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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1,000-year-old Viking Age hoard has a pendant that may be a cross or Thor's hammer
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OpinionHow long would it take for humans to go extinct if we stopped having babies?
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What are the Dead Sea Scrolls, the ancient texts from the Hebrew Bible found in the caves of Qumran?
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Enslaved Africans led a decade-long rebellion 1,200 years ago in Iraq, new evidence suggests
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Strange pits on 'hobbit' teeth and other archaic humans could reveal hidden links in our family tree
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One Roman soldier had enormous feet, 2,000-year-old waterlogged leather shoe reveals
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Ottoman-era burial found in Israel may violate Islamic tradition
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3 ancient Egyptian tombs dating to the New Kingdom discovered near Luxor
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Hatnefer's heart scarab: An exquisite ancient Egyptian gold necklace inscribed with the Book of the Dead
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Archaeologists unearth tree-lined walkway that led to ancient Egyptian fortress in Sinai Desert
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Ancient Egyptians drew the Milky Way on coffins and tombs, linking them to sky goddess, study finds
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Hidden messages found on 3,300-year-old Egyptian obelisk in Paris
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'Royal Egyptian inscription' of Ramesses III's name is first of its kind discovered in Jordan
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Tomb of ancient Egyptian prince discovered at Saqqara — and it has a giant 'false' pink door
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What is the ancient Egyptian 'Eye of Horus' — and why is it found in so many burials?
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What is the 'Eye of Horus' and why is it found in so many ancient Egyptian burials?
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Opinion
How long would it take for humans to go extinct if we stopped having babies?
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Strange pits on 'hobbit' teeth and other archaic humans could reveal hidden links in our family tree
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Ancient DNA from Papua New Guinea reveals centuries of genetic isolation
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Human evolution: Facts about the past 300,000 years of Homo sapiens
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43,000-year-old human fingerprint is world's oldest — and made by a Neanderthal
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140,000 year old bones of our ancient ancestors found on sea floor, revealing secrets of extinct human species
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Ancient jawbone dredged off Taiwan seafloor belongs to mysterious Denisovan, study finds
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Unknown human species in East Asia used sophisticated tools at the same time Neanderthals did in Europe
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A 'landmark finding': Homo naledi buried their dead 250,000 years ago, according to newly updated research
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One Roman soldier had enormous feet, 2,000-year-old waterlogged leather shoe reveals
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Roman-era 'fast food' discovered in ancient trash heap on Mallorca
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'Extraordinary' sarcophagus discovered in Israel shows carving of Dionysus beating Hercules in a drinking contest
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Prosciutto di Portici: A portable sundial that looks like a pork leg — and it was likely owned by Julius Caesar's father-in-law before Mount Vesuvius erupted
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Infant twins buried together in Roman Croatia may have died from lead poisoning
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How is Roman concrete still standing after 2,000 years?
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2,000-year-old bed barricade unearthed in Pompeii house — likely a family's last attempt to escape Vesuvius' eruption
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1,800-year-old warhorse cemetery held remains of a beloved horse — and a man considered an 'outsider' to Roman society
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Pompeii quiz: How much do you know about the Roman town destroyed by Mount Vesuvius?
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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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Oseberg tapestry: Viking Age artwork from a boat burial that may depict the Norse tree of life
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'If it was a man, we would say that's a warrior's grave': Weapon-filled burials are shaking up what we know about women's role in Viking society
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7 myths about the Vikings that are (almost) totally false
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Hårby Valkyrie: A 1,200-year-old gold Viking Age woman sporting a sword, shield and ponytail
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Viking quiz: How much do you know about these seaborne raiders, traders and explorers?
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