Ancient history

Frescos from famed Etruscan tomb go on display in Rome after multi-million euro purchase by Italy

The Italian state spent €15 million on a series of celebrated frescoes found in the central hall of the tomb, which were painted between 340 and 320 BCE.

People look at the newly acquired Tomb of Francois, a 4th-century BC masterpiece bought last month by Italy's Culture Ministry for 15 million euros, at the National Etruscan Museum of Villa Giulia in Rome, Italy, June 30, 2026.
"A historical overview of gambling in the Middle East, from ancient civilizations to modern regulation."

A historical overview of gambling in the Middle East

Mosaic showing Alexander the Great on a horse, June 25, 2026.

Turkey places site of Alexander the Great’s first battle with Persians under historic protection

Cave from Lower Paleolithic era found south of Haifa, June 11, 2026.

WATCH: A Paleolithic time capsule: Rare prehistoric cave discovered near highway outside of Haifa


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.

Three-century-old manuscript resurfaces, rewriting Columbus lore

The 39-folio manuscript includes unpublished passages and will receive a critical edition that illuminates Columbus's political portrayal in early eighteenth-century Spain.

Three-century-old manuscript resurfaces, rewriting Columbus lore.

Scientists uncover how tropical hippos weathered the last Ice Age in Central Europe

researchers report the European fossils display very low genetic diversity, indicating a small isolated herd marooned in the Upper Rhine Graben during interstadial warm spells.

Scientists uncover how tropical hippos weathered the last Ice Age in Central Europe.

Did Nefertiti wear King Tut’s iconic mask first? Scientists reignite debate

Researchers say the mask's pierced ears and mismatched gold suggest it was originally made for a female ruler, possibly Nefertiti.

King Tutankhamun's golden burial mask.

Excavation uncovers 1,300-year-old breads stamped with Christ the Sower

Experts suggest these finds may be 'communion bread' used in early Christian rituals, revealing both ritual customs and the symbolic integration of spirituality into everyday life.

Excavation uncovers 1,300-year-old breads stamped with Christ the Sower.