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The Hebrew University of Jerusalem—A new study has determined that the archaeological site of ‘Ubeidiya in the Jordan Valley dates back at least 1.9 million years, pushing back evidence of early human presence in the region by hundreds of thousands of years and positioning the ‘Ubeidiya site, together with Dmanisi, Georgia, the oldest evidence of early humans outside of Africa. The discovery revises a critical moment in human evolution, indicating that ancient pioneers, equipped with a diverse array of stone tools, were established in the Levant at the dawn of our species’ global expansion.

A new study* led by Prof. Ari Matmon of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Prof. Omry Barzilai from the University of Haifa, and Prof. Miriam Belmaker from the University of Tulsa provides a clearer timeline for one of the most significant prehistoric sites worldwide for the study of human evolution. By integrating three advanced dating techniques, researchers have determined that the site of ‘Ubeidiya in the Jordan Valley likely dates back to at least 1.9 million years ago.

This revised age suggests that ‘Ubeidiya is among the oldest known sites of early humans outside of Africa.

The ‘Ubeidiya Formation has long interested researchers because it preserves early evidence of the Acheulean culture, characterized by large bifacial stone tools found in association with rich faunal assemblages, including species of African and Asian origin, some of which are now extinct.

However, establishing the site’s exact age has been a challenge for decades. For many years, most researchers estimated that ‘Ubeidiya dated to between 1.2 and 1.6 million years ago but this age was based on relative chronology. To determine the precise age range of ‘Ubeidiya, the team returned to the site and resampled it using a battery of novel dating techniques, each offering a different way of probing the deep past.

One method, known as cosmogenic isotope burial dating, measures rare isotopes created when cosmic rays strike rocks at the Earth’s surface. Once those rocks are buried, the isotopes begin to decay at predictable rates, effectively starting a geological clock that reveals how long they have lain underground.

The scientists also examined traces of Earth’s ancient magnetic field preserved in the site’s lake sediments. As sediments settle, they lock in the direction of the planet’s magnetic field at that moment. By matching these magnetic signatures to known reversals in Earth’s history, the researchers determined that the layers formed during the Matuyama Chron, a period that began more than two million years ago.

Finally, the team analyzed fossilized Melanopsis shells, freshwater snails embedded in the sediment, using uranium-lead dating to establish a minimum age for the layers in which the stone tools were discovered.

 Altogether, the results converged on a significantly earlier date than previously assumed.

The findings indicate that the ‘Ubeidiya site is at least one million nine hundred thousand years old, representing a major shift in our understanding of early human history.

This new timeline suggests that ‘Ubeidiya is roughly the same age as the well-acknowledged Dmanisi site in Georgia, which means our ancestors were spreading across different regions at a similar time. It also suggests that two different technologies of making stone tools, the simpler Oldowan tradition and the more advanced Acheulean, migrated at the same time from Africa by the different groups of hominins as they moved into new territories.

The study also addressed a major scientific hurdle: the initial isotope readings suggested the rocks were 3 million years old, which contradicted paleomagnetic, paleontological, geological and archaeological evidence. The researchers addressed this hurdle by demonstrating that the sediments containing human remains have a long history of recycling within the Dead Sea rift and along its margins.

“The exposure-burial history that emerges from the model implies recycling of sediments previously deposited and buried in the rift valley… and then redeposited along the ‘Ubeidiya paleo lake shoreline.”

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A specialized imaging technique reveals mineral layers preserved within a fossilized Melanopsis shell (sample UB1). Perach Nuriel

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A bifacial stone tool from ‘Ubeidiya. Credit: Omry Barzilai

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Article Source: The Hebrew University of Jerusalem news release.

*Complex exposure-burial history and Pleistocene sediment recycling in the Dead Sea Rift with implications for the age of the Acheulean site of Ubeidiya, Quaternary Science Reviews, 10.1016/j.quascirev.2026.109871 

Cover Image, Top Left: Tel Ubeidiya 3 km south of Lake Tiberias, in the Jordan Rift Valley, Israel, is an archaeological site of the Pleistocene. Hanay, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons

Bar-Ilan University—A new study* from Bar-Ilan University is shedding light on a long-overlooked social group in archaeology: the elderly. While research on women and children has flourished in recent decades, older adults have remained largely invisible, their lives reconstructed primarily through skeletal remains. Now, Bar-Ilan archaeologists present a new and innovative study, identifying the elderly through household artifacts, offering a fresh window into their daily lives and social roles.

The study, now accessible as FirstView in the Cambridge Archaeological Journal, focuses on Building 101 at Tel ʿEton, located in the southeastern Shephelah, Israel. This large, high-quality residence, with its multiple rooms spanning the building’s two floors, was destroyed during an Assyrian military campaign in the late 8^th century BCE, leaving hundreds of pottery vessels and additional artifacts sealed within the destruction debris, and providing an exceptionally detailed case study for understanding domestic life.

Using an innovative approach that combined analysis of artifacts, architectural features, activity areas, and comparative ethnographic perspectives on aging and household life, Prof. Avi Faust and his team reconstructed the lived experiences and social roles of older adults within the house. The building was the home of an extended family of some three generations. Room B, likely occupied by the household’s senior couple, had several unique qualities. It was the largest room in the building, the only room on the ground floor that was used for living and sleeping (rather than specialized activities like storage, cooking, etc.). The room’s location within the building is important for a number of reasons. First, the strategic location, opposite the entrance, enabled the residents to watch the entire courtyard and the entrances to the other rooms. Second, the fact that this was the only bedroom on the ground floor reflects the difficulty the elderly would have had climbing a ladder several times a day to reach the other sleeping quarters located on the second floor. The room contained various special finds, including a unique footbath, associated with entertaining important guests, and burnt cedar, perhaps the remains of an impressive chair. The patriarch, sitting on a large chair, could have watched comings and goings and entertained guests, whereas the matriarch could have overseen all household activities. Adjacent spaces, including a room for food preparation with a large loom, and a partially enclosed courtyard, were associated with the elder matriarch’s activities, such as childcare and weaving, highlighting her central role in daily domestic management.

The study advances beyond traditional methods of identifying the elderly, which rely almost exclusively on skeletal analysis in cemeteries. These conventional approaches are often limited, incomplete, or biased, especially in Iron Age Israel, where burial evidence is sparse and fragmentary. By contrast, this material-based approach exposes the elders within the domestic space, revealing their social status, influence, and integration within family and household structures, moving beyond chronological age to capture lived experience.

“For years, the elderly have remained largely invisible in archaeological research,” said Prof. Avi Faust, from the Department of General History at Bar-Ilan University, director of excavations at Tel ʿEton and author of the study. “By analyzing household artifacts rather than skeletal remains, we have a more effective way to identify elders and uncover their roles and influence within the family, a perspective archaeology has long overlooked.”

According to Faust the findings show that the elderly were not merely passive members of the household. Rather, they actively participated in managing resources, supervising domestic work, and maintaining family cohesion. The research underscores the potential of household archaeology to illuminate aspects of daily life that skeletal or textual data alone cannot capture.

This study marks a significant step in the archaeology of old age, opening a new avenue for identifying and understanding elders in other ancient societies. As Prof. Faust notes, “By meticulously examining small finds within domestic spaces, interpreting them in light of textual evidence and ethnographic data about the life of the elderly, we can give them the visibility they deserve in reconstructing past societies.”

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Building 101, on the eve of its destruction by the Assyrian army in the late 8th century BCE. Vered Yacobi

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Aerial image of Room B after the conclusion of excavations. Skyview

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An Iron Knife from Room B. Prof. Avi Faust

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Article Source: Bar-Ilan University news release.

*The Archaeology of the ‘Elderly’, ‘Elders’, ‘Fathers’ and ‘Mothers’ in Iron Age Israel: Building 101 at Tel ʿEton as a Case-Study, Cambridge Archaeological Journal, 7-Jan-2026. 

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University of Hawaii at Manoa—What if Homo erectus (H. erectus), the direct ancestor of modern humans, arrived in China much earlier than we thought? New research published in Science Advances on February 18, may rewrite our understanding of early human dispersal in that area.

A study by a team of geoscientists and anthropologists, including corresponding author Christopher J. Bae from the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa’s Department of Anthropology in the College of Social Sciences, confirms that H. erectus appeared in Yunxian, China 1.7 million years ago, about 600,000 years earlier than previous studies indicated.

Prior to this study, which was funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China and the U.S. National Science Foundation, the oldest Yunxian H. erectus fossils were reported to be about 1.1 million years old. The revised timeline reshapes one of the earliest chapters of human history, suggesting our ancestors spread across continents earlier—and possibly more successfully—than scientists once believed.

