Researchers have found the world’s oldest evidence of intentional mummification: hunter-gatherers in southern China, Vietnam, and Indonesia smoke-dried their dead up to 14,000 years ago. Analysis of 54 crouching burials revealed bone charring consistent with long exposure to low heat, a method still used in parts of Papua New Guinea. The discovery predates the earliest known mummification in Chile and Egypt by thousands of years … Continue reading Oldest known evidence of human mummification discovered in Asia, scientists say

Archaeologists in Albania have uncovered a Roman burial chamber dating from the third to fourth century AD, marking the first discovery of its kind in the Balkan country. The tomb was found on a plateau near the North Macedonia border after locals noticed unusual stones, prompting excavation by the Institute of Archaeology beginning in early August. The underground structure features large limestone slabs with Greek … Continue reading Archaeologists discover ancient Roman tomb in Albania

Archaeologists in Peru have uncovered a 4,000-year-old, multicoloured, three-dimensional mural at the Huaca Yolanda site in the Tanguche valley, offering new insights into early civilizations in the Americas. The 3×6 metre mural features a large bird of prey, high-relief friezes, and depictions of fish, mythological beings, and stars, highlighting social hierarchies and spiritual practices of the time. Lead archaeologist Ana Cecilia Mauricio explained that shamans … Continue reading Archaeologists in Peru discover 3D mural that could date back 4,000 years

Egypt has revealed parts of a 2,000-year-old sunken city off Alexandria, including buildings, statues, and a 125-meter dock, likely linked to the ancient city of Canopus. Submerged over time by earthquakes and rising seas, the site also yielded royal statues, sphinxes, reservoirs, and a merchant ship from the Ptolemaic and Roman eras. Authorities say only select artifacts are being recovered, leaving much of the site … Continue reading Remnants of 2,000-year-old sunken city lifted out of the sea off Alexandria

Archaeologists from the University of Haifa have uncovered a 1,600-year-old mosaic in Sussita (Hippos) National Park near the Sea of Galilee, featuring a Greek inscription reading “Peace on the elders,” which may be the earliest evidence of a dedicated institution for the elderly. Dating to the late fourth or early fifth century CE, the mosaic was found at the entrance of a public building and … Continue reading Archaeologists uncover ‘oldest nursing home’ in Israel

Researchers in El Mirador Cave, northern Spain, have uncovered evidence of Neolithic cannibalism dating back 5,700 years. Skeletal remains of 11 individuals, including children, show cut marks, cooking, and human bite marks, suggesting the bodies were deliberately consumed after a violent conflict. Experts believe this was war cannibalism aimed at erasing enemies physically and spiritually, rather than survival cannibalism, Euro News has reported. The findings … Continue reading Spanish archaeologists find signs of war cannibalism from 5,700 years ago

Archaeologists in Sardinia, Italy, have uncovered three prehistoric rock-cut tombs known as domus de janas, or “fairy houses,” at the Necropolis of Saint Andrea Priu. These newly discovered tombs — labeled Tombs XVIII, XIX, and XX — were carved over 5,000 years ago and had gone unnoticed for nearly 200 years of excavation. The structures vary in size and complexity, with Tomb XX containing seven chambers … Continue reading Ancient ‘fairy houses’ still filled with treasures found in Italy

Utility workers in Lima, Peru uncovered two pre-Incan tombs while expanding underground gas lines, one of which contained 1,000-year-old human remains, clay vessels, and artifacts linked to the Chancay culture. Archaeologist José Aliaga noted the burial style and artifacts suggest a pre-Inca origin. Lima, home to over 400 archaeological sites, frequently reveals ancient remains during civil works. The gas company Cálidda has made over 2,200 … Continue reading Utility workers in Peru unearth pre-Incan tomb with 1,000-year-old remains

