Archaeology

Archaeology is fundamentally the study of humanity and its past. Archaeologists study things that were created, used or changed by humans. They do this by studying the material remains — the stuff we leave behind.

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Blackbeard's Booty: Pirate Ship Yields Medical Supplies

This urethral syringe was used to treat syphilis, a sexually transmitted disease that can be fatal. Chemical analysis shows that it contained mercury, which was commonly used to treat people with syphilis during the early 18th century. Although mercury ma

January 26th, 2015

The pirate Blackbeard lost his ship in 1718, and the archaeologists who are now excavating the wreck are finding the Blackbeard's medical equipment.

Atlantis' Legendary Metal Found in Shipwreck

Divers discover rare metals, greece, atlantis, metallic alloy

January 7th, 2015

Divers find nearly 40 metal ingots from a shipwreck off the coast of Sicily that was lost in the sixth century.

In Photos: 8 Byzantine Empire Era Shipwrecks Excavated in Turkey

The Yenikapi shipwreck called YK 14.

December 30th, 2014

Archaeologists working at a site in Istanbul, Turkey have unearthed 37 remarkably well-preserved shipwrecks.

Sappho's New Poems: The Tangled Tale of Their Discovery

Sappho's two new poems on papyrus

January 23rd, 2015

When two, never-before seen poems by Sappho emerged last year, not all classicists rejoiced at the rare discovery.

Renaissance-Era Italian Warlord Was Poisoned, Mummy Reveals

Cangrande's sarcophagus

January 6th, 2015

An Italian warlord who suddenly dropped dead in 1329 was poisoned, a mummy autopsy reveals. Scientists found deadly traces of the toxic plant digitalis, or foxglove, in his system.

Craze Over Greek Tomb Spawns Virtual Worlds Online

A still from a 3D model of the the Amphipolis tomb

December 30th, 2014

Thanks to the excitement surrounding the dig at Amphipolis, Greece, dozens of unofficial artistic reconstructions have cropped up on YouTube and other websites.

Ancient Glass Bracelet Decorated with Menorahs Found in Israel

Menorah bracelet fragment.

December 23rd, 2014

Archaeologists in Israel recently unearthed a glass bracelet decorated with a timely design.

How to Recreate a Sloppy Ancient Greek Drinking Game

Ancient painting of kottobas

January 14th, 2015

How hard was it to play kottabos? An art historian enlisted her students to find out. The results were messy.

Ancient Amulet Discovered with Curious Palindrome Inscription

The inscription side of the amulet contains a Greek inscription.

January 1st, 2015

An ancient, two-sided amulet uncovered in Cyprus contains a 59-letter inscription that reads the same backwards as it does forwards.

Ancient Middle East Shipwrecks Shed Light on Shipbuilding History

The Yenikapi shipwreck called YK 14.

December 28th, 2014

Eight shipwrecks that date to the Byzantine Empire and were recently discovered in Turkey are in exceptionally good condition, archaeologists say.