“While Homo erectus, our distant ancestor, is widely recognized to have originated in Africa before dispersing into Eurasia, the precise timeline of its arrival in eastern Asia was unknown,” said Bae. “Using the combination of the Yunxian H. erectus fossils and burial dating data, we have now been able to recreate a fairly robust dating reconstruction of when these hominins appeared in eastern Asia.”

Calculating burial data

The researchers used Aluminum-26 (Al-26) and Beryllium-10 (Be-10) burial dating to determine the age of the Yunxian fossils. Hua Tu, lead author, describes the method as using aluminum and beryllium isotopes in sediment from the same stratigraphic level as the fossils to determine when it was first buried and shielded from cosmic radiation. 

“Al-26 and Be-10 isotopes are produced when cosmic rays hit quartz minerals. Once buried deeply underground, isotope production stops and radioactive decay takes over. By using aluminum’s and beryllium’s known decay rates, and comparing the ratio of the two types of atoms left in sediment samples surrounding a fossil, researchers can calculate how long a fossil has been buried. This is key as traditional Carbon-14 dating is limited to the last 50,000 years while the Al-26/Be-10 method allows researchers to accurately date materials as far back as 5 million years ago,” said Tu, from the Institute of Marine Sciences, Shantou University and College of Geographical Sciences, Nanjing Normal University.

Bae added, “These findings challenge long-held assumptions regarding when the earliest hominins are thought to have moved out of Africa and into Asia. While these results are significant, the mystery of exactly when H. erectus first appeared and last appeared in the region remains. If H. erectus was not the earliest occupant to reach Asia, alternative species must be considered. The updated chronology for Yunxian is a critical step toward resolving these debates.”

In addition to Bae and Tu, other team members include:

• Xiaobo Feng: School of History and Culture, Shanxi University
• Lan Luo: Department of Physics and Astronomy, Purdue Rare Isotope Measurement Laboratory, Purdue University
• Zhongping Lai: Institute of Marine Sciences, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Marine Disaster Prediction and Prevention, Shantou University and Alpine Paleoecology and Human Adaptation Group (ALPHA), State Key Laboratory of Tibetan Plateau Earth System, Environment and Resources, Institute of Tibetan Plateau Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences
• Darryl Granger: Department of Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Sciences, Purdue University
• Guanjun Shen: College of Geographical Sciences, Nanjing Normal University and Institute of Marine Sciences, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Marine Disaster Prediction and Prevention, Shantou University

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Yunxian Homo erectus excavation site. Photo Credit: Guangjun Shen

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Reconstruction of the Yunxian Homo erectus. Photo Credit: Xiaobo Feng

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Article Source: University of Hawaii at Manoa news release.

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences—A study finds culturally relevant patterns in burial mound placement associated with lake climate characteristics in precontact Michigan. Increased availability of satellite-based remote sensing data enables the use of remotely sensed landscape data in archaeological applications, even without direct exploration of archaeological sites. Meghan C.L. Howey and Michael W. Palace automated the analysis of satellite thermal sensor data from the Landsat 8 Thermal Infrared Sensor between 2014 and 2024 across Michigan’s lower peninsula. The authors used the resulting data to analyze seasonal temperature patterns, extracting measures of temperature amplitude and phase shifts for thousands of inland lakes, as well as calculating perimeter-to-area ratios of each lake. Comparing the modern data with the locations of burial mounds built between 1200 and 1600 CE, the authors found that lakes with burial mounds warmed later in the spring, cooled later in the fall, and displayed more regular shapes, compared with lakes without mounds. The findings suggest that the placement of burial mounds may have been associated with resource advantages, possibly including an extended maize-growing season. According to the authors, the findings suggest a greater cultural role for maize than previously appreciated and show how remote sensing landscape data can provide archaeological insights.

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Seasonal temperature pattern measures amplitude (𝑎𝑎) and phase shift (∅) derived from a 10-year time series of satellite thermal data for all 10+ ha inland lakes in Michigan’s lower peninsula. Michael Palace

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A subset of conical burial mounds in Michigan’s Lower Peninsula that met the analytic parameters for this analysis. Michael Palace

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Article Source: PNAS news release.

*“Satellite thermal data applied to landscape archaeology: Mounds in Michigan (1200–1600 CE),” by Meghan C.L. Howey and Michael W. Palace. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 17-Feb-2026. https://www.pnas.org/cgi/doi/10.1073/pnas.2528379123

CNRS—Far from the common assumption of a strictly binary division of labor, the roles of women and men in Neolithic Europe were both clearly differentiated and flexible. This is what a new study* conducted by CNRS¹ researchers within an international team reveals. These findings are published in the journal American Journal of Biological Anthropology on February 16, 2026.

To reach this result, the research team analyzed 125 adult skeletons from two Hungarian archaeological sites, Ferenci-hát (5300–5000 BCE) and Csőszhalom (4800–4600 BCE). The researchers combined the study of activity traces on bones — microtraumas at muscle attachment sites, vertebral lesions linked to intense physical strain, and markers of repeated postures such as kneeling — with the analysis of funerary practices, including body position and objects deposited in graves.

At both sites, male skeletons, unlike female ones, showed recurrent lesions on the dominant arm linked to physical tasks such as throwing or working stone and wood — a pattern commonly observed at the European scale.

At Csőszhalom, funerary practices reflect strong social structuring: women were buried on their left side, men on their right, often accompanied by polished stone tools. Kneeling posture markers are significantly more frequent among the latter, suggesting specific activities and a particular status. One woman, however, was buried with these traditionally male-associated attributes.

This study thus shows that gendered roles did exist, and that some corresponded to a general pattern observed in other European prehistoric groups. However, Neolithic society tolerated exceptions and was already experiencing the complexity of identities.

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Typical male burial from Csőszhalom. Skeleton of a man buried on his right side with a polished stone tool (at the level of the left shoulder). © Alexandra Anders

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Article Source: CNRS news release.

Notes

1. Working at the “Eco-anthropologie” laboratory (CNRS/MNHN), scientists from the laboratory “De la préhistoire à l’actuel : culture, environnement et anthropologie” (CNRS/Ministère de la Culture/uiversité de Bordeaux) are also involved.

*Fixed and fluid: The two Faces of Gender Roles — A Combined Study of Activity Patterns and Burial Practices in the European Neolithic, Sébastien Villotte, Tamás Szeniczey, Sacha Kacki, Alexandra Anders, American Journal of Biological Anthropology, 16 February 2026. DOI : doi.org/10.1002/ajpa.70217

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Bournemouth University—A new study has used ancient DNA to reveal that hunter-gatherers in Belgium, the Netherlands and nearby parts of Germany adapted to farming thousands of years later than elsewhere in Europe. It has also uncovered the pivotal role of women in the process.  

The research, published in Nature, involved scientists from Bournemouth University (BU) and the University of Huddersfield and was led by David Reich at Harvard University.  

Palaeoecologist Professor John Stewart at BU has been excavating caves in the region for over 20 years. He worked with archaeologists at the Université de Liège in Belgium to excavate ancient human remains from the Meuse and Lower Rhine regions of modern-day Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany, between 8500 and 1700 BCE which were used in the research. 

The analysis of the DNA from the human remains was carried out at the University of Huddersfield by research students under the supervision of Dr Maria Pala, Professor Martin B. Richards, and Dr Ceiridwen Edwards. 

The Neolithic period was a crucial phase in European prehistory when a series of major population and cultural shifts happened that shaped the genetic composition of modern Europeans. At a time before national borders existed, people moved freely across large distances. In Europe, these movements influenced genetically distinct populations that intermixed creating new languages, cultures, and ways of life.  

During this time European populations had three distinct ancestral components: a hunter-gatherer component inherited from the first modern human (Homo sapiens) inhabitants of the continent, a Neolithic component brought by the first farmers from the Near East, and a third component associated with pastoralists from south Russia. 

DNA analysis from the remains of these ancient populations has helped peal back the layers of time and revealed that the arrival of farming in the Meuse and Lower Rhine regions, around ~4500 BCE did not result in anything like the major shift in genetic composition that took place across the rest of Europe. Instead, the hunter-gather practices were still being used, and the adoption of farming was slower to be introduced by up to 3,000 years.  

Strikingly, the data from the study suggest that this farmer influx was mostly from women marrying into the local hunter-gatherer communities, bringing with them their know-how as well as their genes. This pattern was limited to the water-rich environments (riverine, wetlands and coastal areas) across the region. The wealth of natural resources seems to have allowed the local people to selectively embrace some aspects of farming while also preserving many hunter-gatherer practices (and genes). 

The high levels of hunter-gatherer ancestry persisted until the end of the Neolithic, around 2500 BCE, when the famous “Bell Beaker” pottery first appeared. At this point, new people, with ancestry from Russia, spread across Europe. This time however, the newcomers overwhelmed the local communities, and the ancient lineages that had survived for so long dwindled.  

