The Celtic culture of the pre-Roman Iron Age in Western and Central Europe has left numerous traces to this day, not least in the form of enormous burial mounds and spectacular archaeological artifacts. Despite this rich legacy, much about this civilization remains hidden from us. In a collaboration between the State Office for the Preservation … Read more
Published today in the Alcheringa: An Australasian Journal of Palaeontology, a groundbreaking study has unveiled evidence of an “Age of Monotremes” in Australia, unearthed by a collaborative team from the Australian Museum (AM), Museums Victoria, and the Australian Opal Centre. This discovery, spearheaded by Professor Tim Flannery, Honorary Associate of the Australian Museum, and Professor … Read more
The history of life on Earth spans billions of years, from the formation of our planet to the evolution of diverse life forms. This epic tale of biological evolution is intertwined with geological events, environmental changes, extinction events, and the emergence of complex organisms. The story of life on Earth is a testament to the … Read more
A recent study published in the PNAS shows that western Central Asia has experienced a long-term drying trend over the past 7,800 years. This discovery, based on the analysis of a stalagmite from the Fergana Valley in Kyrgyzstan, adds a critical piece to the understanding of westerly-influenced hydroclimatic patterns in Central Asia. Central Asia is … Read more
Location State/Country Maximum Duration of Totality Mazatlán Mexico 3 minutes 50 seconds San Antonio Texas 3 minutes 38 seconds Dallas Texas 3 minutes 25 seconds Little Rock Arkansas 3 minutes 22 seconds St. Louis Missouri 3 minutes 12 seconds Indianapolis Indiana 3 minutes 25 seconds Toledo Ohio 3 minutes 16 seconds Cleveland Ohio 3 minutes … Read more
If we could detect a clear, unambiguous biosignature on just one of the thousands of exoplanets we know of, it would be a huge, game-changing moment for humanity. But it’s extremely difficult. We simply aren’t in a place where we can be certain that what we’re detecting means what we think or even hope it … Read more
Archaeologists in Prague, Czech Republic, made an extraordinary discovery during a routine excavation. Beneath the city’s Upper Square, they unearthed 1,000-year-old ice skates made from animal bones. This relic, housed at the Comenius Museum, is believed to be from the 10th or 11th century. Experts suspect it was fashioned from a horse’s shin bone, based … Read more
The Guanche mummies represent a fascinating aspect of the ancient indigenous culture of the Canary Islands, specifically the Guanche people who inhabited the archipelago prior to its conquest by the Spanish in the 15th century. These mummies, discovered primarily on the islands of Tenerife and Gran Canaria, provide valuable insights into the funerary practices, beliefs, … Read more
The Taklamakan Desert, situated in the heart of Central Asia, is one of the world’s most inhospitable and mysterious landscapes. Covering an area of approximately 337,000 square kilometers (130,000 square miles), the Taklamakan Desert is known for its extreme aridity, blistering temperatures, and shifting sand dunes. Despite its harsh environment, the Taklamakan Desert has yielded … Read more
The Gebelein Man, also known as the Gebelein Predynastic Mummy, is an ancient Egyptian mummy dating back to the Predynastic period, approximately 5,500 years ago. This well-preserved mummy provides invaluable insights into the lives, beliefs, and burial practices of ancient Egyptians during this formative period of their civilization. Discovered in the late 19th century, the … Read more
The Chinchorro mummies are one of the most fascinating and ancient forms of mummification in human history. These mummies, dating back over 7,000 years, represent some of the earliest examples of intentional mummification practiced by prehistoric societies along the coast of what is now Chile and Peru. The Chinchorro mummies provide valuable insights into the … Read more
The “Screaming Mummy” is a mysterious and intriguing figure from ancient Egyptian history that has captured the imagination of scholars and enthusiasts alike. The term “Screaming Mummy” refers to a mummified individual whose facial expression appears to convey a sense of anguish, pain, or terror. While several theories have been proposed to explain the origin … Read more
The mummy of Ramesses II, also known as Ramesses the Great, is one of the most significant and iconic discoveries in the field of Egyptology. Ramesses II ruled ancient Egypt as the third pharaoh of the Nineteenth Dynasty, from 1279 to 1213 BCE, during the New Kingdom period. He is renowned for his military campaigns, … Read more
The Lady of Cao, also known as the Lady of Cao Viejo, is an ancient Peruvian mummy who has emerged as a symbol of the rich cultural heritage and sophisticated civilization of pre-Columbian Peru. Her discovery in 2006 shed light on the powerful role of women in ancient Peruvian society and provided valuable insights into … Read more
The ancient Egyptians are renowned for their intricate burial practices, particularly the preservation of the deceased through mummification. This process, which evolved over thousands of years, involved several complex steps and rituals aimed at ensuring the preservation of the body for the afterlife. The preparation of Egyptian mummies was a meticulous and revered practice, deeply … Read more
A 500-year-old mummy of an Incan girl has been returned to Bolivia some 129 years after it was donated to the Michigan State University Museum, marking what an official says is the first time human remains of archaeological importance have been repatriated to the Andean country. Known as Ñusta, a Quechua word for “Princess,” the … Read more
All the royal mummies found in the 19th and 20th centuries have long since been opened for study. With one exception: egyptologists have never been bold enough to open the mummy of Pharaoh Amenhotep I. Not because of any mythical curse, but because it is perfectly wrapped, beautifully decorated with flower garlands, and with face … Read more
The practice of mummification in ancient Egyptian society was a multifaceted tradition deeply intertwined with religious beliefs, cultural practices, and societal structures. Dating back over five millennia, mummification served a variety of purposes, ranging from religious rituals aimed at facilitating the deceased’s journey to the afterlife to the preservation of the physical body as a … Read more
The recent archaeological dig in Uzgen, Kyrgyzstan, has unearthed a remarkable find: a towering clay vessel known as a ‘hum.’ Situated in the Osh province, Uzgen boasts a rich history dating back to the ancient Silk Road era. The town’s significance stems from its strategic location, serving as a hub for early contacts between settled … Read more
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