Kristina Killgrove

Kristina Killgrove

Live Science contributor

Kristina Killgrove is an archaeologist with specialties in ancient human skeletons and science communication. Her academic research has appeared in numerous scientific journals, while her news stories and essays have been published in venues such as Forbes, Mental Floss and Smithsonian. Kristina earned a doctorate in anthropology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and also holds bachelor's and master's degrees in classical archaeology.


Articles by: Kristina Killgrove

The procession of Ancestors to their original resting place in the reinterment ceremony; individuals enclosed in reinforced boxes wrapped in indigo cloth were placed in a horse-drawn hearse and taken to the site, accompanied by an Egungun Masquerade, spiritual leaders, and members of the community.

Enslaved people were kidnapped from all across Africa, rare look at DNA from colonial cemetery reveals

By Kristina Killgrove published

In 2013, South Carolinians made the unexpected discovery of a Colonial-era cemetery holding the remains of enslaved people. Now, a genetic analysis of some of these individuals reveals their origins.

A 21,500-year-old cave painting depicting an extinct cattle species known as an aurochs in the Lascaux caves, in France. Notice the four dots (in the digital yellow circle) which may have had a special meaning for ice age peoples.

20,000-year-old cave painting 'dots' are the earliest written language, study claims. But not everyone agrees.

By Kristina Killgrove published

Stone Age dots, lines and Y-shaped marks might represent a type of proto-writing created by hunter-gatherers who lived in Europe at least 20,000 years ago.

A close-up of an adult male cranium with applied hematite-based pigment that covers a fracture that occurred before the individual died.

People 'finger painted' the skulls of their ancestors red in the Andes a millennium ago

By Kristina Killgrove published

An analysis into finger-painted skulls found in Peru, some from individuals who died up to a millennium ago, reveals that people painted their ancestors' skeletal remains.

Scientists at the Toulouse forensic medicine laboratory open a sarcophagus, which shows that the individual's skull had been sawn off at the time of his death.

Notre Dame's spire had 2 hidden coffins beneath it. Now, scientists know who was buried there.

By Kristina Killgrove published

Remains of two wealthy men — one clergy and the other young and noble — have been discovered in the lead sarcophagi found buried at Notre Dame.

A reconstruction of the early medieval necklace (left) next to an illustration of it (right).

Gold-and-garnet cross necklace found buried with wealthy medieval British woman

By Kristina Killgrove published

Archaeologists in England were surprised to discover an elaborate cross with human faces and a gold-and-garnet necklace in an early medieval burial.

A male figure holding his phallus and flanked by leopards is part of the world's oldest known narrative scene.

Man holding penis and flanked by leopards is world's oldest narrative carving

By Kristina Killgrove published

The 11,000-year-old carved relief, found in Turkey, is the oldest narrative carving on record.

Individual Ł3/66/90, a man with two forms of skeletal dysplasia, including achondroplasia.

Medieval man buried in Poland had two kinds of dwarfism

By Kristina Killgrove published

Archaeologists in Poland excavating a cemetery by a monastery have discovered the remains of a medieval man who had two different forms of dwarfism.

Ancient odeons like this one in Crete were used for lectures, literary and musical contests, or theatrical performances.

Rare ancient odeon discovered at remote archaeological site in Crete

By Kristina Killgrove published

Archaeologists in Crete have discovered an ancient Roman odeon that might have been used for events such as lectures, musical contests and city council meetings.

A tattoo on the left hip bone of the mummified Egyptian woman from Tomb 298.

Protective childbirth tattoos found on ancient Egyptian mummies

By Kristina Killgrove last updated

Some ancient Egyptian mothers got tattoos that were likely meant to protect them during childbirth and during the postpartum period, an analysis of their mummies reveals.

This image shows a close-up of an ogham alphabet inscription on a Pictish cross slab.

Rare medieval script discovered on stone carved by Scotland's 'Painted People'

By Kristina Killgrove published

1,500-year-old carved stone from the 'Painted People' in Scotland possibly reveals a bull, pelicans and an ancient alphabet.

A Bronze Age gold belt found by a beet farmer in the Czech Republic.

Bronze Age gold belt with 'cosmological' designs unearthed in Czech beet field

By Kristina Killgrove published

A beet farmer discovered an ornate Bronze Age gold belt on his land in the Czech Republic.

An artist's depiction of a Neanderthal girl riding on her father's shoulders.

50,000-year-old DNA reveals the first-ever look at a Neanderthal family

By Kristina Killgrove published

A new genetic analysis of 50,000-year-old Neanderthal remains found in a Siberian cave reveals that these humans traveled in small, family-oriented groups.

Mural in the Church of St. Nicholas in Demre, Turkey.

Exact burial spot of St. Nicholas, inspiration for Santa Claus, discovered in Turkish church

By Kristina Killgrove last updated

Archaeologists in Turkey have uncovered the exact place where St. Nicholas, the saint behind Santa Claus, was buried in a fourth century church.

The entrance to the Midnight Terror Cave in Belize.

Maya sacrifice victims found with mysterious blue string in their teeth

By Kristina Killgrove published

An investigation into the dental plaque on Maya sacrifice victims in 'Midnight Terror Cave' in Belize has revealed mysterious blue fibers that might have been tied to the victims' demise.

The Fair Head crannog in Northern Ireland

Artificial islands surrounding British Isles were used for ancient parties, archaeologists find

By Kristina Killgrove published

A high-tech look at crannogs, artificial islands build around the British Isles, reveals that prehistoric to post-medieval people partied on them.

An aerial view of the Vinoř roundel near Prague, showing three separate entrances.

7,000-year-old structure near Prague is older than Stonehenge, Egyptian pyramids

By Kristina Killgrove published

Archaeologists near Prague have unearthed the remains of a 7,000-year-old structure that may have been a Stone Age community center.

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