High-resolution imaging of a 2,500-year-old Siberian “ice mummy” has revealed highly intricate tattoos that modern tattooists would find difficult to replicate. The tattoos—featuring leopards, a stag, a rooster, and a mythical griffin—were found on a woman from the Pazyryk culture, a nomadic warrior people of the Eurasian steppe. Using near-infrared scans, researchers discovered crisp, detailed designs likely created with animal bone or horn tools and … Continue reading 2,500-year-old Siberian ‘ice mummy’ had intricate tattoos, imaging reveals

A collection of 334 ancient gems believed to be linked to the Buddha’s remains has been returned to India after a planned auction by Sotheby’s in Hong Kong sparked backlash. The gems, known as the Piprahwa Gems, were bought by India’s Godrej Industries Group and will be publicly displayed. Originally excavated in 1898, the relics were believed to be enshrined with Buddha’s cremated remains and … Continue reading Ancient Buddha relics returned to India after $13 million auction is canceled

After more than 40 years of excavations, University of Houston archaeologists and longtime partners Arlen and Diane Chase discovered the tomb of Te K’ab Chaak, the first ruler of the ancient Maya city Caracol in Belize. Dating to around 331 AD, the tomb reveals early connections between Caracol and the distant Mesoamerican city of Teotihuacan in Mexico, suggesting formal diplomatic ties between the regions. Te … Continue reading Husband-and-wife archeologists discover tomb of ancient ruler

Archaeologists have uncovered a rare Early Bronze Age Canaanite blade workshop at Nahal Qomem near Kiryat Gat, Israel—the first of its kind found in full context. Dating back around 5,500 years, the site features hundreds of flint blades, production tools, and subterranean pits, offering insight into early urbanization and specialized trade. The discovery includes a cache of unused blades, possibly a ritual offering, the Times … Continue reading Rare intact 5,500-year-old Canaanite blade workshop unearthed in southern Israel

Neolithic-era pyramids, known as Giant’s Graves, have been discovered in Poland’s Wielkopolska region. Built around 5,500 years ago by the Funnelbeaker culture, these elongated earth mounds lined with massive stones served as tombs for important community figures. Despite stone removal over time, the pyramids retain features like stone enclosures and east-facing entrances, possibly linked to sun worship, Art Net has reported. Researchers plan full excavations … Continue reading Ancient Tombs Older Than Egypt’s Pyramids Emerge in Poland

UNESCO has added several new sites to its World Heritage list, including the Carnac Megaliths in France, the fairytale castles of King Ludwig II in Bavaria, Germany, and the Minoan Palatial Centres on Crete, Greece. The Bavarian sites include Neuschwanstein, Herrenchiemsee, Linderhof, and Schachen, celebrated for their artistic and architectural significance. The Carnac Stones date to 4500–3300 BCE and represent one of Europe’s densest collections of … Continue reading German castles and French Megaliths among new UNESCO World Heritage sites

Archaeologists have discovered a 3,500-year-old city named Peñico in northern Peru’s Barranca province, believed to be a major trading hub linking Pacific coast, Andes, and Amazon communities. Founded between 1800-1500 BC, Peñico offers new insights into the fate of the Americas’ oldest civilization, Caral. The site features 18 structures, including temples and homes, with artifacts like clay sculptures and seashell necklaces, the BBC has reported. … Continue reading Archaeologists unveil 3,500-year-old city in Peru

Archaeologists at the Magna Roman Fort in northern England have uncovered eight unusually large 2,000-year-old shoes, including one nearly 13 inches long (size 49 EU/15 US). Found in a defensive ditch, these large shoes are rare compared to other Roman sites like Vindolanda. Researchers are investigating who might have worn them and why so many oversized shoes appear at Magna, highlighting the diverse people within … Continue reading “Unusually large” 2,000-year-old shoes unearthed at a Roman site in northern England

