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All the latest news on finds, advancements, and research in archaeology and ancient history, from the No 1 Ancient History website in the world

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Top image: Auckland Island merganser. Artistic reconstruction by J. G. Keulemans from Bullers Birds of New Zealand (1888) Bullers Birds of New Zealand.                Source: Author provided/The Conversation

Extinct Duck's Ancient DNA Shows How Birds Migrated to Make New Zealand Home

By Nic Rawlence & Alexander Verry /The Conversation Ask a bird lover if they have heard of the extinct giant moa or its ancient predator, Haast’s eagle , and the answer will likely be yes. The...
The iron age lady remains found in Dorset, England, was found lying on carefully arranged animal bones.	Source: Bournemouth University

Archaeologists Discover Iron Age Murder Victim In England

Archaeologists have uncovered new information about the life and death of a young Iron Age woman in Dorset who they believe could have been murdered as a human sacrifice. By investigating the more...
AI image of Aztec cuisine with Aztec empire in the background. Source: Jeannaa/Adobe Stock

Beyond Maize: Hallucinogens and Frog Legs Defined Aztec Cuisine (Video)

The Aztec civilization , flourishing between 500-600 years ago in Central Mexico, had a rich and distinctive culinary tradition that reflected their sophisticated culture. Central to their diet were...
The ruins of an early 17th century bastle or defensible farmhouse in the Anglo-Scottish Borders as protection against Border Reivers. Source: drhfoto/Adobe Stock

The Hot Trod: A History of the Anglo-Scottish Border

Here are two peoples almost identical in blood – the same language and religion; and yet a few years of quarrelsome isolation – in comparison with the great historical cycles – have so separated...
Representational image of an ancient Roman historian. Source: Ian / Adobe Stock

Imaginary Roman Emperors Grace the Pages of the Historia Augusta

The Historia Augusta presents a carnival of outlandish stories that have puzzled historians for centuries. But these bizarre fabrications are not limited to irrelevant details. The ancient collection...
Roman armor was exceptionally well-engineered and fit for purpose, and transformed the Roman legionary into a formidable fighter. Source: Caligula10’s wife / CC BY-SA 3.0

Roman Armor, the Backbone of the Ferocious Roman Warrior

Rome created an empire that was amongst the most powerful in the ancient world. But conquering half of the known world was no easy task, and it required a capable and highly functional fighting force...
New research has thrown into doubt long-held assumptions about the origin and the gender of horse sacrifices by the last European pagans. Source: Aljabakphoto / CC BY-SA 4.0.

Europe’s Pagans Imported Horses to Sacrifice… and They Got Them From Christians

Horse sacrifices were a mainstay of pagan rituals across the Baltic. The archaeology leaves no doubt: from the 1st to 13th centuries AD this pagan belief scarcely wavered in popularity: even the loss...
Tower of London.                 Source: A.B.G./Adobe Stock

Tower of London’s Most Daring Escapes You May Not Have Known (Video)

The Tower of London , renowned for its grim history, has witnessed remarkable tales of escape, showcasing human resilience amidst oppression. John Gerrard, a Catholic priest, endured torture and...
The two bull heads guarding the tomb in Tharsa are accompanied with garlands, in an arrangement known as bucrania. Source: IHA.

2,000-Year-Old Tomb Found in Tharsa Was Guarded by Bulls

In the ancient city of Tharsa in modern day Turkey, archaeologists have discovered a 2000-year-old tomb adorned with two bull heads during excavation and cleaning efforts. Now known as Turuş Rock,...
A group in traditional medieval attire engaged in a medieval circle dance.   Source: JackF /Adobe Stock

The Multifunctional Merriment of Medieval Dance

In the often violent and gloomy medieval life, dance triumphantly emerged as a vibrant expression of joy, celebration, and social interaction. From the grand halls of noble courts to the humble...
William Shakespeare and Henry V with blue sky in background in Stratford upon Avon. Source: Paul Rushton/Adobe Stock

Henry V, the Most Capable Medieval English King?

During the 1300s AD, England was embroiled in a bitter rivalry with its neighbor across the channel, France. This generational strife saw both of these major nations vying for the ultimate power...
Painting Captives in Rome, by Charles Bartlett. Source: Public Domain

Understanding the Harsh Realities of Roman Slaves (Video)

​ The Roman slave's existence was a harrowing one, devoid of freedom or dignity. Despite the grandeur of the Roman Empire , its foundation rested upon the backs of these oppressed individuals, whose...
Analysis of several sites in Greece suggests these threshing sledges were used up to 3,000 years earlier than thought, making them amongst the first agricultural tools in Europe. Source: University of Pisa / N Mazzucco et al.

