Archaeology news, features and articles

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the mummy of a human man lies on a grey rock base with snow surrounding him
Ötzi quiz: What do you know about the Iceman mummy who was murdered 5,300 years ago in the Alps? Think you know a lot about Ötzi the Iceman? Don't get left in the cold — take our quiz!
Archaeological evidence shows that early humans may have traveled across the Arctic in boats similar to the umiaks used by today's Yupik and Inuit peoples.
Did humans cross the Bering Strait after the land bridge disappeared? Evidence suggests that people likely boated across the narrow passage between Russia and Alaska when the crossing was submerged.
a small Roman bronze statuette of a man squatting while making fart noises with his mouth
Statuette of a Comic Actor: A 2,000-year-old depiction of a Roman actor letting one rip The ancient Romans had a soft spot for physical comedy (aka fart jokes), as exemplified by a bronze figurine of a comic actor.

Latest about Archaeology

A Late Bronze Age "tea set"

Ram-shaped teapot from ancient Canaanite cult discovered near ancient city of Armageddon

By Laura Geggel published

Archaeologists have discovered a ram-shaped tea pot and one of the oldest old wine presses in the world that date to the time of the Canaanites during the Bronze Age.

Archaeology

'The images could be much older': Analysis of rocks shows Neanderthals made art at least 64,000 years ago

By Paul Pettitt published

Art has sometimes thought to be exclusive to modern humans.

Human Evolution

13th-century Christian songbook made of furry sealskin may be Norway's oldest surviving book

By Kristina Killgrove published

Experts at the National Library of Norway believe the liturgical songbook was made by a local artisan around A.D. 1200.

2 Comments
Archaeology

Archaeologists find 'unique' blood-red gemstone at Roman fort beyond Hadrian's Wall

By Kristina Killgrove published

Archaeologists discovered the engraved gemstone at Bremenium, a fort north of Hadrian's Wall.

Romans

Roman road network was twice as large as previously thought, new mapping project finds

By Kristina Killgrove published

The new digital map increases the Roman road network by nearly 100%.

Romans

Massive 3,000-year-old Maya site in Mexico depicts the cosmos and the 'order of the universe,' study claims

By Owen Jarus published

A roughly 3,000-year-old site in Mexico was built in the shape of a cosmogram that stretches for miles, a new study suggests.

2 Comments
Archaeology

Science history: Archaeologists discover King Tut's tomb, and rumors of the 'mummy's curse' begin swirling — Nov. 4, 1922

By Tia Ghose published

While excavating in the Valley of the Kings, an Egyptian worker on an archaeological dig discovered a partially obscured step. It would lead into the unlooted tomb of King Tut.

8 Comments
Ancient Egyptians

Memento Mori: A mosaic that predates Mount Vesuvius' eruption in Pompeii and reminds us that we will all die

By Kristina Killgrove published

A famous mosaic from Pompeii holds lessons for today.

2 Comments
Romans

French archaeologists uncover 'vast Roman burial area' with cremation graves 'fed' by liquid offerings

By Kristina Killgrove published

A massive Roman cremation cemetery in France is shedding light on diverse burial practices.

2 Comments
Romans
an aerial view of an excavated building

5,000-year old 'cultic space' discovered in Iraq dates to time of the world's first cities

By Tom Metcalfe published

Archaeologists in Iraq have discovered the remains of a 5,000-year-old building that might have been used as a "cultic space" or temple for worship.

Archaeology
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