Humans have left clues of our existence throughout time, leaving behind burials, artifacts and written records that hint at our evolution, beliefs, practices and cultures. Studying the archaeological record shows us that the oldest known bones belonging to Homo sapiens are 300,000 years old, or that the world’s oldest civilizations arose at least 6,000 years ago.
Discover more about archaeology
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'We certainly weren't exceptional, but now we're the only ones left': In new PBS series 'Human,' anthropologist Ella Al-Shamahi explores how humans came to dominate Earth
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1,900-year-old 'treasure' found in Roman-era family's scorched house in Romania
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World's oldest mummies were smoke-dried 10,000 years ago in China and Southeast Asia, researchers find
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1,900-year-old oil lamp that provided 'light in the journey to the afterlife' found in Roman cemetery in the Netherlands
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Pawnee Star Chart: A precontact elk-skin map used by Indigenous priests to tell an origin story
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Where is Queen Boudica buried?
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3,300-year-old ancient Egyptian whistle was likely used by police officer tasked with guarding the 'sacred location' of the royal tomb
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3,300-year-old ancient Egyptian whistle was likely used by police officer tasked with guarding the 'sacred location' of the royal tomb
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2,200-year-old gold coin depicting ancient Egyptian queen discovered in Jerusalem
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Sabu Disk: A mysterious 5,000-year-old Egyptian stone sculpture that looks like a hubcap
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4,000-year-old handprint discovered on ancient Egyptian tomb offering
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Ancient Egyptian rock art discovered near Aswan may be from the dawn of the first dynasty
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Massive blocks from the Lighthouse of Alexandria, an ancient wonder, hauled up from the Mediterranean
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Oldest and most complete ancient Egyptian human genome ever sequenced reveals ties to Mesopotamia
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'Thriving and densely-built': Archaeologists unearth 'tower' houses and ceremonial building in ancient Egyptian city of Imet
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We finally know why Queen Hatshepsut's statues were destroyed in ancient Egypt
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Do humans and chimps really share nearly 99% of their DNA?
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Homo erectus: Facts about the first human lineage to leave Africa
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1.8 million-year-old human jawbone discovered in Republic of Georgia — and it may be earliest evidence yet of Homo erectus
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Mysterious 300,000-year-old Greek cave skull was neither human nor Neanderthal, study finds
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The first Americans had Denisovan DNA. And it may have helped them survive.
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Gene that differs between humans and Neanderthals could shed light on the species' disappearance, mouse study suggests
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What was the first human species?
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2.6 million-year-old stone tools reveal ancient human relatives were 'forward planning' 600,000 years earlier than thought
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A braided stream, not a family tree: How new evidence upends our understanding of how humans evolved
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1,900-year-old 'treasure' found in Roman-era family's scorched house in Romania
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1,900-year-old oil lamp that provided 'light in the journey to the afterlife' found in Roman cemetery in the Netherlands
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'Extraordinary' Roman helmet from war-ending battle found in the sea off Sicily
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Skull of bear held captive to fight Roman gladiators discovered near ancient amphitheater in Serbia
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Which Roman emperor ruled the longest?
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After Mount Vesuvius erupted, Romans returned to Pompeii and stayed for 400 years — but it was likely anarchy
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Roman Britain quiz: What do you know about the Empire's conquest of the British Isles?
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Hadrian's Wall: The defensive Roman wall that protected the frontier in Britain for 300 years
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Archaeologists discover 1,800-year-old Roman watchtower built to protect the empire during Marcus Aurelius' reign
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1,000-year-old 'king' game piece with a distinctive hairstyle is 'as close as we will ever get to a portrait of a Viking'
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1,100-year-old Viking hoard reveals raiding wealthy only 'part of the picture' — they traded with the Middle East too
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Hornelund Brooches: Viking age gold ornaments mysteriously buried in Denmark 1,000 years ago
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Viking Age burial of chieftain with 'enormous power' found in Denmark — and he may have served Harald Bluetooth
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Viking Age woman was buried with her dog in an elaborate 'boat grave,' excavations reveal
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1,000-year-old Viking Age hoard has a pendant that may be a cross or Thor's hammer
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Braided gold Viking arm-ring discovered by amateur metal detectorist on Isle of Man
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Archaeologist sailed a Viking replica boat for 3 years to discover unknown ancient harbors
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OpinionViking Age women may have wielded weapons when pregnant, sagas and ancient artifacts hint
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3,300-year-old ancient Egyptian whistle was likely used by police officer tasked with guarding the 'sacred location' of the royal tomb
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350-year-old mummified head from Bolivia isn't what it seems
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New reconstructions show piercing eyes of men who lived 2,500 years ago in mysterious Indian civilization
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