The study also has consequences for the history of Britain. The analysis revealed that British Early Bronze Age populations after 2500 BCE traced more than 90 per cent of their ancestry to those continental Bell Beaker populations – the earlier people, who built Stonehenge, seem to have almost completely vanished. 

Professor John Stewart commented: “We expected a clear change between the older hunter-gatherer populations and the newer agriculturalists but apparently in the lowlands and along the rivers of the Netherlands and Belgium the change was less immediate. It’s like a Waterworld where time stood still.” 

Dr Maria Pala said: “This study has also brought to light the crucial role played by women in the transmission of knowledge from the incoming farming communities to the local hunter-gatherers. Thanks to ancient DNA studies we can not only uncover the past but also give voice to the invaluable but often overlooked role played by women in shaping human evolution.” 

For further information about courses in Life Sciences please visit our website. 

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Map showing dispersion of Hunter-Gatherers. Bournemouth University

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One of the caves in Belgium where the remains of ancient settlers were excavated. Bournemouth University

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Article Source: Bournemouth University news release.

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University of Bristol—The art of mummification has long been shrouded in mystery, but new research shows the musty smell of mummified remains helps unlock important information about the ancient practice.

The study, led by chemists at the University of Bristol, reveals the elusive aroma is far more than just matter of decay through age; it captures a potent mix of embalming materials and preserved bandages, which uncover how the careful processes have evolved over many centuries.

Lead author Dr Wanyue Zhao, Research Associate in Organic Geochemistry at the University of Bristol, said: “The findings mark a significant step forward in improving our understanding of Egyptian history and the fascinating ritual of mummification. Our analysis of the associated scents has uncovered new insights into how the practice developed through the ages and became increasingly sophisticated.”   

The research team used pioneering techniques to analyze the air surrounding small mummy specimens the size of a peppercorn. Traditional methods often require solvent dissolving material, which is more damaging to fragile artifacts.

By combining solid phase micro-extraction with gas chromatography and high-resolution mass spectrometry, they were able to trap the gases present in small vials so the various scents – known as Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) – could be separated and analyzed in minute detail.

The study*, published in the Journal of Archaeological Science, examined 35 samples of balms and bandages taken from 19 mummies spanning more than 2,000 years of Egyptian history between 3200 BC to 395 AD. Across the samples, 81 distinctive VOCs were identified – all providing vital clues about how and when the mummification was carried out.

These compounds, even if only present in tiny amounts, were grouped into four main categories linked to the embalming substances used: fats and oils produced aromatic compounds and short-chain fatty acids; beeswax contributed mono-carboxylic fatty acids and cinnamic compounds; plant resins released aromatic compounds and sesquiterpenoids, and bitumen produced naphthenic compounds.

Dr Zhao said: “Our findings showed the chemical patterns varied across historical periods. Earlier mummies had simpler profiles dominated by fats and oils, while later mummies displayed more complex mixtures incorporating imported resins and bitumen. Such materials were more costly and required more specialized preparation, as the practice became more advanced.”

The chemical profiles also indicated changes depending on what body region of the mummy they were taken.

“For instance, samples from heads often contained different patterns than those from torsos, suggesting embalmers applied distinct recipes to separate parts of the body to possibly aid preservation. This is an area which needs further analysis and research to better understand what techniques were used and why,” Dr Zhao added.

The results provide a more detailed analysis of known balm compositions, deepening existing understanding of the intricate processes involved and their evolution.

Study co-author Richard Evershed, Professor of Chemistry at the University of Bristol, said: “Our volatile analysis proved sensitive enough to detect residues at extremely low concentrations. For example, bitumen biomarkers were previously difficult to detect with earlier soluble residue methods.

“This approach expands the study of ancient Egyptian funerary practices, presenting a clearer, fuller picture of mummification recipes, material choices, and preservation strategies.”

Museums and historical collections also stand to benefit. Air sampling offers a rapid, non-destructive screening tool for fragile mummies, allowing curators to gather chemical information while preserving physical integrity.

Study co-author Ian Bull, Professor of Analytical Chemistry at the University of Bristol, added: “Physical sampling still plays a role for detailed work, yet volatile analysis provides an effective and enlightening first step for studying embalmed remains across collections and time periods.”

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Image shows one of the mummy samples, from the Bristol Museum, used in this study. The red arrow shows where the bandage sample was taken from the finger of the mummified female hand. Katherine Clark, a study co-author

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Image shows one of the mummy samples, the size of a peppercorn, used in the study. University of Bristol

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Article Source: University of Bristol news release.

*‘Volatile compounds reveal the composition of embalming materials used in Egyptian mummification’, Journal of Archaeological Science, 22-Jan-2026. 

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University of Sydney—New archaeological evidence reveals that seabird guano – nutrient-rich bird droppings – was not only essential to boosting corn yields and supercharging agriculture in ancient Peru but may have been a driving force behind the rise of the Chincha Kingdom as one of the most prosperous and influential pre‑Inca societies. 

Lead author Dr Jacob Bongers, a digital archaeologist at the University of Sydney and a Visiting Research Fellow at the Australian Museum Research Institute, said the findings highlight the unexpectedly powerful role bird droppings played in shaping ancient societies in the Andes. 

“Seabird guano may seem trivial, yet our study suggests this potent resource could have significantly contributed to sociopolitical and economic change in the Peruvian Andes,” Dr Bongers said.  

“Guano dramatically boosted the production of maize (corn), and this agricultural surplus crucially helped fuel the Chincha Kingdom’s economy, driving their trade, wealth, population growth and regional influence, and shaped their strategic alliance with the Inca Empire.  

“In ancient Andean cultures, fertiliser was power.”   

Ancient fertiliser, modern science   

Published in PLOS One, the study analysed biochemical signatures in 35 maize samples recovered from burial tombs in the Chincha Valley, home to a powerful coastal polity of an estimated 100,000 people.    

Chemical analyses revealed exceptionally high nitrogen levels in the maize, far beyond the natural soil conditions typical for the area. This strongly indicates the crops were fertilised with seabird guano, which is enriched in nitrogen due to the birds’ marine diets.  

“The guano was most likely harvested from the nearby Chincha Islands, renowned for their abundant and high-quality guano deposits,” Dr Bongers said. “Colonial‑era writings we studied report that communities across coastal Peru and northern Chile sailed to several nearby islands on rafts to collect seabird droppings for fertilisation.” 

The researchers also examined regional archaeological imagery featuring seabirds, fish, and sprouting maize depicted together on textiles, ceramics, pottery, wall carvings and paintings, offering a further line of evidence that seabirds and maize held cultural importance in these ancient societies. 

“Together, the chemical and material evidence we studied confirms earlier scholarship showing that guano was deliberately collected and used as a fertiliser,” Dr Bongers said. “But it also points to a deeper cultural significance, suggesting people recognised the exceptional power of this fertiliser and actively celebrated, protected and even ritualised the vital relationship between seabirds and agriculture.” 

Dr Emily Milton, a postdoctoral fellow at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C., said the multidisciplinary approach was critical. 

“The historical records documenting how bird guano was applied to maize fields helped us interpret the chemical data and understand the regional importance of this practice,” she said. “Our work extends the known geographic extent of guano fertilisation, echoing recent findings in northern Chile, and suggests soil management began at least around 800 years ago in Peru.” 

How guano reshaped power on the desert coast 

Farming on Peru’s coast is challenging, as it is one of the driest areas on Earth, where even irrigated soils quickly lose nutrients. Guano shipped from offshore islands provided a potent, renewable fertiliser that allowed coastal farmers in the Chincha Valley to grow maize, one of the most important staple crops in the Americas, in abundance.  

This agricultural surplus supported specialist merchants, farmers and fisherfolk, and helped the Chincha people to become major coastal traders.  

“We know the Chincha were extraordinarily wealthy and one of the most powerful coastal societies of their time. But what underpinned that prosperity? Previous research often pointed to spondylus shells, the spiny oyster, as the key driver of merchant wealth,” Dr Bongers said.   

“Our evidence suggests guano was central to the Chincha Kingdom’s success, with the Chincha’s maritime knowledge and access to the Chincha Islands likely reframing their strategic importance in the region.”   

The Inca, based in the highlands of the Andes, produced the largest native empire in the Americas before Europeans arrived and were famously obsessed with maize, using it to make ceremonial fermented beer, or ‘chicha’. But they couldn’t grow much of it in their highland environments, nor could they sail. 

“Guano was a highly sought-after resource the Incas would have wanted access to, playing an important role in the diplomatic arrangements between the Inca and the Chincha communities,” Dr Bongers said.  

“It expanded Chincha’s agricultural productivity and mercantile influence, leading to exchanges of resources and power.” 

