Archaeology

Genetics

DNA from mysterious Asian mummies reveals their surprising ancestry

Ancient DNA indicates that an enigmatic Bronze Age group consisted of genetic, but not cultural, loners.

Archaeology

Lidar reveals a possible blueprint for many Olmec and Maya ceremonial sites

An Olmec site forged a building plan more than 3,000 years ago for widespread Olmec and Maya ritual centers across Mexico’s Gulf Coast.

Anthropology

Lasers reveal construction inspired by ancient Mexican pyramids in Maya ruins

Archaeologists have uncovered structures in Guatemala that are remarkably similar to La Ciudadela and its temple at the ancient city of Teotihuacan.

Archaeology

Vikings lived in North America by at least the year 1021

Wooden objects provide the most precise dating yet of a Norse settlement in Newfoundland.

Archaeology

The earliest evidence of tobacco use dates to over 12,000 years ago

Burned seeds at an archaeological site in Utah hint at tobacco’s popularity long before it was domesticated.

Archaeology

Dog DNA reveals ancient trade network connecting the Arctic to the outside world

People in Siberia were exchanging canines and probably other goods as early as 7,000 years ago with cultures as far off as Europe and the Near East.

Anthropology

‘Ghost tracks’ suggest people came to the Americas earlier than once thought

Prehistoric people’s footprints show that humans were in North America during the height of the last ice age, researchers say.

Genetics

DNA offers a new look at how Polynesia was settled

Modern genetic evidence suggests that statue builders on islands such as Rapa Nui, also known as Easter Island, had a shared ancestry.

Archaeology

Stone Age people used bone scrapers to make leather and pelts

African cave finds include remains of skinned creatures and hide scrapers made from animal ribs.

Anthropology

Ancient DNA shows the peopling of Southeast Asian islands was surprisingly complex

Ancient DNA from a hunter-gatherer skeleton points to earlier-than-expected human arrivals on Southeast Asian islands known as Wallacea.

Archaeology

A 1,000-year-old grave may have held a powerful nonbinary person

A medieval grave in Finland, once thought to maybe hold a respected woman warrior, may belong to someone who didn’t have a strictly male or female identity.

Anthropology

A skeleton from Peru vies for the title of oldest known shark attack victim

The 6,000-year-old remains of a teen with a missing leg and tell-tale bite marks came to light after news of a 3,000-year-old victim in Japan surfaced.