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Archaeological News

inuk - dna analysis of an early greenlander

DNA has been extracted from a tuft of hair from ancient human remains in Greenland. Not only does analysis suggest his family were descended from a group who had moved from NE Siberia some 5,500 years ago, but it also suggests what he may have looked like.

More..more

AN EARLY SPECIES OF CATTLE FROM ERITREA

Palaeontologists working in Eritrea have found the smashed skull of a previously unknown species of cattle, one million years old - a missing link between ancient African types and the more recent Eurasian cattle.

The reconstructed skull of the newly found species of early bull from Eritrea is shown with researchers Bienvenido Martinez-Navarro (left) and Francisco Landucci.
Bienvenido Martinez-Navarro

More..more

stonehenge - the new henge

In 2009 a major new discovery was made by the Stonehenge Riverside Project in the Stonehenge landscape. Evidence for a second stone circle, originally of bluestones, was found close to the River Avon, linked to Stonehenge itself by the Stonehenge Avenue. More..more

the staffordshire hoard

The largest ever hoard of Anglo Saxon gold and silver has been found in Staffordshire, England. The 1500 items, discovered in July, weigh 5 kilos in gold and 2.5 kilos in silver. Most of the objects are parts of weapons and armour and date to the period 650-670AD.

Archaeologists uncover unique burial pit

Archaeologists working on the Weymouth Relief Road have discovered a burial pit of dismembered skeletons which have now (14 July 2009) been carbon-dated to the late Saxon period, over 1,000 years ago, - not to the late Iron Age as previously thought. 50 of the skeletons were decapitated.

The extraordinary burial site was uncovered on Ridgeway Hill.

Oxford Archaeology project manager David Score said:

“We have counted 45 skulls so far, these are in one section of the pit, and several torsos and leg bones in separate sections of the pit.

“It is rare to find a burial site like this one. There are lots of different types of burial where skeletons may be aligned along a compass axis or in a crouched position, but to find something like this is just incredible.

“We’re still working on carefully recording and recovering all of the skeletons, which will be taken back to our offices in Oxford for detailed analysis, and trying to piece together the extraordinary story behind these remains.

Watch the BBC Video at: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/8096057.stm

More pictures at:

http://thehumanjourney.net/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=493&Itemid=40

Neanderthal Skull Fragment from north sea

Part of a Neanderthal man's skull has been dredged up from the North Sea, in the first confirmed find of its kind.

More at: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/8099377.stm

World Archaeology News ON bbc RADIO FIVE LIVE

The latest archaeological news stories are brought to you every week on BBC Radio Five Live with award-winning archaeological correspondent, Win Scutt.  

To find out more on this week's stories, follow the links on the right.

You can listen to Win's broadcast:

  • in the UK at 03.30 (UK Time) on Five Live's "Up All Night" programme every Tuesday morning on 909 or 693 AM,
  • or on digital in the UK on Channel 0105
  • or on the frequency of your BBC Local Radio station - all these local stations switch to Five Live between 01.00 and 05.00 every morning.
  • or online from anywhere in the world at 03.30 UK time. Click Here.
  • Or you can listen to Win's last Tuesday broadcast for up to 7 days through BBC iPlayer. Click Here and select Tuesday's Up All Night programme, then advance to 3.30am.

Listen online to Win Scutt's latest Five Live broadcast on BBC iPlayer by clicking here. Select Tuesday's "Up All Night".

BBC Radio Five Live, 909 & 693 AM  

A 17th Century Witch Bottle found in London reveals its secrets

A stoneware bottle, 380 years old, was found by builders in Greenwich, London in 2004. Now it has been analysed and has been found to contain nails, urine, brimstone and navel fluff! You can read the story in the July-August edition of British Archaeology.

A 300 year old broom is found in a monastery toilet in Germany

A perfectly preserved 300-year-old broom has been found in a Benedictine monastery latrine in Paderborn, Germany.more

a 35,000 year old 'venus' figurine from hoHle fels, germany

This is the oldest know representation of a human. Full story in the archive

TiMber Circles at catholme, alrewas, staffordshire, england

Excavations by Birmingham Archaeology 2002-2004, and recently published, revealed a "woodhenge" of 225 postholes - for a very large timber structure constructed c.2500BC; and a unique "sunburst" pattern of post-holes radiating from a circular ditch.

