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Four views of a gold-covered figurine in the shape of a woman. She holds a shield and a sword and wears her hair in a ponytail. There is a small hole behind her neck, perhaps for hanging.
Hårby Valkyrie: A 1,200-year-old gold Viking Age woman sporting a sword, shield and ponytail This tiny figurine may represent a mythical warrior maiden who assisted Odin, the Norse god of war.
Mount Vesuvius behind the ruins of pompeii.
Pompeii quiz: How much do you know about the Roman town destroyed by Mount Vesuvius? Is your knowledge of Pompeii strong enough to withstand our flow of questions?
A pair of shoes
12 old shoes found in archaeological excavations from around the world Shoes can give us an interesting insight into what people used to wear. Here are a dozen of the most extraordinary finds from the archaeological record.

Latest about Archaeology

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.

Archaeology

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.

Ancient Egyptians

'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.

Opinion

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.

Archaeology

Science news this week: 'Dragon Man's' identity and the universe's 'missing matter'

By Alexander McNamara published

Science news this week 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.

Science news this week

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.

Archaeology

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.

Archaeology

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?

Human Evolution

'World's most difficult jigsaw puzzle': Archaeologists piece together thousands of shattered fresco blocks from ancient Roman villa

By Perri Thaler published

Archaeologists found thousands of pieces of an ancient Roman painting, which features intricate designs and ancient graffiti.

Romans

Viking Age burial of chieftain with 'enormous power' found in Denmark — and he may have served Harald Bluetooth

By Perri Thaler published

Archaeologists were surprised to find 30 Viking Age burials in Denmark, and even more surprised by the extravagant grave goods found within them.

Vikings
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