Kristina Killgrove is a staff writer at Live Science with a focus on archaeology and paleoanthropology news. Her articles have also appeared in venues such as Forbes, Smithsonian, and Mental Floss. Kristina holds a Ph.D. in biological anthropology and an M.A. in classical archaeology from the University of North Carolina, as well as a B.A. in Latin from the University of Virginia, and she was formerly a university professor and researcher. She has received awards from the Society for American Archaeology and the American Anthropological Association for her science writing.
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'It is the most exciting discovery in my 40-year career': Archaeologists uncover evidence that Neanderthals made fire 400,000 years ago in EnglandArchaeologists have found the earliest evidence yet of fire technology — and it was created by Neanderthals in England more than 400,000 years ago.
By Kristina Killgrove Published
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Ash Pendant: The only known depiction of a pregnant Viking womanThe Ash Pendant was discovered in a Viking Age burial mound in Sweden and may have been used by a female shaman.
By Kristina Killgrove Published
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2,400-year-old 'sacrificial complex' uncovered in Russia is the richest site of its kind ever discoveredThe "sacrificial complex" contained hundreds of bits of horse bridles and bronze beads, revealing a new aspect of ancient nomadic peoples' funeral rituals.
By Kristina Killgrove Published
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Unusual, 1,400-year-old cube-shaped human skull unearthed in MexicoArchaeologists discovered an unusually flat-topped skull at a pre-Hispanic Mesoamerican site.
By Kristina Killgrove Published
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Male human heads found in a 'skull pit' in an ancient Chinese city hint at sex-specific sacrifice ritualsA genetic study of 80 skulls found at a Stone Age city in China has revealed that the sacrificed people were mostly men, in contrast to previous assumptions.
By Kristina Killgrove Published
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Volcanic eruption triggered 'butterfly effect' that led to the Black Death, researchers findA volcanic eruption in 1345 may have kicked off a series of events that led to the Black Death sweeping through medieval Europe.
By Kristina Killgrove Published
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'An extreme end of human genetic variation': Ancient humans were isolated in southern Africa for nearly 100,000 years, and their genetics are stunningly differentAncient genomes from southern Africa show that people evolved in isolation for upward of 100,000 years.
By Kristina Killgrove Published
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Elaborate 2,700-year-old tomb in Greece contains burial of a woman with an upside-down crownA lavish tomb of a noblewoman discovered in ancient Greece includes a mysterious symbol of lost power.
By Kristina Killgrove Published
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'We do not know of a similar case': 4,000-year-old burial in little-known African kingdom mystifies archaeologistsRemains of what was likely a funeral feast were discovered in a 4,000-year-old jug in Africa.
By Kristina Killgrove Published
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Roman sun hat: A 'very rare' 1,600-year-old brimmed cap that may have protected a Roman soldier from Egyptian sandstormsA rare example of a sun hat from late Roman Egypt that was stitched together from fabrics in five colors.
By Kristina Killgrove Published
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Modern humans arrived in Australia 60,000 years ago and may have interbred with archaic humans such as 'hobbits'New genetic research shows that DNA and archaeological evidence align with the "long chronology" of the peopling of Australia.
By Kristina Killgrove Published
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Archaeology Fragments Quiz: Can you work out what these mysterious artifacts are?Break out your best magnifying glass to solve these visual archaeology puzzles.
By Kristina Killgrove Published
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2,000-year-old gold ring holds clue about lavish cremation burial unearthed in FranceA lavish cremation tomb found in France may point to funeral rites for an adolescent boy.
By Kristina Killgrove Published
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'I had never seen a skull like this before': Medieval Spanish knight who died in battle had a rare genetic condition, study findsThe extremely long skull of a medieval knight points to an underlying genetic condition.
By Kristina Killgrove Published
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Neanderthals cannibalized 'outsider' women and children 45,000 years ago at cave in BelgiumFragmented Neanderthal bones discovered in a cave in Belgium show that one group cannibalized the women and children of another group.
By Kristina Killgrove Published
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Pectoral with coins: 'One of the most intricate pieces of gold jewelry to survive from the mid-sixth century'This sixth-century pectoral comprises 14 Byzantine gold coins and a gold disc gathered over two centuries.
By Kristina Killgrove Published
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Archaeologists discover decapitated head the Romans used as a warning to the CeltsA lone skull discovered near the walls of an ancient fort highlights the Romans' brutal treatment of their conquered foes.
By Kristina Killgrove Published
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Viking Age woman found buried with scallop shells on her mouth, and archaeologists are mystifiedA ninth-century grave discovered in Norway held the remains of a Viking Age woman whose mouth was covered with two large scallop shells.
By Kristina Killgrove Published
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'Perfectly preserved' Neanderthal skull bones suggest their noses didn't evolve to warm airAn analysis of the only intact Neanderthal inner nose bones known to exist reveals that our ancient cousins' enormous noses did not evolve to withstand harsh climates.
By Kristina Killgrove Published
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12,000-year-old figurine of goose mating with naked woman discovered in IsraelA tiny figurine depicting a goose mounting a woman reveals early evidence of animistic belief in southwest Asia.
By Kristina Killgrove Published
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Caergwrle Bowl: A 3,300-year-old stone-and-tin bowl with gold oars and 'protective eyes'The ancient stone-and-tin bowl was discovered 200 years ago in a boggy field in Wales.
By Kristina Killgrove Published
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Archaeologists discover 1,500-year-old reindeer trap and other artifacts 'melting out of the ice' in Norway's mountainsThe well-preserved reindeer trap may be unique in Europe.
By Kristina Killgrove Published
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Ancient DNA reveals mysterious Indigenous lineage that lived in Argentina for nearly 8,500 years — but rarely interacted with othersA previously unknown Indigenous population lived in central Argentina for nearly 8,500 years, a new genetic study finds.
By Kristina Killgrove Published
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Gold and gems quiz: What do you know about sparkly treasures made by nature?Think you know a lot about jewels? Can you make this whole quiz shimmer?
By Kristina Killgrove Published

