discoveries

Archaeologists Have Uncovered History’s Oldest Known Alphabetic Writing On Cylinders Found In A 4,400-Year-Old Syrian Tomb

During a 16-year archaeological excavation at Tell Umm-el Marra, researchers from Johns Hopkins University uncovered four clay cylinders featuring what appears to be the first alphabetic writing in history.

By Austin Harvey • Nov 26, 2024

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Archaeologists Have Uncovered History’s Oldest Known Alphabetic Writing On Cylinders Found In A 4,400-Year-Old Syrian Tomb

During a 16-year archaeological excavation at Tell Umm-el Marra, researchers from Johns Hopkins University uncovered four clay cylinders featuring what appears to be the first alphabetic writing in history.

By Austin Harvey • November 26, 2024

Archaeologists Discover A 65,000-Year-Old Neanderthal ‘Tar Factory’ In A Cave In Gibraltar

A small hearth uncovered in Vanguard Cave in Gibraltar was likely part of an intricate system in which Neanderthals carefully heated rockrose leaves to extract a sticky tar they used to make weapons and tools.

By Amber Morgan • Nov 25, 2024

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Archaeologists Discover A 65,000-Year-Old Neanderthal ‘Tar Factory’ In A Cave In Gibraltar

A small hearth uncovered in Vanguard Cave in Gibraltar was likely part of an intricate system in which Neanderthals carefully heated rockrose leaves to extract a sticky tar they used to make weapons and tools.

By Amber Morgan • November 25, 2024

Archaeologists Discover 4,000-Year-Old Canals Used To Catch Fish By Pre-Maya Peoples In Belize

Researchers have long theorized that agriculture was the main stepping stone toward civilization in ancient Mesoamerica — but this recent discovery in Belize might rewrite that history.

By Kaleena Fraga • Nov 25, 2024

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Archaeologists Discover 4,000-Year-Old Canals Used To Catch Fish By Pre-Maya Peoples In Belize

Researchers have long theorized that agriculture was the main stepping stone toward civilization in ancient Mesoamerica — but this recent discovery in Belize might rewrite that history.

By Kaleena Fraga • November 25, 2024

This Old Coin Found In An Antique Cabinet Turned Out To Be A Rare 1652 Boston Threepence — And It Just Sold For $2.5 Million

Minted for just a few months in 1652, these threepence coins have been collectors' items for centuries, and this one has just set the record for most valuable coin produced before the American Revolution.

By Austin Harvey • Nov 22, 2024

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This Old Coin Found In An Antique Cabinet Turned Out To Be A Rare 1652 Boston Threepence — And It Just Sold For $2.5 Million

Minted for just a few months in 1652, these threepence coins have been collectors' items for centuries, and this one has just set the record for most valuable coin produced before the American Revolution.

By Austin Harvey • November 22, 2024

Babies In Ancient Ecuador Were Buried With Helmets Made From Skulls — Of Other Children

"I do wonder if it has something to do with rebirth, and if these children could have been important symbols of that."

By Marco Margaritoff • Nov 22, 2024

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Babies In Ancient Ecuador Were Buried With Helmets Made From Skulls — Of Other Children

"I do wonder if it has something to do with rebirth, and if these children could have been important symbols of that."

By Marco Margaritoff • November 22, 2024

New Research Reveals Volcanoes Once Erupted On The Dark Side Of The Moon

Analysis of the first lunar soil samples from the far side of the Moon revealed volcanic eruptions were taking place there 2.8 billion years ago — more recently than initially believed.

By Austin Harvey • Nov 21, 2024

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New Research Reveals Volcanoes Once Erupted On The Dark Side Of The Moon

Analysis of the first lunar soil samples from the far side of the Moon revealed volcanic eruptions were taking place there 2.8 billion years ago — more recently than initially believed.

By Austin Harvey • November 21, 2024

2,000-Year-Old Fig Found North Of Dublin Expands Experts’ Understanding Of Ancient Trade Between Rome And Ireland

Though the Roman Empire did not extend into Ireland, this charred fig provides a clear sign that Roman culture and trade did make their way to the Emerald Isle.

By Kaleena Fraga • Nov 21, 2024

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2,000-Year-Old Fig Found North Of Dublin Expands Experts’ Understanding Of Ancient Trade Between Rome And Ireland

Though the Roman Empire did not extend into Ireland, this charred fig provides a clear sign that Roman culture and trade did make their way to the Emerald Isle.

By Kaleena Fraga • November 21, 2024

37,000-Year-Old Saber-Toothed Kitten Found Naturally Mummified In Eastern Siberia

This remarkably well-preserved specimen is the first mummy of a saber-toothed cat ever discovered, and it's providing groundbreaking insight into what the species actually looked like.

By Kaleena Fraga • Nov 20, 2024

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37,000-Year-Old Saber-Toothed Kitten Found Naturally Mummified In Eastern Siberia

This remarkably well-preserved specimen is the first mummy of a saber-toothed cat ever discovered, and it's providing groundbreaking insight into what the species actually looked like.

By Kaleena Fraga • November 20, 2024

2,000-Year-Old Roman Knife Handle Depicting A Gladiator Unearthed In Perfect Condition Near Hadrian’s Wall

Archaeologists excavating in northern England discovered a rare knife handle depicting a gladiator, revealing the reach of Roman celebrity culture across the empire.

By Amber Morgan • Nov 20, 2024

News

2,000-Year-Old Roman Knife Handle Depicting A Gladiator Unearthed In Perfect Condition Near Hadrian’s Wall

Archaeologists excavating in northern England discovered a rare knife handle depicting a gladiator, revealing the reach of Roman celebrity culture across the empire.

By Amber Morgan • November 20, 2024

Scientists Use Brain Scans To Uncover Why The Sound Of The Aztec Death Whistle Was So Terrifying

Researchers discovered that the sound of the Aztec death whistle lies in an auditory version of the uncanny valley in which the listener can't quite tell whether its shriek is human or not.

By Austin Harvey • Nov 19, 2024

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Scientists Use Brain Scans To Uncover Why The Sound Of The Aztec Death Whistle Was So Terrifying

Researchers discovered that the sound of the Aztec death whistle lies in an auditory version of the uncanny valley in which the listener can't quite tell whether its shriek is human or not.

By Austin Harvey • November 19, 2024