Archaeology

The Great Pyramids of Giza - Khufu's on the right and Cheops's on the left, Giza Plataeu, Egypt
The Great Pyramids of Giza in Egypt (Image credit: Shutterstock)

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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—What is archaeology?

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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.  

Explore Archaeology

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Latest about Archaeology

Horse remains and bridle bit from Urd Ulaan Uneet.

Painted saddle found in Mongolian tomb is oldest of its kind

By Kristina Killgrove published

A fifth century Mongolian saddle is one of the earliest examples of evidence of modern horse riding.

Archaeology
A close-up of organic material growing on the Great Wall of China.

The Great Wall of China is being held together by 'biocrusts'

By Jennifer Nalewicki published

Ancient workers used a blend of organic materials such as mosses and lichen to build the architectural marvel and help protect it from erosion.

Archaeology
A metal ax

3,500-year-old axes potentially used for 'cult practice' discovered in Polish forest

By Jennifer Nalewicki published

Five axes found in Poland date to 3,500 years ago, and may have been used as either tools to chop wood or for sacrificial purposes.

Archaeology
A digital replica of a temple

Temple linked to Hercules and Alexander the Great discovered in ancient megacity in Iraq

By Jennifer Nalewicki published

Archaeologists have discovered two temples, one buried atop the other, in the ancient megacity of Girsu in Iraq. One temple is linked to Hercules and Alexander the Great.

Archaeology
Three skulls of sacred mummified baboons from Egypt.

Ancient Egypt's sacred baboons had tough lives, study suggests

By Tom Metcalfe published

Ancient baboon mummies show signs of poor diet and lack of sunlight during captivity.

Archaeology
Archaeologists estimate the "curse tablet," made from a folded lead sheet and inscribed with proto-alphabetic characters, may be at least 3,200 years old.

Ancient 'curse tablet' may show earliest Hebrew name of God

By Tom Metcalfe last updated

Archaeologists working in the West Bank say they've discovered a tiny lead "curse tablet" that may include the oldest known mention of the Hebrew name of God "Yahweh" ever found.

Archaeology
A gold coin depicting Jesus Christ.

Byzantine gold coin with 'face of Jesus' unearthed by metal detectorist in Norway

By Jennifer Nalewicki published

A metal detectorist stumbled upon a rare gold coin while exploring the mountains in southern Norway.

Archaeology
Photograph of curse tablet in light colored stone, in the shaped of a rough square. Photograph of the front, back and side.

'Curse tablet' with oldest Hebrew name of god is actually a fishing weight, experts argue

By Tom Metcalfe published

Researchers say they see no sign of an inscription on a tablet previously thought to contain the Hebrew name for the god Yahweh.

Archaeology
Statuette of the goddess Irhevbu or princess Edeleyo from the Benin Kingdom in Nigeria.

7 extraordinary African kingdoms from ancient times to centuries ago

By Tom Metcalfe published

There's much more to ancient Africa than Egypt.

Archaeology
An aerial view of the foundation of a building.

1,400-year-old structure discovered near Sutton Hoo in England may have been a pagan temple or cult house

By Jennifer Nalewicki published

The site is part of a royal compound that archaeologists think may have been overseen by King Raedwald.

Archaeology
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