A new study in Science reveals that early humans in southwest China used wooden tools as far back as 300,000 years ago, marking the first such discovery at a Palaeolithic site in East Asia. Excavations at Gantangqing in Yunnan province uncovered nearly 1,000 wooden artefacts, including 35 clearly shaped tools, mainly digging sticks used to collect plant roots. The site’s waterlogged sediments preserved the tools exceptionally well, … Continue reading Tools unearthed in China are first evidence of East Asia’s ‘Wood Age’

An 18th-century sunken boat was accidentally discovered beneath the seabed near Dubrovnik’s old port by diver Ivan Bukelic during pipeline work in April. The wooden vessel, found 60–80 cm below the surface, dates to the late 1700s, according to radiocarbon analysis. The site, part of UNESCO-protected Dubrovnik, will be preserved and further studied in collaboration with Croatia’s Ministry of Culture, the Associated Press has reported. … Continue reading 18th-century sunken boat discovered by chance under sea in Croatia

A skull discovered in a well in northeastern China in 2018, nicknamed “Dragon Man,” has been genetically linked to the elusive Denisovans, an ancient human group known mostly from small bone fragments. This finding could be the first Denisovan skull ever identified, offering new insight into the appearance of this mysterious population. Denisovans, discovered in 2010 through DNA from a finger bone in Siberia, lived … Continue reading ‘Dragon Man’ DNA revelation puts a face to a mysterious group of ancient humans

Archaeologists in London’s Southwark have uncovered one of the largest collections of painted Roman wall plaster ever found in the city, revealing vibrant frescoes from a high-status Roman building over 1,800 years old. The fragments, discovered in a Roman-era demolition pit, feature bright yellow panels decorated with birds, flowers, and musical motifs, along with rare details like ancient graffiti and a possible painter’s signature. Led … Continue reading Ancient Roman masterpieces emerge from a London demolition pit

Archaeologists in northern Denmark have uncovered a 10th-century Viking burial site near Lisbjerg, close to Aarhus, containing about 30 graves and a trove of rare artifacts, including pearls, coins, and a gold-thread box. The graves are believed to be linked to a noble family from the Viking Age, possibly connected to King Harald Bluetooth. Notably, one grave, likely that of a prominent woman, held a … Continue reading Viking burial site discovered in Denmark

Archaeologists in Israel have unearthed a rare and richly carved Roman-era marble sarcophagus in Caesarea, depicting a unique scene of a drinking contest between the Greek gods Dionysus and Heracles. Dating to the 2nd–3rd centuries CE and likely imported from northwestern Turkey, the artifact was probably commissioned by a wealthy pagan family. Found outside the ancient city walls, the sarcophagus was later part of a … Continue reading Archaeologists find unique 1,700-year-old sarcophagus

Researchers using AI and improved radiocarbon dating techniques suggest many Dead Sea Scrolls may be older than previously thought, with some biblical texts possibly dating from the time of their original authors. By removing contamination from earlier tests and analyzing handwriting styles, the team found that different scripts coexisted longer than believed, and certain texts, like parts of Daniel and Ecclesiastes, align more closely with … Continue reading Many of Dead Sea scrolls may be older than thought, experts say

A striking Roman stone relief of the winged goddess of Victory was discovered near Hadrian’s Wall at the Vindolanda fort by long-time volunteers Dilys and Jim Quinlan. The 47cm-tall carving, identified by archaeologist Rob Collins, likely symbolized military triumph and was part of a larger ornamental arch over the fort’s infantry barracks. The discovery was made while clearing rubble at the site, where volunteers have … Continue reading Amateur archaeologists unearth winged goddess at Hadrian’s Wall

A 6th-century Byzantine bucket unearthed at Sutton Hoo, Suffolk, is believed to have been a cremation vessel, archaeologists revealed. Originally discovered in 1986, with additional fragments found in 2012 and last year, the bucket contained cremated human and animal bones, suggesting it held the remains of a prominent figure. The copper alloy bucket, adorned with a hunting scene, predates the famous Sutton Hoo ship burial. … Continue reading Sutton Hoo bucket believed to be cremation vessel