Archaeology

Ecosystems

If you think the Amazon jungle is completely wild, think again

Ancient Amazonians partly or fully domesticated fruit and nut trees that still dominate some forests.

Archaeology

Cow carved in stone paints picture of Europe’s early human culture

Stone Age engraving helps to illuminate European travels of an ancient human culture.

Archaeology

Iron Age secrets exhumed from riches-filled crypt

Wealthy woman’s 2,600-year-old grave highlights Central Europe’s early Iron Age links to Mediterranean societies.

Archaeology

Real-life adventure tale details search for legendary city

"The Lost City of the Monkey God" recounts archaeological expedition to uncover truth behind Honduras’ “White City" myth.

Archaeology

Hunter-gatherers were possibly first to call Tibetan Plateau home

Hunter-gatherers may have been Asia’s first year-round, high-altitude settlers.

Archaeology

Ancient Egyptian pot burials were not just for the poor

In ancient Egypt, using pots for burial containers was a symbolic choice, not a last resort, archaeologists say.

Genetics

Year in review: How humans populated the globe

DNA studies put new twists on timing of ancient human migrations – but genetics alone are not enough to tell the full story.

Oceans

Readers contemplate corals and more

Coral engineering, ancient almanacs and more in reader feedback.

Archaeology

Ancient cemetery provides peek into Philistines’ lives, health

Burial site offers new look at Israelites’ mysterious enemies.

Archaeology

Glassmaking may have begun in Egypt, not Mesopotamia

Ancient Mesopotamians lagged behind Egyptians as glassmakers.

Archaeology

For some early monks, impaired hearing amplified sounds of silence

Middle-ear ailments probably had little impact on early Christian monks’ lives.

Humans

Oldest alphabet identified as Hebrew

Contested study indicates ancient Israelites developed first alphabet from Egyptian hieroglyphics.