Coauthor Dr Jo Osborn at Texas A&M University said this research invites us to reconsider what ‘wealth’ meant in the ancient Andes.   

“The true power of the Chincha wasn’t just access to a resource; it was their mastery of a complex ecological system,” she said. “They possessed the traditional knowledge to see the connection between marine and terrestrial life, and they turned that knowledge into the agricultural surplus that built their kingdom. Their art celebrates this connection, showing us that their power was rooted in ecological wisdom, not just gold or silver.” 

The findings expand on Dr Bongers’ recent research on the Band of Holes just south of the Chincha Valley, where he suggests that the site was an ancient marketplace built by the Chincha Kingdom. 

“This research adds another layer to our understanding of how the Chincha, and potentially other coastal communities, used resources, trade and agriculture to expand their influence in the pre-Hispanic era,” Dr Bongers said. 

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Caption: The Islas Ballestas off the coast of the Chincha and Pisco valleys remain an important location for many seabird species, as well as seals and other marine animals. Birds today are less abundant than they were in the past, leading to decreased guano accumulation compared to earlier eras. Photos by Jo Osborn

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Caption: Bone balance beam scale, The Art Institute of Chicago 1955.2579d. Public domain. https://www.artic.edu/artworks/126423/balance-beam-scale

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LIP and LH seabird imagery from the Peruvian southern coast.
(A) Ceremonial digging stick or paddle, The Met Museum 1979.206.1025. (B) Bone balancebeam scale, The Art Institute of Chicago 1955.2579d. (C) Adobe frieze (now destroyed) at the site of La Centinela c.1938, Bennett Greig (1907–1944). (D) Embossed lead and silver ball depicting seabirds eating a fish, The Met Museum 82.1.22. (E) Ceramic jar from UC-018 mortuary site, middle Chincha Valley, photo by J. Bongers. (F) Pyro-engraved gourd from Jahuay, Quebrada de Topará, photo by J. Osborn. (G) Embroidered textile from UC-25, middle Chincha Valley, photo by C. O’Shea. (A-D): CC0 Public Domain. All photos cropped from the originals.

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Article Source: University of Sydney news release.

*Bongers JL, Milton EBP, Osborn J, Drucker DG, Robinson JR, Scaffidi BK (2026) Seabirds shaped the expansion of pre-Inca society in Peru. PLOS One 21(2): e0341263. https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0341263

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Frontiers—On the Great Plains of North America, bison were hunted for thousands of years before populations collapsed to near extinction due to overexploitation in the late 1800s. But long before then, bison hunters used various strategies and different types of sites, sometimes switching between sites.

Now, researchers sought to understand why hunting stopped when bison continued to be present at the Bergstrom site in central Montana, where bison were hunted intermittently for around 700 years before the site fell into disuse. The results* were published in Frontiers in Conservation Science.

“We found that bison hunters ceased using a kill site in central Montana around 1,100 years ago,” said first author Dr John Wendt, a paleoecologist and assistant professor of rangeland ecosystem management at New Mexico State University. “It appears that hunters stopped using it because severe, recurring droughts reduced the water available for processing animals at a small nearby creek. Site abandonment was a response to environmental stressors and changing social and economic pressures.”

More than bison

To understand what shaped choice of hunting sites and organization, the team combined archaeological excavation, sediment coring, and laboratory analyses. “The Bergstrom site presented a puzzle because it was used intermittently and abandoned when bison were common throughout the region and hunting was intense,” Wendt explained. “Why would hunters stop using a site that had worked for so long?”

To get to the mystery’s core, the researchers dug nine 1×1m excavation pits in the spring of 2019. Excavated materials were documented and photographed and charcoal fragments were sent off for radiocarbon analysis. Two sediment cores were collected directly next to the excavation area. The team analyzed these for pollen and charcoal fragments. They also tracked the presence of large herbivores and analyzed climate reconstructions. Based on this, the team was able to see if ecological changes explained why Bergstrom was abandoned, or if something else had driven hunters away.

“Abandonment wasn’t because the site became ecologically unsuitable in any absolute sense. Bison were still around, vegetation hadn’t changed, and there was no substantive shift in fire activities,” Wendt pointed out. “Bison hunting activity was not simply following prey populations.”

Leveling up hunting sites

Instead, severe droughts stretching decades hit the region before and after final abandonment of the site. Such droughts limited how much water was available, but also made locations where water wasn’t a given less attractive to hunter groups. At the same time, many hunters reorganized themselves from small mobile groups working opportunistically to more coordinated, larger groups who used constructed infrastructure and occupied sites for longer time periods.

“These larger operations were based on large kills and could produce surplus for trade and winter storage, but they also meant more dependence on specific resources like water, forage for larger herds, and fuel for processing fires,” said Wendt.

Sites meeting these characteristics were more scarce, as they also needed topographic features suited to large bison drives, such as cliffs for jumps and features to contain herds. If these characteristics were given, however, such sites often saw repeated, large-scale use over centuries.

Sophisticated climate adaptation

Favoring larger sites, however, meant greater dependency on everything going right, as these sites were harder to replace. Hunters worked at these sites over generations and could reorganize as conditions changed. Maintaining cultural knowledge and flexibility is most likely what allowed this type of hunting organization to persist through climate variability, the team said. This flexibility is also relevant to modern bison management systems, which can increase their odds of persisting through climate variability by retaining the capacity to reorganize how and where animals are managed.

The team pointed out that their conclusions may not hold true for other bison hunting sites in the region, which may have been abandoned for other reasons. In addition, while the study shows use for around 700 years, it could not determine how long each use period lasted or how frequently the site was used during this time. It also is possible that after abandonment, the Bergstrom site saw infrequent, low-impact use that left minimal traces that could not be detected, the team said.

“While people have been adapting to the climate for much longer, Bergstrom’s abandonment shows that people reorganized in response to recurring droughts in the last 2,000 years,” concluded Wendt.

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Bison bones are scattered across the site. John Wendt

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Students conducting archaeological excavations. Michael Neeley

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Article Source: Frontiers news release.

Max Planck Institute of Geoanthropology—Recent advances in biomolecular archaeology have revealed that ancient objects can retain the molecular fingerprints of past aromatic practices. These molecules provide unprecedented insight into ancient perfumery, medicine, ritual, and daily life.

In a new publication*, an interdisciplinary research team led by archaeo-chemist Barbara Huber (Max Planck Institute of Geoanthropology and the University of Tübingen), shows how museums can use this molecular evidence to engage audiences with the sensory worlds of the past. The team combined their expertise to create a new workflow for converting biomolecular data into accessible, visitor-ready olfactory recreations.

“This research represents a significant shift in how scientific results can be shared beyond academic publications,” explains Huber.

From Data to Fragrance

The process began with a briefing, prepared by Huber in collaboration with scent-based storytelling consultant Sofia Collette Ehrich, establishing a crucial link between scientific data and perfumery practice. Building on this foundation, perfumer Carole Calvez developed a series of formulations that translated ancient chemical signatures into a scent suitable for museum environments. Calvez emphasizes that this is not a simple act of replication.

“The real challenge lies in imagining the scent as a whole,” she explains. “Biomolecular data provide essential clues, but the perfumer must translate chemical information into a complete and coherent olfactory experience that evokes the complexity of the original material, rather than just its individual components.”

Scent Cards and Stations: Visitors Travel Back in Time through their Noses

To demonstrate, the team developed two formats for presenting ancient scents in public settings. Using The Scent of the Afterlife, a recreation of the aromas that accompanied the ancient Egyptian mummification process, they created a portable scented card and a fixed scent diffusion station integrated into exhibition design.

At the Museum August Kestner in Hanover, where the artefacts that inspired the project are displayed, the scented card quickly became an integral part of guided tours.

“Scent provides a new approach to mummification, moving away from the scare factor and horror movie clichés towards an appreciation of the motivations behind the actions and the desired results,” curators Christian E. Loeben and Ulrike Dubiel report. 

The fixed scent station format was installed in the exhibition Ancient Egypt – Obsessed with Life at the Moesgaard Museum in Aarhus, Denmark.

“The scent station transformed how visitors understood embalming,” curator Steffen Terp Laursen observes. “Smell added an emotional and sensory depth that text labels alone could never provide.”

This work demonstrates how molecular traces of the past can be transformed into meaningful cultural experiences.

“We hope to offer museums compelling new tools for bringing visitors closer to past environments and practices via sensory interpretation and engagement,” Sofia Collette Ehrich concludes.

