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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Rare form of leprosy infected people in Americas before European arrival, 4,000-year-old bones suggest
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Penguin Vessel: 1,600-year-old Nazca depiction of a cold-water Humboldt penguin that lives in tropical Peru
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What did ancient Rome smell like? BO, rotting corpses and raw sewage for starters ...
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Oldest wooden tools unearthed in East Asia show that ancient humans made planned trips to dig up edible plants
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Tiwanaku: A little-known pre-Incan civilization that built temples and cities high in the Andes
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OpinionRemote cave in Guam reveals ancient voyagers carried rice to Pacific islands 3,500 years ago, study finds
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Neanderthal DNA may refute 65,000-year-old date for human occupation in Australia, but not all experts are convinced
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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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How did Ramesses II die — and did his more than 100 children fight for the throne?
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Tarkhan Dress: World's oldest known outfit was worn to an ancient Egyptian funeral 5,000 years ago
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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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Oldest wooden tools unearthed in East Asia show that ancient humans made planned trips to dig up edible plants
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Neanderthal DNA may refute 65,000-year-old date for human occupation in Australia, but not all experts are convinced
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125,000-year-old 'fat factory' run by Neanderthals discovered in Germany
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Science news this week: 'Dragon Man's' identity and the universe's 'missing matter'
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Who were the Denisovans, archaic humans who lived in Asia and went extinct around 30,000 years ago?
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'Huge surprise' reveals how some humans left Africa 50,000 years ago
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Ancient 'Dragon Man' skull from China isn't what we thought
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OpinionHow 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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What did ancient Rome smell like? BO, rotting corpses and raw sewage for starters ...
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8 ancient Roman shoes of 'exceptional size' discovered at Roman fort near Hadrian's Wall
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'Puzzling' bronze discs adorned with lion heads discovered in Roman-era grave
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Roman army camp found in Netherlands, beyond the empire's frontier
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'World's most difficult jigsaw puzzle': Archaeologists piece together thousands of shattered fresco blocks from ancient Roman villa
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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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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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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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