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Earth's magnetic field is weakening — magnetic crystals from lost civilizations could hold the key to understanding why
By Sierra Bouchér published
Artifacts from the Iron Age have revealed an intense historical magnetic anomaly in the Middle East. Could using a similar approach elsewhere help us unravel the mysteries of Earth's magnetic field?

Endurance athletes that carry Neanderthal genes could be held back from reaching their peak
By Amy Arthur published
A Neanderthal variant in an enzyme involved in energy production has been linked to a 50% lower probability of achieving elite athletic performance.

Romans loved to wear socks and sandals — could that be the reason for the massive shoes found at Magna fort?
By Tim Penn published
Archaeologists aren't "baffled" by giant shoes but see them as a way to test different theories about how Roman soldiers coped with new environments along Hadrian's Wall.

2,200-year-old Celtic settlement discovered in Czech Republic — and it's awash in gold and silver coins
By Owen Jarus published
A 2,200-year-old Celtic settlement containing coins and jewelry has been discovered in the Czech Republic.

Thousands of leather shoes, bags and sword scabbards discovered during dig in medieval harbor in Norway
By Kristina Killgrove published
Thousands of pieces of leather discovered in an Oslo harbor are giving archaeologists insight into everyday life in medieval Norway.

600-year-old amethyst 'worthy of a duke' found in medieval castle moat in Poland
By Kristina Killgrove published
The amethyst was set in high-quality silver and probably once formed part of a brooch.

4,000-year-old human rib discovered high in the Pyrenees still has an arrowhead from a brutal attack
By Kristina Killgrove published
A human rib discovered high in the Pyrenees suggests that someone survived a shot in the back several millennia ago.

Archaeologists discover that parties 11,000 years ago were BYOB — bring your own boar
By Petra Vaiglova published
Opinion Humans have feasted since the dawn of agriculture — but a new find suggests the practice of bringing exotic food to a communal gathering is even older.
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