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. 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.  

• What is archaeology?

Explore Archaeology

Latest about Archaeology

Here we see a hand clenching around the end of a wooden spear, with the forefinger in the "open ring" finger loop.

150-year-old mystery of strange half-circles from Paleolithic site in France finally solved

By Tom Metcalfe published

Hurling spear-thrower projectiles at pig and deer carcasses revealed that these loops may have been finger grips.

A painted human-shaped sarcophagus on a table under a tent.

2,300-year-old Egyptian mummification workshops found at Saqqara

By Owen Jarus published

Archaeologists in Egypt found ancient mummification workshops — one for humans and one for animals — at Saqqara.

We see the closeup of a stone statue depicting a man wearing a hat. The statue and the background are sandy colored.

Ancient Egypt: History, dynasties, religion and writing

By Owen Jarus last updated

Ancient Egypt in North Africa was one of the most powerful and influential civilizations in the region for over 3,000 years.

Two bracelets with a butterfly design

Ancient Egyptian queen's bracelets contain 1st evidence of long-distance trade between Egypt and Greece

By Jennifer Nalewicki published

The silver used to make an ancient Egyptian queen's bracelets came from Greece, a new analysis finds, offering insight into the Old Kingdom's trade networks.

Here we see an underground chamber with brick-lined walls.

Hidden tunnel and rooms unearthed under 1,500-year-old church in Istanbul

By Tom Metcalfe published

Archaeologists have excavated subterranean rooms and a tunnel under an early church in Istanbul, formerly Constantinople, the capital of the Byzantine Empire.

We see the raised imprint of a human footprint in brownish stone.

153,000-year-old footprints from South Africa are the oldest Homo sapiens tracks on record

By Kristina Killgrove published

A modern dating method has revealed the oldest Homo sapiens' footprints yet, placing bipedal humans in South Africa around 153,000 years ago.

The newly found petroglyphs from Sweden include depictions of humans. Here we see one tall human with their arms throw up in the air.

2,700-year-old petroglyphs depicting people, ships and animals discovered in Sweden

By Owen Jarus published

About 40 ancient rock carvings have been found on a former rocky island in Sweden.

An ancient Egyptian painted relief depicting Pharaoh Ramesses III with Isis.

What was the longest-lasting civilization?

By Tom Metcalfe published

Is the longest-lasting civilization China, ancient Egypt or Mesopotamia? Here's a look at the evidence for each of these enduring cultures.

The carvings of the Roman-era phallus, face and cornucopia were found at a first century B.C. fort in Spain.

Heavy rains expose ancient phallus and 'imposing' face carvings at Roman fort in Spain

By Hannah Kate Simon published

A rainstorm has exposed the ancient Roman stone carvings of a phallus, face and cornucopia at a first-century fort in Spain.

Here, a woodcut of the Hanging Gardens of Babylon in ancient times, which is one of the seven wonders of the ancient world.

7 wonders of the ancient world

By Owen Jarus last updated

The seven wonders of the ancient world were a selection of exceptional pieces of architecture and works of art in the Middle East, North Africa and southern Europe.

123456789Archives