Latest articles by Tom Metcalfe
Rare 1,300-year-old medallion decorated with menorahs found near Jerusalem's Temple Mount
An excavation at the City of David in Jerusalem unearthed a 1,300-year-old medallion decorated with a seven-branched menorah on each side.
Pompeii victims were wearing woolen cloaks in August when they died — but experts are split on what that means
Some of the victims at Pompeii were wearing woolen cloaks when they died, even though it was August, new research finds.
2,000-year-old shipwreck may be Egyptian 'pleasure barge' from last dynasty of pharaohs
Archaeologists diving off the coast of Alexandria, Egypt, have discovered the remains of a 2,000-year-old "pleasure barge" from the time of the Ptolemaic period.
Lost Indigenous settlements described by Jamestown colonist John Smith finally found
Excavations along the Rappahannock River in Virginia have revealed the likely spot of Indigenous villages once described by John Smith.
Ancient 'hanging coffin' people in China finally identified — and their descendants still live there today
People buried in "hanging coffins" thousands of years ago in China and Southeast Asia have finally been identified through DNA research.
Sunken city discovered in Kyrgyzstan lake was a medieval hotspot on the Silk Road — until an earthquake wiped it out
Archaeologists in Kyrgyzstan have discovered the remains of a drowned medieval city that was once a Silk Road hotspot.
Earth's magnetic field has a weak spot — and it's getting bigger, putting astronauts and satellites at risk
This could be bad news for satellites and spacefarers.
5,000-year old 'cultic space' discovered in Iraq dates to time of the world's first cities
Archaeologists in Iraq have discovered the remains of a 5,000-year-old building that might have been used as a "cultic space" or temple for worship.
900-year-old burials of Denmark's early Christians discovered in medieval cemetery
Archaeologists excavating at a medieval cemetery in Denmark have found the burials of 77 people who were early Christians in the area but still likely harbored pagan beliefs.
Exceptionally rare iron saber, arrowheads and jewelry discovered in seventh-century warrior's tomb in Hungary
Archaeologists in Hungary have found the 1,300-year-old burial of a warrior who was buried with a rare iron saber.
DNA reveals what killed Napoleon's soldiers during their disastrous retreat from Russia in 1812
A mass grave holding soldiers from Napoleon Bonaparte's French army reveals some of the diseases that killed the Grande Armée during its disastrous retreat from Russia in 1812.
Ancient Roman tombstone found beneath undergrowth in New Orleans yard
A New Orleans couple doing yard work behind their house unexpectedly found a Roman headstone of a solider who died 1,900 years ago.
Hundreds of ancient gold and silver coins from possible Celtic market found in Czech Republic
Hundreds of gold and silver coins, along with jewelry and other artifacts, have been found in the Czech Republic at what might have been an ancient Celtic market.
Rare wampum beads discovered at 17th-century colony in Newfoundland
Archaeologists in Newfoundland have discovered seven tiny beads known as wampum that are made from seashells. They may be the first ever found in the province.
7-year-old Maya child had green jade 'tooth gem,' new study finds
Archaeologists already knew that adult Maya had tooth inlays, but this is some of the first evidence that children also had tooth bling.
Where is Queen Boudica buried?
The remains of Britain's national heroine — Queen Boudica of the Iceni tribe — are not under a train station in north London. So, where is her grave?
350-year-old mummified head from Bolivia isn't what it seems
A mummified skull from Bolivia was long thought to be of an Inca man, but a new study finds it had a different history.
Why does the universe exist?
The universe exists because matter and antimatter are not good friends.
1,000-year-old 'king' game piece with a distinctive hairstyle is 'as close as we will ever get to a portrait of a Viking'
A unique game piece from Norway that was crafted during the time of Harald Bluetooth may depict a Viking king.
What was the first human species?
Modern humans emerged roughly 300,000 years ago, but our genus Homo is much older. So what's the oldest human species on record?
3,000-year-old burial of elite teen unearthed in Iran, with gold jewelry and astonishing 'scorpion' cosmetics box
The extraordinary burial of a teenager buried with gold jewelry and a snake- and scorpion-decorated cosmetics box has been unearthed in Iran — and it may date to more than 3,000 years ago.
3,800-year-old burial of tall warrior buried with 4-pronged spearhead unearthed in Azerbaijan
The burial holds a Bronze Age man who stood more than 6 feet, 6 inches tall and may have been a military leader.
1,600-year-old tomb of Maya city's first ruler unearthed in Belize
Archaeologists have discovered the tomb of the Maya king who founded the city of Caracol in what is now Belize.
