An international team of archaeologists has used high-resolution digital imaging techniques to examine tattoos on a more than 2,000-year-old ice mummy from the Pazyryk culture of Siberia, shedding light on individual craftsmanship in prehistoric Siberian tattooing for the first time.| phys.org
Archaeological analysis of horse remains from medieval Hungary indicates people continued to eat horses long after the country's conversion to Christianity, suggesting the decline in horsemeat consumption (hippophagy) in the region was not for religious reasons, questioning the prevailing historical narrative.| phys.org
A rock art panel near Aswan, Egypt, may depict a rare example of an elite individual from the First Dynasty, shedding light on the formation of the ancient Egyptian state.| phys.org
A multidisciplinary team of researchers, including archaeologists, have analyzed the DNA of fish remains from Roman fish fermentation vats, creating a method to identify animal remains when they are damaged beyond recognition.| phys.org
Researchers have carried out the most comprehensive geoarchaeological survey of Egypt's Karnak Temple near Luxor—one of the ancient world's largest temple complexes and a UNESCO World Heritage site welcoming millions of tourists every year.| phys.org
Archaeologists have excavated three c. 3,000–2,400-year-old ritual structures in Shandong Province, China, indicating that the origins of a shared Chinese cultural identity lie in ceremonial gatherings that sowed the seeds for the political unification of China under the First Emperor. The findings are reported in Antiquity.| phys.org
For citizens of the ancient Roman Empire, a trip to the amphitheater meant a thrilling day of entertainment. However, for many of the gladiators and animals involved, it was a fight for survival. A new study published in Antiquity provides the first direct evidence that brown bears were used in the gladiatorial arena, giving us a grim look at the brutal treatment they endured.| phys.org
In a new discovery that illuminates new insights into the early prehistoric origins of art and creativity, researchers have identified the earliest known use of blue mineral pigment in Europe.| phys.org
Researchers have examined a sediment core from the Roman town and metal production center of Aldborough in Yorkshire, revealing metal production did not collapse immediately after the Romans left Britain.| phys.org
In a recent study, Dr. Agata Hałuszko and colleagues discovered an ornament made from beetles in a cremation grave in Domasław, Poland. The work is published in the journal Antiquity.| phys.org
In 2022–2023, a wall mural depicting a procession of priests walking toward a stationary fire altar was recovered at the Royal Palace at Sanjar-Shar.| phys.org
In 2022, archaeologists worked on the ancient DNA from a number of early medieval cemeteries, and found two individuals that stood out. One was from Updown Eastry in Kent, known as Updown girl, and the other was a young man from Worth Matravers in Dorset. Both were dated to the 7th century and both appeared to have west African heritage.| phys.org
Written accounts tell the story of the Zanj rebellion—a slave revolt that took place in the late 9th century in southern Iraq. Some of the rebels were enslaved Africans working in various sectors of the local economy.| phys.org
Archaeologists have analyzed the DNA of two unrelated individuals buried in 7th-century-AD cemeteries on the south coast of England, revealing that they both had recent ancestors, likely grandparents, from West Africa.| phys.org
Archaeologists have analyzed more than 200 coins from the first millennium AD mainland Southeast Asia, revealing long-distance economic connections across the region which facilitated extensive trade and cultural interaction.| phys.org
Archaeologists have analyzed ritual spaces and monumental structures across Polynesia, questioning the idea that Rapa Nui (Easter Island) developed in isolation following its initial settlement.| phys.org
The enigmatic stone alignments in the Carnac region of Brittany, France, are among the most famous megalithic monuments in Europe—alongside Stonehenge, Menga, and the megalithic temples of Malta.| phys.org