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The Scent of the Afterlife scented card. The essence of the reproduced scent is inserted into the paper via scent printing. Credit: Ehrich SC, Calvez C, Loeben CE, Dubiel U, Terp Laursen S and Huber B (2026) From biomolecular traces to multisensory experiences: bringing scent reproductions to museums and cultural heritage. Front. Environ. Archaeol. 4:1736875. doi: 10.3389/fearc.2025.1736875

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Visitors sniffing the Scent of the Afterlife card during a guided tour at the Museum August Kestner, Hannover, Germany. Credit: Ehrich SC, Calvez C, Loeben CE, Dubiel U, Terp Laursen S and Huber B (2026) From biomolecular traces to multisensory experiences: bringing scent reproductions to museums and cultural heritage. Front. Environ. Archaeol. 4:1736875. doi: 10.3389/fearc.2025.1736875

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Museum display for the Scent of the Afterlife in at the Moesgaard Museum in Denmark’s exhibition, Ancient Egypt – Obsessed with Life. Credit: Ehrich SC, Calvez C, Loeben CE, Dubiel U, Terp Laursen S and Huber B (2026) From biomolecular traces to multisensory experiences: bringing scent reproductions to museums and cultural heritage. Front. Environ. Archaeol. 4:1736875. doi: 10.3389/fearc.2025.1736875

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Article Source: Max Planck Institute of Geoanthropology news release.

University of Southern California – Health Sciences, LOS ANGELES — Keck Medicine of USC radiologists use computed tomography (CT) scanners to diagnose and treat patients’ diseases and injuries.  

Recently, however, this advanced technology was put to a far more novel use: examining the bodies of two ancient Egyptian mummies. 

Radiologists conducted full-body CT scans of two Egyptian priests, Nes-Min, circa 330 BCE, and Nes-Hor, circa 190 BCE, whose bodies had been preserved for more than 2,200 years.  

The mummies, along with 3D digital models and 3D prints of select parts of their bodies, will be on display at “Mummies of the World: The Exhibition,” an upcoming exhibit at the California Science Center opening Feb. 7.  

Each mummy was scanned inside the bottom half of its sarcophagus, which weighed approximately 200 pounds each. The mummies were wrapped in linen shrouds, blackened with age. The older mummy, Nes-Min, was draped in a garment of heavily beaded net over his torso and wore several strands of colorful beads.  

A state-of-the-art, 320 slice CT scanner revealed small details of their bodies that humanized the men, including facial features such as eyelids and their lower lips. The images also held clues about their health, life experiences and lifespans that resonate with people today.  

Scans reveal healed injuries, dental issues and other modern-day ailments  

Analysis of the scans showed that the elder of the mummies, Nes-Min, probably suffered from an aching lower back like many modern humans. His spine showed a collapsed lumbar or lower back vertebrae likely due to natural aging and wear and tear.  

He was buried with several artifacts, representing several scarab beetles and a fish.  

Nes-Hor’s scan revealed dental issues and a severely deteriorated hip, and that he was older at the time of death than Nes-Min.  

“These scans provide a treasure trove of information made possible by Keck Medicine’s access to the latest in high-level scanning, coupled with the team’s expertise,” said Summer Decker, PhD, who leads 3D imaging for Keck Medicine and serves as director of the USC Center for Innovation in Medical Visualization with the Keck School of Medicine of USC.  

“These mummies were scanned previously, but due to advancements in scanning technology, the results are much more detailed and extensive than ever before,” said Decker, who oversaw the mummy scans and visualization analysis. “The high-resolution images have revealed things that were previously unknown and helped create a picture of what their lives were like.” 

After scanning the mummies, Decker and her colleague, Jonathan Ford, PhD, used the scans to create 3D digital models of the men. They also printed out life-size reproductions of the men’s spines, skulls and hips, as well as artifacts found with Nes-Min, using medical-grade 3D printers.  

“Mummies have long been a mystery. Seeing beneath the surface to reveal the specific lived experience of individuals is incredibly exciting,” said anthropologist Diane Perlov, PhD, senior vice president for special projects at the California Science Center. “This modern scientific technology offers us a powerful window into the world of ancient people and past civilizations that might otherwise be lost.” 

Keck Medicine’s 3D technology brings organs to life  

Keck Medicine’s 3D visualization and printing technologies used on the mummies allow for surgeons to turn medical imaging, such as a CT or MRI scan, into physical reproductions of a patient’s liver, heart, pelvis or other structure.  

The scans first create hundreds of detailed 3D cross-sectional images (or “slices”), then 3D visualization experts digitally “stack” the images together to form 3D digital models. These models can then be analyzed, measured or used to print on high-resolution medical-grade 3D printers, meaning that the prints can be used in surgery and are safe to touch and potentially be implanted in a patient.  

Surgeons then use these prints to better visualize and understand a patient’s complex medical condition or practice the best surgical solution before entering the operating room. 

“Through 3D visualization, modeling and printing, clinicians like surgeons can accurately measure hard-to-detect tumors, examine the intricate structure of a patient’s heart or liver or determine how best to repair a shoulder or hip,” said Decker. “They walk into the operating room with a much better idea of what they are facing and how they will approach surgery. With these advanced technologies, we can create custom treatments and solutions for our patients, which may lead to improved outcomes.”  

Patients may also benefit from holding a replica of their own organ in their hand, Decker continued. “They gain a new understanding of what their condition is and how it will be treated,” she said.  

Keck Medicine has access to almost two dozen 3D printers housed in the USC Center for Innovation in Medical Visualization. 

About the exhibit  

“Mummies of the World: The Exhibition” first debuted at the California Science Center in 2010. After touring the globe, the exhibition returns to Los Angeles for its closing venue with a new selection of mummies never seen before in Los Angeles.  

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Keck Medicine of USC scans two ancient Egyptian mummies using innovative computed tomography (CT) scanners. Summer Decker, PhD, (right), 3D imaging lead for Keck Medicine and director of the USC Center for Innovation in Medical Visualization, and Jonathan Ford, PhD, (left) associate director of the center, examine the mummies, part of “Mummies of the World: The Exhibition” at the California Science Center. Credit: Ricardo Carrasco III

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Article Source: University of Southern California – Health Sciences news release.

For more information about Keck Medicine of USC, please visit news.KeckMedicine.org. 

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The world contains numerous hidden remnants of ancient civilizations which exist beneath its forested areas, agricultural fields and urban developments. 

Archaeological sites which remain undocumented exist because their locations remain difficult to find through conventional detection methods. These sites often require excavation, requiring significant time and financial resources, and restricted sites. Whereas, ground surveys face limitations due to both terrain and visibility conditions. 

Archaeological exploration methods have undergone transformation during the recent years because of advancements in technology. Researchers now apply advanced technological equipment to examine geographical areas from above instead of excavation methods and physical examination. Among all, archaeological surveying technology has created fresh pathways which enable researchers to examine human history without performing ground disturbances.

Seeing the Landscape from Above

Archaeologists now examine the entire site from a higher perspective than they would at a normal level. This new perspective allows them to monitor large-scale land changes such as settlement patterns and ancient land routes.

The differences between traditional aerial photography methods and laser-based scanning is the depth of what it can capture. 

Photographic methods capture the entire visible surface details, meaning it can only capture the surface level of things. Whereas laser-based methods can sense minute movements in the terrains, which are present but not visible on the surface elements. This helps in the correct analysis and interpretation of the territories, providing better insights into how the ancient population used these territories. 

The invention of aerial surveying technology increases its use in combination with other precise research tools.

Cutting Through Vegetation and Time

The archaeological field faces its most significant obstacle when researchers attempt to study areas with heavy plant growth. The combination of forests, jungles, and overgrown landscapes means structures, pathways, and earthworks could remain hidden for hundreds of years. Conventional survey methods used in such locations are unsuccessful due to the inability to uncover hidden objects under vegetation. 

The technology of laser-based scanning enables researchers to penetrate plant cover and accurately map ground features. This method enables identification of minor elevation variations which serve as indicators for discovering hidden walls, terraces, and other cultural elements. Furthermore, this enables researchers to locate new research locations without damaging the terrain through excavation.

Aerial LiDAR scanning enables researchers to study landscapes which previously remained untouched. The method shows what’s beyond the earth’s surface, enabling archaeologists to determine how ancient people arranged their natural surroundings. 

Moreover, researchers utilize aerial LiDAR archaeology as their primary method to study how humans have interacted with natural environments throughout history.

Drones and Aircraft in Archaeological Mapping

Drones for archaeology are fitted with advanced sensors making it efficient in surveying big areas while keeping risks to a minimum. Their ability to scan large scale sites at a quicker pace makes it more efficient compared to ground methods. Ground surveys, although effective, may prove to be difficult and hazardous, considering that various locations are difficult to access.

Drone surveys are beneficial in remote areas that may be limited to accessibility, because these drones can reach hard-to-reach places. In addition to this, aerial tools offer precise information that can be studied at a later time. This is, therefore, important since it allows the study of archaeological sites over time, enhancing the understanding of the past. The use of aerial tools, combined with geographic information, can enhance the study of past landscapes, improving history understanding.

