Delve into the ever-evolving tapestry of human history! This page curates the latest archaeological and historical discoveries, offering a window into the captivating stories of our ancestors. From groundbreaking finds at Pompeii to the identification of humankind’s newest relative, we’ll keep you informed on the latest scientific advancements that are rewriting our understanding of the ancient world. This page caters to seasoned archaeologists, history buffs, and curious minds alike!
2024
August
‘Stunning’ burial chamber unearthed on DartmoorLast meal of crocodile mummified in ancient Egypt revealed in CT scans 3,000 years laterPrehistoric settlement uncovered at new prison sitePompeii victims died in ‘extreme agony,’ 2 newfound skeletons reveal3,000-year-old goddess figurine found in an Italian lake still bears the handprints of its makerRare Roman-era silver ingots depicting Constantine the Great seized from alleged black-market saleFamous Stonehenge stone came from Scotland not WalesHidden mosaic discovered at Roman siteBeer and salt among Roman ‘mega-industries’‘Lord, make them die an awful death’: Prisoner’s dark pleas found etched into Roman-era prisonRoman shrine found by hillfort archaeologistsJerusalem’s Second Temple was built with gigantic stone blocks — now we think we know where they came fromWorld’s oldest calendar found at 13,000-year-old temple in Turkey‘Amazing discovery’ that helped build Roman BritainAncient Greek mosaic depicting two naked satyrs unearthed during construction project‘A king will die’: 4,000-year-old lunar eclipse omen tablets finally decipheredDig sheds light on Roman history of townNew find hints Wales fully integrated into Roman BritainPot overflowing with gold coins discovered in ancient Greek city in Turkey‘Screaming Woman’ mummy suffered a painful death in ancient Egypt, virtual autopsy finds
July
3,600-year-old jewelry and weapon hoard found under field in Czech Republic3,500-year-old tablet in Turkey turns out to be a shopping listThe female travellers who shaped the ancient worldIdentity of 2,200-year-old skeleton in ‘Tomb of Cerberus’ is a mysteryStunning ancient Egyptian artifacts discovered in more than 60 burials, including ‘ba-birds’ and ‘eye of Horus’Lasers reveal Roman-era circus in Spain where 5,000 spectators watched horse-drawn chariot races1,800-year-old ring depicting Roman goddess discovered by ancient quarry in IsraelRock carvings of ancient Egyptian pharaohs found underwater near AswanFamous Taung Child fossil from South Africa is 2.58 million years old, new study findsStunning Tang dynasty mural in tomb unearthed in China may portray a ‘Westerner’ man with blond hairMysterious Maya underground structure unearthed in MexicoRemains of hundreds of 7,000-year-old ‘standing stone circles’ discovered in Saudi ArabiaSite of epic ‘clash’ between Spartacus and Romans uncoveredAncient stone circles in Norway were hiding a dark secret: dozens of children’s gravesRoman emperor Caligula’s 2,000-year-old garden unearthed near the Vatican5,000-year-old ceremonial temple discovered beneath sand dune in PeruEvidence of Roman villas found in surveyMissing pieces of 6th-century Byzantine bucket finally found at Sutton Hoo6,000-year-old burial mound in Czech Republic may be one of earliest funeral monuments ever found in Europe51,000-year-old Indonesian cave painting may be the world’s oldest storytelling art4,000-year-old rock art in Venezuela may be from a ‘previously unknown’ culture12,000-year-old Aboriginal sticks may be evidence of the oldest known culturally transmitted ritual in the world
June
2,000 years ago, a bridge in Switzerland collapsed on top of Celtic sacrifice victims, new study suggestsNeanderthals cared for 6-year-old with Down syndrome, fossil find reveals2,000-year-old funerary urn found in Spain contains the world’s oldest known liquid wineViking Age ship burial may be hiding beneath Norwegian farm, iron rivets hintAncient Egyptian ‘office workers’ had terrible posture just like us, disfigured skeletons reveal‘Exceptional’ discovery reveals more than 30 ancient Egyptian tombs built into hillside2,000-year-old Roman military sandal with nails for traction found in Germany1,600-year-old coin discovered in Channel Islands features Roman emperor killed by invading GothsLong-lost Assyrian military camp devastated by ‘the angel of the Lord’ finally found, scientist claimsNewly deciphered papyrus describes ‘miracle’ performed by 5-year-old Jesus1,700-year-old ’emergency hoard’ of coins dates to last revolt of Jews against Roman ruleSkeletons of Incan kids buried 500 years ago found marred with smallpox2,500-year-old slate containing drawings of battle scenes and paleo-alphabet discovered in SpainAncient settlement unearthed at housing developmentMysterious 4,000-year-old ‘palace’ with maze-like walls found on Greek island of Crete1,600-year-old Hun burial in Poland contains 2 boys, including one with a deformed skullMore than 100 Maya boys — some as young as 3 — were sacrificed and buried in a pit in Chichen