Archaeology

Humans

DNA reveals clues to the Siberian ancestors of the first Americans

Researchers discovered a previously unknown population of Ice Age people who crossed the Asia-North America land bridge.

Humans

New forensic technique may better gauge age at death

An 18-year-old student from Ackworth, England, has come up with a better way to estimate the age at death for many human remains. It needs only a CT scan of the skull.

Archaeology

Fossils from a Philippine cave may come from a new human-like species

Ancient fossils from a Philippine cave may come from a new human-like species, which scientists have dubbed Homo luzonensis.

Archaeology

Rising seas threaten thousands of world cultural sites

Sea level rise threatens many thousands of cultural and archeological sites around the world.

Archaeology

Fossils hint ancient humans passed through a green Arabia

Hundreds of thousands of years ago, migrating humans passed through the Arabian Peninsula, a study shows. Instead of desert, they found green grass.

Archaeology

Ancient child’s ‘vampire burial’ suggests Romans feared the walking dead

A 10-year-old skeleton in a Roman cemetery had a stone placed in its mouth. It was to prevent this child from rising from the dead, a study reports.

Archaeology

Cremated remains hint at who was buried at Stonehenge

A chemical analysis shows that people carried bodies from far away to be buried at the mysterious ancient monument known as Stonehenge.

Archaeology

Putting hats on Easter Island statues may have required some rock and roll

Fitting huge stone hats on 3-story-high Easter Island statues may have required only a small workforce armed with ropes and ramps.

Materials Science

Cool Jobs: Drilling into the secrets of teeth

A bioengineer, a biologist and an archaeologist all study teeth to explore new materials, to grow better tissues and to learn more about prehistoric humans.

Archaeology

Scientists detect mystery void in Great Pyramid of Giza

Using high-tech tools normally reserved for studies in particle physics, scientists have found a large, hidden void inside Egypt’s Great Pyramid of Giza.

Archaeology

Fiery tests suggest gooey tech by Neandertals

Neandertals could have used simple methods and handy materials to make tar. It would have helped them glue their tools together.

Archaeology

Clay reveals secrets of China’s mysterious terra-cotta army

Production of the famous terra-cotta troops found in ancient Chinese emperor’s tomb was made possible by a specialized system of clay manufacturing.