In this wider context of current technological realities, drone archaeology services may be conceived as a more scalable non-invasive approach.

Discoveries Enabled by Advanced Aerial Scanning

The advanced methods of aerial LiDAR archaeology have uncovered hidden settlements, ancient transportation routes, and extensive landscape changes at multiple locations. The discoveries made here bring forth new knowledge about how ancient societies operated. These studies demonstrate how people organized their communities and interacted with their surroundings in history.

Aerial scanning technology enables researchers to conduct precise evaluations that extend beyond typical claims of exceptional events. This technology lets archaeologists formulate better research questions from patterns that are revealed through discovery. The process of finding archaeological sites transforms into a method for understanding contextual details instead of just searching for sites.

Remote sensing in archaeology benefits archaeological researchers by enabling the examination of additional research areas. Furthermore, it allows archaeologists to examine regions which would remain hidden because of their environmental conditions and logistical challenges. 

Remote sensing in archaeology lets researchers link their individual discoveries with larger spatial and environmental patterns which were previously unrecognizable.

Working Alongside Traditional Field Archaeology

Aerial scanning technology does not replace traditional methods of field archaeology. Instead, it acts as an additional part of the process of excavation together with artifact analysis, and on-site observation. This integration improves validation of research results, establishment of cultural backgrounds, and archaeological mapping.

Technological tools combined with field operations results in research work which achieves greater productivity while maintaining research responsibility. This new and improved workflow reduces the need for unnecessary excavation to understand ancient artifacts while protecting delicate archaeological sites. Aerial data helps document and protect cultural heritage sites, while highlighting non-invasive archaeology tools and methods for contemporary research work.

Archaeologists should analyze their findings through extended environmental and spatial contexts instead of studying single artifacts or existing structures. The process of archaeological mapping enables researchers to link single archaeological locations with wider regional trends. In this way, it enhances historical understanding and supports future preservation work of cultural heritage assets.

What This Technology Means for the Future of Archaeology

The increase in non-invasive research methodologies heralds a new trend in the practice of archaeology. Non-invasive archaeology methods are becoming widespread in the era of remote sensing technologies. This adoption improves the coverage of larger areas in a sustainable and environmentally friendly manner.

In the future, archaeological surveying technology will play an even greater role in archaeological exploration. This is because further advancements will help researchers discover archaeological finds while also improving the conservational strategies in this field of research.

Moreover, the continued development of aerial surveying may help further our understanding of the way ancient civilizations interacted with their environments. By untangling the relationship between the natural terrain and human interaction, it may provide a new historical and evolutionary perspective.

Revealing the Past Without Digging

Aerial scanning has transformed archeological research by revealing hidden artifacts without the need of extensive environmental disruptions. The mixture of aerial scanning and conventional methods is helping historians discover new dimensions of history without interfering with the sites.

Ultimately, the worth of such technology is about how it provides new ways of discovering the remains of the past. By bringing innovation along with scholarly analysis, archaeological site discovery is being redefined, especially through the aid of non-invasive archaeology. With the continued advancement of technology, the future of archaeology moves toward a responsible discovery, understanding, and preservation of the past.

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Cover Image, Top Left: A lidar view of Stonehenge. Dr John Wells, CC BY 4.0, Wikimedia Commons

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University of Vienna—Researchers led by the University of Vienna and Liège University Hospital Centre have identified genetic variants associated with a rare inherited growth disorder in two prehistoric individuals who lived more than 12,000 years ago. Using ancient DNA analysis and modern clinical genetics, they diagnosed the condition in a mother and daughter buried together in southern Italy. Published in the New England Journal of Medicine, the study* shows that paleogenomics can now reconstruct ancient population history and diagnose rare genetic diseases in prehistoric individuals.

The discovery builds on a reanalysis of a well-known Upper Paleolithic burial discovered in 1963 at Grotta del Romito in southern Italy, which has long puzzled researchers. Unusual skeletal features and the circumstances of the burial raised longstanding questions about the relationship between the individuals and the medical reasons for their short stature.

A remarkable double burial raises questions

The two were interred together in an embrace. “Romito 2”, an adolescent with pronounced limb shortening, previously assumed to be male, lay in the arms of “Romito 1”, thought to be an adult female. No signs of trauma were observed. Romito 2 had an estimated height of about 110 cm, consistent with a rare skeletal growth disorder known as acromesomelic dysplasia, though this could not be confirmed solely from bones. Romito 1 was also shorter – about 145 cm –than average for the period. For decades, researchers debated their gender, relationship, and the possibility of a common cause of their short stature.

About the study

The team analysed ancient DNA extracted from the petrous part of the temporal bone of both individuals, a region known for preserving genetic material well. Genetic analysis established a first-degree relationship. The researchers then screened genes associated with skeletal growth and compared the identified variants with modern clinical data. This interdisciplinary approach, combining paleogenomics, clinical genetics, and physical anthropology, involved an international team from the University of Vienna and collaborators in Italy, Portugal, and Belgium.

Earliest genetic diagnosis in humans

The analysis showed that both individuals were female and first-degree relatives, most likely a mother and daughter. In Romito 2, researchers identified a homozygous variant in the NPR2 gene, which is essential for bone growth. This confirmed a diagnosis of acromesomelic dysplasia, Maroteaux type — a very rare inherited disorder characterized by severe short stature and marked shortening of the limbs. Genetic data from Romito 1 indicate that she carried one altered copy of the same gene, a condition associated with milder short stature.

Rare diseases in human history

Ron Pinhasi, University of Vienna, who co-led the study says: “By applying ancient DNA analysis, we can now identify specific mutations in prehistoric individuals. This helps establish how far back rare genetic conditions existed and may also uncover previously unknown variants.” Daniel Fernandes of the University of Coimbra, first author of the study, adds: “Identifying both individuals as female and closely related turns this burial into a familial genetic case. The older woman’s milder short stature likely reflects a heterozygous mutation, showing how the same gene affected members of a prehistoric family differently.” Clinically, the results highlight the deep history of rare diseases. Adrian Daly of Liège University Hospital Centre, a co-leader of the study, notes: “Rare genetic diseases are not a modern phenomenon but have been present throughout human history. Understanding their history may help recognising such conditions today.”

Evidence of social care

Despite severe physical limitations, Romito 2 survived into adolescence or adulthood, suggesting sustained care within her community. Alfredo Coppa of Sapienza University of Rome, who also co-led the study, says: “We believe her survival would have required sustained support from her group, including help with food and mobility in a challenging environment.”

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Daniel Fernandes preparing to take a sample. Adrian Daly

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Article Source: University of Vienna news release.

The human face is a biological record shaped by evolution, environment, and social behavior. Its structure reflects millions of years of adaptation related to movement, diet, brain growth, climate, and communication. The face has never been static. It has changed continuously as human needs evolved, leaving clear anatomical evidence that allows researchers to study how and why these changes occurred.

The Human Face as an Evolutionary Archive

From a biological perspective, the face integrates several essential functions, including sensory perception, breathing, feeding, and social interaction. Once early human ancestors adopted upright walking more than four million years ago, the skull was no longer constrained by locomotion. This allowed facial anatomy to respond more directly to ecological and functional pressures.

Researchers have observed that while the skeletal structure for bipedal movement stabilized early, the face continued to change. Paleoanthropologist William Kimbel explains that “the skull and teeth provide a rich library of changes that we can track over time, describing the history of evolution of our species.” These changes reflect both biological demands and behavioral innovation.

Dietary Shifts and Facial Remodeling

Diet has played a central role in shaping facial structure. Early hominin species consumed tough, fibrous plant foods that required strong chewing forces. As a result, their faces were broad and deep, with large jaws, thick cheekbones, and prominent muscle attachment sites.

As environments changed and food sources diversified, especially during the last two million years, early members of the genus Homo began using tools to process food. Cutting meat and breaking down plant matter mechanically reduced the need for large jaws and teeth. Over time, this led to:

• Smaller jaws and teeth
• Reduced facial depth
• A flatter facial profile

Anthropologists often summarize this relationship by noting that facial structure reflects dietary demand. As Kimbel states, “We evolved to be what we eat, literally.”

Brain Expansion and Structural Reorganization

The expansion of the human brain significantly influenced facial evolution. As cranial capacity increased, the skull reorganized to maintain balance and function. The growing braincase pushed the face downward and inward, a process known as facial retraction.

This structural shift reduced forward projection of the jaws and midface while preserving essential functions such as vision, breathing, and speech. These changes distinguish modern humans from earlier hominin species that had more projecting facial structures.

