Zaidner.
It serves as a critical archaeological site for understanding the transition from Mesolithic hunter-gatherers to Neolithic agriculturalists. This approach minimizes ambiguities, allowing researchers to distinguish between protein sources with remarkable precision.
The Genetic Footprint of the Huns The study focused on 35 newly sequenced genomes from key archaeological sites, including a 3rd–4th century site in Kazakhstan and 5th–6th century burial contexts in the Carpathian Basin. These individuals stood out as genetic outliers in the region, hinting at direct steppe connections.
One such discovery has emerged from the archaeological site of Jebel Faya, a rock shelter nestled in the Emirate of Sharjah, United Arab Emirates. Credit: Archaeological and Anthropological Sciences (2025). These artifacts stand out for their sophistication, demonstrating a clear departure from earlier Middle Paleolithic traditions.
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?
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?
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. Or were they revered ancestors, honored in death as a testament to their standing in the community?
The research, published in Archaeological and Anthropological Sciences 1 , presents compelling micro-archaeological evidence that fire was not just a survival tool but a defining cultural trait of the Gravettian tradition. However, Fuente del Salín offers a different perspective.
Our experience as Contributing Editors over the past four years taught us that boundaries between different writing themes are often blurry: we published pieces based on fieldwork experiences, innovative research, and current events, as well as pieces that consisted of entries on both current events and hot topics in the profession.
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?
By the end of the first millennium CE, another tradition emerged: elaborate mound and enclosure complexes (MECs), highly visible structures perched atop hilltops. 2025 A new study, published in the Journal of Anthropological Archaeology 1 , examines these burial landscapes to better understand their significance. Photo ceded by MARSUL.
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. Did Neanderthals create them?
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.
2025 Led by Dr. Sara Juengst, an international team of researchers analyzed the burial, comparing it to others from the region. Alongside her, researchers identified a separate cranial fragment from an individual aged 25–35 years old, though their relationship remains unclear. Related Research Ubelaker, D. 1 Juengst, S.
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