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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Miniature Skeleton: A ghostly 2,000-year-old party favor from a Roman banquet
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What if Christopher Columbus had never reached the Americas?
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Up to 20,000 coins from Early Middle Ages discovered by man digging for worms near Stockholm
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Ancient Roman tombstone found beneath undergrowth in New Orleans yard
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200-foot scorpion effigy mound in Mexico may align with the solstices
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1,000-year-old burials of 'first Christians' in Poland discovered near medieval settlement
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Psychedelic beer may have helped pre-Inca empire in Peru schmooze elite outsiders and consolidate power
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'The papyrus also recommends putting a clove of garlic in your vagina before bed': The texts that reveal the baffling healthcare for women in ancient Egypt
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Tutankhamun quiz: How much do you know about the famous boy king from ancient Egypt?
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Ancient Egyptian statue of 'Messi' found at Saqqara necropolis is 'only known example of its kind from the Old Kingdom'
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'Cleopatra's Final Secret' documentary reveals hundreds of coins and port found in Egypt. But does that mean Cleopatra was buried there?
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Did ancient Egyptians really booby-trap the pyramids?
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3,300-year-old ancient Egyptian whistle was likely used by police officer tasked with guarding the 'sacred location' of the royal tomb
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2,200-year-old gold coin depicting ancient Egyptian queen discovered in Jerusalem
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Sabu Disk: A mysterious 5,000-year-old Egyptian stone sculpture that looks like a hubcap
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4,000-year-old handprint discovered on ancient Egyptian tomb offering
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Ancient Hobbits slowed down growth during childhood, showing that humans didn't always grow 'bigger and bigger brains'
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1 million-year-old skull from China holds clues to the origins of Neanderthals, Denisovans and humans
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Do humans and chimps really share nearly 99% of their DNA?
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Homo erectus: Facts about the first human lineage to leave Africa
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1.8 million-year-old human jawbone discovered in Republic of Georgia — and it may be earliest evidence yet of Homo erectus
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Mysterious 300,000-year-old Greek cave skull was neither human nor Neanderthal, study finds
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The first Americans had Denisovan DNA. And it may have helped them survive.
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Gene that differs between humans and Neanderthals could shed light on the species' disappearance, mouse study suggests
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What was the first human species?
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Miniature Skeleton: A ghostly 2,000-year-old party favor from a Roman banquet
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Ancient Roman tombstone found beneath undergrowth in New Orleans yard
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Statuette of a Comic Actor: A 2,000-year-old depiction of a Roman actor letting one rip
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1,900-year-old 'treasure' found in Roman-era family's scorched house in Romania
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1,900-year-old oil lamp that provided 'light in the journey to the afterlife' found in Roman cemetery in the Netherlands
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'Extraordinary' Roman helmet from war-ending battle found in the sea off Sicily
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Skull of bear held captive to fight Roman gladiators discovered near ancient amphitheater in Serbia
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Which Roman emperor ruled the longest?
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After Mount Vesuvius erupted, Romans returned to Pompeii and stayed for 400 years — but it was likely anarchy
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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'
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1,100-year-old Viking hoard reveals raiding wealthy only 'part of the picture' — they traded with the Middle East too
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Hornelund Brooches: Viking age gold ornaments mysteriously buried in Denmark 1,000 years ago
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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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Psychedelic beer may have helped pre-Inca empire in Peru schmooze elite outsiders and consolidate power
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Hundreds of ancient gold and silver coins from possible Celtic market found in Czech Republic
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'The papyrus also recommends putting a clove of garlic in your vagina before bed': The texts that reveal the baffling healthcare for women in ancient Egypt
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