Humans have left clues of our existence throughout time, leaving behind burials, artifacts and written records that hint at our evolution, beliefs, practices and cultures. Studying the archaeological record shows us that the oldest known bones belonging to Homo sapiens are 300,000 years old, or that the world’s oldest civilizations arose at least 6,000 years ago.
Discover more about archaeology
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Earth's magnetic field is weakening — magnetic crystals from lost civilizations could hold the key to understanding why
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Endurance athletes that carry Neanderthal genes could be held back from reaching their peak
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Romans loved to wear socks and sandals — could that be the reason for the massive shoes found at Magna fort?
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2,200-year-old Celtic settlement discovered in Czech Republic — and it's awash in gold and silver coins
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Thousands of leather shoes, bags and sword scabbards discovered during dig in medieval harbor in Norway
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600-year-old amethyst 'worthy of a duke' found in medieval castle moat in Poland
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4,000-year-old human rib discovered high in the Pyrenees still has an arrowhead from a brutal attack
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Ancient Egyptian rock art discovered near Aswan may be from the dawn of the first dynasty
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Massive blocks from the Lighthouse of Alexandria, an ancient wonder, hauled up from the Mediterranean
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Oldest and most complete ancient Egyptian human genome ever sequenced reveals ties to Mesopotamia
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'Thriving and densely-built': Archaeologists unearth 'tower' houses and ceremonial building in ancient Egyptian city of Imet
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We finally know why Queen Hatshepsut's statues were destroyed in ancient Egypt
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How did Ramesses II die — and did his more than 100 children fight for the throne?
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Tarkhan Dress: World's oldest known outfit was worn to an ancient Egyptian funeral 5,000 years ago
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3 ancient Egyptian tombs dating to the New Kingdom discovered near Luxor
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Hatnefer's heart scarab: An exquisite ancient Egyptian gold necklace inscribed with the Book of the Dead
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Endurance athletes that carry Neanderthal genes could be held back from reaching their peak
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140,000-year-old child's skull may have been part modern human, part Neanderthal — but not everyone is convinced
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Stunning facial reconstructions of 'hobbit,' Neanderthal and Homo erectus bring human relatives to life
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Oldest wooden tools unearthed in East Asia show that ancient humans made planned trips to dig up edible plants
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Neanderthal DNA may refute 65,000-year-old date for human occupation in Australia, but not all experts are convinced
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125,000-year-old 'fat factory' run by Neanderthals discovered in Germany
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Science news this weekScience news this week: 'Dragon Man's' identity and the universe's 'missing matter'
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Who were the Denisovans, archaic humans who lived in Asia and went extinct around 30,000 years ago?
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'Huge surprise' reveals how some humans left Africa 50,000 years ago
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Romans loved to wear socks and sandals — could that be the reason for the massive shoes found at Magna fort?
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Roman dodecahedron: A mysterious 12-sided object that has baffled archaeologists for centuries
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What did ancient Rome smell like? BO, rotting corpses and raw sewage for starters ...
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8 ancient Roman shoes of 'exceptional size' discovered at Roman fort near Hadrian's Wall
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'Puzzling' bronze discs adorned with lion heads discovered in Roman-era grave
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Roman army camp found in Netherlands, beyond the empire's frontier
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'World's most difficult jigsaw puzzle': Archaeologists piece together thousands of shattered fresco blocks from ancient Roman villa
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One Roman soldier had enormous feet, 2,000-year-old waterlogged leather shoe reveals
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Roman-era 'fast food' discovered in ancient trash heap on Mallorca
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Viking Age burial of chieftain with 'enormous power' found in Denmark — and he may have served Harald Bluetooth
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Viking Age woman was buried with her dog in an elaborate 'boat grave,' excavations reveal
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1,000-year-old Viking Age hoard has a pendant that may be a cross or Thor's hammer
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Braided gold Viking arm-ring discovered by amateur metal detectorist on Isle of Man
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Archaeologist sailed a Viking replica boat for 3 years to discover unknown ancient harbors
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OpinionViking Age women may have wielded weapons when pregnant, sagas and ancient artifacts hint
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Oseberg tapestry: Viking Age artwork from a boat burial that may depict the Norse tree of life
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'If it was a man, we would say that's a warrior's grave': Weapon-filled burials are shaking up what we know about women's role in Viking society
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7 myths about the Vikings that are (almost) totally false
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