Archaeology
I study rat nests − here’s why rodents make great archivists
I study rat nests − here’s why rodents make great archivists Rat nests can serve as archives for materials that have been undisturbed for hundreds of years, providing valuable insights into the lives of past inhabitants. Archaeologists like the author study rat nests to learn about the food, medicine, and trade practices of historical communities, […]
🔬 Science
Discovery sheds new light on early Maya rituals
Discovery sheds new light on early Maya rituals A team of researchers has discovered large ritual constructions by early Mesoamericans at the site of Aguada Fénix in southeastern Mexico, which dates back to around 1,000 BCE. The monument, measuring nearly a mile long and a quarter-mile wide, was found to be a cosmogram—a model to […]
🔬 Science
Drones, physics and rats: Studies show how the people of Rapa Nui made and moved the giant statues – and what caused the island’s deforestation
Drones, physics and rats: Studies show how the people of Rapa Nui made and moved the giant statues – and what caused the island’s deforestation Archaeologists have used drones to create a comprehensive 3D model of Rano Raraku, the volcanic crater where 95% of Rapa Nui’s giant statues were carved, revealing that 30 independent workshops […]
🔬 Science
25 Years of the International Space Station: What archaeology tells us about living and working in space
25 Years of the International Space Station: What archaeology tells us about living and working in space The International Space Station (ISS) has been continuously occupied by at least two people for 25 years, making it a unique example of international cooperation and a remarkable achievement in space exploration. A team of archaeologists, led by […]
🔬 Science
The Glozel affair: A sensational archaeological hoax made science front-page news in 1920s France
The Glozel affair: A sensational archaeological hoax made science front-page news in 1920s France The Glozel affair was a sensational archaeological hoax that made front-page news in France in 1927, sparking controversy over its authenticity. A team of international archaeologists visited the site to assess its legitimacy, but their findings were met with skepticism and […]
📰 News
AI reveals which predators chewed ancient humans’ bones – challenging ideas on which ‘Homo’ species was the first tool-using hunter
AI reveals which predators chewed ancient humans’ bones – challenging ideas on which ‘Homo’ species was the first tool-using hunter Researchers used AI to analyze tooth marks on ancient human fossils from Olduvai Gorge, Tanzania, which challenged the long-held idea that Homo habilis was the first tool-using hunter. The study found that the tooth marks […]
🔬 Science
What led to the rise and fall of Classic Maya cities?
What led to the rise and fall of Classic Maya cities? The rise and fall of Classic Maya cities was influenced by multiple factors, including climate downturns, intergroup conflict, and strong economies of scale. The study, led by University of California, Santa Barbara archaeologist Douglas Kennett, used population ecology theory to quantify the drivers of […]
🔬 Science
A massive eruption 74,000 years ago affected the whole planet – archaeologists use volcanic glass to figure out how people survived
A massive eruption 74,000 years ago affected the whole planet – archaeologists use volcanic glass to figure out how people survived • A massive volcanic eruption 74,000 years ago, known as the Toba supereruption, had a profound impact on human survival, with scientists using volcanic glass to study its effects. • The eruption was one […]
🔬 Science
Escaped slaves on St. Croix hid their settlements so well, they still haven’t been found – archaeologists using new mapping technology are on the hunt
Escaped slaves on St. Croix hid their settlements so well, they still haven’t been found – archaeologists using new mapping technology are on the hunt Archaeologists are using new mapping technology to locate the hidden Maroon settlement on St. Croix, which was established by escaped slaves in the 1700s. The settlement, known as Maronberg, was […]
📰 News
Ancient Maya population was bigger than scientists thought
Ancient Maya population was bigger than scientists thought The ancient Maya civilization was significantly more populous than previously thought, with estimates suggesting between 9.5 million to 16 million people inhabited the region during the Late Classic period (600–900 CE). New research using lidar technology reveals a far more complex and integrated society, with consistent patterns […]
📰 News