Ancient history

Neolithic engravings may push Chinese writing back 7,000 years

Feng Shi confirmed that inscriptions on ceramic stands from Liulinxi are the earliest known Chinese characters, appearing in groups rather than alone, making them easier to interpret.

Neolithic engravings may push Chinese writing back 7,000 years.
Life reconstruction of Wadisuchus kassabi from the Late Cretaceous of Egypt, showing an adult capturing a lungfish in a wetland, with a juvenile nearby. The scene highlights the ancient ecosystem, including turtles and lush vegetation, based on fossil evidence from the Quseir Formation.

Ancient Crocodile Species Discovered in Egypt Sheds Light on Evolutionary History

A solar eclipse next to the Mayan pyramid of Kukulcan in the Mexican city of Chichen Itza.

Dresden Codex decoded: study unveils the Maya’s 700-year eclipse calculator

Troops in battle. Illustration.

Ancient teeth reveal salmonella and louse-borne fever helped doom Napoleon’s 500,000-man force


Patagonia expedition uncovers 70 million year old carnivorous dinosaur egg live on camera

The research team confirmed they will conduct micro computed tomography scans to determine whether the egg contains a fossilized embryo.

Patagonia expedition uncovers 70 million year old carnivorous dinosaur egg live on camera.

Opium residue found in an Ancient Egyptian vase, rewriting the story of Tutankhamun’s tomb raids

Analysis detected morphine, thebaine, noscapine and other opiate alkaloids, providing the first scientific identification of the contents of an inscribed egyptian alabastron.

The Egyptian, alabaster vase that was analyzed.

Archaeologists find intact Merian axe from tenth century near Rostov, Russia

The Merians were a Finno-Ugric people who lived in the upper Volga basin.

Archaeologists find intact Merian axe from tenth century near Rostov, Russia.

Tutankhamun's tomb on brink of collapse amid widening cracks and soaring humidity

Researchers report that cracks formed after the 1994 flood have widened, letting rainwater infiltrate kv62 and fostering mold that eats away its 3300-year-old frescoes.

Mummy of pharaoh Tutankhamun in his tomb.

Lion-headed stone found at Bathonea points to late antique olive oil and wine production hub

A carved limestone block bearing a lion-head spout emerged from the soil of Bathonea, the ancient harbor city on the northern shore of Istanbul’s Lake Küçükçekmece.

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Ancient lead exposure may have given Homo sapiens a genetic shield

Researchers found lead bands in 73 percent of 51 fossilized teeth spanning two million years of hominin history.

Homo sapiens. Illustration.

Seven Roman soldiers found in a mass grave in well, likely casualties of the CE 260 Battle of Mursa

Isotopic and DNA evidence indicate nonlocal origins, plant-heavy diets, respiratory infection, and combat injuries.

Seven Roman soldiers found in a mass grave in well.

British Museum launches £3.5 million bid to secure Henry VIII Tudor Heart pendant found by café own

A 24 carat gold jewel, engraved with the initials h and k and linked to Catherine of Aragon’s 1518 tournament, was unearthed by metal detectorist Charlie Clarke.

British Museum launches £3.5 million bid to secure Henry VIII Tudor Heart pendant found by café owner.

Ancient human skull dating to 2,300 BCE discovered on Indiana's Whitewater River bank

“This discovery is a powerful and humbling reminder that people have walked this land for millennia,” said Fayette County Coroner Eddie Richardson.

Over 4,000-year-old skull.

Ancient Roman bronze 'ghost of the banquet' skeleton revealed as rare party favor of death today

Only twelve examples of the larva convivialis are known, with the 2.6 inch figurine now housed at Getty Villa in Los Angeles.

Ancient Roman bronze 'ghost of the banquet' skeleton revealed as rare party favor reminding revelers of death.

Ancient Roman site reveals early humans butchered straight-tusked elephant and crafted bone tools

Volcanic ash deposits above and below the bones at Casal Lumbroso date the carcass to around 404,000 years ago, during a warm Middle Pleistocene phase.

Ancient Roman site reveals early humans butchered straight-tusked elephant and crafted bone tools.