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A swan made out of pink and brown felt against a green background
Pazyryk Swan: A 2,400-year-old plush swan from Siberia tied to the 'creation of the universe' Archaeologists think the felt figurine was used as a symbol of life by the Iron Age people of the region.
A clay artifact, about the size of a finger with engraved symbols.
What was the first alphabet in the world? New discoveries challenge old ideas about the earliest alphabets.
The sarcophagus (coffin) of the famed pharaoh Tutankhamun (King Tut) is on display at the Museum of Egyptian Antiquities in Cairo, Egypt.
Who ruled ancient Egypt after King Tut died? When the pharaoh Tutankhamun died young, his widow may have tried to remain on the Egyptian throne, ancient letters reveal.

Latest about Archaeology

Blue-eyed 'Ice Prince' toddler was buried with a sword and a piglet 1,350 years ago in Bavaria

By Tom Metcalfe published

The "Ice Prince" burial sheds light on a toddler from a wealthy family who lived around 1,350 years ago in Bavaria, Germany.

Archaeology

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

By Kristina Killgrove published

This small bronze sundial was a portable way of telling time, but it may have made you hungry.

Romans

Avast, matey! 5 of the biggest pirate hauls in history

By Owen Jarus published

Take a look at five of the biggest treasures that pirates have ever plundered.

Archaeology

Celtic quiz: Test your knowledge about these fierce tribes once described by Julius Caesar

By Kristina Killgrove published

Is your knowledge of the Celts a veritable pot of gold, or do you need the luck of the Irish to finish the quiz?

Archaeology
Split image of the Earth's core and strange signals coming from deep space

Earth's 'leaking' core and strange signals from space

By Pandora Dewan published

Science news this week May 31, 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.

Science news this week

'I did a bit of a dance': Detectorist finds gold 'mourning ring' engraved with skull and date in UK field

By Kristina Killgrove published

A British metal detectorist discovered a gold band with an engraved date-of-death in Norfolk.

Archaeology
Burial niches are seen inside the elaborate 2,000 year old Second Temple Period family burial cave, known as the Salome Cave, in the Lachish Forest in the Judean lowlands.

Ancient cave burial of 'Jesus' midwife' may actually hold a princess

By Tom Metcalfe published

The site's architecture may indicate the Judaean princess was buried there.

Archaeology

Newly discovered 'ghost' lineage linked to ancient mystery population in Tibet, DNA study finds

By Kristina Killgrove published

A study of more than 100 genomes from people who lived in ancient China has unmasked a "ghost" in their midst.

Archaeology

2.2 million-year-old teeth reveal secrets of human relatives found in a South African cave

By Kristina Killgrove published

A cutting-edge technique for analyzing fossil tooth enamel is revealing remarkable new information about 2 million-year-old human relatives.

Archaeology

43,000-year-old human fingerprint is world's oldest — and made by a Neanderthal

By Tom Metcalfe published

The discovery of a 43,000-year-old fingerprint in Spain is challenging the idea that Neanderthals were not capable of symbolic art.

Human Evolution
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