50,000-year-old DNA reveals the first-ever look at a Neanderthal family By Kristina Killgrove published 23 October 22 A new genetic analysis of 50,000-year-old Neanderthal remains found in a Siberian cave reveals that these humans traveled in small, family-oriented groups.
Ancient carvings of Assyrian war scenes revealed on stone gate in Iraq damaged by Islamic State group By Jennifer Nalewicki published 22 October 22 The ancient marble reliefs chiseled into Mashki Gate date back to the Assyrian empire.
Human 'bog bones' discovered at Stone Age campsite in Germany By Tom Metcalfe published 21 October 22 Archaeologists in northern Germany have unearthed 10,000-year-old cremated bones at a Stone Age lakeside campsite that was used for spearing fish and roasting hazelnuts.
World's oldest complete star map, lost for millennia, found inside medieval manuscript By Ben Turner last updated 21 October 22 Evidence points to the map being made by Hipparchus, the "father of scientific astronomy."
Top 10 most famous ghosts By Benjamin Radford, Jonathan Gordon last updated 21 October 22 Ghosts are some of the most common figures of horror and morality tales in our history, but which ones stand out as the most significant?
Falcon shrine with cryptic message unearthed in Egypt baffles archaeologists By Owen Jarus last updated 20 October 22 An ancient falcon shine in Berenike, an old port city in Egypt, has flummoxed archaeologists who aren't sure what to make of its headless falcons, unknown gods and cryptic message that reads, "It is improper to boil a head in here."
Exact burial spot of St. Nicholas, inspiration for Santa Claus, discovered in Turkish church By Kristina Killgrove last updated 19 October 22 Archaeologists in Turkey have uncovered the exact place where St. Nicholas, the saint behind Santa Claus, was buried in a fourth century church.
When did Democrats and Republicans switch platforms? By Natalie Wolchover published 17 October 22 Reference The Republicans used to favor big government, while Democrats were committed to curbing federal power. So why did the party switch occur?
1,600-year-old mosaic of Hercules and Neptune's 40 mistresses unearthed in war-torn Syria By Laura Geggel published 17 October 22 Archaeologists in Syria have discovered a stunning mosaic featuring depictions of the Trojan War, Hercules and Neptune dating to the fourth century A.D.
Tooth Tales: Prehistoric Plaque Reveals Early Humans Ate Weeds By Laura Geggel last updated 14 October 22 When looking for a meal, prehistoric people in Africa munched on the tuberous roots of weeds such as the purple nutsedge, according to a new study of hardened plaque on samples of ancient teeth.
Anglo-Saxon hall where kings and warriors dined discovered in England By Tom Metcalfe published 14 October 22 An excavation has revealed an elaborate hall in the east of England of early Anglo-Saxon kings, which was used for feasting by monarchs and their warriors roughly 1,400 years ago.
Math Surprise: Remote Islanders Invented Binary Number System By Tia Ghose last updated 14 October 22
100 Years After Death, Evolution's Other Discoverer Gains Recognition By Jesse Lewis last updated 14 October 22 Long overshadowed by his friend Charles Darwin, Alfred Russel Wallace is finally gaining recognition as the other discoverer of evolution 100 years after his death.
Were Paleo Artists Also Self-Mutilators? By Stephanie Pappas last updated 14 October 22 A new paper argues that Paleolithic cave artists may have cut off their own fingers.
The Shocking Truth About Married Girls By Meredith F. Small last updated 14 October 22 Why does marriage at a young age bother us so much in Western culture?
Human Evolution: Our Closest Living Relatives, the Chimps By Charles Q. Choi last updated 14 October 22 Chimpanzees offer many clues as to how we evolved our human traits.
If JFK Lived: 5 Ways History Would Change By Becky Oskin last updated 14 October 22 What if John F. Kennedy had lived? Here are five intriguing ways fiction writers have tackled this irresistible plot twist.
Superhighway of ancient human and animal footprints in England provides an 'amazing snapshot of the past' By Jennifer Nalewicki published 14 October 22 Erosion along a beach in England has revealed ancient human and animal footprints.
Forged Galileo manuscript leads experts to controversial book he secretly wrote By Tom Metcalfe published 13 October 22 A manuscript attributed to Galileo Galilei found to be a forgery in August has led to the discovery that a different, controversial book was authored by the celebrated Italian astronomer.
Easter Island 'arson attack' causes 'irreparable' damage to sacred moai statues By Ben Turner last updated 11 October 22 The fire consumed more than 247 acres (100 hectares) of the island, including the stone quarry from which most of the statues originated.