Respiratory Function and Climate Adaptation

The face also functions as part of the respiratory system. Nasal shape and airway structure adapted to different climates over time. Narrower nasal passages are more effective at warming and humidifying cold, dry air, while broader nasal openings help dissipate heat in warmer environments.

These adaptations developed gradually and contributed to regional variation in facial form. They demonstrate that facial evolution was influenced by multiple interacting factors rather than a single cause.

Social Behavior and Facial Expression

Social interaction has also shaped facial anatomy. The face is a primary tool for nonverbal communication, conveying emotion, intent, and social cues. Certain facial features likely evolved in response to changes in social behavior.

Large brow ridges, common in extinct human relatives such as Homo erectus and Neanderthals, are also present in modern great apes. Researchers suggest these structures played a role in signaling dominance or aggression. As human societies became more cooperative, these features diminished. At the same time, facial musculature evolved to support a wider range of expressions.

Kimbel notes that “the human face plays an important role in social interaction, emotion, and communication,” and that some facial changes may reflect social context rather than purely mechanical demands.

The Role of Culture in Biological Change

Cultural practices further influenced facial evolution by reducing physical demands. Tool use, cooking, and food preparation lessened the need for powerful chewing. Over many generations, these behaviors contributed to smaller jaws and teeth.

This interaction between culture and biology highlights a key feature of human evolution. Learned behavior often alters selective pressures, leading to anatomical change without direct environmental stress.

Ongoing Facial Change in Modern Populations

Facial evolution did not end in the past. Modern diets, healthcare, and living conditions continue to influence facial development, particularly during childhood. While these changes occur over shorter timescales, they follow the same biological principles that shaped faces throughout human history.

In adulthood, medical knowledge and surgical precision now allow structural changes to be approached with a detailed understanding of anatomy, tissue behavior, and long-term biological outcomes. These modern aesthetic surgery techniques reflect the same anatomical principles studied in evolutionary research, applying them in controlled clinical settings to address age-related structural shifts rather than environmental pressures.

As Kimbel observes, “We are a product of our past. Understanding the process by which we became human allows us to look at our own anatomy with perspective and insight.”

Interpreting the Human Face Through Time

The modern human face reflects cumulative evolutionary processes involving diet, brain growth, climate adaptation, and social behavior. Each anatomical feature represents a functional response to historical conditions rather than an isolated trait.

By examining how faces change over time, researchers gain insight into human biology and the evolutionary pathway that led to modern humanity. The face remains one of the most accessible and informative records of that journey.

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Cover Image, Top Left: Geralt, Pixabay

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Chinese Academy of Sciences Headquarters—An international research team has uncovered evidence of advanced stone tool technologies in East Asia dating back 160,000 to 72,000 years, with the findings recently published in Nature Communications.

Led by the Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoanthropology (IVPP) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, the team—which included researchers from China, Australia, Spain, and the United States—conducted multidisciplinary archaeological investigations at the Xigou site in the Danjiangkou Reservoir region of central China. Their work yielded evidence of sophisticated stone tool technologies dating from 160,000 to 72,000 years ago, revealing that hominins in the region were far more innovative and adaptable than previously thought. This period coincided with the coexistence of multiple large-brained hominin species in China, including Homo longi, Homo juluensis, and potentially Homo sapiens.

To establish the site’s age, the researchers applied multiple luminescence dating methods to six samples for cross-validation. Results indicated that quartz recuperated optically stimulated luminescence (ReOSL) ages provide a reliable benchmark for the depositional age of the site’s stratigraphic profile. Consequently, the cultural layer at Xigou has been dated to roughly 160,000–72,000 years ago, creating a well-defined chronological framework for studying hominin activity during this interval.

Detailed analysis of 2,601 lithic artifacts recovered from the site shows that ancient inhabitants employed refined stone tool-making techniques to produce small flakes and formal tools. Small-sized flakes were generated using core reduction strategies ranging from expedient to highly systematic—including core-on-flake and discoid technologies. The standardized retouching patterns of the dominant small tools are indicative of a high degree of technological complexity and uniformity.

Among the most notable discoveries is the earliest known evidence of hafted stone tools in East Asia—representing the region’s earliest confirmed composite tools. Traceological analysis identified two distinct handle types: juxtaposed and male. These composite tools, which integrated stone components with handles or shafts, reflect advanced planning, skilled craftsmanship, and a sophisticated understanding of how to optimize tool performance.

The archaeological discoveries at Xigou challenge the long-held narrative that early hominins in China exhibited technological conservatism over time. The site’s robust stratigraphic sequence, spanning nearly 90,000 years, aligns with mounting evidence of increasing hominin diversity across China during this period. The presence of large-brained hominins at sites such as Xujiayao and Lingjing—some classified as Homo juluensis—provides a plausible biological basis for the behavioral complexity evident in Xigou’s stone tool assemblages.

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Location of the Xigou site. Image by the Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoanthropology, CAS.

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Cores and tools. (a) Core-on-flake; (b) Discoid core; (c) Tanged borer; (d) Backed borer. Image by the Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoanthropology, CAS.

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Reconstruction of Xigou Site Tool-making Process. Image by Hulk Yuan.

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Article Source: Chinese Academy of Sciences Headquarters news release.

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Goethe University Frankfurt—FRANKFURT. This marks another milestone for Roman-period archaeology in Hesse: The German Research Foundation (DFG) and the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNF) have jointly approved more than €1 million to support the analysis of excavations at the large Roman sanctuary in the ancient city of Nida (Frankfurt-Heddernheim). Over the next three years, the funding will enable researchers to conduct a comprehensive investigation of one of the most significant recent archaeological discoveries in Roman Germania.

Grant application spanning Frankfurt and Basel

Applicants for the project “Exploring the dynamics of a Roman sanctuary – Interdisciplinary studies on spatial organisation and depositions at the central sanctuary in Nida-Heddernheim”  include the Archaeological Museum Frankfurt (Dr. Carsten Wenzel); the Institute for Archaeological Sciences at Goethe University Frankfurt (Prof. Anja Klöckner, Classical Archaeology; Prof. Markus Scholz, Archaeology and History of the Roman Provinces; Prof. Astrid Stobbe, Archaeobotany); and the Institute for Integrative Prehistoric and Scientific Archaeology (IPNA) at the University of Basel (Prof. Sabine Deschler-Erb (ⴕ), Dr. Barbara Stopp). Additional cooperation partners include Frankfurt’s City Monument Office [Denkmalamt] and the Roman-Germanic Commission (RGK) of the German Archaeological Institute, also based in Frankfurt. The approved research project was officially presented today at a press conference held at the Archaeological Museum of the City of Frankfurt.

Dr. Ina Hartwig, Frankfurt’s City Commissioner for Culture and Science, commented on the project: “The central cult district of Nida represents an archaeological discovery of almost unparalleled significance in Europe. Its comprehensive scholarly investigation will further establish Frankfurt as a hub of international cutting-edge research. The project demonstrates the strength of our research landscape when museums, universities, non-university research institutions, and heritage conservation work hand in hand to make research visible within the city.”

School construction uncovers Roman cult complex

The cult district of Nida was uncovered during excavations conducted by the Monument Office between 2016 and 2018, and again in 2022, in Frankfurt’s Nordweststadt district. In the course of constructing the new “Römerstadtschule,” an area of more than 4,500 square meters in the center of the Roman city was excavated, revealing a walled complex. The site was almost completely excavated and documented using modern archaeological methods. The findings have been preserved in a coherent state, with only minimal post-Roman disturbance.

Marcus Gwechenberger, Frankfurt’s City Councilor for Planning and Housing, emphasized the discovery’s broader significance: “The newly uncovered cult district of the Roman city of Nida is among the most important archaeological finds in Frankfurt in recent years. The funding now makes it possible to scientifically analyze this exceptional discovery in depth. At the same time, it recognizes the continuous and highly professional work of our municipal heritage office. This project also illustrates how urban development and research go hand in hand in Frankfurt. The fact that the discovery was made during construction of the new Römerstadtschule vividly demonstrates how past and future intersect in our city.”

Archaeological Evidence of Roman Cult Practices

The cult site comprises eleven stone buildings constructed in several phases, as well as around 70 shafts and ten pits used for (ritual) depositions. The building layouts are highly unusual and have no known parallels in the Germanic or Gallic provinces of the Roman Empire. More than 5,000 fragments of painted wall plaster, together with bronze fittings from doors and windows, attest to the elaborate architectural design of the structures.

The shafts and pits yielded numerous ceramic vessels and large quantities of plant and animal remains, including fish and birds. These finds are interpreted as remains of ritual meals and offerings made to the gods. To facilitate detailed analysis, 150 samples were collected for archaeozoological and archaeobotanical study.

