Archaeology

Climate

The loss of ‘eternal ice’ threatens Mongolian reindeer herders’ way of life

Mongolian reindeer herders help scientists piece together the loss of the region’s vital “eternal ice” patches.

Archaeology

A toe bone hints that Neandertals used eagle talons as jewelry

An ancient eagle toe bone elevates the case for the use of symbolic bird-of-prey pendants among Neandertals, researchers say.

Humans

Humans’ maternal ancestors may have arisen 200,000 years ago in southern Africa

New DNA findings on humankind’s maternal roots don’t offer a complete picture of how and when Homo sapiens emerged.

Humans

Dating questions challenge whether Neandertals drew Spanish cave art

A method used to date cave paintings in Spain may have overestimated the art’s age by thousands of years, putting its creation after Neandertal times.

Humans

Quarrying stone for Easter Island statues made soil more fertile for farming

Easter Island’s Polynesian society grew crops in soil made especially fertile by the quarrying of rock for large, humanlike statues, a study suggests.

Archaeology

Ancient European households combined the rich and poor

Homes combined “haves” and “have-nots” in a male-run system, suggests a study that challenges traditional views of ancient social stratification.

Archaeology

Baby bottles may go back millennia in Europe

Europe’s early farmers used spouted vessels to wean infants, an analysis of residue from animal milk left in the containers suggests.

Humans

An island grave site hints at far-flung ties among ancient Americans

Great Lakes and southeastern coastal hunter-gatherers had direct contact around 4,000 years ago, a study suggests.

Humans

The longest Dead Sea Scroll sports a salt finish that the others lack

A newly discovered salty lamination on the Temple Scroll could help explain why the ancient manuscript’s parchment is remarkably bright.

Humans

DNA indicates how ancient migrations shaped South Asian languages and farming

Farming in the region may have sprung up locally, while herders from afar sparked language changes.

Humans

Stone tools may place some of the first Americans in Idaho 16,500 years ago

Newly discovered stone artifacts support the idea that North America’s first settlers traveled down the Pacific coast and then turned eastward.

Humans

Textile archaeologists use ancient tools to weave a tapestry of the past

Using tools leftover from ancient spindles and looms, textile archaeologists are starting to understand the fabrics of the past.