Itza, DNA study reveals4,000-year-old ‘Seahenge’ in UK was built to ‘extend summer,’ archaeologist suggestsEvidence of more than 200 survivors of Mount Vesuvius eruption discovered in ancient Roman recordsPipe dig reveals Roman and Bronze Age settlementsViking Age ‘treasure’ discovered by metal detectorist on Isle of ManNeanderthals and humans interbred 47,000 years ago for nearly 7,000 years, research suggestsHumans didn’t domesticate horses until 4,200 years ago — a millennium later than thought‘The blade of the sword was still sharp’: Lost metal detectorist discovers Bronze Age sword and ax in UK4,000-year-old rock art of boats and cattle unearthed in Sudan paint a picture of a green SaharaPart of Iron Age round house found in AlderneyViking sword with ‘very rare’ inscription discovered on family farm in Norway2,000-year-old rock art, including nearly 140-foot-long snake, may mark ancient territories in Colombia, VenezuelaEarly Celtic elites inherited power through maternal lines, ancient DNA reveals3,500-year-old rock art of wild sheep and double-humped camels revealed in Kazakhstan
May
28 ‘carefully placed’ horses in ancient burial in France may have been part of a sacrificial ritual2,000-year-old gold jewelry from mysterious culture discovered in KazakhstanAncient Egyptians tried to treat cancer 4,000 years ago, cut-marked skull indicatesRamesses II’s sarcophagus finally identified thanks to overlooked hieroglyphicsFBI investigating missing ancient treasures from British MuseumRoman settlement discovered at warehouse siteRoman oyster ‘processing site’ discovered on banks of HumberAustrian man discovers mammoth bones in wine cellar6,800-year-old burial of Neolithic ‘mayor’ unearthed in BavariaHuman sacrifice evidence in Iron Age bones, say Bournemouth researchers‘It was not a peaceful crossing’: Hannibal’s troops linked to devastating fire 2,200 years ago in SpainScientists may have solved mystery behind Egypt’s pyramidsStone with 1,600-year-old Irish inscription found in English gardenRoman ‘service station’ found by archaeologistsRoman-era skeletons buried in embrace, on top of a horse, weren’t lovers, DNA analysis showsRemains of vast 7,000-year-old farming settlement found in a ‘huge void’ in Serbia2,500-year-old Illyrian helmet found in burial mound likely caused ‘awe in the enemy’Roman cupid figurine among items unearthed near new road1,900-year-old Roman legionary fortress unearthed next to UK cathedralIron Age necropolis that predates Rome unearthed near NaplesKey events in the Bible, such as the settlement and destruction of Jerusalem, confirmed using radiocarbon dating3,500-year-old ‘rest house’ used by ancient Egyptian army discovered in Sinai desert1,700-year-old Roman shipwreck was stuffed to the gills with fish sauce when it sankNeanderthal woman’s face brought to life in stunning reconstruction
April
Villa near Mount Vesuvius may be where Augustus, Rome’s 1st emperor, died32 times lasers revealed hidden forts and settlements from centuries agoTraces of hallucinogenic plants and chile peppers found at Maya ball court suggest rituals took place there1,430 ancient Roman graves scattered with funerary festival leftovers unearthed in southern FranceLavish 2,200-year-old tomb unearthed in China may be that of ancient kingLasers reveal prehistoric Irish monuments that may have been ‘pathways for the dead’Plato’s burial place finally revealed after AI deciphers ancient scroll carbonized in Mount Vesuvius eruptionDNA analysis spanning 9 generations of people reveals marriage practices of mysterious warrior culture‘I nearly fell out of my chair’: 1,800-year-old mini portrait of Alexander the Great found in a field in DenmarkHistoric Roman house set to reopen to public1,700-year-old Roman ruins discovered atop much older Neolithic sacred springAncient artists high on hallucinogens may have carved dancer rock art in PeruMaya ruler burned bodies of old dynasty during regime change, charred human remains reveal2,500-year-old skeletons with legs chopped off may be elites who received ‘cruel’ punishment in ancient ChinaAncient henge discovered near Crowland AbbeyStonehenge research explores possible Moon connectionLeeds: Roman coffin unearthed at Garforth to be displayed for the first timePompeii: Breathtaking new paintings found at ancient cityLeicester: New Roman museum set to open ‘early next year’Neolithic women in Europe were tied up and buried alive in ritual sacrifices, study suggestsWas an extinct fox once man’s best friend?Anglo-Saxon pottery found where homes will be builtViking Age women with cone-shaped skulls likely learned head-binding practice from far-flung region8,200-year-old campsite of ‘Paleo-Archaic’ peoples discovered on US Air Force base in New MexicoLow tides reveal Bronze Age fortress that likely defended against Irish mainland‘Remarkable’ Roman villa discovered at Grove housing siteEarly humans lived on ‘Persian plateau’ for 20,000 years after leaving Africa, study suggests1,700-year-old Roman fort discovered in Germany was built to keep out barbarians‘Extraordinary’ Viking combs reveal Ipswich’s medieval importanceAncient quarries in Israel reveal where Homo erectus hunted and butchered elephants
