Tom Metcalfe is a freelance journalist and regular Live Science contributor who is based in London in the United Kingdom. Tom writes mainly about science, space, archaeology, the Earth and the oceans. He has also written for the BBC, NBC News, National Geographic, Scientific American, Air & Space, and many others.
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Why does the universe exist?The universe exists because matter and antimatter are not good friends.
By Tom Metcalfe Published
particle-physics -
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.
By Tom Metcalfe Published
2 Commentsvikings -
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?
By Tom Metcalfe Published
human-evolution -
3,000-year-old burial of elite teen unearthed in Iran, with gold jewelry and astonishing 'scorpion' cosmetics boxThe 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.
By Tom Metcalfe Published
archaeology -
3,800-year-old burial of tall warrior buried with 4-pronged spearhead unearthed in AzerbaijanThe burial holds a Bronze Age man who stood more than 6 feet, 6 inches tall and may have been a military leader.
By Tom Metcalfe Published
10 Commentsarchaeology -
1,600-year-old tomb of Maya city's first ruler unearthed in BelizeArchaeologists have discovered the tomb of the Maya king who founded the city of Caracol in what is now Belize.
By Tom Metcalfe Published
archaeology -
Severed bow of US warship blown off by Japanese torpedo finally found in South PacificMore than 180 lives were lost in the WWII attack, but the U.S. ship stayed afloat.
By Tom Metcalfe Published
archaeology -
Massive blocks from the Lighthouse of Alexandria, an ancient wonder, hauled up from the MediterraneanFrench and Egyptian researchers are making a "digital twin" of the Lighthouse of Alexandria in Egypt after lifting its ancient submerged blocks out of the Mediterranean Sea.
By Tom Metcalfe Published
ancient-egyptians -
300-year-old pirate-plundered shipwreck that once held 'eyewatering treasure' discovered off MadagascarResearchers think a shipwreck off Madagascar was a Portuguese treasure ship captured by pirates in 1721.
By Tom Metcalfe Published
archaeology -
Viking Age woman was buried with her dog in an elaborate 'boat grave,' excavations revealResearchers think the Viking Age boat burial of a woman and her pooch in Norway dates to between A.D. 900 and 950.
By Tom Metcalfe Published
2 Commentsvikings -
Ottoman-era burial found in Israel may violate Islamic traditionThe unusual grave of a Bedouin woman who may have been buried with her son was found in southern Israel.
By Tom Metcalfe Published
archaeology -
Gold coins from 'world's richest shipwreck' reveal 300-year-old depictions of castles, lions and Jerusalem crossesResearchers used robotic diving vehicles to study gold coins on the seafloor by the wreck of the Spanish galleon San José.
By Tom Metcalfe Published
20 Commentsarchaeology -
Blue-eyed 'Ice Prince' toddler was buried with a sword and a piglet 1,350 years ago in BavariaThe "Ice Prince" burial sheds light on a toddler from a wealthy family who lived around 1,350 years ago in Bavaria, Germany.
By Tom Metcalfe Published
25 Commentsarchaeology -
Ancient cave burial of 'Jesus' midwife' may actually hold a princessThe site's architecture may indicate the Judaean princess was buried there.
By Tom Metcalfe Published
archaeology -
43,000-year-old human fingerprint is world's oldest — and made by a NeanderthalThe discovery of a 43,000-year-old fingerprint in Spain is challenging the idea that Neanderthals were not capable of symbolic art.
By Tom Metcalfe Published
3 Commentsneanderthals -
American submarine, lost for over a century, discovered 'remarkably intact' off the coast of San DiegoA submarine that sank over 100 years ago during WWI has been surveyed off the coast of San Diego.
By Tom Metcalfe Published
10 Commentsarchaeology -
When was math invented?Humans started counting tens of thousands of years ago, but when did they begin figuring out advanced arithmetic, algebra and even calculus?
By Tom Metcalfe Published
11 Commentsmathematics -
1940s Ford car found on wartime US carrier wreckResearchers think the vehicle was used as a staff car by naval officers during World War II.
By Tom Metcalfe Published
archaeology -
7 myths about the Vikings that are (almost) totally falseAll that you've heard about the Vikings may not be true.
By Tom Metcalfe Published
8 Commentsvikings -
6,500-year-old hunting weapons found in Texas cave are among the oldest known in North AmericaThe weapons from a toolkit unearthed in Texas may be the earliest ever found in North America.
By Tom Metcalfe Published
archaeology -
What was the first alphabet in the world?New discoveries challenge old ideas about the earliest alphabets.
By Tom Metcalfe Published
archaeology -
Stunning reconstruction reveals warrior from ancient SiberiaA new full-body reconstruction depicts a warrior wearing armor and holding weapons, all of which were found in a 4,000-year-old burial in Siberia.
By Tom Metcalfe Published
archaeology -
Mass grave of Roman-era soldiers discovered beneath soccer field in ViennaRoman dead were often cremated, so the ancient mass grave in Vienna is a rare find.
By Tom Metcalfe Published
romans -
Mysterious origin of iconic Sutton Hoo helmet possibly revealed in new researchA metalworking die found in Denmark features a depiction of a horse and warrior that is remarkably similar to motifs on the Sutton Hoo helmet in England.
By Tom Metcalfe Published
archaeology
