Artifacts and Material Culture - Part 2
50 reports
Bronze Age Sword Recovered from Protected Wreck off Devon Coast
A 3,000-year-old Bronze Age sword has been recovered by volunteer divers from the Salcombe Cannon and Moor Sand sites off south Devon, offering new evidence for prehistoric maritime activity and trade in the region
Roman Female Farm Managers Oversaw Wine and Oil Production
A new analysis of Roman-era texts and archaeological evidence reveals that women known as vilicae managed large-scale wine and olive oil production, challenging the long-held view that their roles were limited to domestic tasks
Ancient Egyptian Princesses Show Evidence of Skilled Archery
Bioarchaeological analysis of Middle Kingdom royal women from Dahshur reveals skeletal adaptations consistent with regular archery and hunting, challenging assumptions that weapons in their tombs were only symbolic
Muscle Marks on Egyptian Royal Women Suggest Weapon Use, Study Debated
Analysis of nearly 4,000-year-old skeletal remains from Egypt's Middle Kingdom reveals pronounced upper-body muscle attachments in several royal women. Researchers propose these changes may reflect archery or weapon training, but experts urge caution
Ancient DNA Reveals Bronze Age Metalworker Near Stonehenge Was Female
A 4,000-year-old burial near Stonehenge, long thought to contain a male shaman, has been re-examined using ancient DNA analysis, revealing the individual was biologically female and challenging assumptions about gender roles in Early Bronze Age Britain
Gold Plaque Reveals Jupiter Dolichenus Worship at Apsaros Fort
A rare inscribed gold plaque recovered at the Roman fort of Apsaros on Georgia's Black Sea coast offers the first direct epigraphic evidence for the cult of Jupiter Dolichenus at the site, shedding light on religious practices among the garrison
Sanxingdui Bronze Figure Assembled From Separate Ancient Artifacts
A new analysis of a bronze kneeling figure from Sanxingdui, China, reveals it was constructed from components made in different regions and periods, providing evidence for complex trade and metalworking in the ancient Shu kingdom
Bronze Elamite Helmet Reveals Ancient Deities and Battlefield Symbolism
A rare bronze helmet from southwestern Iran, dated to 1500-1100 BCE, features gold-plated divine figures and a raptor motif. Researchers analyze its construction, iconography, and uncertain archaeological context to interpret its significance.
Iron Shackles at Allonnes Reveal Evidence of Celtic Slavery
Archaeologists have identified five pairs of iron restraints at a third-century BCE settlement in France's Loire Valley, providing rare direct evidence for the use of shackles and the possible presence of enslaved people in pre-Roman Gaul
Roman Protective Deity Relief Found Beneath Vindolanda Barracks
Archaeologists at Vindolanda, a Roman fort near Hadrian's Wall, have uncovered a carved stone relief depicting a protective deity. The artifact was found beneath a fourth-century barracks floor, offering insight into ritual practices at the site.
Early Maya Mural at Calakmul Depicts Mythical Hero Juun Ajaw
A mural from Structure II at Calakmul, Mexico, has been identified as one of the earliest known depictions of the Maya figure Juun Ajaw. Researchers used digital reconstruction to analyze the mural's iconography and its architectural context
Iron Age Child Burial With Sword Sheds Light on Gaulish Practices
Archaeologists have uncovered a 2,400-year-old iron sword placed beside a child's remains at the Bois Médor site in central France, offering new evidence about burial customs and social roles in Iron Age Gaul
Medieval Lead Seals in Vladimir Linked to Princess Maria Vsevolzha
Archaeologists in Vladimir have uncovered rare lead seals from a medieval neighborhood, offering new evidence for the administrative role of Princess Maria Vsevolzha in pre-Mongol Rus'. The finds shed light on elite women's authority in the 12th-13th centuries
Eighth-Century Maya Astronomer's Name Found at San Bartolo-Xultun
Researchers have identified the name of a Maya mathematician and astronomer in wall inscriptions at the San Bartolo-Xultun site in Guatemala, revealing new details about scientific activity in the region during the eighth century CE
Rare 12th-Century Coin Linked to Magnus Barefoot Found in Norway
Archaeologists have identified a silver coin discovered near Utstein Monastery in southwest Norway as a rare issue from the reign of Magnus Barefoot, using numismatic analysis and X-ray imaging to reveal unique design features and possible reuse as jewelry
Excavation Reveals Urban Planning at Pre-Inca Huaylas Settlement in Peru
Archaeologists have uncovered a pre-Inca Huaylas settlement in Peru's Cordillera Negra, revealing evidence of urban planning, specialized craft production, and later Inca occupation through pottery, architecture, and workshop remains
Iron Age Cemetery in England Reveals Early Roman Connections
Archaeologists have excavated a first-century CE cemetery in eastern England containing over 100 cremation burials, including high-status graves with imported Roman artifacts, offering new evidence for pre-conquest links between Britain and the Roman Empire
New Kingdom Tomb With Painted Walls Found at Sheikh Abd el-Qurna
Archaeologists excavating at Sheikh Abd el-Qurna on Luxor's west bank have identified a previously undocumented New Kingdom tomb, featuring painted wall scenes and inscriptions naming the owner as Paser. The find adds to the understanding of elite burial practices in Thebes.
Roman Guardian Spirit Relief Found at Vindolanda Barracks
Archaeologists at Vindolanda in northern England have uncovered a rare carved sandstone relief depicting a Roman Genius, preserved beneath a fourth-century barrack floor and offering new evidence for religious practices at the site
New Rock Art Sites Reveal Ancient Ritual Traditions in Zacatecas
Archaeologists have documented eight previously unknown rock art sites in the Valdecañas range, central Mexico, using systematic survey methods to investigate the ceremonial landscape and artistic traditions of hunter-gatherer groups from 600 to 1,200 years ago
Part 2 of 2