Archaeology

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This magazine is dedicated to discussions on the latest news, stories, and developments in archaeology. Whether you are an archaeologist yourself, or simply interested in the subject and the human past, this is the place for you. Here you can share your knowledge, ask questions, and engage in discussions on archaeological topics, as well as topics of the historical record, and more. While we try to keep the focus on stories and discussions with scientific basis, thought experiments are welcome. If there is something you’re interested in and this seems the place to discuss it, or if you’re simply not sure of the distinction, don’t shy away! Join the conversation and let's explore the world of archaeology together!

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A group of impressive monumental ancient structures have been unearthed by archaeologists excavating at Garibin Tepe in Van, Turkey. Scientists say the large building complex is from the Urartian period. At present, the purpose of the ancient buildings remains unclear.

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Archaeologists with the German Mining Museum Bochum have unearthed a child’s leather shoe that is more than 2,000 years old and in excellent condition. It is complete to an exceptional degree, even preserving a section of the flax laces and showing how the shoe was originally tied. The design of the shoe dates it to around the 2nd century B.C.

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Archaeologists from the University of Exeter have used laser scans to reveal a Roman road network that spanned Devon and Cornwall.

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The diversity of family systems in prehistoric societies has always fascinated scientists. A groundbreaking study by anthropologists and archaeologists now provides new insights into the origins and genetic structure of prehistoric family communities.

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Archaeologists have discovered an outstanding unfinished ancient marble carving of a lion's head in Sicily. During excavations led by Professor Dr. Jon Albers, archaeologists from the Ruhr University in Bochum made the spectacular find on a street in the immediate vicinity of the ancient eastern harbor of Selinunte, which was intended to drain off rainwater as a detail of a temple roof.

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Archaeologists have discovered an intricately carved Maya nose ornament made of human bone at the Archaeological Zone of Palenque in southern Mexico.

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A study proposes that the population that gave rise to modern humans may have been reduced to roughly 1,300 reproducing individuals

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A stone offering box containing a ritual deposit of 15 anthropomorphic figurines has been unearthed at the Templo Mayor of Tenochtitlan in Mexico City.

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Sarsina is a sleepy, rural town of barely 3,000 residents straddling the pristine Apennine mountains in Italy’s Emilia Romagna region, surrounded by stunning views and grazing sheep.

While it has a glorious past, as a strategic defensive outpost for the Roman Empire and the birthplace of the famed playwright Plautus, today there’s not much to do beyond hiking and birdwatching.

And though both locals and holidaymakers would agree that a rustic, slow-paced lifestyle is part of Sarsina’s charm, its residents were nonetheless excitedly awaiting the construction of a development including a new supermarket, fitness center and playground. But it was not meant to be — at least, not as originally planned.

That’s because workers at the site on the outskirts of town in December 2022 unearthed the ruins of an ancient Roman temple — or ‘capitolium’ — dating back to the first century BC.

In early July, a first look at the underground treasure came to light: a single imposing structure of horizontal sandstone blocks and marble slabs, 577 square meters wide, which researchers have identified as the podium above which the columns and walls of an ancient temple were built.

And what has come out of the ground so far could be just the tip of the iceberg.

“We have unearthed three separate rooms, likely dedicated to the triad of gods Jupiter, Juno and Minerva,” lead archaeologist at the excavation site Romina Pirraglia told CNN. “The excavations are still underway… and we have already identified an older, deeper layer of ruins dating back to the 4th century BC, when the Umbrian people (an ancient Italic tribe who predated the Romans) lived in the area. The entire temple could be even larger than what we now see.”

According to Pirraglia, the discovery of a capitolium — the main temple in an important Roman city, and a hub for trade as well as religious and social interactions — further confirms the strategic role Sarsina played during the Roman Empire. The town was built in a key mountainous area close to the Tuscan border and overlooking the Savio river, an important waterway connecting central and northern Roman cities.

The discovery of the temple has pushed local authorities to revise their building plans. Federica Gonzato, superintendent of archaeology, fine arts and landscape for the provinces of Ravenna, Rimini and Forlì-Cesena, which includes Sarsina, is adamant in wanting to preserve the ruins and further research its great past.

“We will not tear it down to make room for modern structures, this must be very clear. Previous urban plans will be changed, we will find new construction sites for recreation and sports,” Gonzato said. “The temple is an incredible finding that sheds light on how ancient Roman towns rose and fell across time.”

What makes the discovery exceptional is the temple’s unique state of preservation. “The marvelous quality of the stones have been spared from sacks, enemy invasions and plunders across millennia thanks to the remote location of Sarsina, a quiet spot distant from larger cities,” Gonzato added. “Temples such as this one (were) regularly plundered, exploited as quarries with stones and marble slabs taken away to be re-used to build new homes. But Sarsina’s capitolium podium structure is practically untouched, with its entrance staircase well-preserved, and this is extremely rare.”

Gonzato believes the discovery will further research on demography and urban transformations in ancient times. And there’s more to the site than just the temple’s podium. Pirraglia said there are signs that the building was reused in medieval times. An ancient water drainage system was found alongside medieval tombs and hearths indicating that locals likely inhabited it, or used the site for other social purposes.

“This is the beauty of Italy: wherever you dig, some hidden treasure comes out of the ground. Wonders never cease to amaze us,” said Gonzato.

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Archaeologists can still decode the secrets of the past with burned prehistoric remains, but only with the help of other fields.

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Modified skulls found in an ancient burial site in Japan were deliberately reshaped in both men and women as an expression of collective identity, a new study suggests.

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Archaeologists excavating in the Juan N. Méndez Municipality, located in the in the Mexican state of Puebla, have uncovered an Olmec ceremonial centre and evidence of a possible pyramid.

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A 16th-century sugar estate on the tiny African island of São Tomé is the earliest known example of plantation slavery.

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In the depths of the dense Amazon rainforest, a hidden masterpiece of ancient artistry has come to light, shedding light on the mysteries of prehistoric life. Dubbed the "Sistine Chapel of the Ancients," this extraordinary discovery unveils an awe-inspiring gallery of ice age rock paintings, etched onto an expansive "canvas" that stretches for over 8

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A team of biological anthropologists and archaeologists from Kyushu University and the University of Montana have broken new ground in our understanding on the practice of intentional cranial modification - found in ancient civilizations worldwide.

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A new study led by archaeologist Michelle Bebber, Ph.D., an assistant professor in Kent State University's Department of Anthropology, has demonstrated that the atlatl (i.e., spear thrower) functions as an "equalizer," a finding which supports women's potential active role as prehistoric hunters.

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Ötzi, also known as the Iceman, is a naturally mummified human who lived between 3350 and 3105 BC.

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Excavations revealed three human burials, as well as ceramics and architectural structures from a settlement that existed around A.D. 450 to 650.

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A Norwegian couple made an unusual historic discovery during renovations of their home. First, they found a number of Viking-era artifacts, and then archaeologists declared that they had found a Viking grave, right there, under their floor. Experts have carried out a survey of the site and the grave is being hailed as a very significant find.

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Researchers have identified engravings in Jordan and Saudi Arabia as the oldest known scaled building plans in human history.