March
Unlocking the secrets of the ‘bling’ Roman helmet found in a fieldWhat do terracotta warriors tell us about life in ancient China?‘Richly decorated’ Roman villa with ‘curse tablets’ and tiny axes unearthed in EnglandÖtzi the Iceman used surprisingly modern technique for his tattoos 5,300 years ago, study suggestsPrehistoric human remains found in East YorkshireCenturies-old Aztec texts detail history of their capital, conquests and fall to the SpanishUnique Roman helmet found in Leicestershire field on display again4,300-year-old Egyptian tomb with stunning wall paintings was burial place of priestess and royal officialAncient Chinese burials with swords and chariot cast light on violent ‘Warring States’ periodGordion: A lost city of legends in central Turkey7,000-year-old canoes from Italy are the oldest ever found in the MediterraneanMust Farm archaeologist excited by finds at ‘UK’s Pompeii’‘Astonishing’ Neolithic burial containing a human, cattle and chariot discovered in Germany2,000-year-old carvings of celestial bodies and animals discovered on rocky cliffs in BrazilDozens of Neolithic burials and ‘sacrificed’ urns and ax discovered in FranceWorld’s oldest known lipstick traced back 5,000 years3,300-year-old tablet from mysterious Hittite Empire describes catastrophic invasion of four citiesArchaeologists find top half of giant Ramesses II statue, completing a century-long puzzleThe 160-year mystery of Europe’s Ice Age ‘queens’Sutton Hoo to have fresh dig exploring ‘mysterious features’1,900-year-old coins from Jewish revolt against the Romans discovered in the Judaen desert1,100-year-old Viking sword pulled from UK river by magnet fisherAncient humans used cave in Spain as burial spot for 4 millennia, 7,000 bones revealWomen who helped unearth Roman town celebrated1,200-year-old lord’s tomb laden with gold unearthed in PanamaAncient treasures found on A66 dig1,500-year-old burial with stacked bones discovered during sewer system dig in MexicoRemains of 7th-century Saxon town discovered under central London4,000-year-old copper dagger unearthed by metal detectorist in PolandArchaeologists unearth Anglo-Saxon oven and building
February
Items used by Roman cavalry and other treasures unearthed by metal detectorist in WalesCopper Age necropolis unearthed in Italy contains skeletal remains and still-sharp weapons, maybe from ancient warriorsSmallhythe Place: Rare Roman head of Mercury found during digCampaign to protect Roman site gets boost from TV’s Mary BeardAfghanistan: Archaeological sites ‘bulldozed for looting’‘Completely surreal’: Metal detectorist unearths 1,500-year-old gold ring in DenmarkAncient language found on 2,100-year-old bronze hand may be related to BasqueStar Carr Stone Age treasures to go on display1,800-year-old Roman tombs in Bulgaria included medallion featuring an emperor and glass bottles for collecting mourners’ tearsWittenham Clumps artefacts on display for the first time‘Beautifully preserved,’ 3,000-year-old gold clasp unearthed by metal detectorist in UKStunning rock art site reveals that humans settled the Colombian Amazon 13,000 years agoHistorical 10,000BC artefacts found on road project1,800-year-old ‘Iron Legion’ Roman base discovered near ‘Armageddon’ is largest in IsraelSkull of Neolithic ‘bog body’ from Denmark was smashed by 8 heavy blows in violent murder11,000-year-old submerged stone wall discovered off Germany was once used to trap reindeerAncient tomb really does hold Alexander the Great’s father, controversial study claimsAylesbury Roman egg with contents a ‘world first’, say scientists3,500-year-old burial of Nubian woman reveals 1 of world’s earliest known cases of rheumatoid arthritisRomans kept poisonous, narcotic seeds concealed in bone vials, new discovery revealsScroll charred in Mount Vesuvius eruption partially deciphered, earning researchers $700,000 prizeBronze Age ‘treasure’ was crafted with extraterrestrial metalHolborn excavation: Flatpack bed found in Roman digBedbugs plagued Britain 1,900 years ago, Roman fort near Hadrian’s Wall revealsHampshire Iron Age and Roman discoveries by Reading team on show1st-century villa discovered near Mount Vesuvius may be where Pliny the Elder watched catastrophic eruption
January
Wittenham Clumps dig reveals Iron Age blacksmith workshopAncient findings in Cornwall uncovered during A30 road upgradeBellaghy bog body: Human remains are 2,000 years oldThe discovery of the Americas’ long-lost ‘Rome’Waqra Pukará: Peru’s mysterious ‘horned fortress’Iron Age infant with Down’s syndrome identified using new DNA testingHuge ancient lost city found in the AmazonArchaeological tests confirm 5th Century mosaic at ChedworthFace of Fenstanton Roman crucifixion victim revealedScientists crack mystery of how MS gene spreadPalace of Aigai: Greece reopens huge Alexander the Great monument
Digital Maps of the Ancient World 