Humans have left clues of our existence throughout time, leaving behind burials, artifacts and written records that hint at our evolution, beliefs, practices and cultures. Studying the archaeological record shows us that the oldest known bones belonging to Homo sapiens are 300,000 years old, or that the world’s oldest civilizations arose at least 6,000 years ago.
Discover more about archaeology
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2,800-year-old structure unearthed in Israel was likely used for cultic practices and sacrifice, archaeologists say
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Secrets of Alexander the Great mosaic revealed after 1st-of-its-kind analysis
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Stone Age people made sun stone 'sacrifice' to banish 'darkened sun' after a volcanic eruption, archaeologists say
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20,000-year-old 'human' fossils from Japan aren't what we thought
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Were the Celts matriarchal? Ancient DNA reveals men married into local, powerful female lineages
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Curse tablet found in Roman-era grave in France targets enemies by invoking Mars, the god of war
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Famous Sutton Hoo helmet may be clue that early Anglo-Saxons fought as mercenaries for Byzantine Empire, study suggests
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Excavations at Queen Hatshepsut's mortuary temple reveal elaborate burials, decorated blocks and ancient tools
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'Big surprise' reveals supposed skull of 'Cleopatra's sister' actually belongs to an 11-year-old boy
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4,100-year-old tomb of doctor who treated pharaohs discovered at Saqqara
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Dancing dwarf: A 2,300-year-old ancient Egyptian statue of a godlike man with a muscular 6-pack
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10 stunning ancient Egyptian discoveries made in 2024, from hidden temples to hallucinogenic rituals
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How did the ancient Egyptians celebrate the new year?
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13 ancient Egyptian mummies found with gold tongues to help them talk in the afterlife
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Possible bust of Cleopatra VII found at ancient Egyptian temple
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2,100-year-old temple from ancient Egypt discovered hidden in cliff face
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Secrets of Alexander the Great mosaic revealed after 1st-of-its-kind analysis
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1,700-year-old Roman hoard includes gold coins depicting illegitimate emperor
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Roman Empire grew after catastrophic volcanic eruption, study finds
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Rare gold 'Brutus' coin minted after Julius Caesar's murder is up for auction
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Rare gladiator-shaped knife handle discovered by Hadrian's Wall
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Pompeii victims aren't who we thought they were, DNA analysis reveals
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Puzzling patchwork skeleton in Belgium contains bones from 5 people spanning 2,500 years
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'Unique' gold offering to god of war discovered at Roman fortress in Georgia
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2,000-year-old temple from 'Indiana Jones civilization' found submerged off Italy
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'Vulva stone' and coin jewelry among remarkable treasures discovered at Viking burial site in Norway
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Were the Vikings really that violent?
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1,200-year-old Viking cemetery with 'stone ship' burials discovered in Sweden
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Why didn't the Vikings colonize North America?
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50 Viking Age burials discovered in Denmark, including a woman in a rare 'Viking wagon'
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Vikings in Norway were much more likely to die violent deaths than those in Denmark
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Viking Age stone figurine unearthed in Iceland — but no one can agree on which animal it is
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'Spectacular silver treasure' from Viking Age unearthed by college student on farm in Denmark
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Viking Age ship burial may be hiding beneath Norwegian farm, iron rivets hint
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Famous Sutton Hoo helmet may be clue that early Anglo-Saxons fought as mercenaries for Byzantine Empire, study suggests
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Lasers reveal hidden patterns in tattoos of 1,200-year-old Peru mummies
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10th-century woman buried with weapons in Hungary is 1st of her kind, but researchers are hesitant to call her a warrior
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