South Africa's history uncovered: the 1k-year gap they don't teach in school
(theconversation.com)
Were you told that gold mining in southern Africa started after 1852? Or that the export of iron, steel, copper and gold began in the late 19th century? Or that South Africa became integrated into a global trading system only after 1652? Or that the first powerful state in South Africa was the Zulu kingdom?
Were you told that gold mining in southern Africa started after 1852? Or that the export of iron, steel, copper and gold began in the late 19th century? Or that South Africa became integrated into a global trading system only after 1652? Or that the first powerful state in South Africa was the Zulu kingdom?
Incised artefacts from the Middle Palaeolithic and human behavioural complexity
(springer.com)
In recent years, archaeological research has demonstrated the presence of abstract non-utilitarian behaviour amongst palaeolithic hominins, fuelling discussions concerning the origin and implications of such complex behaviours.
In recent years, archaeological research has demonstrated the presence of abstract non-utilitarian behaviour amongst palaeolithic hominins, fuelling discussions concerning the origin and implications of such complex behaviours.
Traces of London's first Roman basilica found beneath office basement
(heritagedaily.com)
Archaeologists from the Museum of London Archaeology (MOLA) have discovered traces of London’s first Roman basilica, dating back nearly 2,000-years.
Archaeologists from the Museum of London Archaeology (MOLA) have discovered traces of London’s first Roman basilica, dating back nearly 2,000-years.
Beginnings of Roman London discovered in office basement
(bbc.com)
A discovery underneath the basement of an office block has been described as one of the most important pieces of Roman history unearthed in the city of London.
A discovery underneath the basement of an office block has been described as one of the most important pieces of Roman history unearthed in the city of London.
Major discovery of a pre-Roman necropolis in Trento
(heritagedaily.com)
Archaeologists in Trento, Italy, have discovered a monumental pre-Roman necropolis containing high-status tombs and associated grave goods.
Archaeologists in Trento, Italy, have discovered a monumental pre-Roman necropolis containing high-status tombs and associated grave goods.
Thomas Aquinas' skull reveals appearance and cause of death
(ncregister.com)
On the heels of the skull of St. Thomas Aquinas touring the nation, a new study released this week gives Catholics a glimpse at what the “Angelic Doctor” may have looked like.
On the heels of the skull of St. Thomas Aquinas touring the nation, a new study released this week gives Catholics a glimpse at what the “Angelic Doctor” may have looked like.
AI helps researchers read ancient scroll burned to a crisp in Vesuvius eruption
(theguardian.com)
Researchers have peered inside an ancient scroll that was burned to a crisp in the volcanic eruption that destroyed Pompeii nearly 2,000 years ago.
Researchers have peered inside an ancient scroll that was burned to a crisp in the volcanic eruption that destroyed Pompeii nearly 2,000 years ago.
A runic inscription on Viking-age treasure find has been deciphered
(theguardian.com)
When the Galloway hoard was discovered in a ploughed field in western Scotland in 2014, it proved to be the richest collection of Viking-age objects ever found in Britain or Ireland. Now the long-standing mystery of who might have owned it when it was buried more than 1,000 years ago may have been solved.
When the Galloway hoard was discovered in a ploughed field in western Scotland in 2014, it proved to be the richest collection of Viking-age objects ever found in Britain or Ireland. Now the long-standing mystery of who might have owned it when it was buried more than 1,000 years ago may have been solved.
Ancient-DNA study identifies originators of Indo-European language family
(hms.harvard.edu)
A pair of landmark studies has genetically identified the originators of the massive Indo-European family of 400-plus languages.
A pair of landmark studies has genetically identified the originators of the massive Indo-European family of 400-plus languages.
Lost cities of the Amazon: science is revealing ancient towns hidden
(theguardian.com)
For decades, archaeologists have believed that human occupation of the Amazon basin was far older, vaster and more urbanised than the textbooks suggested. But hard evidence was scant, artefacts were scattered, and there were too few people on the ground to fully assess the magnitude of what lay cached in the dense forest. Then they found a shortcut – lidar.
For decades, archaeologists have believed that human occupation of the Amazon basin was far older, vaster and more urbanised than the textbooks suggested. But hard evidence was scant, artefacts were scattered, and there were too few people on the ground to fully assess the magnitude of what lay cached in the dense forest. Then they found a shortcut – lidar.
Out of Africa: celebrating 100 years of human-origins research
(nature.com)
A landmark study reporting the discovery of Australopithecus africanus one century ago put the African continent at the centre of the story of humanity.
A landmark study reporting the discovery of Australopithecus africanus one century ago put the African continent at the centre of the story of humanity.
First glimpse inside burnt scroll after 2k years
(bbc.co.uk)
A badly burnt scroll from the Roman town of Herculaneum has been digitally "unwrapped", providing the first look inside for 2,000 years.
A badly burnt scroll from the Roman town of Herculaneum has been digitally "unwrapped", providing the first look inside for 2,000 years.
3D reconstruction of the capital of the Aztec empire
(thomaskole.nl)
The year is 1518. Mexico-Tenochtitlan, once an unassuming settlement in the middle of Lake Texcoco, now a bustling metropolis. It is the capital of an empire ruling over, and receiving tribute from, more than 5 million people. Tenochtitlan is home to 200.000 farmers, artisans, merchants, soldiers, priests and aristocrats.
