Archaeology news, features and articles

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.
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Latest about Archaeology
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Medieval gold ring found in castle in Slovakia has rare purple sapphire imported from Sri Lanka
By Kristina Killgrove Published
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Who were the Denisovans, archaic humans who lived in Asia and went extinct around 30,000 years ago?
By Charles Q. Choi Last updated
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'World's most difficult jigsaw puzzle': Archaeologists piece together thousands of shattered fresco blocks from ancient Roman villa
By Perri Thaler Published
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Viking Age burial of chieftain with 'enormous power' found in Denmark — and he may have served Harald Bluetooth
By Perri Thaler Published
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How did Ramesses II die — and did his more than 100 children fight for the throne?
By Owen Jarus Published
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Evidence is building that people were in the Americas 23,000 years ago
By Laura Geggel Published
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'Huge surprise' reveals how some humans left Africa 50,000 years ago
By Charles Q. Choi Published
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Explore Archaeology
Ancient Egyptians
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How did Ramesses II die — and did his more than 100 children fight for the throne?
By Owen Jarus Published
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Tarkhan Dress: World's oldest known outfit was worn to an ancient Egyptian funeral 5,000 years ago
By Kristina Killgrove Published
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3 ancient Egyptian tombs dating to the New Kingdom discovered near Luxor
By Owen Jarus Published
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Hatnefer's heart scarab: An exquisite ancient Egyptian gold necklace inscribed with the Book of the Dead
By Kristina Killgrove Published
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Archaeologists unearth tree-lined walkway that led to ancient Egyptian fortress in Sinai Desert
By Owen Jarus Published
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Ancient Egyptians drew the Milky Way on coffins and tombs, linking them to sky goddess, study finds
By Owen Jarus Published
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Hidden messages found on 3,300-year-old Egyptian obelisk in Paris
By Owen Jarus Published
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'Royal Egyptian inscription' of Ramesses III's name is first of its kind discovered in Jordan
By Owen Jarus Published
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Tomb of ancient Egyptian prince discovered at Saqqara — and it has a giant 'false' pink door
By Owen Jarus Published
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Human Evolution
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Who were the Denisovans, archaic humans who lived in Asia and went extinct around 30,000 years ago?
By Charles Q. Choi Last updated
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'Huge surprise' reveals how some humans left Africa 50,000 years ago
By Charles Q. Choi Published
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Ancient 'Dragon Man' skull from China isn't what we thought
By Kristina Killgrove Published
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Opinion
How long would it take for humans to go extinct if we stopped having babies?
By Michael A. Little Published
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Strange pits on 'hobbit' teeth and other archaic humans could reveal hidden links in our family tree
By Kristina Killgrove Published
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Ancient DNA from Papua New Guinea reveals centuries of genetic isolation
By Charles Q. Choi Published
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Human evolution: Facts about the past 300,000 years of Homo sapiens
By Kristina Killgrove Published
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43,000-year-old human fingerprint is world's oldest — and made by a Neanderthal
By Tom Metcalfe Published
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140,000 year old bones of our ancient ancestors found on sea floor, revealing secrets of extinct human species
By Patrick Pester Published
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Romans
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'World's most difficult jigsaw puzzle': Archaeologists piece together thousands of shattered fresco blocks from ancient Roman villa
By Perri Thaler Published
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One Roman soldier had enormous feet, 2,000-year-old waterlogged leather shoe reveals
By Kristina Killgrove Published
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Roman-era 'fast food' discovered in ancient trash heap on Mallorca
By Kristina Killgrove Published
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'Extraordinary' sarcophagus discovered in Israel shows carving of Dionysus beating Hercules in a drinking contest
By Skyler Ware Published
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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
By Kristina Killgrove Published
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Infant twins buried together in Roman Croatia may have died from lead poisoning
By Soumya Sagar Published
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How is Roman concrete still standing after 2,000 years?
By Elana Spivack Published
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2,000-year-old bed barricade unearthed in Pompeii house — likely a family's last attempt to escape Vesuvius' eruption
By Jess Thomson Published
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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
By Laura Geggel Published
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Vikings
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Viking Age burial of chieftain with 'enormous power' found in Denmark — and he may have served Harald Bluetooth
By Perri Thaler Published
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Viking Age woman was buried with her dog in an elaborate 'boat grave,' excavations reveal
By Tom Metcalfe Published
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1,000-year-old Viking Age hoard has a pendant that may be a cross or Thor's hammer
By Laura Geggel Published
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Braided gold Viking arm-ring discovered by amateur metal detectorist on Isle of Man
By Laura Geggel Published
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Archaeologist sailed a Viking replica boat for 3 years to discover unknown ancient harbors
By Kristina Killgrove Published
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Opinion
Viking Age women may have wielded weapons when pregnant, sagas and ancient artifacts hint
By Marianne Hem Eriksen Published
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Oseberg tapestry: Viking Age artwork from a boat burial that may depict the Norse tree of life
By Kristina Killgrove Published
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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
By Laura Geggel Published
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7 myths about the Vikings that are (almost) totally false
By Tom Metcalfe Published
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More about Archaeology
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'Huge surprise' reveals how some humans left Africa 50,000 years ago
By Charles Q. Choi Published
-
Ancient 'Dragon Man' skull from China isn't what we thought
By Kristina Killgrove Published
-
Viking Age woman was buried with her dog in an elaborate 'boat grave,' excavations reveal
By Tom Metcalfe Published
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