Ancient history

Ancient microbes from Alaska permafrost awaken after 40,000 years

The Colorado Boulder team says the thawed bacteria spend months in a sleepy state before multiplying rapidly, forming visible biofilms and releasing greenhouse gases.

Researchers drilling into the permafrost.
Luxor. The Colossi of Memnon.

Amenhotep III tomb in Luxor reopens after twenty-year restoration

Meet the ancient ‘Messi’: 40-Inch limestone masterpiece shows nobleman, tiny wife and goose-toting daughter.

Ancient ‘Messi’ 40-inch limestone shows nobleman, wife, and goose-toting daughter

2,000-year-old Roman cargo ship laden with olive and fruit remains uncovered in Croatia's Barbir Bay.

2,000-year-old Roman cargo ship with olive and fruit remains found in Croatia's Barbir Bay


‘Incredibly rare’ 13th-century deer-antler hair comb unearthed in Scotland

The red deer antler carving is the first gravoir found in Scotland, offering clues to how medieval elites created elaborate hairstyles inspired by continental fashion.

‘Incredibly rare’ 13th-century deer-antler hair comb unearthed in Scotland.

Israel Antiquities Authority uncovers 5,500-year-old ‘Canaanite blade factory’ at Nahal Qomem

Dr. Jacob Vardi says the early bronze age site shows 'only exceptional individuals knew how to produce the Canaanite blades,' revealing a complex, specialized society.

Israel Antiquities Authority uncovers 5,500-year-old ‘Canaanite blade factory’ at Nahal Qomem.

Three Roman-Era mansions found on Tralleis’ ancient shopping street

"We understood that metal production was carried out in the 4th and 5th centuries AD," says Prof. dr. Çekilmez.

Ancient Greek and Roman city in Aydin region of Turkey. Image: nastya_krii.

Negev grape revival brings ancient vineyards back to life

This is an archaeological-tourism initiative led by the Israel Nature and Parks Authority, taking place as part of the Heritage Seeds Vineyard project in southern Israel.

  Kissufim Floor Mosaic from the 6th century CE depicts a camel carrying amphorae resembling Gazan jars found in the Negev Desert.

How Jean-François Champollion cracked hieroglyphs 203 years ago

The French philologist announced his success on 27 September 1822, opening a window into ancient Egyptian civilization.

How Jean-François Champollion cracked hieroglyphs 203 years ago.

Chinese one-million-year-old Yunxian 2 skull challenges Homo sapiens timeline

Re-dated to between 940,000 and 1.1 million years old and reassigned to Homo longi, the specimen could shift the appearance of large-brained humans back at least 500,000 years.

Chinese one-million-year-old Yunxian 2 skull challenges Homo sapiens timeline.

Massive 5,000-year-old dolmen rewrites Bronze Age trade in southern Spain

we may be talking about one of the most monumental and complete dolmens in all of Andalusia, said professor Becerra.

Massive 5,000-year-old dolmen rewrites Bronze Age trade in southern Spain.

Ken Follett returns with an epic on building Stonehenge in 2500 BCE

Follett spent six months on research, distilled it into a fifty page exposé checked by historians before expanding it into the 704 page saga of Seft and Joia hauling monoliths across the great plain.

Ken Follett returns with an epic on building Stonehenge in 2500 BCE.

2,000-year-old Roman brooch found by detectorist

The finds liaison officer confirmed the brooch's age, saying it dates from between 1,800 and 2,000 years ago and calling it 'an interesting item for Dorset' that is uncommon nationally.

A detectorist searching for relics. Illustration.

'The detector went crazy': Hoard found in Byzantine Christian center near Sea of Galilee

Dr. Michael Eisenberg said this is one of Israel’s main Byzantine treasures, unique for its mix of jewelry and gold coins from various emperors.

A Byzantine Christian center near Sea of Galilee.

Roman era 1,800-year-old stadium unearthed in Syedra ancient city in southern Turkey

Roughly forty inscriptions found around the city refer to wrestling, boxing and other contests, indicating the stadium’s use for sports, religious festivals and imperial celebrations.

Syedra is an ancient city near the Alanya district of Antalya province.