The Children of Llullaillaco, also known as the Llullaillaco Mummies, are three well-preserved Inca child mummies discovered on the summit of Mount Llullaillaco in the Andes Mountains of Argentina. This discovery has provided unique insights into the sacrificial rituals and religious beliefs of the Inca civilization. The story of these children, their lives, and their … Read more
The recent revelation regarding two Bronze Age artifacts from the Treasure of Villena in Spain, containing iron from a meteor that struck Earth approximately a million years ago, has captivated both archaeologists and scientists. Unearthed in the 1960s, the treasure trove in Villena has long fascinated experts with its breathtaking array of gold and silver … Read more
When you hear the word “mummy”, we bet your mind goes straight to the dried and bandaged remains of long-preserved Egyptian pharaohs. However, despite their fame, these specimens are not the oldest mummies in the world. That title belongs to the Chinchorro people of Chile’s Atacama Desert who mummified their dead 7,000 years ago. The … Read more
In the ancient community of what is now northern Italy, a fascinating discovery emerged from the depths of time: burial practices intertwining humans and animals, shedding light on enigmatic rituals and beliefs. Within the hallowed grounds of Seminario Vescovile, an archaeological site in Verona, lay the remains of 161 individuals from the third to first … Read more
Modern populations of fallow deer possess hidden cultural histories dating back to the Roman Empire, which should be factored into decisions around their management and conservation. New research, bringing together DNA analysis with archaeological insights, has revealed how fallow deer have been repeatedly moved to new territories by humans, often as a symbol of colonial … Read more
The celestial sphere is a fundamental concept in astronomy, providing a useful framework for understanding the apparent motions of celestial objects as observed from Earth. This imaginary sphere, centered on the observer, serves as a reference for locating and describing the positions of stars, planets, and other celestial bodies. Understanding the celestial sphere is crucial … Read more
In the realm of biological relationships, individuals who share common ancestry possess extended stretches of DNA known as “Identity by Descent” (IBD) segments. These almost identical genomic segments, inherited from a recent common ancestor, serve as a genetic fingerprint of relatedness. Personal genomics companies like 23andMe and Ancestry routinely leverage this phenomenon to identify biological … Read more
Astronomy, one of the oldest sciences known to humanity, is a discipline that delves into the study of celestial objects, celestial phenomena, and the broader universe. It encompasses a wide range of topics, from the observation of planets and stars to the exploration of galaxies and the entire cosmos. Astronomy is not only a scientific … Read more
The discovery of ancient tools and artifacts has played a pivotal role in shaping our understanding of human origins, providing crucial insights into the technological, cognitive, and behavioral evolution of our ancestors. These material remains serve as tangible links to the past, offering a window into the ways early humans interacted with their environment, developed … Read more
Two prominent South African archaeological sites, Sibudu and Blombos, have unveiled intriguing insights into Middle Stone Age groups that inhabited these areas over 71,000 years ago. While both regions demonstrated the use of similar types of stone tools during this period, a nuanced difference emerged in the ways these tools were crafted. Professor Lyn Wadley, … Read more
The vast and lush tropical forests of the Amazon River basin might lead one to believe that the land beneath them is equally fertile. However, surprisingly, much of the soil in the Amazon is acidic and nutrient-poor, making farming a challenging endeavor, especially in hilly upland areas. Nevertheless, archaeologists have unearthed enigmatic pockets of exceptionally … Read more