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An illustration of Alexander the Great
Was Alexander the Great eaten by sharks? Inside the wild theories for what happened to the iconic ruler's body. The remains of Alexander the Great may lie under the streets of Alexandria, they may have been "eaten by a shark," or they may be somewhere else entirely. But one thing is certain: Archaeologists don't agree.
Small ivory diving bird sculpture pointed down at a 45-degree angle against a royal blue background
Hohle Fels water bird: The oldest depiction of a bird in the world This tiny bird sculpture was created 40,000 years ago by early humans in Europe who carved the key animals in their lives.
A whitish stone tool is stuck into a piece of brown wood with greyish tar. There is a hole drilled into the wood.
Pfyn culture flint tool: World's oldest known 'Swiss Army' knife Over five millennia ago, Stone Age people in Central Europe crafted wooden handles for their stone tools.

Latest about Archaeology

Massive circular tomb filled with battle-scarred people unearthed in Peru

By Kristina Killgrove published

Human skeletons from a large stone tomb may help archaeologists understand a mysterious pre-Inca population in Peru.

Archaeology

'Richly decorated' antler from Stone Age Sweden was used as battle ax and fishing harpoon

By Taylor Mitchell Brown published

A 7,500-year-old antler unearthed in Sweden had characteristic breakage patterns that suggest it was the handle for a battle ax.

Archaeology
The researchers directing excavations at the Platform 11 residence in El Palmillo, Mexico.

Inequality isn't inevitable in civilizations, 10,000 years of archaeological evidence reveals

By Ben Turner published

A study of 50,000 houses from the late Pleistocene to the onset of European colonialism has revealed that social inequality isn't inevitable, but rather a consequence of political choices.

Archaeology
A carved amber bear figurine against a white background

Słupcio: A 6,000-year-old amber 'gummy bear' that may have been a Stone Age amulet

By Kristina Killgrove published

This little bear carved out of amber might have been an amulet for a Stone Age hunter.

Archaeology
An Egyptian gold plate with an Eye of Horus in the middle

What is the 'Eye of Horus' and why is it found in so many ancient Egyptian burials?

By Owen Jarus published

The Eye of Horus is frequently found in ancient Egyptian burials, particularly on wedjat amulets.

Ancient Egyptians
Bones of a human skeleton laid out in anatomical position against a black background. The skeleton is missing its skull, hands, and feet.

Elite Celtic warrior had healed arrowhead injury in his pelvis, 3D bone analysis reveals

By Kristina Killgrove published

A Celtic warrior was injured in battle 2,500 years ago. Archaeologists were able to identify the weapon based on 3D scans of his skeleton.

Archaeology
a painting of vikings at sea

Viking quiz: How much do you know about these seaborne raiders, traders and explorers?

By Kristina Killgrove published

See if your Viking Age trivia knowledge is in ship-shape condition with our quiz.

Vikings
an aerial view of an excavated settlement with labelled regions

'Major' ancient Egyptian town discovered — and it has a jug stamped with the name of Nefertiti's daughter

By Owen Jarus published

A settlement dating back around 3,400 years has been discovered near the Mediterranean Sea in Egypt.

Ancient Egyptians
a view of an excavation site

Archaeologists may have discovered the birthplace of Alexander the Great's grandmother

By Owen Jarus published

Remains of what may be the ancient capital city of the Kingdom of Lyncestis have been found in North Macedonia.

Archaeology
Photo of the right side of a lower jawbone (mandible). It is reddish brown and has several blackened teeth.

Extremely rare Denisovan jawbone confirms human cousins spread across Asia

By Kristina Killgrove published

Researchers have determined that a mysterious jawbone discovered on the seafloor off the coast of Taiwan was Denisovan, proving that the archaic humans were distributed widely over Asia.

Archaeology
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