Archaeology

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.
Whether you’re looking for facts about the ancient Egyptians, the discovery of an ancient human skull, a gold hoard dating to the fall of the Roman Empire or how the latest technology is helping us find hidden pyramids, Live Science's expert science writers and editors are here to give you the latest coverage on our past with archaeology news, articles and features.
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73 pre-Incan mummies, some with 'false heads,' unearthed from Wari Empire in Peru
By Owen Jarus published
Several dozen burials from the Wari culture, which prospered in the region before the Inca took over, were unearthed in Peru.

Ancient 20-inch-long hand ax discovered in Saudi Arabia may be world's largest
By Laura Geggel published
What may be the world's largest prehistoric hand ax, measuring over 20 inches long, was found in Saudi Arabia.

Why didn't Alexander the Great invade Rome?
By Owen Jarus published
If Alexander the Great had invaded Rome, would he have won?

Scottish boy digging for potatoes found 'masterpiece of Egyptian sculpture' on his school grounds. How did it end up there?
By Sascha Pare published
Archaeologists in Scotland may have finally solved the mystery of how ancient Egyptian artifacts that were unearthed in school grounds between 1952 and 1984 became buried there.

Chiseled obsidian recovered from Neolithic shipwreck near Capri's 'Blue Grotto'
By Tom Metcalfe published
Divers off the coast of Naples, Italy have recovered a large chunk of chiseled obsidian that likely went down in a Stone Age shipwreck more than 5,000 years ago.

Indigenous Mexicans migrated to California 5,200 years ago, likely bringing their languages with them, ancient DNA reveals
By Tom Metcalfe published
The research challenges the idea that languages from prehistoric Mexico spread along with maize farming in California.

Prehistoric women hunted too. The evidence is 'written in human bodies' and remains.
By Sarah Lacy, Cara Ocobock published
In small-group, subsistence living, it makes sense for everyone to do lots of jobs.

2,000 ancient clay stamps used to seal official Roman documents discovered in Turkey
By Jennifer Nalewicki published
Researchers found thousands of clay stamps used to seal official documents inside a former city archive in Doliche.
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