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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.
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What are ghost lineages, remnants of the past that still exist in our DNA today?
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Did modern humans wipe out the Neanderthals? New evidence may finally provide answers.
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Subterranean tunnel, possibly used for medieval cult rituals, discovered in Stone Age tomb in Germany
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Medieval gold ring with dazzling blue gemstone discovered in Norway is a 'fantastically beautiful and rare specimen'
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World's oldest known sewn clothing may be stitched pieces of ice age hide unearthed in Oregon cave
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Western Europe's earliest known mule died 2,700 years ago — and it was buried with a partially cremated woman
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CT scans reveal the last moments of Inca children sacrificed as 'messengers to the gods'
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Male human heads found in a 'skull pit' in an ancient Chinese city hint at sex-specific sacrifice rituals
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Ancient 'hanging coffin' people in China finally identified — and their descendants still live there today
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5,000-year-old skeleton masks and skull cups made from human bones discovered in China
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World's oldest mummies were smoke-dried 10,000 years ago in China and Southeast Asia, researchers find
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Women likely ruled in Stone Age China, DNA analysis of 4,500-year-old skeletons reveals
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Newly discovered 'ghost' lineage linked to ancient mystery population in Tibet, DNA study finds
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Ancient China: Facts about one of the most powerful ancient civilizations in the world
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'Overkill' injuries on Bronze Age skeletons reveal fierce feuding in ancient China
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'The most shameful form of execution': Han warriors found dismembered in 2,100-year-old mass grave in Mongolia
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Sandals of Tutankhamun: 3,300-year-old footwear that let King Tut walk all over his enemies
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5,000-year-old rock art from ancient Egypt depicts 'terrifying' conquest of the Sinai Peninsula
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Nefertiti's tomb close to discovery, famed archaeologist Zahi Hawaas claims in new documentary
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Ancient Egyptian valley temple excavated — and it's connected to a massive upper temple dedicated to the sun god, Ra
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2,000-year-old shipwreck may be Egyptian 'pleasure barge' from last dynasty of pharaohs
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'Hot knives and brute force': King Tut's mummy was decapitated and dismembered after its historic discovery. Then, the researchers covered it up.
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Ancient Egyptian pharaoh moved another ruler's body and stole his tomb, hundreds of funerary figurines suggest
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Anomalies in Giza pyramid may indicate an unknown entrance
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Merit's wig: A 3,400-year-old Egyptian headpiece smoothed down with ancient homemade hair gel
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What are ghost lineages, remnants of the past that still exist in our DNA today?
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Remote region in Greece has one of the most genetically distinct populations in Europe
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More than 43,000 years ago, Neanderthals spent centuries collecting animal skulls in a cave; but archaeologists aren't sure why
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430,000-year-old wooden handheld tools from Greece are the oldest on record — and they predate modern humans
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160,000-year-old sophisticated stone tools discovered in China may not have been made by Homo sapiens
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480,000-year-old ax sharpener is the oldest known elephant bone tool ever discovered in Europe
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2.6 million-year-old jaw from extinct 'Nutcracker Man' is found where we didn't expect it
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World's oldest known rock art predates modern humans' entrance into Europe — and it was found in an Indonesian cave
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Human origins quiz: How well do you know the story of humanity?
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Gender ambiguity was a tool of power 4,500 years ago in Mesopotamia
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'A huge surprise': 1,500-year-old church found next to Zoroastrianism place of worship in Iraq
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Rare 1,300-year-old medallion decorated with menorahs found near Jerusalem's Temple Mount
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Magdala stone: 2,000-year-old carving from Jerusalem is world's oldest known depiction of a menorah
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12,000-year-old figurine of goose mating with naked woman discovered in Israel
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5,000-year old 'cultic space' discovered in Iraq dates to time of the world's first cities
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Life-size rock art points the way to oldest human inhabitants of Saudi Arabia — and the desert oases they used
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Kneeling Bull: A 5,000-year-old hybrid creature from Iran with a mysterious purpose
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'We never had concrete proof': Archaeologists discover Christian cross in Abu Dhabi, proving 1,400-year-old site was a monastery
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'Landmark' elephant bone finding in Spain may be from time of Hannibal's war against Rome
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Ribchester Helmet: A rare 'face mask' helmet worn by a Roman cavalry officer 1,900 years ago
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Romans used human feces as medicine 1,900 years ago — and used thyme to mask the smell
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2,400-year-old Hercules shrine and elite tombs discovered outside ancient Rome's walls
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1,700-year-old Roman marching camps discovered in Germany — along with a multitude of artifacts like coins and the remnants of shoes
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How the ancient Romans managed their wealth (it wasn't just by hiding hoards)
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Romans regularly soaked in filthy, lead-contaminated bath water, Pompeii study finds
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Diarrhea and stomachaches plagued Roman soldiers stationed at Hadrian's Wall, discovery of microscopic parasites finds
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Pompeii victims were wearing woolen cloaks in August when they died — but experts are split on what that means
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World's oldest known sewn clothing may be stitched pieces of ice age hide unearthed in Oregon cave
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CT scans reveal the last moments of Inca children sacrificed as 'messengers to the gods'
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Paleo-Inuit people braved icy seas to reach remote Greenland islands 4,500 years ago, archaeologists discover
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1,400-year-old Zapotec tomb discovered in Mexico features enormous owl sculpture symbolizing death
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Some of the oldest harpoons ever found reveal Indigenous people in Brazil were hunting whales 5,000 years ago
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5,500-year-old human skeleton discovered in Colombia holds the oldest evidence yet that syphilis came from the Americas
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1,100-year-old mummy found in Chile died of extensive injuries when a turquoise mine caved in, CT scans reveal
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Centuries-old 'trophy head' from Peru reveals individual survived to adulthood despite disabling birth defect
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Lost Indigenous settlements described by Jamestown colonist John Smith finally found
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Viking Age mass grave holds mysterious mix of dismembered human remains and complete skeletons, including a 'giant' who'd had brain surgery
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Ash Pendant: The only known depiction of a pregnant Viking woman
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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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CT scans reveal the last moments of Inca children sacrificed as 'messengers to the gods'
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Viking Age mass grave holds mysterious mix of dismembered human remains and complete skeletons, including a 'giant' who'd had brain surgery
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Sandals of Tutankhamun: 3,300-year-old footwear that let King Tut walk all over his enemies
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