Archaeology
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.
Whether you’re looking for facts about the ancient Egyptians, the discovery of an ancient human skull, a gold hoard dating to the fall of the Roman Empire or how the latest technology is helping us find hidden pyramids, Live Science's expert science writers and editors are here to give you the latest coverage on our past with archaeology news, articles and features.
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Latest about Archaeology
'I nearly fell out of my chair': 1,800-year-old mini portrait of Alexander the Great found in a field in Denmark
By Jennifer Nalewicki published
The miniature bronze portrait depicts Alexander the Great with his wavy hair and crown of ram horns.
Rare 'porcelain gallbladder' found in 100-year-old unmarked grave at Mississippi mental asylum cemetery
By Kristina Killgrove published
Archaeologists have discovered the burial of a woman with a rare "porcelain gallbladder" who was interred at the Mississippi State Lunatic Asylum's cemetery 100 years ago.
'There's a great hidden museum in the Mediterranean': Underwater archaeologist David Gibbins takes us on a journey to 12 shipwrecks around the world
By Jennifer Nalewicki published
Underwater archaeologist and author David Gibbins discusses his new book about shipwrecks around the world.
1,700-year-old Roman ruins discovered atop much older Neolithic sacred spring
By Tom Metcalfe published
Archaeologists think veneration of the freshwater spring started in Neolithic times.
'Unprecedented' discovery of mysterious circular monument near 2 necropolises found in France
By Jennifer Nalewicki published
The mysterious monument site appears to have been occupied across multiple historical periods.
Ancient artists high on hallucinogens may have carved dancer rock art in Peru
By Tom Metcalfe published
The research notes similarities between the carvings in southern Peru and the ayahuasca-induced art of the Amazon's Tucano people.
Maya ruler burned bodies of old dynasty during regime change, charred human remains reveal
By Jennifer Nalewicki published
Charred human remains and ornaments found at a Maya temple were part of a ritual.
Humans were living in a lava tube 7,000 years ago on the Arabian Peninsula
By Owen Jarus published
An analysis of a lava tube in Saudi Arabia reveals that humans have lived there for at least 7,000 years.
Modern Japanese people arose from 3 ancestral groups, 1 of them unknown, DNA study suggests
By Emily Cooke published
Modern Japanese people largely originated from three ancestral groups and carry ancient DNA that may influence their risk of developing certain diseases, genetic analyses suggest.
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