Latest articles by Kristina Killgrove
Yup'ik masks: Carvings depicting distorted spirits' faces dreamed up by shamans in Alaska
These masks, known for their distortion and asymmetry, are one of the oldest kinds of art in southwest Alaska.
Neanderthal 'population bottleneck' around 110,000 years ago may have contributed to their extinction
A study of the inner ear bones of Neanderthals shows a significant loss of diversity in their shape around 110,000 years ago, suggesting a genetic bottleneck that contributed to Neanderthals' decline.
Rare fresco discovered in Pompeii shows type of woman who 'breaks free from male order to dance freely, go hunting and eat raw meat in the mountains'
Archaeologists have brought to light an enormous fresco depicting a secretive cult practice in Pompeii.
Ancient DNA reveals mysterious origins of the Huns who sacked Rome
The origin of the Huns in fourth-century Europe has long been debated, but centuries-old DNA has revealed their diverse backgrounds.
Croesus stater: The 2,500-year-old coin that introduced the gold standard
These 2,500-year-old coins are the origin of our monetary system.
'Nailed-head ritual' in Iron Age Spain was more 'complex than initially thought,' severed skulls reveal
An analysis of the origins of seven severed skulls with nails through them shows that some people treated this way in Iron Age Spain were local while others came from afar.
Decapitated woman found in Irish bog is 2,000-year-old ritual sacrifice
A bog body discovered in Northern Ireland is actually a young woman, not a teenage boy as previously thought.
2,000-year-old spoon from Isle of Man may have been used in blood rituals for fortune telling
A mysterious bronze spoon unearthed on the Isle of Man is rare evidence of ancient ritual in Europe.
Shattered 1,800-year-old sword was 'ritually sacrificed' and may be from Vandal warrior's grave
A metal sword broken into three pieces may be evidence of a Germanic warrior's burial from the Roman Empire.
What should you do if you find a cool artifact in the US?
Spotting artifacts in the U.S. is common, but archaeologists want you to leave them in place.
Mummy quiz: Can you unwrap these ancient Egyptian mysteries?
Do you know a lot about the ancient Egyptian dead, or do you need to ask your mummy?
Ancient Egyptian 'granary with scribes' diorama: A miniature workplace found buried in a tomb from the Middle Kingdom
A small, wooden diorama found in an ancient Egyptian tomb reflects the importance of grain in an agricultural society.
When were birthday parties invented?
Although many researchers assume that birthday celebrations date back to the ancient Egyptians, the earliest textual evidence of a birthday party proves these annual events are much older.
2,000-year-old remains of London's oldest Roman basilica discovered under office building
Remains of a civic basilica give archaeologists clues to what the original layout of Roman London looked like.
People have been dumping corpses into the Thames since at least the Bronze Age, study finds
A new study of human remains dredged from the Thames River reveals that people frequently deposited corpses there in the Bronze and Iron ages.
Mysterious tunnels sketched by Leonardo da Vinci in 1495 may finally have been discovered — hidden under a castle in Milan
Researchers may have found the hidden tunnels beneath a castle in Milan that Leonardo da Vinci sketched in 1495.
Thule snow goggles: 1,000-year-old Arctic eyewear carved from walrus tusks
These carved snow goggles were a necessary accessory for Arctic existence centuries ago.
Ancient Europeans ate the brains of their dead enemies 18,000 years ago, researchers discover
A study of skeletons from a cave in Poland has revealed widespread evidence of cut marks and fractures suggestive of cannibalism.
In a 1st, ancient proteins reveal sex of human relative from 3.5 million years ago
Researchers have extracted ancient proteins from australopithecine fossils and determined whether they were male or female — a first for human evolution studies.
11,000-year-old settlement in Canada could rewrite history of Indigenous civilizations in North America
The discovery of an 11,000-year-old village in Saskatchewan could rewrite Indigenous history in central Canada.
World's largest-ever bead stash found in 5,000-year-old 'Ivory Lady' tomb in Spain
More than a quarter million beads found in a tomb with female skeletons were used to decorate the women's ceremonial dresses, suggesting they were powerful leaders five millennia ago.
Stonehenge quiz: What do you know about the ancient monument?
Is your knowledge of Stonehenge rock-solid or on shaky ground?
'Exceptionally rare' 1,500-year-old Roman helmet found in chief's burial in Denmark
Archaeologists in Denmark have recovered dozens of lances, spears, swords, knives, chain mail and a Roman helmet from an Iron Age chieftain's house.
