The cryptic burial customs of Neolithic Europe have long intrigued scholars, but a recent breakthrough study unveils a disturbing revelation: the prevalence of ritualistic sacrifices employing the method known as "incaprettamento." Diving into this macabre discovery offers a fascinating glimpse into the complex tapestry of ancient civilizations and their enigmatic relationship with death. Unraveling the Grisly Past In a seminal investigation published in Science Advances1, a team led by biological anthropologist Eric Crubézy of Paul Sabatier University, France, delves into the depths of prehis ..read more

For eons, ancient human ancestors frequented specific stone quarries, leaving behind a legacy of stone tools and offerings. But why did they choose these particular sites? Professor Ran Barkai and his team from Tel Aviv University have uncovered1 the long-hidden secret behind this ancient practice. Deciphering Ancient Riddles Professor Barkai poses the fundamental question: "Why do we find rock outcrops surrounded by thousands of stone tools, while adjacent sites remain untouched?" The answer, it seems, lies in the profound connection between humans, stone, and sacred space. Ancient humans ..read more

For centuries, the enigmatic allure of Indigenous Australian message sticks has captivated scholars and enthusiasts alike. These intricate wooden artifacts, etched with symbols and patterns, represent far more than mere mnemonic aids; they are windows into the sophisticated communication systems of Australia's First Nations peoples. Now, pioneering research1 led by Dr. Piers Kelly and his team at The University of New England sheds light on the intricate web of meanings embedded within these humble sticks, unveiling the Australian Message Stick Database (AMSD) – a groundbreaking repository of ..read more

Our understanding of ancient human-animal relationships has taken an intriguing turn with recent archaeological findings suggesting that foxes may have been more than just wild animals to our ancestors. Dr. Ophélie Lebrasseur of the University of Oxford remarks, "This is a very rare find of having this fox that appears to have had such a close bond with individuals from the hunter-gatherer society." In Patagonia, Argentina, researchers1 uncovered a remarkable burial: a fox interred alongside a human, dating back 1,500 years. The analysis indicates that the fox shared meals with prehistoric h ..read more

For millennia, Europe's hunter-gatherers thrived across the continent, but their enigmatic disappearance remains shrouded in mystery. While the exact reasons elude researchers, the rise of farming likely played a pivotal role in their demise. Paleolithic art adorns the walls of Lascaux Cave in southwest France.Photograph by Cotton Coulson, Nat Geo Image Collection The Enigma Unveiled: Hunter-Gatherers in Europe Europe's ancient past echoes with the footsteps of hunter-gatherer societies that once roamed the landscape. These diverse populations, spanning different cultures and epochs, sustain ..read more

Unveiling a Mysterious Relic In a groundbreaking discovery, archaeologists from the Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA) have unearthed a remarkable artifact near Be'er Sheva—a jar made of elephant ivory ritually buried over 6,000 years ago. This intriguing finding, uncovered during excavations at Horvat Raqiq, offers a tantalizing glimpse into the cultural dynamics of Chalcolithic Israel and its connections to ancient Egypt. The uncommon ivory vessel found in southern Israel prompts questions about its relevance to the cultural ties between ancient Israel and Egypt over 6,000 years ago. Credi ..read more

In the rugged terrain of Paraíba, Brazil, lies a site of immense archaeological significance – Serrote do Letreiro. Here, etched into the stone, are enigmatic carvings that hint at a profound connection between prehistoric humans and the ancient creatures that once roamed the Earth. Recent studies1 have unearthed a fascinating revelation: petroglyphs adorning the rock face, intricately intertwined with the fossilized footprints of dinosaurs. At the Serrote do Letreiro site in Paraíba, Brazil, intricate petroglyphs adorn the rocky surface alongside sauropod dinosaur footprints. These carvings ..read more

Anthropologists at the Université de Montréal and the University of Genoa have unearthed a significant archaeological find on Jiigurru (Lizard Island) off the Cape York Peninsula. The discovery challenges existing perceptions of Aboriginal technological capabilities, shedding new light on ancient Indigenous cultures. The research, published in Quaternary Science Reviews1, describes the discovery of nearly 100 pottery fragments, some dating back up to 3,000 years. This unprecedented find suggests a rich pottery tradition among Aboriginal peoples predating European contact. Initially met with sk ..read more

In a seminal study recently published in the Journal of Archaeological Method and Theory1, a team of researchers from Université de Montréal and the University of Genoa embarked on a journey to unravel the intricacies of spatial organization among Neanderthals and Homo sapiens. Their investigation, centered on the Riparo Bombrini site in northwestern Italy, offers compelling insights into the ways these ancient populations structured their living environments, challenging prevailing perceptions of Neanderthal cognitive abilities and social dynamics. Led by doctoral student Amélie Vallerand, th ..read more

The Blackfoot Confederacy, steadfast guardians of their ancestral territories and water resources, has long navigated the complexities of protecting their cultural heritage amidst encroachments from modern society. Rooted in rich oral traditions and supported by archaeological findings, the Blackfoot people have steadfastly asserted their enduring presence in North America for over 10,000 years. A groundbreaking study, published last week in Science Advances1, adds a new dimension to this narrative. Through the meticulous analysis of historic and contemporary genomes, researchers have unearthe ..read more