The year is 1518. Mexico-Tenochtitlan, once an unassuming settlement in the middle of Lake Texcoco, now a bustling metropolis. It is the capital of an empire ruling over, and receiving tribute from, more than 5 million people. Tenochtitlan is home to 200.000 farmers, artisans, merchants, soldiers, priests and aristocrats.
Excavated: 52 Egyptian Mummies. Over a Dozen Had Mysterious Golden Tongues
(popularmechanics.com)
Archaeologists discovered more than a dozen mummies older than 2,000 years with tongues made from golden amulets.
Archaeologists discovered more than a dozen mummies older than 2,000 years with tongues made from golden amulets.
Pyramid structure discovered near Caral Peru
(omniletters.com)
A team of archaeologists has made a significant discovery at the Chupacigarro settlement, located just one kilometer from the sacred city of Caral in the Supe Valley, Lima region.
A team of archaeologists has made a significant discovery at the Chupacigarro settlement, located just one kilometer from the sacred city of Caral in the Supe Valley, Lima region.
3 Are Arrested in Theft of Gold Helmet from Dutch Museum
(nytimes.com)
Three people have been arrested in connection with a brazen heist at a museum in the Netherlands over the weekend in which thieves stole ancient artifacts, including a prized golden helmet on loan from Romania, the authorities said on Wednesday.
Three people have been arrested in connection with a brazen heist at a museum in the Netherlands over the weekend in which thieves stole ancient artifacts, including a prized golden helmet on loan from Romania, the authorities said on Wednesday.
Engineered waterways helped Ancient Amazonians became master maize farmers
(sciencenews.org)
Water engineers in ancient South America turned seasonally flooded Amazonian savannas into hotbeds of year-round maize farming.
Water engineers in ancient South America turned seasonally flooded Amazonian savannas into hotbeds of year-round maize farming.
$1M prize offered to decipher 5,300-year-old Indus Valley script
(archaeologymag.com)
The government of Tamil Nadu has offered a $1-million reward for anyone who can decode the cryptic script of the Indus Valley Civilization (IVC), one of the world’s oldest urban cultures.
The government of Tamil Nadu has offered a $1-million reward for anyone who can decode the cryptic script of the Indus Valley Civilization (IVC), one of the world’s oldest urban cultures.
Ötzi the Lyme Mummy (2019)
(vetmed.illinois.edu)
Brrrr! It’s a chilly day here in Illinois with all the wind. I’m not complaining however. Can you imagine being frozen in a glacier for thousands of years and suffer from Lyme disease?! Whew, I can’t image that ever actually happening to anyone.
Brrrr! It’s a chilly day here in Illinois with all the wind. I’m not complaining however. Can you imagine being frozen in a glacier for thousands of years and suffer from Lyme disease?! Whew, I can’t image that ever actually happening to anyone.
Puzzling fossils unearthed in China may rewrite the human story
(rnz.co.nz)
A cache of human-like fossils from China has perplexed scientists for decades, defying explanation or categorization.
A cache of human-like fossils from China has perplexed scientists for decades, defying explanation or categorization.
The ancient discovery that put a Silk Road city back on the map
(bbc.com)
After unearthing a rare collection of highly prized Silk Road artefacts, a family in the Himalayas has opened a museum dedicated to one of the fabled route's final traders.
After unearthing a rare collection of highly prized Silk Road artefacts, a family in the Himalayas has opened a museum dedicated to one of the fabled route's final traders.
The Vikings also used crampons to avoid slipping on ice
(sciencenorway.no)
Norwegians have been contending with slippery winters for over 1,000 years.
Norwegians have been contending with slippery winters for over 1,000 years.
Ancient genomes reveal an Iron Age society centred on women
(tcd.ie)
An international team of geneticists, led by those from Trinity, has joined forces with archaeologists from Bournemouth University to decipher the structure of British Iron Age society, finding evidence of female political and social empowerment.
An international team of geneticists, led by those from Trinity, has joined forces with archaeologists from Bournemouth University to decipher the structure of British Iron Age society, finding evidence of female political and social empowerment.
Archaeologists Finding Canoes in American Midwest as Old as Great Pyramids
(smithsonianmag.com)
Tamara Thomsen was 24 feet underwater when she spotted it: the decaying end of a dugout canoe, a great white oak carved some 1,200 years ago. It was jutting out of a sandy ridge in Wisconsin’s Lake Mendota—a body of water skirting Madison, the state capital—and she knew it was a remarkable find. “What I did not understand was the breadth of the discovery.”
Tamara Thomsen was 24 feet underwater when she spotted it: the decaying end of a dugout canoe, a great white oak carved some 1,200 years ago. It was jutting out of a sandy ridge in Wisconsin’s Lake Mendota—a body of water skirting Madison, the state capital—and she knew it was a remarkable find. “What I did not understand was the breadth of the discovery.”
Ancient Celtic tribe had women at its social center
(npr.org)
Ancient DNA reveals that during the Iron Age, women in ancient Celtic societies were at the center of their social networks — unlike previous eras of prehistory.
Ancient DNA reveals that during the Iron Age, women in ancient Celtic societies were at the center of their social networks — unlike previous eras of prehistory.
Derveni Papyrus
(wikipedia.org)
The Derveni papyrus is an Ancient Greek papyrus roll that was discovered in 1962 at the archaeological site of Derveni, near Thessaloniki, in Central Macedonia.
The Derveni papyrus is an Ancient Greek papyrus roll that was discovered in 1962 at the archaeological site of Derveni, near Thessaloniki, in Central Macedonia.