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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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
7 Commentsancient-china -
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
21 Commentsplanet-earth -
'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
17 Commentshuman-evolution -
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
9 Commentsarchaeology -
'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
6 Commentsarchaeology -
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
2 Commentsromans -
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
17 Commentsarchaeology -
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
7 Commentsarchaeology -
'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
4 Commentshuman-evolution -
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
5 Commentsmiddle-east -
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
5 Commentsarchaeology -
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
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2,300-year-old tool used for skull surgery unearthed at Celtic settlement in PolandThe uniquely shaped iron surgery implement dates to the fourth to third centuries B.C.
By Kristina Killgrove Published
4 Commentsarchaeology -
Merit's wig: A 3,400-year-old Egyptian headpiece smoothed down with ancient homemade hair gelMerit's head covering was made from real human hair and was buried with her in its own wooden cabinet.
By Kristina Killgrove Published
24 Commentsancient-egyptians -
13th-century Christian songbook made of furry sealskin may be Norway's oldest surviving bookExperts at the National Library of Norway believe the liturgical songbook was made by a local artisan around A.D. 1200.
By Kristina Killgrove Published
2 Commentsarchaeology -
Archaeologists find 'unique' blood-red gemstone at Roman fort beyond Hadrian's WallArchaeologists discovered the engraved gemstone at Bremenium, a fort north of Hadrian's Wall.
By Kristina Killgrove Published
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