The site of Obernai in France was occupied by one people or another for the last 6000 years. Now, a series of graves found there date from 4000 years ago to 2000 years ago. These 38 tombs span a fantastic…
Archaeologist: King Tut Died… While Chariot Racing
His discovery captivated the world, and from 1922 on, discoverers Lord Carnarvon and Howard Carter would become the most famous (and, allegedly, accursed) Egyptologists until their mysterious deaths. Over 20 people associated with the famous discovery of King Tutankhamen’s earthly…
Five Cannons Recovered From Blackbeard’s Ship
In 1718, the legendary pirate Edward Teach, AKA Blackbeard, sank the Queen Anne’s Revenge off the coast of Beaufort, NC after the flagship accidentally ran aground in the shallows. For nearly 300 years, the ship rested and rusted, until 1996…
Study: Pollen Tells Us What Killed Bronze Age Civilizations
The New York Times reported that a recent study of pollen may explain the sudden collapse of what were, at the time, highly successful civilizations like the Egyptians, the Babylonians, and the Hittites. 3200 years in the distant past, Tel…
Study Confirms Humans Came From Africa Using… Herpes
Scientists have debated, since such discussions were made permissible, the origins of the human species: did we come from Asia? Africa? Maybe even the Middle East? Until very recently, many of these theories had equal merit. However, a study of…
Skeletons Found in Georgia Shine Light on Evolution
NPR reports that for the first time, the former Soviet state of Georgia unveiled an archaeological display of skulls and skeletons of five ancient humans they unearthed in 2005 in Dmanisi. One skull, being simply named “Skull 5,” is being…
Fossilized Mosquito Found; Sadly Lacks Dino Blood
Smithsonian Magazine just put out a blog that chronicles the strange journey of a fossilized mosquito with ancient blood still contained in its stomach, reminiscent of Steven Spielberg’s blockbuster Jurassic Park. The ancient mosquito was unearthed in Montana’s Glacier National…
Study: First Cave Painters Were Mostly Female
Like many disciplines, archaeology suffers from an overtly masculine bias in the literature; however, a recent study of ancient cave art could overturn at least some of that bias. National Geographic reported this week that Pennsylvania State University archaeologist Dean…
Archaeologists Uncover Skeletal Victims of Ancient Raid
NBC News reports that Swedish archaeologists have discovered a terrifying scene that is being called the “Swedish Pompeii.” An island off the Swedish coast named Öland held the remains of a 5th century fort, and after discovering the foundations of…
British Archaeologists Uncover Mesolithic Tools, Roman Skulls
National Geographic reported on Friday that tunnelers who were contracted with expanding the London Underground have discovered over 20 Roman-era skulls, probably dated to the first century C.E. The beheaded Romans have been suggested to be possible victims of the…