Humans have left clues of our existence throughout time, leaving behind burials, artifacts and written records that hint at our evolution, beliefs, practices and cultures. Studying the archaeological record shows us that the oldest known bones belonging to Homo sapiens are 300,000 years old, or that the world’s oldest civilizations arose at least 6,000 years ago.
Discover more about archaeology
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1,700-year-old Roman marching camps discovered in Germany — along with a multitude of artifacts like coins and the remnants of shoes
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Eerie 'sand burials' of elite Anglo-Saxons and their 'sacrificed' horse discovered near UK nuclear power plant
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Remnants of spills on Renaissance-era textbook reveal recipes for 'curing' ailments with lizard heads and human feces
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Nebra Sky Disc: The world's oldest depiction of astronomical phenomena — and it may depict the Pleiades
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How the ancient Romans managed their wealth (it wasn't just by hiding hoards)
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Romans regularly soaked in filthy, lead-contaminated bath water, Pompeii study finds
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Gender ambiguity was a tool of power 4,500 years ago in Mesopotamia
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Nefertiti's tomb close to discovery, famed archaeologist Zahi Hawaas claims in new documentary
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Ancient Egyptian valley temple excavated — and it's connected to a massive upper temple dedicated to the sun god, Ra
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2,000-year-old shipwreck may be Egyptian 'pleasure barge' from last dynasty of pharaohs
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'Hot knives and brute force': King Tut's mummy was decapitated and dismembered after its historic discovery. Then, the researchers covered it up.
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Ancient Egyptian pharaoh moved another ruler's body and stole his tomb, hundreds of funerary figurines suggest
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Anomalies in Giza pyramid may indicate an unknown entrance
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Merit's wig: A 3,400-year-old Egyptian headpiece smoothed down with ancient homemade hair gel
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Science history: Archaeologists discover King Tut's tomb, and rumors of the 'mummy's curse' begin swirling — Nov. 4, 1922
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3,500-year-old Egyptian military fortress with ancient ovens and fossilized dough discovered in Sinai Desert
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Human origins quiz: How well do you know the story of humanity?
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Most complete Homo habilis skeleton ever found dates to more than 2 million years ago and retains 'Lucy'-like features
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Homo erectus wasn't the first human species to leave Africa 1.8 million years ago, fossils suggest
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Tiny bump on 7 million-year-old fossil suggests ancient ape walked upright — and might even be a human ancestor
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Last common ancestor of modern humans and Neanderthals possibly found in Casablanca, Morocco
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10 things we learned about Neanderthals in 2025
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1.5 million-year-old Homo erectus face was just reconstructed — and its mix of old and new traits is complicating the picture of human evolution
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Science history: Anthropologist sees the face of the 'Taung Child' — and proves that Africa was the cradle of humanity — Dec. 23, 1924
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Scientists claim 'Lucy' may not be our direct ancestor after all, stoking fierce debate
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1,700-year-old Roman marching camps discovered in Germany — along with a multitude of artifacts like coins and the remnants of shoes
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Romans regularly soaked in filthy, lead-contaminated bath water, Pompeii study finds
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Diarrhea and stomachaches plagued Roman soldiers stationed at Hadrian's Wall, discovery of microscopic parasites finds
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Pompeii victims were wearing woolen cloaks in August when they died — but experts are split on what that means
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'This has re-written our understanding of Roman concrete manufacture': Abandoned Pompeii worksite reveal how self-healing concrete was made
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'They had not been seen ever before': Romans made liquid gypsum paste and smeared it over the dead before burial, leaving fingerprints behind, new research finds
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Stunningly preserved Roman-era mosaic in UK depicts Trojan War stories — but not the ones told by Homer
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1,800-year-old 'piggy banks' full of Roman-era coins unearthed in French village
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What if Antony and Cleopatra had defeated Octavian?
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Ash Pendant: The only known depiction of a pregnant Viking woman
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1,000-year-old 'king' game piece with a distinctive hairstyle is 'as close as we will ever get to a portrait of a Viking'
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1,100-year-old Viking hoard reveals raiding wealthy only 'part of the picture' — they traded with the Middle East too
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Hornelund Brooches: Viking age gold ornaments mysteriously buried in Denmark 1,000 years ago
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Viking Age burial of chieftain with 'enormous power' found in Denmark — and he may have served Harald Bluetooth
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Viking Age woman was buried with her dog in an elaborate 'boat grave,' excavations reveal
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1,000-year-old Viking Age hoard has a pendant that may be a cross or Thor's hammer
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Braided gold Viking arm-ring discovered by amateur metal detectorist on Isle of Man
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Archaeologist sailed a Viking replica boat for 3 years to discover unknown ancient harbors
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