archaeology

Using CT to examine hidden face in Nefertiti bust

harminka — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 06:29:10 -0500

Using CT imaging to study a priceless bust of Nefertiti, researchers have uncovered a delicately carved face in the limestone inner core and gained new insights into methods used to create the ancient masterpiece and information pertinent to its conservation, according to a study published in the April issue of Radiology.

Early whales gave birth on land

harminka — Wed, 04 Feb 2009 12:04:50 -0600

Two newly described fossil whales--a pregnant female and a male of the same species--reveal how primitive whales gave birth and provide new insights into how whales made the transition from land to sea.

Discovery helps solve mystery of South American trophy heads

harminka — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 14:20:29 -0600

The mystery of why ancient South American peoples who created the mysterious Nazca Lines also collected human heads as trophies has long puzzled scholars who theorize the heads may have been used in fertility rites, taken from enemies in battle or associated with ancestor veneration.

Archaeologists find unique, early US relic of African worship

harminka — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 14:43:14 -0500

University of Maryland archaeologists have dug up what they believe to be one of the earliest U.S. examples of African spirit practices. The researchers say it's the only object of its kind ever found by archaeologists in North America - a clay "bundle" filled with small pieces of common metal, placed in what had been an Annapolis street gutter three centuries ago.

Archaeologists trace early irrigation farming in ancient Yemen

harminka — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 09:24:21 -0500

In the remote desert highlands of southern Yemen, a team of archaeologists have discovered new evidence of ancient transitions from hunting and herding to irrigation agriculture 5,200 years ago.

Britain's last Neanderthals were more sophisticated than we thought

harminka — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 08:23:28 -0500

An archaeological excavation at a site near Pulborough, West Sussex, has thrown remarkable new light on the life of northern Europe’s last Neanderthals.

Earliest Known Christian Church May Have Been Found

Armen Hareyan — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 21:01:35 -0500

A cave in Rihab, Jordan that archaeologists have just discovered could be the oldest Christian church in the world. The cave is an underground chapel dating back to AD33-70.

Cutting-edge weapons result of prehistoric experimentation

harminka — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 03:53:31 -0500

In today's fast-paced, technologically advanced world, people often take the innovation of new technology for granted without giving much thought to the trial-and-error experimentation that makes technology useful in everyday life. When the "cutting-edge" technology of the bow and arrow was introduced to the world, it changed the way humans hunted and fought.

Archaeologist Uses Satellite Imagery to Explore Ancient Mexico

harminka — Wed, 14 May 2008 06:55:46 -0500

Satellite imagery obtained from NASA will help archeologist Bill Middleton peer into the ancient Mexican past. In a novel archeological application, multi- and hyperspectral data will help build the most accurate and most detailed landscape map that exists of the southern state of Oaxaca, where the Zapotec people formed the first state-level and urban society in Mexico.

Industrial archaeology tutor retires after 38 years

seher — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 08:54:15 -0500

An expert on the history of local industries who tutored at the University of Bristol for 38 years has retired at the age of 80.

Keeping African artifacts in Africa

harminka — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 08:07:34 -0500

It is common for professional archaeologists and paleoanthropologists working in Africa to populate western museums with foreign artifacts by excavating and permanently removing them from history rich communities in Africa.

Dig Turns Up Surprises And Questions From Ancient Greece

Armen Hareyan — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 04:59:51 -0500

A little more than 100 years ago, two teams from the Greek Archaeological Service investigated the site of Mt. Lykaion, thought to be the birthplace of the god Zeus. Archaeologists found pottery, clay figures and animal bones at an altar of the Greek god, and were able to uncover remains of numerous buildings, including the hippodrome—a stadium for horses and chariot teams—an athletic stadium and bathhouse.