Humans have left clues of our existence throughout time, leaving behind burials, artifacts and written records that hint at our evolution, beliefs, practices and cultures. Studying the archaeological record shows us that the oldest known bones belonging to Homo sapiens are 300,000 years old, or that the world’s oldest civilizations arose at least 6,000 years ago.
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Whether you’re looking for facts about the ancient Egyptians, the discovery of an ancient human skull, a gold hoard dating to the fall of the Roman Empire or how the latest technology is helping us find hidden pyramids, Live Science's expert science writers and editors are here to give you the latest coverage on our past with archaeology news, articles and features.
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1,200-year-old Viking cemetery with 'stone ship' burials discovered in Sweden
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Ancient Indigenous weapons from Australia can deliver 'devastating blows,' 1st-ever biomechanics study of its kind reveals
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7 centuries-old suits of battle armor from around the world
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Lasers reveal Maya city, including thousands of structures, hidden in Mexico
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1,200 years ago, a cat in Jerusalem left the oldest known evidence of 'making biscuits' on a clay jug
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Pazyryk Swan: A 2,400-year-old plush swan from Siberia tied to the 'creation of the universe'
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Lasers reveal secrets of lost Silk Road cities in the mountains of Uzbekistan
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'Extraordinary' burial of ancient Egyptian governor's daughter discovered in a coffin within another coffin
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3,200-year-old ancient Egyptian barracks contains sword inscribed with 'Ramesses II'
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Ancient Egyptian head cones: Mysterious headgear that could be related to sensuality and fertility rituals
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Ancient Egyptians used so much copper, they polluted the harbor near the pyramids, study finds
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'Everything we found shattered our expectations': Archaeologists discover 1st astronomical observatory from ancient Egypt
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Last meal of crocodile mummified in ancient Egypt revealed in CT scans 3,000 years later
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'Screaming Woman' mummy suffered a painful death in ancient Egypt, virtual autopsy finds
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Ancient Egyptians used a hydraulic lift to build their 1st pyramid, controversial study claims
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Stunning ancient Egyptian artifacts discovered in more than 60 burials, including 'ba-birds' and 'eye of Horus'
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2,000-year-old temple from 'Indiana Jones civilization' found submerged off Italy
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'The waters become corrupt, the air infected': How the ancient Greeks and Romans viewed pollution and what they did about it
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Remains of 1,600-year-old Roman fort unearthed in Turkey
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Rare hoard of Roman-era coins discovered in German mountains — miles from the empire's frontlines
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Grand tomb of Roman gladiator found in Turkey actually contains the remains of 12 other people
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Razed city that rebelled against Rome 'remained uninhabited for over 170 years,' excavations reveal
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Did Romans battle rhinos in the Colosseum? A historian explains the truth behind the fight scenes in Ridley Scott’s Gladiator II.
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Did Roman gladiators really fight to the death?
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'Sensational discovery' of 2,000-year-old Roman military camp found hidden in the Swiss Alps
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1,200-year-old Viking cemetery with 'stone ship' burials discovered in Sweden
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Why didn't the Vikings colonize North America?
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50 Viking Age burials discovered in Denmark, including a woman in a rare 'Viking wagon'
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Vikings in Norway were much more likely to die violent deaths than those in Denmark
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Viking Age stone figurine unearthed in Iceland — but no one can agree on which animal it is
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'Spectacular silver treasure' from Viking Age unearthed by college student on farm in Denmark
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Viking Age ship burial may be hiding beneath Norwegian farm, iron rivets hint
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Viking Age 'treasure' discovered by metal detectorist on Isle of Man
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Viking sword with 'very rare' inscription discovered on family farm in Norway
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