Archaeology
- Archaeology
Wild monkeys throw curve at stone-tool making’s origins
Monkeys that make sharp-edged stones raise questions about evolution of stone tool production.
By Bruce Bower - Tech
CT scans show first X-rayed mummy in new light
An ancient Egyptian child became the first mummy to be X-rayed in 1896. Today, CT scans reveal new insights into the child’s life — and death.
- Archaeology
Ancient Maya codex not fake, new analysis claims
New report suggests an ancient Maya text — the bark-paper Grolier Codex — could be the oldest known document in Americas.
By Bruce Bower - Archaeology
Digital rehab exposes Biblical roots of ancient Israeli scroll
Virtual unwrapping reveals Biblical text on charred remains of ancient Israeli scroll.
By Bruce Bower - Archaeology
Painting claimed to be among Australia’s oldest known rock art
A painting on a cave’s ceiling may be one of Australia’s earliest examples of rock art, according to researchers who used an ancient wasps’ nest to date the art.
By Bruce Bower - Archaeology
Oldest indigo-dyed fabric found
South American society was first known to use complex dye process on fabrics.
By Bruce Bower - Archaeology
How to get Ötzi’s look
DNA from Ötzi the Iceman’s clothes and quiver traced to both domesticated and wild animals.
By Bruce Bower - Earth
China’s mythical ‘Great Flood’ possibly rooted in real disaster
Folktales of an ancient flood that helped kick off Chinese civilization may reference a nearly 4,000-year-old deluge.
By Bruce Bower - Archaeology
Parasitic worm eggs found on Silk Road latrine artifacts
Microscopic study of latrine finds indicates disease spread along ancient Asian trade route.
By Bruce Bower - Anthropology
Two groups spread early agriculture
The Fertile Crescent was a diverse place. Multiple cultures were involved in the dawn of farming.
- Oceans
Underwater city was built by microbes, not people
Submerged stoneworklike formations near the Greek island of Zakynthos were built by methane-munching microbes, not ancient Greeks.
- Archaeology
Ancient Europeans may have been first wine makers
A new chemical analysis uncovers the earliest known wine making in Europe.
By Bruce Bower