Archaeology

Neanderthals who lived in Siberian cave millenia apart were distant relatives, study finds

Further analysis of the genetic similarity showed that Neanderthals in the Altai region likely lived in groups of fewer than 50 people.

 World's oldest Neanderthal fingerprint found on 43,000-year-old pebble in Spain. Illustration.
(a) Section of the mosaic showing the leopard and the woman. (b) Section of the mosaic showing the venator with the pole, the leopard, and the woman.

Lost mosaic shows first visual depiction of women fighting beasts in Roman arenas - study

Excavations of Raknehaugen, Norway, in 1939.

Scandinavia's largest prehistoric mound is not a tomb, but a memorial to a natural disaster - study

Golden Helmet of Cotofenesti and gold bracelets recovered after being stolen from a Dutch museum, April 3, 2026.

Priceless Romanian artifacts recovered a year after being stolen from Dutch museum


Authorities reveal discovery of fourth century Roman shipwreck off Italy’s southern coast

According to the ministry, the site has been under constant monitoring by Italy’s financial police to “protect the site from possible looting and to preserve its enormous scientific value.”

Divers carrying amphorae from the fourth century AD Roman shipwreck discovered off the coast of Gallipoli, southern Italy in June 2025.

Netherlands returns 3,500-year-old sculpture stolen from Egypt during Arab Spring

Egypt requested that the artifact be returned under the 1970 UNESCO Convention, which both it and the Netherlands are beholden to. 

Dutch Education, Culture and Science Gouke Moes and the Egyptian Ambassador to the Netherlands during the formal handover ceremony of the stolen scultpure at the Egyptian embassy in the Hague, February 8, 2026.

Residue from Roman vial reveals first evidence of ancient physicians' use of fecal medicine - study

The vial, also known as an unguentarium, is commonly believed to have held perfumes or cosmetic oils.

Unguentarium, 4th-5th century AD. Creator: Unknown.February 8, 2026.

Elephant bone found at Spanish archaeological site may have marched on Rome with Hannibal - study

The finding represents the first elephant skeletal remains found to possibly confirm Hannibal’s historical march from Carthage to Italy during the Second Punic War.

 A member of staff of the Natural History Museum in Berne, Switzerland, checks the skeleton of an elephant on show at the museum's Skeleton Hall, September 16, 2005.

More alike than you think: CT scans of ancient Egyptian mummies reveal back pain, dental issues

Both the mummies and 3D models and prints of the scans will be on display at the California Science Center’s upcoming “Mummies of the World: The Exhibition” exhibit on February 7.

Summer Decker, PHD, (left) 3D Imaging Lead for Keck Medicine of USC, and Diane Perlov, PHD, (right), Senior Vice President for special projects at the California Science Center, examine ancient Egyptian mummy Nes-Min before he is scanned, February 6, 2026.

Caesarea’s Roman-era aqueduct to undergo multi-million shekel preservation, restoration project

Preservation efforts have already begun, Israel Antiquities Authority noted, adding that the project is expected to take about 40 months (nearly three and a half years). 

Israelis and tourists enjoy the beach near the 2,000-year-old Caesarea aqueduct, in Caesarea on August 21, 2023.

Canine remains discovered in Bulgaria show dog meat may have been Iron Age delicacy - study

The Greeks, as well as the Thracians, who lived in what is now modern-day Bulgaria, are believed by researchers to have consumed dog meat. 

Dog skull found during an archaeological excavation.

Did giants exist? Ancient Egyptian papyrus points to proof of gargantuan Canaanite tribe, org says

The papyrus, known as Anastasi I, or “The Satirical Letter,” is believed by most to take the form of a somewhat mocking letter written between two army scribes.

Papyrus Anastasi I; sheet 1; Hieratic literary text: "The Satirical Letter," February 4, 2026.

Ancient Pilgrimage Road leading to Temple Mount opens to public after 13 years of excavations

Archaeologists say the stepped street served as Jerusalem’s main thoroughfare for pilgrims during the Second Temple period.

Opening of the Pilgrim's Road in Jerusalem, on September 16, 2025.

New archaeology exhibit marks 60 years of Knesset building with rare finds from Jerusalem, Galilee

The event hosted more than 2,000 visitors, including soldiers, police officers, Holocaust survivors, and students from schools and kindergartens across the country.

The new exhibition at the Knesset, February 3, 2026.