Neolithic Threshing “Sledge” was Used As Early as 8,500 Years Ago

The threshing sledge, once widely used to separate straw from grain across many Mediterranean countries from Turkey to Spain, may have originated in Greece as early as 6500 BC, according to a...
Colorized engraving depicting Sawney Bean. Source: Public Domain

Cannibalism in Scotland: The Dark Legend of Sawney Bean

Sawney Bean is a legendary figure from Scotland, who is said to have been a prolific cannibal. Together with his equally cannibalistic family, Sawney Bean murdered and robbed unfortunate victims from...
Pyramids at Caral, Supe Valley, Peru. Source: estivillml /Adobe Stock

Oldest Known Civilizations in History (Video)

​ Unveiling the tapestry of early civilizations illuminates a rich mosaic of human ingenuity and societal evolution. Amidst the Neolithic era's dawn, Catalhoyuk in modern-day Turkey stands as a...
The three tombs were all built by the same Chinese family, and while two of them had been looted the third, “M3” was intact. Source: Institute of Archaeology at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences.

Han-Dynasty Chinese Family Tombs Filled with Treasures Found

Archaeologists have discovered three remarkable Han Dynasty tombs in Rizhao, China, while construction was underway for the enlarging of a local park. The three tombs were discovered in a partially...
An archaeologist uncovers the indoor pool in the Roman villa, the first such find in the area. Source: Albania’s National Institute of Cultural Heritage / Facebook.

Unique 1,600-Year-Old Roman Indoor Pool Discovered in Albania

In the Albanian port city of Durrës, archaeologists have made a sensational discovery: a 1600-year-old Roman indoor pool, a first of its kind in the area. This find happened whilst Albanian...
Calcio match in Piazza Santa Maria Novella, in Florence. Painting by Jan Van der Straet. Source: Public Domain

Calcio Storico, The Sport of Florence That Equates to an All-out Brawl

In modern times, it is not uncommon for ancient sports to once more become popular. Often, they are long forgotten board games, or folkloric games with sticks and stones. But one Italian sport didn’t...
Reconstruction of Amenhotep II. Source: Cicero Moraes

Unveiling the Face of Amenhotep III: The 'Richest Man Who Ever Lived'

Amenhotep III, one of the greatest pharaohs of ancient Egypt, reigned during the height of Egypt's power 3,400 years ago. Known for his unparalleled wealth and grand architectural achievements,...
Aerial glimpse of AI image of Roman legions unveiled in panoramic bird's eye view. Source: Arnolt/Adobe Stock

Why the Romans Couldn’t Conquer Ireland (Video)

​ The Romans' failure to conquer Ireland can be attributed to several factors. During its expansion , Rome primarily focused on territories closer to home, gradually extending its reach across...
Oldest human viruses found in Neanderthal DNA.	 Source: IRStone/Adobe Stock

50,000-Year-Old Neanderthal Remains Reveal Oldest Human Viruses

Analysis of Neanderthal skeleton remains from 50,000 years ago found 2 years ago in Russia’s Chagyrskaya cave has revealed fascinating genetic data. Genetic material from three prevalent viruses...
The research team stands in front of the pyramid of Unas’s Valley Temple, which acted as a river harbor in antiquity. Source: Eman Ghoneim/Nature

Research Shows Egyptian Pyramids Were Built Along Lost Branch of the Nile

One of the more interesting mysteries about the Giza pyramids , the most famous and visited relics from ancient Egypt, is their location. They were not constructed near a fertile oasis or on some...
Archaeologists and first year archaeology students excavating the Medieval hall at Skipsea Castle. Source: University of York

Archaeologists Excavate Medieval Timber Hall at Historic Skipsea Site

A team of archaeologists at the University of York have returned to Skipsea in East Yorkshire to excavate the remains of a medieval timber hall uncovered near the site of a Norman castle. The...
Egyptian sarcophagus of Pharaoh Tutankhamun isolated on black background. Source: Anna/Adobe Stock

The Cursed Search For King Tut's Tomb (Video)

The quest for King Tutankhamun's tomb stands as a pivotal moment in archaeological history, unraveling mysteries of an ancient civilization buried beneath the sands of time. Initially, the unearthing...

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