Naturally perforated shells one of the earliest adornments in the Middle Paleolithic
Simulations and microscopic analysis confirm that ancient shells were hung on strings and painted with ochre.
Popular Archaeology is a quarterly online magazine exploring the human past, from prehistoric beginnings to the present day. See About Us for more details. Regular subscriptions are FREE. Access to all premium level content (our best articles, including all back-issue premium articles) is only $9.00 annually.
Travel and learn with Far Horizons.
Cover Stories
Aboriginal artifacts reveal first ancient underwater cultural sites in Australia
The first underwater Aboriginal archaeological sites have been discovered off Australia dating back thousands of years ago.
Ancient Maya reservoirs contained toxic pollution
Mercury, algae made water undrinkable in heart of city.
Modern sled dog ancestors emerged at least 9,500 years ago, aided human subsistence
3D reconstructions of boats from the ancient port of Rome
Volcanic eruption’s effects on Roman Republic
Ancient societies hold lessons for modern cities
Innovation by ancient farmers adds to biodiversity of the Amazon, study shows
First-degree incest: ancient genomes uncover Irish passage tomb dynastic elite
Seafood helped prehistoric people migrate out of Africa, study reveals
Prehistoric pioneers could have relied on shellfish to sustain them as they followed migratory routes out of Africa during times of drought, a new study suggests.
See the full Cover Articles archive →
Other Stories
Multispectral imaging reveals ancient Hebrew inscription undetected for over 50 years
Military correspondence from the First Temple period discovered on reverse side of well-studied artifact at The Israel Museum, Tel Aviv University researchers say.
New research reveals earliest directly dated rock paintings from southern Africa
Scientists have pioneered a technique to directly date prehistoric rock paintings in southern Africa, which revealed dates much older than previously thought.
Springs were critical water sources for early humans in East Africa, Rutgers study finds
Scientists show how groundwater-fed springs may have influenced human evolution.
Shared genetic heritage from Sicily to Cyprus
A new genomic study on southern Mediterranean reveals a genetic continuity across geographic and national borders.
Bonobos may be better representation of last common ancestor with humans
Study examined muscles of bonobos and found they are more closely related to humans than common chimpanzees.
Secrets of the paleo diet: Discovery reveals plant-based menu of prehistoric man
A collection of 780,000-year-old edible plants found in Israel is the largest and most diverse in the Levantine corridor linking Africa and Eurasia.
Bitumen from Middle East discovered in 7th century buried ship in UK
Presence of rare tar-like material may suggest trade between Middle East, British Isles.
Bone scans suggest early hominin ‘Lucy’ spent significant time in trees
Australopithecus afarensis arm bones were strong relative to leg bones; walking gait was likely inefficient.
A National Treasure Tells the Story of Hawaii’s Heritage
Archaeology meets the public at the Bernice Pauahi Bishop Museum.
Neanderthal inheritance helped humans adapt to life outside of Africa
Traits inherited for skin and the immune system may have helped buttress survivability through the ages, new study suggests.
Middle Stone Age ochre processing tools reveal cultural and behavioral complexity
Range of ochre processing techniques produced powder of varying color and coarseness.
The Once and Future Cobá
Best known for its Maya ruins, today’s living community of Cobá is set to get a major face lift.
Study finds earliest evidence in fossil record for right-handedness
Teeth striations of Homo habilis fossil date back 1.8 million years.
