Items ranging from those left over at a modern-day campsite to the remains of an ancient tomb are at the heart of archaeology. This branch of science seeks to study humanity through material evidence, including artifacts and human remains. These resources will help you to better understand this ever-growing field and its implications for future generations.
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How old is the item in the photo? According to the MET, it dates back to the 3rd to 5th century. Archaeologists don't just file artifacts under generic time frames such as "ancient" or "super old." They're often able to pinpoint the era or century...
Human sacrifice appears in cultures around the globe. But how do we know that to be true? Scientists can tell the difference between ritual sacrifice and mass graves better explained by war and political instability. Learn how in this article about...
Archaeologists spend their days slowly uncovering buried artifacts, but how do they know where to look in the first place? New tech and old-fashioned shoe leather. Watch this five-minute video to learn more.
Avid fans of archaeology can sometimes fall prey to unsubstantiated claims like "aliens built the pyramids," provocative, dubious theories which fall under the category of pseudo-archaeology. Many of these claims are premised on hidden biases toward non-Western cultural heritages. This professor explores the hidden contours of pseudo-archaeology in this 12-minute TED talk.
Archaeologists reconstruct the history of previous civilizations. Researchers in the new field of galactic archaeology have even greater ambitions: They intend to reconstruct the history of the whole Milky Way. Broadly speaking, the Milky Way galaxy is roughly 13.6 billion years old, with its first stars very large but short lived. Over time, our galaxy became a mix of young and old stars—studying them provides details into how our universe unfolded. This article explores the work of galactic archaeologists and the tools they use to explore the evolution of the galaxy.
Nestled under archaeology lies bioarchaeology, which involves the study of bones, human or animal. This subfield recently birthed another field of study: paleo-oncology. Paleo-oncology looks for cancer and related biomarkers in bioarchaeological remains. This TED article explains how this nascent multidisciplinary field challenges the idea that cancer is modern.
If you are up-to-date on your Jurassic Park lore, then you likely already know the answer to this question. But for those of us who didn't delve into the world in dinosaurs, it's easy to assume that professionals who study old stuff likely study the remains of what came before us, right? Find out in this article by the Society for American Archaeology.
Archaeologists in Bolivia have uncovered an ancient bag filled with "amazing goodies" that suggests the owner or owners were well-versed in the properties of psychoactive substances and sourced goods from well-established trade routes. This article details the findings, which shed light on how ancient peoples in the region consumed and obtained psychoactive substances.
This article details the search for the ancient origins of glass, a now-common item through which archaeologists can spot histories of trade and innovation. Bronze Age glass was made from crushed quartz instead of sand, and artisans could color glass with materials such as cobalt. These trace metallic add-ons have given scientists a vital clue into the origins of glass, which is currently debated as either Egypt or the Near East.
Ancient civilizations were found across the globe, though modern media may lead some to believe that ancient societies were limited to Egypt and Rome. This interactive map and timeline show viewers the location of ancient civilizations, starting from about 6,500 BCE. Map users can click on the names of societies and archaeological to access articles about the cultures and findings. One such entry details the Altamira, a prehistoric cave dating back to the Paleolithic Period that holds a wealth of archaeological evidence, including cave paintings and objects made of flint, bone, and horn.
Weave together the many narratives of world history with our highly curated and expanding selection of diverse, fascinating resources designed to showcase the breadth and richness of Earth's story, from the earliest traces of human civilization to the dramatic developments of contemporary cultures.