Latest articles by Kristina Killgrove
Our teeth evolved from fish 'body armor' over 460 million years, scientists discover
Teeth are sensitive because they evolved from sensory tissue in both ancient vertebrates and ancient arthropods.
'It epitomises the strangeness of Sutton Hoo': 6th-century bucket found at Anglo-Saxon ship burial holds human cremation
Archaeologists found a cremation burial while examining the inside of a bucket from Sutton Hoo, a 1,400-year-old boat burial site in England.
Oseberg tapestry: Viking Age artwork from a boat burial that may depict the Norse tree of life
This tapestry also contains one of the only known depictions of a horned Viking helmet.
Humans reached southern South America by 14,500 years ago, genomes from 139 Indigenous groups reveal
A large-scale genome study shows that Indigenous peoples in the Americas split off several times, resulting in loss of important genetic diversity.
'Quite enigmatic': Rare stone carving of Assyrian king surrounded by gods discovered in Iraq
A massive stone carving featuring an Assyrian ruler and several deities has been found in Iraq.
'Ultimate adventure story': Submerged stone circles reveal perilous migration of prehistoric people to far northern Scotland 11,000 years ago
Stone tools and stone circles discovered in coastal Scotland show that prehistoric people settled farther north than anyone previously believed.
Viking DNA helps reveal when HIV-fighting gene mutation emerged: 9,000 years ago near the Black Sea
A study of more than 3,000 genomes has traced a gene mutation that confers HIV resistance to a person who lived near the Black Sea around 7000 B.C.
Hatnefer's heart scarab: An exquisite ancient Egyptian gold necklace inscribed with the Book of the Dead
A scarab beetle set in gold shows that ancient Egyptians thought the heart was the most important organ in the human body.
How do archaeologists figure out the sex of a skeleton?
Archaeologists can estimate a person's sex with 95% accuracy, but many experts are focused on what can be learned about humans outside the male/female gender binary.
Ancient Maya 'blood cave' discovered in Guatemala baffles archaeologists
Archaeologists working at the Cueva de Sangre site in Guatemala have discovered an unusual ancient Maya ritual.
Metal detectorists unearth dazzling Anglo-Saxon gold-and-garnet raven head and ring: 'It's unbelievable — I'm a bit emotional'
Metal detectorists in southwest England unearthed the two gold-and-garnet objects from the Anglo-Saxon period in January.
Secret of ancient Maya blue pigment revealed from cracks and clues on a dozen bowls from Chichén Itzá
The question of how the super-blue paint was made now has a second answer.
Ancient jawbone dredged off Taiwan seafloor belongs to mysterious Denisovan, study finds
Researchers have determined that a mysterious jawbone discovered on the seafloor off the coast of Taiwan was Denisovan, proving that the archaic humans were distributed widely over Asia.
Secret 'drug room' full of psychedelic 'snuff tubes' discovered at pre-Inca site in Peru
Archaeologists have found conclusive evidence of psychedelic drug use more than 2,500 years ago in Peru.
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.
18th-century monk's anus was stuffed with wood chips and fabric to mummify him, researchers discover
An 18th-century Austrian monk who died of tuberculosis was mummified in an extremely unusual way.
'Overkill' injuries on Bronze Age skeletons reveal fierce feuding in ancient China
A unique Bronze Age cemetery in China has revealed a high frequency of injuries suggestive of intense, violent interactions.
Mass grave of Black Union soldiers slaughtered during the Civil War may lie under a Kentucky soybean field, high-tech scans reveal
Archaeologists have identified two potential mass graves of Black Union soldiers who were targeted by Confederate guerrillas in the Civil War.
Apulian rhyton: A 2,300-year-old Spartan-hound-shaped cup that was likely used at boozy bashes
This dog-shaped vessel was likely used for pouring wine, oil or blood in ancient rituals in what is now Italy.
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?
Stone Age quiz: What do you know about the Paleolithic, Mesolithic and Neolithic?
Is your knowledge of the Stone Age rock-solid?
Lviv pysanka: World's oldest Easter egg
A decorated duck egg discovered in a trash pit is the world's oldest "pysanka."
