Archaeology news, features and articles

Editor's Picks

Statue of Akhenaten (Reigned c. 1351-1334 BC). 18th Dynasty. One of a series of colossal statues that once lined a colonnade in the Precinct of the Aten at Karnak.
29 lost burials archaeologists have yet to find (and 1 they did) The burials of famous people provide enduring archaeological mysteries. Here are 30 of the most acclaimed "lost" tombs.
A fragmented wooden tablet with Latin writing on it in charcoal ink on display against a neutral background
2,000-year-old RSVP: A birthday invitation from the Roman frontier that has the earliest known Latin written by a woman This wafer-thin wooden tablet from a first-century Roman fort in the U.K. includes a heartfelt birthday party invitation.
Two people look at an ancient wooden lyre on display at a museum
Queen Puabi's lyre: A bull-headed music maker played for Mesopotamian royalty 4,500 years ago A lyre in a treasure-laden royal tomb discovered in Mesopotamia is the earliest stringed instrument ever found.

Latest about Archaeology

Reconstruction of an animal-themed headdress worn by a Mesolithic woman

Bad Dürrenberg headdress: An elaborate 9,000-year-old headpiece worn by a female shaman in Europe

By Kristina Killgrove published

A lavish 9,000-year-old grave in central Germany revealed the burial of a powerful female shaman.

Archaeology
A metal helmet that covers the entire head, with holes for eyes and the mouth

Rare 'Corinthian' helmet from ancient Greece is up for auction, and stunningly preserved

By Tom Metcalfe published

A helmet up for auction in London is a well-preserved example of the "Corinthian" helmets used by many hoplite warriors.

Archaeology
An aerial view of a ring in a grassy field

We finally know what 1,400-year-old 'mystery rings' in Australia are

By Caroline Spry, Allan Wandin, Bobby Mullins, Ron Jones published

Archaeologists and Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung people are shedding new light on a series of enigmatic earth rings located in southeastern Australia.

Archaeology

Roman emperor quiz: Test your knowledge on the rulers of the ancient empire

By Tom Metcalfe published

The Roman emperors were once the most famous people in the world, ruling over an empire that stretched between what are now Spain and the Middle East. But just how much do you know about these characters? Take our quiz to find out.

Romans
Reconstruction of a rock-cut structure in Israel that likely hosted ritual practices during the First Temple period. We see a small open building with people performing various rites.

2,800-year-old structure unearthed in Israel was likely used for cultic practices and sacrifice, archaeologists say

By Sascha Pare published

Archaeologists have unearthed a unique stone structure in East Jerusalem, providing evidence of cultic activity and possibly animal sacrifice in the Kingdom of Judah during the First Temple period.

Archaeology
a restorer works on the Alexander the Great mosaic

Secrets of Alexander the Great mosaic revealed after 1st-of-its-kind analysis

By Laura Geggel published

There are around 2 million pieces that make up the Alexander the Great mosaic, but where did they come from?

Romans
An inscribed circular brown stone has concentric lines making it appear to resemble a sun

Stone Age people made sun stone 'sacrifice' to banish 'darkened sun' after a volcanic eruption, archaeologists say

By Kristina Killgrove published

Hundreds of stone artifacts discovered on a Danish island may have been offered to the gods to ward off a climate crisis.

Archaeology
a close-up of a bear skeleton

20,000-year-old 'human' fossils from Japan aren't what we thought

By Tom Metcalfe published

The bone fragments were once thought to be some of the oldest human fossils found in Japan.

Archaeology
An archaeologist wearing a black and red tank top, white hard hat, and blue gloves excavates a circular pit that contains a skeleton on its side in the fetal position

Were the Celts matriarchal? Ancient DNA reveals men married into local, powerful female lineages

By Kristina Killgrove published

An analysis of dozens of British Iron Age skeletons has revealed that Celtic society was organized around women.

Archaeology
A skeleton is lying in the ground with its skull at the right. There are artifacts between the legs near the pelvis, with an arrow pointing to a "tablette de defixion" or curse tablet.

Curse tablet found in Roman-era grave in France targets enemies by invoking Mars, the god of war

By Kristina Killgrove published

Excavation of a Roman-era cemetery in France yielded nearly two dozen lead tablets inscribed in Latin and Gaulish.

Archaeology
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Archives