Recent research challenges the idea that an incestuous elite governed Neolithic Ireland over 5,000 years ago. Studies focusing on burial practices at the Newgrange prehistoric monument—a large circular mound in County Meath—suggest that those interred there were not necessarily part of a royal class as previously believed. In 2020, a DNA analysis of a skull […]
The shattered statues of Queen Hatshepsut have often been viewed as a testament to political resentment from her successor, Thutmose III, who sought to obliterate her legacy. However, emerging research grounded in recent discoveries and archival materials challenges this narrative. New evidence suggests that the destruction of her statues may have stemmed from more ritualistic […]
In a significant discovery that alters our comprehension of Mediterranean prehistory, archaeologists have unearthed the earliest and most extensive known agricultural complex in Africa outside the Nile Valley. This site, located at Oued Beht in northwestern Morocco, belonged to a previously undocumented Neolithic farming society that flourished between 3400 and 2900 BC. Detailed in a […]
Near the southern shores of Lake Titicaca, the ancient civilization of Tiwanaku once thrived, representing one of the most powerful societies in South America. This remarkable society has keenly piqued the interest of archaeologists, unveiling insights into pre-Columbian culture and its sophisticated agricultural practices. In a recent groundbreaking find, archaeologists have discovered the earliest and […]
In a remarkable discovery, researchers have uncovered uniform pits on the enamel of fossilized teeth in Africa that could significantly reshape our understanding of the human family tree. These tiny, shallow punctures, primarily found on the back molars, display a strikingly consistent pattern, suggesting they are not random but rather a genetic signature tied to […]
For many years, it was believed that the family structure in ancient Egypt closely resembled modern systems. However, research by Ph.D. candidate Steffie van Gompel reveals a more complex reality, highlighting differences, especially regarding inheritance. In Egyptian families, the inheritance often favored the eldest son, setting him apart from his siblings. Wealthy Egyptians sometimes established […]
A recent analysis of an ancient iron spear found on Okinoshima, Japan’s “Island of the Gods,” has uncovered East Asia’s earliest gold-inlaid weapon. Initially discovered in 1954 beneath a sacred boulder near the Okitsu-gū Shinto shrine, this remarkable artifact is revealing insights into Japan’s early Yamato state and its spiritual practices. The iron spear, measuring […]
A significant archaeological discovery at the Copper Age megasite of Valencina in southwestern Spain is changing perceptions of prehistoric Iberian society and its maritime connections. Archaeologists have unearthed a sperm whale tooth, the first of its kind identified in Late Prehistoric Iberia. This find, which dates back 5,300 to 4,150 years, provides insight into the […]
A groundbreaking discovery at the Copper Age megasite of Valencina in southwestern Spain is significantly altering our comprehension of prehistoric Iberian society and its maritime connections. This newly unearthed evidence sheds light on the complex relationship early Iberians had with the sea. In Japan, an ancient iron spear found on Okinoshima, known as the “Island […]
Archaeologists excavating the ancient Roman fort of Magna, located near Hadrian’s Wall in Northumberland, England, have made a fascinating discovery: a remarkably preserved leather shoe measuring 32 cm (12.6 inches) from heel to toe. This size is comparable to a modern UK men’s size 13-14. The shoe, affectionately named “Footius Maximus,” is thought to have […]