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40,000-year-old mammoth tusk boomerang is oldest in Europe — and possibly the world
By Kristina Killgrove published
A new analysis of a carved mammoth tusk first discovered four decades ago reveals it may be the world's oldest boomerang.

We finally know why Queen Hatshepsut's statues were destroyed in ancient Egypt
By Owen Jarus published
Some of the female pharaoh's statues were "ritually deactivated," a new study finds.

'Deciphering these mysterious strings': How reading the Inca's knotted cords can reveal past droughts and deluges
By Sabine Hyland published
Opinion Andean people of the past looked at these strings as a record of the climate, and they studied them to understand patterns.

Assyrian swimmers: 2,900-year-old carving of soldiers using inflatable goat skins to cross a river
By Kristina Killgrove published
A carved panel found at Nimrud depicts Assyrian soldiers swimming across a river and using inflatable goat skins as floaties.

Science news this week: 'Dragon Man's' identity and the universe's 'missing matter'
By Alexander McNamara published
June 21, 2025: Our weekly roundup of the latest science in the news, as well as a few fascinating articles to keep you entertained over the weekend.

Women likely ruled in Stone Age China, DNA analysis of 4,500-year-old skeletons reveals
By Kristina Killgrove published
Genetic analysis of 60 people buried in a Stone Age cemetery has revealed two clans headed by women that spanned 10 generations.

Medieval gold ring found in castle in Slovakia has rare purple sapphire imported from Sri Lanka
By Kristina Killgrove published
An analysis of a 700-year-old ring reveals a unique reddish-purple sapphire set in 18-karat gold with a lion decoration.

Who were the Denisovans, archaic humans who lived in Asia and went extinct around 30,000 years ago?
By Charles Q. Choi last updated
Who were the Denisovans, close human relatives who lived in Asia and mated with Homo sapiens?
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