Archaeology news, features and articles

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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Latest about Archaeology
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4,000-year-old human rib discovered high in the Pyrenees still has an arrowhead from a brutal attack
By Kristina Killgrove Published
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Opinion
Archaeologists discover that parties 11,000 years ago were BYOB — bring your own boar
By Petra Vaiglova Published
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Roman dodecahedron: A mysterious 12-sided object that has baffled archaeologists for centuries
By Kristina Killgrove Published
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Ancient Egyptian rock art discovered near Aswan may be from the dawn of the first dynasty
By Laura Geggel Published
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Who were the Huns, the nomadic horse warriors who invaded ancient Europe?
By Tom Garlinghouse Last updated
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140,000-year-old child's skull may have been part modern human, part Neanderthal — but not everyone is convinced
By Patrick Pester Published
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1,600-year-old tomb of Maya city's first ruler unearthed in Belize
By Tom Metcalfe Published
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Explore Archaeology
Ancient Egyptians
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Ancient Egyptian rock art discovered near Aswan may be from the dawn of the first dynasty
By Laura Geggel Published
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Massive blocks from the Lighthouse of Alexandria, an ancient wonder, hauled up from the Mediterranean
By Tom Metcalfe Published
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Oldest and most complete ancient Egyptian human genome ever sequenced reveals ties to Mesopotamia
By Perri Thaler Published
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'Thriving and densely-built': Archaeologists unearth 'tower' houses and ceremonial building in ancient Egyptian city of Imet
By Sascha Pare Published
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We finally know why Queen Hatshepsut's statues were destroyed in ancient Egypt
By Owen Jarus Published
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How did Ramesses II die — and did his more than 100 children fight for the throne?
By Owen Jarus Published
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Tarkhan Dress: World's oldest known outfit was worn to an ancient Egyptian funeral 5,000 years ago
By Kristina Killgrove Published
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3 ancient Egyptian tombs dating to the New Kingdom discovered near Luxor
By Owen Jarus Published
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Hatnefer's heart scarab: An exquisite ancient Egyptian gold necklace inscribed with the Book of the Dead
By Kristina Killgrove Published
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Human Evolution
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140,000-year-old child's skull may have been part modern human, part Neanderthal — but not everyone is convinced
By Patrick Pester Published
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Stunning facial reconstructions of 'hobbit,' Neanderthal and Homo erectus bring human relatives to life
By Aristos Georgiou Published
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Oldest wooden tools unearthed in East Asia show that ancient humans made planned trips to dig up edible plants
By Sascha Pare Published
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Neanderthal DNA may refute 65,000-year-old date for human occupation in Australia, but not all experts are convinced
By Kristina Killgrove Published
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125,000-year-old 'fat factory' run by Neanderthals discovered in Germany
By Perri Thaler Published
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Science news this week
Science news this week: 'Dragon Man's' identity and the universe's 'missing matter'
By Alexander McNamara Published
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Who were the Denisovans, archaic humans who lived in Asia and went extinct around 30,000 years ago?
By Charles Q. Choi Last updated
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'Huge surprise' reveals how some humans left Africa 50,000 years ago
By Charles Q. Choi Published
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Ancient 'Dragon Man' skull from China isn't what we thought
By Kristina Killgrove Published
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Romans
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Roman dodecahedron: A mysterious 12-sided object that has baffled archaeologists for centuries
By Kristina Killgrove Published
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What did ancient Rome smell like? BO, rotting corpses and raw sewage for starters ...
By Thomas J. Derrick Published
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8 ancient Roman shoes of 'exceptional size' discovered at Roman fort near Hadrian's Wall
By Kristina Killgrove Published
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'Puzzling' bronze discs adorned with lion heads discovered in Roman-era grave
By Aristos Georgiou Published
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Roman army camp found in Netherlands, beyond the empire's frontier
By Laura Geggel Published
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'World's most difficult jigsaw puzzle': Archaeologists piece together thousands of shattered fresco blocks from ancient Roman villa
By Perri Thaler Published
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One Roman soldier had enormous feet, 2,000-year-old waterlogged leather shoe reveals
By Kristina Killgrove Published
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Roman-era 'fast food' discovered in ancient trash heap on Mallorca
By Kristina Killgrove Published
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'Extraordinary' sarcophagus discovered in Israel shows carving of Dionysus beating Hercules in a drinking contest
By Skyler Ware Published
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Vikings
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Viking Age burial of chieftain with 'enormous power' found in Denmark — and he may have served Harald Bluetooth
By Perri Thaler Published
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Viking Age woman was buried with her dog in an elaborate 'boat grave,' excavations reveal
By Tom Metcalfe Published
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1,000-year-old Viking Age hoard has a pendant that may be a cross or Thor's hammer
By Laura Geggel Published
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Braided gold Viking arm-ring discovered by amateur metal detectorist on Isle of Man
By Laura Geggel Published
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Archaeologist sailed a Viking replica boat for 3 years to discover unknown ancient harbors
By Kristina Killgrove Published
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Opinion
Viking Age women may have wielded weapons when pregnant, sagas and ancient artifacts hint
By Marianne Hem Eriksen Published
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Oseberg tapestry: Viking Age artwork from a boat burial that may depict the Norse tree of life
By Kristina Killgrove Published
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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
By Laura Geggel Published
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7 myths about the Vikings that are (almost) totally false
By Tom Metcalfe Published
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More about Archaeology
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1,600-year-old tomb of Maya city's first ruler unearthed in Belize
By Tom Metcalfe Published
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Severed bow of US warship blown off by Japanese torpedo finally found in South Pacific
By Tom Metcalfe Published
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Stunning facial reconstructions of 'hobbit,' Neanderthal and Homo erectus bring human relatives to life
By Aristos Georgiou Published
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