Skeleton Study Tracks Europe’s First Equestrians
Skeleton Study Tracks Europe’s First Equestrians Archaeologists accidentally discovered the world’s earliest horseback riders while studying skeletons found beneath 5,000-year-old burial mounds in Europe and Asia, a new study finds. The ancient riders were part of the so-called Yamnaya culture, groups of semi-nomadic people who swept across Europe and western Asia, bringing the precursor to …
‘Startling’ new evidence reveals gladiators fought in Roman Britain
‘Startling’ new evidence reveals gladiators fought in Roman Britain Gladiator fights backed by roaring crowds in impressive-looking arenas have long inspired film-makers behind classics such as Gladiator and Spartacus. Now new research reveals for the first time that such a sporting spectacle took place in Britain in the late second century AD. Crucial evidence has …
Genetic Study Examines Europe’s Hunter-Gatherers
Genetic Study Examines Europe’s Hunter-Gatherers A previously unknown lineage of Europeans survived the coldest parts of the last ice age, only to vanish when Europe went through a warm spell starting about 15,000 years ago. The discovery comes from the largest study yet to look at the genetic makeup of ice age European hunter-gatherers. For …
Were Steel Tools Used in the Late Bronze Age?
Were Steel Tools Used in the Late Bronze Age? A study by an international and interdisciplinary team headed by Freiburg archaeologist Dr. Ralph Araque Gonzalez from the Faculty of Humanities has shown that steel tools were already in use in Europe around 2900 years ago. Using geochemical analyses, the researchers were able to prove that …
The 1,000-year-old Church was found under a cornfield in Germany
The 1,000-year-old Church was found under a cornfield in Germany The foundation walls of the large church of the rediscovered Royal Palace of Helfta in Eisleben in the German state of Saxony-Anhalt have been unearthed by archaeologists. The church was discovered earlier this month, and the foundation walls are now completely exposed. According to the …
4,000-Year-Old Lion Jaw Bone Unearthed in Kültepe
4,000-Year-Old Lion Jaw Bone Unearthed in Kültepe Excavations continue in Kültepe, the starting point of Anatolian written history. During the excavations, a 4,000-year-old lion jawbone was unearthed. For the first time, a lion’s jawbone was found in Kültepe. Prof. Dr. Fikri Kulakoğlu of Ankara University’s Faculty of Language, History-Geography, and Archeology Department said that in …
Ruins of the 700-year-old wharf, possibly used by royalty, were found in Oslo
Ruins of the 700-year-old wharf, possibly used by royalty, were found in Oslo An excavation by NIKU archaeologists in Oslo’s seaside neighborhood of Bjørvika has uncovered the remains of a long section of a medieval wharf believed to have been built by a medieval king of Norway. Under the dense clay of the Oslofjord seabed, …
Archaeologists have discovered sandstone blocks belonging to a pharaoh’s temple covered with hieroglyphs in Sudan
Archaeologists have discovered sandstone blocks belonging to a pharaoh’s temple covered with hieroglyphs in Sudan Polish archaeologists have discovered sandstone blocks belonging to a pharaoh’s temple covered with hieroglyphs during excavations at Old Dongola in Sudan. Recent excavations have uncovered over 100 blocks of white sandstone, inscribed with Ancient Egyptian hieroglyphics from the period of …
Iron Age comb found made from a human skull in the UK
Iron Age comb found made from a human skull in the UK Researchers from the London Archaeological Museum (MOLA) determined that an Iron Age comb they found during an archaeological dig that ended in 2018 was made from a human skull and was most likely used as a talisman rather than styling hair. The accessory …
Minoan civilization may have used celestial navigation techniques
Minoan civilization may have used celestial navigation techniques According to a study done by an American researcher at the University of Wales, ancient civilizations may have used celestial navigation methods to travel. Alessandro Berio, a skyscape archaeologist, discovered new evidence that the ancient Minoan civilization developed significant nautical technologies to aid in international sea trade, …