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History & Archaeology

We bring you all the latest historical news and archaeological discoveries relating to ancient human history. Read more history news from around the world here at Ancient Origins.

Shaanxi - 80 Skulls found

Archaeologists make grisly discovery of 80 skulls in China's largest neolithic city

Yesterday we reported on the discovery of two massive beacon towers in China’s largest discovered Neolithic city called the Shimao ruins in Shaanxi Province. Now, archaeologists have made another...
Terracotta Warriors

Terracotta Army weapons were immensely powerful

In 1974, one of the most important archaeological discoveries in the world took place when more than 8000 life-size clay warriors were uncovered in Xi’an, China. They have become known as the ‘...
Ancient Swedish cult Figurines

1,400-year-old figurines may be evidence of ancient Swedish cult

Archaeologists have uncovered a treasure trove of hand-carved figurines in the quiet village of Vang in Blekinge, Sweden, suggesting the region was once home to an Iron Age cult. The research team...
4,000-Year-Old Fortifications of Stone Age city - Shina

4,000-Year-Old Fortifications of Stone Age city discovered in China

Chinese archaeologists have uncovered fortifications surrounding the Shimao ruins – the largest Neolithic Chinese city ever discovered – including two huge beacon towers. The Shimao ruins , located...
Seals and Amulets in Turkey

More than 600 Ancient Seals and Amulets Found

Archaeologists have uncovered an unusually large quantity of amulets, stamp seals and cylinder seals in an ancient sanctuary in Turkey, which date back from the 7 th to the 4 th centuries BC. The...
Chachapoyas Sarcophagi

Archaeologists may have found children’s cemetery belonging to ‘Warriors of the Clouds’

Last week we reported on the unique culture of the Chachapoyan people, a society of Andean people living in the cloud forests of the Amazonas region of present day Peru, otherwise known as the ‘...
Israel Cult Temple

10,000-Year-Old House and Cult Temple Found in Israel

Archaeologists made an incredible discovery at a construction site in Israel when they unearthed the oldest dwelling to date in the Judean Shephalah , along with a “cultic” temple, and a number of...
Birthplace of Buddha

Incredible Discovery Reveals Birthplace of Buddha

In what will become one of the most significant discoveries in Nepal in decades, archaeologists have found the birthplace of Buddha and therefore the origins of Buddhism. This is the first ever...
Papua New Guinea phallus artefacts

6,000-year-old carved phallus artefacts found in Papua New Guinea

Archaeologists in Papua New Guinea have made a rare discovery – six ceremonial tools carved out of volcanic black glass , which date back around 6,000 years. However more significantly, the artefacts...
Woman Priesthood

Vatican says evidence of female priesthood in early Christianity is “fairy tale”

In a claim that the Vatican has brushed off as a “fairy tale”, proponents of female priesthood say that the newly restored Catacombs of Priscilla in Rome provide undeniable proof that there were...
God of Death Shrine

God of Death Shrine Unearthed in Mexico

In a discovery that would send shivers up your spine, archaeologists from Mexico’s National Institute of Anthropology and History have discovered the first ever shrine dedicated to Mictlantecuhtli,...
Gate to Hell - Cerberus

The Discovery of the Gate to Hell Guardians

In March last year, a group of archaeologists in Turkey made a spectacular discovery – the Gate to Hell , also known as Pluto's Gate, which was known in Greco-Roman mythology and tradition as the...
Peru Human Sacrifices

New Evidence Suggest Ancient Peruvians Slaughtered War Captives

A new study published in the Journal of Archaeological Science has revealed that the ancient Moche civilization regularly engaged in the ritual killing of war prisoners who were killed, displayed,...
Stonehenge

Scientists find origin of Stonehenge stones

A team of geologists in Wales have conducted a study which has identified the source of the stones used to build Stonehenge and their results conflict with the location that has been believed to be...
Mummified meat

Mummified Meat Left for Egyptian Royals after Death

Everyone has heard about King Tutankhamun, but how many knew that he was buried with 48 cases of beef and poultry? Those responsible for preparing Tutankhamun’s burial had to make sure, of course,...
Prehistoric Man - Haifa Israel

Prehistoric man in Israel held ritual meals to honour the dead

A new study published in the Journal of Anthropological Archaeology has found evidence that prehistoric man who lived in the Carmel Mountains region in Haifa, Israel, held ritual meals following the...

Archaeologists Uncover Tomb of Tyrannical Chinese Emperor

Archaeologists in China have discovered the tomb of Emperor Yang Guang , one of the most famous and tyrannical emperor’s in Chinese history, who is known to have brought the Sui Dynasty (581 – 618 AD...
Nazca Lines

Invaders are destroying the incredible Nazca lines of Peru

The incredible Nazca lines in Peru are under threat of destruction after a group of ‘invasores’ (invaders) have taken possession of two large tracts of land in the protected area. Already several...
Peru Purunmachu

The Sentinel Sarcophagi of the Warriors of the Clouds

In 1928, a powerful earthquake shook the hills surrounding the Utcubamba valley in Peru, revealing a seven foot tall clay statue, which came crashing down from the cliffside. Researchers were stunned...
Dog Domestication

Study sheds new light on the origins of dogs

Dog domestication is not something new. According to a new DNA analysis , dog domestication has been shown to date back at least 30,000 years. The samples came from a diverse range of fossils from a...
Ancient Mesopotamia Amulet

Ancient Mesopotamian Amulet found in Oman

An ancient amulet inscribed with cuneiform writing and dating back to the Mesopotamian civilization has been found during excavations in Dibbia, Musandam in Oman. It has been reported in the times of...
Ancient Egyptians trading Nicotine

Did Ancient Egyptians Trade Nicotine and Cocaine With the New World?

It has long been said that Christopher Columbus was not the first foreigner to step foot in the Americas by the time he reached there in 1492. Among the theories put forward is that the Vikings,...
Ancient Greek Manuscript

Ancient philosophical writings found hidden beneath a medieval text

A group of scientists and historians have made an incredible discovery relating to some writings made on parchments that were produced in medieval times. Using cutting-edge technology, the...
Roman Portus

Archaeologists Discover Why Romans Tore Down their own Imperial Palace

Portus was once a mighty port where 350 ships could dock at a time, supplying the Roman Empire with grain, wine, oil, slaves and luxurious goods from all around the world. The site also boasted an...

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