The Neanderthal Genome Project

An international consortium of researchers is sequencing the 3 billion bases that make up the genome of our closest relative – the Neanderthal An international consortium of researchers is sequencing the 3 billion bases that make up the genome of our closest relative - the Neanderthal The sequence is generated from DNA extracted from three Croatian Neanderthal fossils, using novel methods developed for this project. The sequence is generated from DNA extracted from three Croatian Neanderthal fossils, using novel methods developed for this project. The Neanderthal genome sequence will clarify the evolutionary relationship between humans and Neanderthals as well as help identify those genetic changes that enabled modern humans to leave Africa and rapidly spread around the world, starting around 100,000 years ago. The Neanderthal genome sequence will clarify the evolutionary relationship between humans and Neanderthal as well as help identify those genetic changes that enabled modern humans to leave Africa and rapidly spread around the world, starting around 100,000 years ago. Link to Neanderthal Genome Website

Top archaeology news sites

There are many websites with the latest world archaeological news. Here are Win Scutt's top recommendations:

  1. Archaeologica Hand-picked links to each day's top stories. Usually about six per day.
  2. Archaeology Magazine Updated every weekday, a summary with links to about six news stories.
  3. BBC Latest Archaeology News Selected top stories - about one per day
  4. National Geographic Ancient World News Brief  summaries linked to full stories written by National Geographic reporters. About one story per day.
  5. Discovery Channel Brief summaries linked to pages, about one story per day.
  6. Stone Pages Archaeo News
  7. EurekAlert Public Releases of latest research. About 2 per week.
  8. Science Daily Brief summaries and links to full stories by Science Daily reporters. Mixed with Palaeontology stories. One per day.
  9. Archaeology News Automatic News Feed
  10. Explorator Links to David Meadow's weekly newsletters, each containing about 50 links to the week's stories.
  11. Archaeology in Europe Regularly updated with summaries and links. About 20 stories per week, but only Europe.
  12. Google Archaeology News. Search results for the last week. Automatically listed, so much irrelevant material.
  13. Yahoo Anthropology and Archaeology Automatic news feed with some irrelevant content.
  14. Topix Archaeology News A mixed collection of news stories

YOUNG COUPLE FIND STONE AGE ART ON STONE

A young couple walking along Horsens Fjord, Denmark in August this year made a sensational discovery – a 5-7,000 year old stone with a scratched motif.

To find out more about this remarkable find follow this link. more

TOY HEDGEHOG FOUND AT STONEHENGE

Carved out of chalk, yellowed from age, a toy hedgehog has been discovered by archaeologists working as part of the Stonehenge Riverside Project.

A Viking house is uncovered at hungate, york

Archaeologists working on a long-term project at Hungate, York, have at last reached the Viking levels on the site, and have uncovered a Viking house. You can watch a video of the discovery at the Yorkshire Post website by clicking here.

HEARING THE EPIGONION

The sound of an ancient Greek musical instrument, the Epigonion, can be heard again, thanks to a new computer simulation.

You can hear it by clicking here.

Read the full story here.

Gobekli Tepe

In Eastern Turkey, archaeologists are uncovering a temple with huge carved stone pillars, built before farming replaced hunting, and 7,000 years older than Stonehenge.

The German Archaeological Institute summarises the project on their website. There are also two good video clips from a German TV channel on YouTube - in German however.

Prescot Street Excavations, London

Find out more about the Prescot Street Excavations by visiting their website.

Archaeology on Five Live wins British Archaeological Award

Win Scutt's weekly look at the latest archaeological news from around the world has scooped a prize at the British Archaeological Awards 2006, the most prestigious awards in British Archaeology.

The Press Award, sponsored by Wedgwood, recognises the best coverage of archaeology in the printed press or on radio in the last two years (to May 2006). Win Scutt's news feature is part of BBC Radio Five Live's popular 'Up All Night' programme and receives over one million listeners every week. This year the shortlist included the Wall Street Journal and the popular magazine 'British Archaeology'.

