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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A food list from the eighth-century reign of King Ine of Wessex.

Anglo-Saxon royals were largely vegetarian

By Emily Staniforth published

Meat-heavy feasts happened only occasionally among the Anglo-Saxons, two studies on skeletal remains and food lists reveal.

A hiker in the mountains discovered the leather sandal in the ice

1,700-year-old sandal found on a remote mountain in Norway

By Emily Staniforth published

Glacial archaeologists in Norway have found an ancient sandal that provides evidence of historic human traffic on a remote mountain pass known as the Horse Ice Patch.

A number of fragments of terracotta statues were also found at the site

Ancient Roman pottery workshop discovered in Egypt

By Callum McKelvie published

An ancient pottery workshop dating to the beginning of the Roman period has been discovered in west Alexandria, Egypt. Evidence suggests the site may have been used later in the Byzantine period.

A virtual-reality simulation showing how a plaquette may have looked like under the flickering light of a fire.

Prehistoric rock carvings may have been the first cartoons in history, new study suggests

By Tom Metcalfe published

Animal portraits may have been placed close to flickering fires to appear animated.

This decapitated man, whose head was placed at his feat, was found in a Romano-British burial.

Remains of Roman mercenary and beheaded victim found at ancient site in UK

By Laura Geggel published

Archaeologists in Wales have discovered a site with the remains of buildings and burials dating back to the Stone Age.

Here, a woodcut of the Hanging Gardens of Babylon in ancient times, which is one of the seven wonders of the ancient world.

7 wonders of the ancient world

By Owen Jarus published

The seven wonders of the ancient world were a selection of exceptional pieces of architecture and art in the Middle East, North Africa and southern Europe.

example of two mural fragments (consolidated as #4778), the 7 Deer day-sign and partial hieroglyphic text, among a total of 249 fragments of painted plaster and painted masonry blocks collected during archaeological excavations of the Ixbalamque context.

Earliest evidence of Maya divination calendar discovered in ancient temple

By Laura Geggel published

Archaeologists in Guatemala have uncovered ancient mural fragments that are the oldest evidence of the Maya calendar on record.

This 1970s reconstruction of the Antikythera Mechanism was designed by Derek de Solla Price and constructed by R. Deroski.

World's first computer, the Antikythera Mechanism, 'started up' in 178 B.C., scientists claim

By Owen Jarus published

The mysterious Antikythera mechanism, thought by some to be the world's first computer, was first "started up" on Dec. 22, 178 B.C., archaeologists have now found.

The first four jar sites were found by British archaeologists in Assam state in 1928. Expeditions to the region by a team of archaeologists since 2014 have discovered six more sites in Assam and neighboring Meghalaya state.

Ancient people in India may have buried their dead in giant stone jars

By Tom Metcalfe published

Hundreds of ancient stone jars discovered on hillsides in northeast India may be linked to mysterious stone jars in northern Laos, about 800 miles away, according to archaeologists.

These butchered dog bones were found in the well of a fort at Jamestown. Photo courtesy Jamestown Rediscovery Foundation (Preservation Virginia)

Jamestown colonists killed and ate the dogs of Indigenous Americans

By Owen Jarus published

Archaeologists investigating Jamestown have discovered that colonists likely butchered and ate the dogs of Indigenous Americans.

This rare silver coin shows a portrait of Charlemagne that was made during his lifetime.

French farmer finds rare coin featuring Charlemagne just before his death

By Laura Geggel published

A rare coin featuring Charlemagne was rediscovered in a private collection and sold, via eBay, to a museum.

Archaeologists estimate the "curse tablet," made from a folded lead sheet and inscribed with proto-alphabetic characters, may be at least 3,200 years old.

Ancient 'curse tablet' may show earliest Hebrew name of God

By Tom Metcalfe published

Archaeologists working in the West Bank say they've discovered a tiny lead "curse tablet" that may include the oldest known mention of the Hebrew name of God "Yahweh" ever found.

The Scythian woman and the child were buried together in a wooden burial chamber within a burial mound.

2,500-year-old burial mound found in Siberia's 'Valley of the Kings'

By Laura Geggel published

Archaeologists have discovered a burial mound in the Siberian "Valley of the Kings."

The interior of the Amber Room glistens in St. Petersburg, Russia.

30 of the world's most valuable treasures that are still missing

By Owen Jarus published

From the the Ark of the Covenant to the crown jewels of Ireland to a 333-carat pink diamond, here are 30 of the world's most valuable (and missing) treasures.

The new study identifies British Royal graves from the era of the mythical King Arthur. Several places in Britain are claimed to be the location of his burial; but according to some legends Arthur was taken by a magical boat to the mystical Isle of Avalon after being mortally wounded in battle.

Graves of dozens of kings from the time of King Arthur uncovered in Britain

By Tom Metcalfe published

The graves of dozens of early British kings, queens, princes and princesses from King Arthur's era have been revealed.

A wall painting found in one of the tombs is seen here. Hieroglyphic writing can be seen at the top of the painting.

5 stunningly preserved ancient Egyptian tombs unearthed in Saqqara

By Owen Jarus published

Archaeologists in Egypt have discovered five well-preserved tombs from around the time of the sixth dynasty.

The geometric Pictish carvings on this stone date to the fifth or sixth centuries.

Unknown symbols written by the lost 'painted people' of Scotland unearthed

By Laura Geggel published

Archaeologists in Scotland have unexpectedly discovered a stone slab with Pictish carvings on it.

The southern wall of the sacred pool, which separates the pool on Motya from the lagoon.

Ancient sacred pool lined with temples and altars discovered on Sicilian island

By Laura Geggel published

Archaeologists have discovered the remains of an ancient sacred pool in Sicily.

A 14th-century lead sarcophagus unearthed at Notre Dame Cathedral, in Paris. Photographed on March 15, 2022.

14th-century sarcophagus found at fire-ravaged Notre Dame Cathedral

By Laura Geggel published

Archaeologists at Notre Dame Cathedral have discovered a leaden coffin and other burials that are hundreds of years old.

Illustration of the mummification process.

World's oldest mummy found in Portugal

By Tom Metcalfe published

Photographs on undeveloped film of archaeological excavations in Portugal 60 years ago have revealed 8,000-year-old signs of mummification — the earliest evidence found anywhere in the world.