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Archaeology

Archaeology is fundamentally the study of humanity and its past. Archaeologists study things that were created, used or changed by humans. They do this by studying the material remains, in other words, the stuff we leave behind.

Related Topics: Anthropology, Fossils, Human Origins, Shipwrecks

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The remains of Takabuti, a woman who was murdered 2,600 years ago in Egypt.

Egyptian mummy cold case closed: 'Takabuti' was stabbed to death

By Laura Geggel

This cold case is finally cracked; the mummified woman was murdered with a knife.

Archaeologists found the bottle at a Civil War-era site on the median of Interstate 64 in York County, Virginia.

'Witch bottle' found in Virginia dates to the Civil War

By Mindy Weisberger

A Civil War artifact found in Virginia could represent a type of talisman that was popular for protection against evil: a so-called witch bottle.

This image shows a close-up of one of the engravings on the monolith that was scanned and shown here in green contrast. The engraving appears circular with a hole in the center and lines radiating from the circle.

Engraved with fangs, ornate swirls, Peruvian monument lay hidden for 2,000 years

By Owen Jarus

A sprawling, stone monument decorated with swirls, circular patterns and godly fangs has been hiding in a remote jungle in northern Peru for around 2,000 years.

The rich assemblage of grave goods indicates that the person buried here held a high status.

Princely tomb of Iron Age mystery man discovered in Italy. And there's a chariot inside.

By Laura Geggel

Whoever was buried here was a big deal in the Iron Age.

Excavation plan and 3D high-resolution laser scan record of the excavation in fornice 8.

Vesuvius victims baked slowly as they died

By Mindy Weisberger

Hundreds of people in ancient Herculaneum died when Mount Vesuvius erupted. And their deaths weren't instantaneous, new evidence reveals.

The leader of the excavation, archaeologist Daniele Morandi Bonacossi, and one of the panels of Assyrian carvings unearthed in the northern Kurdistan region of Iraq.

Ancient Assyrian rock carvings in Iraq show procession of gods riding mythical animals

By Tom Metcalfe

Stunning ancient rock carvings that portray an Assyrian king paying homage to his gods amid a procession of mythical animals have been unearthed in the Kurdistan region in the north of Iraq.

This woman was buried with her head resting on a pillow, suggesting that she held an elite position in her community.

50 Graves of Slaves Who Toiled at a Roman Villa Unearthed in England

By Laura Geggel

The graves of these enslaved people may help experts understand the transition from the Iron Age to the Roman era.

The Hebrew writing on this jar says that it belongs to a man whose name can be translated as “Benayo” or “Benayau.” The jar dates back more than 2,800 years to the ninth century B.C.

Ancient Yahweh Worshipper's Jar Bears Hebrew Script in Biblical City

By Owen Jarus

A 2,800-year-old jar inscribed in Hebrew with the Yahwistic name "Benayo" has been discovered at Abel Beth Maacah, an Israel site mentioned in the Hebrew Bible.

The Pachacamac idol, long thought to be destroyed by the Spanish Conquistadors in 1533, was discovered in 1938.

Incan Idol That Allegedly Escaped Conquistadors' Destruction Is Real, New Analysis Shows

By Laura Geggel

The Pachacamac idol, long thought destroyed by Spanish conquistadors, was once a colorful deity.

Ripley's Believe It Or Not Odditorium is known for its unusual objects, such as the display shown at Ripley's Times Square in New York City during its grand opening in 2007.

Massive Trove of Artifacts Shipped to Ripley's Believe It or Not!

By Owen Jarus

A massive trove of "artifacts" has been shipped from Sri Lanka, a country recovering from a civil war, to Ripley's Believe It or Not! — a company known for its unusual objects.

Leprosy mutilated the face of this high-status woman, who lived from the mid-15th to the 16th century in Scotland.

Amazing Digital Reconstructions Show a 16th-Century Scottish Woman Scarred by Leprosy

By Laura Geggel

The man had a missing lower jaw, so the forensic artist gave the individual a beard to hide his jaw line.

a gold bar looted from the Aztecs in the 1620s

Massive Gold Bar Unearthed in Mexico Was Looted Aztec Treasure

By Yasemin Saplakoglu

The bar was stolen from the Aztec capital by Cortes.

A painting shows Columbus landing in what he called the West Indies in 1492.

Columbus' Claims of Cannibal Raids May Have Been True After All

By Brandon Specktor

Christopher Columbus claims to have fought with a fierce cannibal tribe in the Caribbean, despite historical evidence to the contrary. Now, a new study shows he may have been telling the truth.

Gen. George Washington's army marches to Valley Forge, Pennsylvania in 1777.

3 Skeletons Found in Connecticut Basement Might Be from Revolutionary War Soldiers

By Laura Geggel

It's unclear which side these soldiers fought on. Were they revolutionaries, Brits or perhaps Tories — colonists who sided with the king?

Cuneiform tablets from a lost city called Irisagrig in Iraq were returned to Iraq after being seized from Hobby Lobby.

1,400 Ancient Cuneiform Tablets Identified from Lost City of Irisagrig in Iraq. Were They Stolen?

By Owen Jarus

About 1,400 cuneiform tablets that were possibly stolen from Irisagrig, a 4,000-year-old lost city in Iraq, have just been revealed.

Archaeologists had some trees removed so that the palace excavation could go forward. Now, scientists may plant new trees to protect the delicate ruins.

Maya Palace Discovered Deep in the Mexican Jungle

By Laura Geggel

The Maya enjoyed this stone palace in Mexico more than 1,000 years ago.

An archaeologist holds 7 gold coins and a sharp of the broken pot they were found in.

Ancient Potter's Secret 'Piggy Bank' Uncovered in 1,200-Year-Old Ceramics Kiln in Israel

By Brandon Specktor

A stash of seven rare coins dating to 1,200 years ago was uncovered near an ancient pottery kiln in Yavne, Israel.

Valley of the Kings tomb.

5 Big Archaeology Discoveries to Watch for in 2020

By Owen Jarus

Here are the biggest archaeological treasures that could be uncovered in 2020.

The 10 Biggest Archaeology Discoveries of 2019

By Owen Jarus

From a Bronze-Age megalopolis to a cachette of priests to a massive ancient wall, here’s a look at the biggest archaeological discoveries of 2019.

Biblical archaeology, empty tomb.

From Jesus' Time: The 10 Most Interesting Biblical Discoveries of 2019

By Stephanie Pappas

From long-lost churches to marvelous mosaics, here are the most intriguing biblical discoveries archaeologists made in 2019.