The joint winner of the Press Award is 'Treasure your Past', a glossy magazine produced by the Eastern Daily Press in association with Tarmac, the Norfolk Museums Service and the British Museum. 

The Up All Night programme offers 15 minutes of archaeology each Tuesday, with over 70 hours broadcast over the last 7 years. The programme reaches over 1 million visitors who are mad enough to stay up to 3.30am to listen. The judges were impressed by the wide-ranging nature of the archaeology presented. more

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World Archaeology News This Week

ARCHAEOLOGICAL NEWS

2010-3-9
It's further back in time than we would expect "Art" - but in South Africa ostrich shells engraved with geometric designs have now been dated around 60,000 years ago. more
2010-3-9
The burial chamber of an Egyptian queen has been found in Egypt. more
2010-3-9
A giant granite head of Pharaoh Amenhotep III has been found at Luxor. more
2010-3-9
Stone circles, alignments and tombs found in Syria. more
2010-3-9
Also in Syria - a hoard of Greek coins from the time Alexander the Great has been found. more
2010-3-9
With the terracotta warriors in Xi'an, China, were hundreds of terracotta horses - which had not testicles - suggesting equine castration 2000 years ago. more
2010-3-2
A geophysical survey is being carried out on a site at Burghead, Moray, Scotland  where Bronze Age and Roman finds have been made. more
2010-3-2
Rathnadrinna Fort located about 3km south of the Rock of Cashel – one of Ireland’s most important heritage locations and seat of the High Kings of Munster, may have served as some kind of sports stadium, it has been suggested. more
2010-3-2
The remains of an ancient palace, found 12 miles outside of Rome, Italy, may have belonged to the Etruscan prince Sextus Tarquinius and dates back to the sixth century B.C. more
2010-3-2
Campaigners have raised £20,000 to save Britain's only known Roman Circus in Colchester. more
2010-3-2
High status African woman identified in Roman York. more
2010-3-2
Someone has stolen the head of legendary pirate Klaus Stortebeker from a Hamburg museum. more
2010-3-2
Remains have been found near the high altar at a former Dominican friary in Stirling that could be those of King Richard II. more
2010-2-23
Archaeologists from Pittsburgh have been testing the long held belief that the inhabitants of Carthage (now Tunisia) practised infanticide on a large scale. more
2010-2-23
Archaeologists working on the Sanctuary at Nemi (south of Rome), Italy, think it may have been the home of the Golden Bough. more
2010-2-23
The remains of an aqueduct from the time of King Herod have been found in Jerusalem. more
2010-2-23
Excavations in Ghana have revealed an ancient society who made extraordinary ceramic heads. more
2010-2-23
Archaeologists are excavating a traffic island in the heart of Bristol, England.
2010-2-16
The bones of a species of bull dating back a million years shows that beef was probably on the menu of early humans in Eritrea. more
2010-2-16
Analysis of dna from the 4,000 year old remains of a Greenland man shows that his family were a late emigration from Siberia across America. more
2010-2-16
A 3000 year old Bronze Age shipwreck has been found off the coast of Devon, England. more
2010-2-16
Archaeologists took a Roman pot they excavated in Cullompton, Devon, England to the Airport to scan to see what was inside. more
2010-2-16
Archaeologists have found a secret chamber - evidence for a legendary love story in India. more
2010-2-16
The main road into Jerusalem, 1,500 years ago, has been discovered - just as shown on an ancient mosaic more
2010-2-9
England's Stonehenge may have once been encircled by hedges, according to new research. more
2010-2-9
Recently discovered letters over 200 years old suggest that Wiltshire's Silbury Hill may have once been marked by a totem pole. more
2010-2-9
A woman from Kerry, Ireland, found a 1400 year old brooch - in her kitchen range! more
2010-2-9
Archaeologists are looking for the precise location of the monastery built by St Columba when he arrived in Scotland in AD563. more
2010-2-9
Theatre goers were fond of fast food at Shakespeare's Rose Theatre in London. more
2010-2-9
Archaeologists working in Bogra, Bangladesh have discovered an ancient city gate. more
2010-2-9
Archaeologists in Mexico have found the archaeological traces of an extinct group of people in Chihuahua. more
