Archaeology
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.
Whether you’re looking for facts about the ancient Egyptians, the discovery of an ancient human skull, a gold hoard dating to the fall of the Roman Empire or how the latest technology is helping us find hidden pyramids, Live Science's expert science writers and editors are here to give you the latest coverage on our past with archaeology news, articles and features.
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Latest about Archaeology
Key events in the Bible, such as the settlement and destruction of Jerusalem, confirmed using radiocarbon dating
By Tom Metcalfe published
The research combined radiocarbon dating with measurements of atmospheric radiocarbon from tree rings to build a chronology of the ancient city.
3,500-year-old 'rest house' used by ancient Egyptian army discovered in Sinai desert
By Owen Jarus published
A 3,500-year-old rest house in the Sinai desert may have been used by an Egyptian pharaoh.
1st Americans came over in 4 different waves from Siberia, linguist argues
By Kristina Killgrove published
The languages of the earliest Americans evolved in 4 waves, according to one expert.
1,700-year-old Roman shipwreck was stuffed to the gills with fish sauce when it sank
By Tom Metcalfe published
The wreck near a beach on Mallorca gives a snapshot of sea trade in late Roman times.
Neanderthal woman's face brought to life in stunning reconstruction
By Emily Cooke published
With her long, brown hair and determined gaze, the new facial reconstruction lets us peek into the world of an archaic human who lived tens of thousands of years ago.
Rare 'Excalibur' sword from Spain dates to Islamic period 1,000 years ago
By Owen Jarus published
The sword is the first weapon from the Islamic period to be found in the Spanish city of Valencia.
Villa near Mount Vesuvius may be where Augustus, Rome's 1st emperor, died
By Tom Metcalfe published
Researchers say a villa buried by the eruption in A.D. 79 corresponds with records of the Roman emperor's death in A.D. 14.
32 times lasers revealed hidden forts and settlements from centuries ago
By Owen Jarus published
Lasers have helped uncover ancient human-made structures the world over.
Traces of hallucinogenic plants and chile peppers found at Maya ball court suggest rituals took place there
By Jennifer Nalewicki published
An environmental DNA analysis of soil collected at an ancient Maya ball court reveals that the site was once part of a ritual.
1,430 ancient Roman graves scattered with funerary festival leftovers unearthed in southern France
By Sascha Pare published
Archaeologists in southern France have excavated an ancient Roman cemetery containing 1,430 graves and traces of a funerary festival, during which families feasted by the graves of relatives.
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