2010-2-2
Mayan tomb over 1,000 years old has been found in Mexico. more
2010-2-2
The tomb of ancient China's defence minister unearthed in north west China. more
2010-2-2
Archaeologists working ahead of a new water pipeline in Kent have excavated an Iron Age settlement. more
2010-2-2
A silver coin found in Leicestershire turns out to be the oldest piece of Roman money ever found in Britain. more
2010-2-2
A lost Roman law code is discovered in London. more
2010-2-2
Archaeologists in Dublin have been excavating a Viking settlement. more
2010-2-2
California wants to register as historical resources the space junk left behind by the Apollo 11 crew. more
2010---26
New research suggests that most European males may be descended from Europe's first farmers.more
2010-1-26
French archaeologists have discovered the 7,000 year old skeleton of a man who had had his arm amputated - and survived. more
2010-1-26
A 4,000 year old lentil seed found on an archaeological excavation in Turkey has germinated.more
2010-1-26
A temple dedicated to an Egyptian cat goddess has been unearthed in Egypt.more
2010-1-26
The Romans used to transport liquids like wine and olive oil in large carrot shaped pots called "amphorae". New scientific research has shown us what they used to seal them with.more
2010-1-26
Two film makers have found the source of water for Rome's aqueducts.more
2010-1-26
The wreck of a Roman ship was found in the UK's Channel Islands back in the 1980s. It may soon go on display at long last.more
2010-1-26
The remains of Eadgyth (the great grand-daughter of King Alfred the Great) returned to England last week, 1000 years after she left.more
2010-1-19
In Norfolk, England, Seahenge is to be reassembled for the first time in over 10 years. more
2010-1-19
A gas pipeline in Yorkshire, England, is throwing up all sorts of discoveries, including an Iron Age sword.more
2010-1-19
In Tel Aviv, Israeli archaeologists have uncovered a building around 8,000 years old.more
2010-1-19
Excavations continue on Mount Lykaion in Greece where an altar to Zeus has been uncovered.more
2010-1-19
Kevlar like armour may have protected Alexander's troops, according to new research. more
2010-1-19
Medieval defences found at Edinburgh Castle.more
2010-1-19
An ancient text has been discovered on a wall in Salisbury Cathedral.more
2010-1-19
A Russian treasure hunter thinks he is about to discover the looted amber room of the Tsars.more
2010-1-19
Stone tools made by our early ancestors have turned up on the Greek island of Crete, suggesting that early humans may have been seafarers. more
2010-1-12
In Spain, caves used by Neanderthals are providing archaeologists of evidence of pigments and ornaments - did Neanderthals wear makeup? more
2010-1-12
In a remote spot in Sudan, a massive statue of an Egyptian Pharaoh has been found.more
2010-1-12
Ancient Egyptians wore eyeliner - for vanity - or was it medicinal?more
2010-1-12
Europe's earliest "civilisation" was found by archaeologists over a century ago on the island of Crete - and they called it "Minoan" after King Minos of legend. Now for the first time, divers have found a shipwreck dating to that time, over 3000 years ago. more
2010-1-12
In Malaga archaeologists are uncovering the ruins of brothels from 500 years ago.more
09-12-8
The ancient Egyptians suffered a wide range of diseases, including bad teeth. more
2009-12-8
A luxurious complex of buildings, 1,800 years old, has been discovered in Rome, Italy. more
2009-12-8
Google Street View is now available for Pompeii, Italy. more
2009-12-8
Italian archaeologists have found a submerged Roman city off the Libyan coast. more
2009-12-8
Studies of ancient Peruvian people's hair shows that they were stressed out. more
2009-12-8
Dogs are helping archaeologists around the waterfront of Port Angeles , Washington, USA. more
2009-12-8
The well- preserved remains of a Roman tower has been discovered in Chester, England. more
2009-12-8
A Viking "recycling centre" has been found near York, England. more
2009-12-8
In Kazakhstan, archaeologists are getting closer to understanding how and when horses were first tamed. more
2009-12-1
In Iraq, archaeologists have discovered a 2000 year old grave with stunning finds. more
2009-12-1
In Japan, archaeologists have found a makeup kit 1000 years old. more
2009-12-1
In Italy, Australian archaeologists are uncovering more of Pompeii's secrets. more
2009-12-1
Off the coast of Brazil, a team of Hungarian marine archaeologists have found the wreckage of a Dutch ship. more
2009-12-1
In Stratford upon Avon, England, archaeologists are preparing to excavate Shakespeare's last home. more
2009-12-1
In Canada, archaeologists have uncovered the remains of a wall that may have defended Canada's first English settlement. more
2009-11-24
A new study suggests that mammoths were not driven to extinction by humans after all. more
2009-11-24
A Leicester, England, based archaeologist has discovered that the Ancient Greeks aligned their temples to face the rising sun. more
2009-11-24
What may be the emperor Hadrian's cultural centre in Rome, Italy,  has been unearthed. more
2009-11-24
Under the modern city of Bath, England, engineers are venturing into an ancient drain. more
2009-11-24
The chalk figure of a giant at the village of Cerne Abbas in Dorset, England, has long been a mystery. When was it made? An archaeologist thinks it is older than previously thought. more
2009-11-24
The finders in England of the Anglo Saxon treasure, the "Staffordshire Hoard", are likely to receive £3m. more
2009-11-24
Pakistan's ancient Buddhist heritage is under serious threat from the Taliban. more
2009-11-17
A new study suggests that the greening of the Sahara prompted Homo sapiens to migrate out of Africa. more
2009-11-17
Italian researchers claim to have found in Egypt the remains of a long lost Persian army. more
2009-11-17
A newly published report describes the excavation of what might be Lincolnshire's first pub. more
2009-11-17
In Canterbury, a wealthy Roman citizen's townhouse has been found. more
2009-11-17
The discovery was announced last week of severed heads in the Inca capital of Cusco. more
2009-11-17
In Japan, archaeologists think they may have found the palace of the legendary warrior queen. more
2009-11-17
Over a thousand years ago, brain surgery was being carried out in Ireland. more
2009-11-17
An Australian farmer claims he has the skull of Ned Kelly.more
2009-11-10
Chinese scientists are challenging the Out of Africa theory after finding the jaw of a hominin. more
2009-11-10
A stunning treasure, 2000 year old golden neckbands, has been found in Stirlingshire, Scotland. more
2009-11-10
Archaeologists claim to have found, in a rock shelter in Oregon, the oldest known artefact in the Americas. more
2009-11-10
In the United Arab Emirates, French archaeologists are excavating an ancient ritual site. more
2009-11-10
In Germany, an excavation has uncovered an extraordinary skeleton of a Bronze Age woman buried in a seated position. more
2009-11-10
In Leicestershire, England, archaeologists have found an 8000 year old hunters' campsite. more
2009-11-10
Bronze Age burial chambers have been found on the Isle of Skye, Scotland. more
2009-11-10
Archaeologists have recovered a 600 year old shipwreck from Lake Constance, Germany. more
2009-11-3
Swedish archaeologists are excited to have excavated a collection of wooden artefacts that are 9,000 years old. more
2009-11-3
Divers are exploring submerged ruins in a lake in Guatemala. more
2009-11-3
In Peru, archaeologists have been investigating a 2000 year old body from a Royal Mausoleum. more
2009-11-3
A British holidaymaker snorkelling in the Mediterranean, off Montenegro, has found a lost ancient temple. more
2009-11-3
Analysis of teeth from cattle suggests that, 4000 years ago, cattle were traded long distances across Britain. more
2009-11-3
New archaeological surveys have revealed the true location of the Battle of Bosworth. more
2009-10-27
New research sheds light on what one of our ancient ancestors ate. more
2009-10-27
German archaeologist have been excavating in Malawi and are suggesting that it may have been the cradle of mankind. more
2009-10-27
New research on the old question. Did modern humans have sex with neanderthals? Yes they did! more
2009-10-27
Another perennial question in archaeology is how, after hundreds of thousands of years, did we turn to agriculture. A new study of a site near the Dead Sea in Jordan suggests it didn't start how we expected. more
2009-10-27
Where did the inhabitants of the Canary Islands come from? A Spanish/Portuguese team have used dna to discover they were Berbers. more
2009-10-27
Archaeologists have unveiled the remains of an ancient auditorium in Rome. more
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