The analysis of 254 Roman coins and more than 70 silver and bronze garment clasps (fibulae), some of them fully preserved, is central to reconstructing the ritual and sacrificial practices carried out at the site. Such objects are widely attested as offerings and votive gifts in Roman sanctuaries throughout the empire. By contrast, the evidence pointing to possible human sacrifice at the cult district of Nida is entirely exceptional. Despite the excellent state of preservation and the richness of the material record, conclusions regarding the specific deities worshipped at the site remain limited. Inscriptions and iconographic evidence attest to the veneration of several gods, including Jupiter, the chief Roman deity; Jupiter Dolichenus, particularly revered by soldiers; Mercurius Alatheus, god of trade and commerce; Diana, goddess of nature; Apollo, god of healing; and Epona, the Celtic-Roman goddess of fertility. This constellation suggests that the site functioned as a sanctuary of regional importance in which multiple deities were worshipped side by side.
Based on current evidence, the cult district was established at the beginning of the 2nd century CE. A dedicatory inscription from a soldier to Mercurius Alatheus, dated 9 September 246 CE, confirms that the sanctuary remained in use at least until the mid-3rd century CE.

Interdisciplinary Research Team Enables Comprehensive Study

The approval of this large-scale research project underscores the importance of archaeological research in the Frankfurt region. It also serves as a strong example of the close networking of academic institutions within the Rhine-Main area, both among themselves and in collaboration with international partner institutions.

The funding provides a unique opportunity to investigate this regionally significant complex through an interdisciplinary approach. Focusing on the analysis of interior design and depositional practices, the project aims to reconstruct the ritual activities carried out at the site. In doing so, the cult district of Nida will be embedded within the broader cultural and historical context of the sacred landscapes of the Roman north-western provinces. The project will involve five early-career researchers in doctoral and postdoctoral positions across the participating institutions.

One year after the presentation of the “Frankfurt Silver Inscription”: Research on Nida enters the next phase 

In addition to the cult district, other excavations conducted by the Monument Office over the past decades have yielded important insights into the settlement history and topography of Nida. Just over a year after the presentation of the “Frankfurt Silver Inscription” – the oldest known Christian written testimony north of the Alps – the Roman city on Frankfurt soil is once again the focus of public attention. The research team now has the unique opportunity to collaboratively explore Roman religions in Frankfurt and investigate temples, sacrifices, and rituals. The high-quality, exceptionally well-preserved findings underscore the exceptional importance of Nida for Roman-period archaeology in Germany. Founded as a military base in the 70s of the 1st century CE, the settlement developed into the economic and cultural center of the Limes region by the early 2nd century. Characterized by remarkable cultural diversity, Nida remained one of the most important urban centers in Roman Germania until its abandonment around 275/280 CE.

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Excavated remains of a stone building with an apse – possibly a chapel. In the modern period, the walls were dismantled down to their foundations; only the extraction trenches remain visible. This pattern is characteristic of archaeological finds in Nida. Credit Photo: Frankfurt City Monument Office

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Numerous (cult) pits discovered in Nida’s cult district partially overlap, showing that they were dug at different times. These pits likely held the buried remains of sacrificial rituals and cult meals. Credit Photo: Monument Office, City of Frankfurt

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The most recent inscription discovered in the urban area of Nida also comes from a well in the cult district: a dedication to Mercury Alatheus by a soldier of the 22nd Legion, stationed in Mainz, dated 9 September 246 CE. Credit Photo: S. Martins / AMF

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An eagle for Jupiter: Bronze statuette of an eagle standing on a lightning bolt – both powerful symbols of Jupiter, the supreme Roman god. The piece was likely mounted on a cult standard. Credit Photo: Frankfurt City Monument Office

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This small iron plaque, shaped like a tabula ansata, bears a dedicatory inscription to Jupiter Dolichenus (IOVI / DOLICH / ENO). The find confirms the presence of a sanctuary devoted to this god within Nida’s cult district. Credit Photo: Th. Flügen / AMF

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Clues to the sanctuary’s end? A well yielded a bronze statuette of the goddess Diana, a dedicatory inscription to Mercury Alatheus dated 9 September 246 CE, and a human skeleton. Coins found in the fill indicate that the well was not closed before 249 CE. Credit Photo: Frankfurt City Monument Office

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Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences—A study* uncovers the earliest evidence of handheld wooden tools used by hominins. During the Middle Pleistocene Epoch, 774,000–129,000 years ago, hominins developed expanded brains alongside technological innovations. Due to the poor preservation of wooden tools, the archaeological record of Pleistocene technology is largely limited to stone tools. Annemieke Milks, Katerina Harvati, and colleagues systematically investigated the morphology of 144 wood remains excavated at Marathousa 1 in the Megalopolis Basin in Greece and identified two wooden artifacts dated to around 430,000 years ago. One artifact was a fragment of a small alder (Alnus sp.) trunk with clear signs of working and use-wear indicating it was likely used as a digging tool. The second artifact, a smaller piece of either willow (Salix sp.) or poplar (Populus sp.), exhibited signs of shaping and potential use-wear, suggesting it was a finger-held tool of uncertain function. Another wood specimen of a large alder trunk exhibited deep claw marks, suggesting the cooccurrence of large carnivores at the site. The wooden tools were found alongside lithic artifacts, worked bone, and butchered remains of straight-tusked elephants (Palaeoloxodon antiquus), and other fauna, demonstrating the variety of technologies used at the site. According to the authors, the findings represent the earliest direct evidence of handheld wooden tools, expanding researchers’ understanding of early hominin technologies.

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430,000-year-old wooden digging stick used by hominins at the lakeshore site of Marathousa 1, Greece.
Credit Katerina Harvati, Dimitris Michailidis (photographer)

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Small 430,000-year-old wooden tool of uncertain function from the lakeshore site of Marathousa 1, Greece.
Credit Katerina Harvati, Nicholas Thompson (photographer)

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Article Source: PNAS news release.

Griffith University—A hand stencil on the wall of a cave in Indonesia has become the oldest known rock art in the world, exceeding the archaeologists’ previous discovery in the same region by 15,000 years or more. 

An international team, co-led by Griffith University researchers, Indonesia’s national research and innovation agency (BRIN) and Southern Cross University, discovered and dated cave paintings made by our species on the island of Sulawesi at least 67,800 years ago*.  

The research team said the findings advance our understanding of how and when Australia first came to be settled, with the Sulawesi art very likely created by a population closely linked to the ancestors of Indigenous Australians. 

Preserved in limestone caves in southeastern Sulawesi on the satellite island of Muna, a fragmentary hand stencil was found surrounded by painted art of a much more recent origin. 

The team applied advanced uranium-series dating techniques, analyzing microscopic mineral deposits that formed both on top of and, in some cases, beneath the paintings from Liang Metanduno, providing a time period during which the art was made. 

The hand stencil was dated to a minimum of 67,800 years ago, making it the oldest reliably dated cave art yet discovered, significantly older than the rock painting found in Sulawesi by the same researchers in 2024.  

The new finding also revealed the Muna cave was used for making art over an exceptionally long period, with paintings produced repeatedly for at least 35,000 years, continuing until about 20,000 years ago. 

“It is now evident from our new phase of research that Sulawesi was home to one of the world’s richest and most longstanding artistic cultures, one with origins in the earliest history of human occupation of the island at least 67,800 years ago,” said Professor Maxime Aubert, an archaeologist and geochemist from the Griffith Centre for Social and Cultural Research (GCSCR), who co-led the study. 

The team also observed the hand stencil was a globally unique variant of this motif.   

After the stencil was created, it was altered to deliberately narrow the negative outlines of the fingers, creating the overall impression of a claw-like hand. 

Professor Adam Brumm, from Griffith University’s Australian Research Centre for Human Evolution (ARCHE), who co-led the study, said the symbolic meaning of the narrowed fingers was a matter for speculation. 

“This art could symbolize the idea that humans and animals were closely connected, something we already seem to see in the very early painted art of Sulawesi, with at least one instance of a scene portraying figures that we interpret as representations of part-human, part-animal beings,” Professor Brumm said. 

Dr Adhi Agus Oktaviana, a rock art specialist in BRIN and a team lead, whose doctoral research at Griffith University formed part of this study, said the paintings had far-reaching implications for our understanding of the deep-time history of Australian Aboriginal culture. 

“It is very likely that the people who made these paintings in Sulawesi were part of the broader population that would later spread through the region and ultimately reach Australia,” Dr Oktaviana said. 

There had been considerable archaeological debate about the timing of initial human occupation of the Pleistocene-era landmass that encompassed what is now Australia, Tasmania and New Guinea, known as Sahul.  

Scholarly opinion was divided between the so-named short chronology model, whereby the first people entered the Sahul ‘supercontinent’ about 50,000 years ago, and the opposing long chronology model, in which they arrived at least 65,000 years ago.   

“This discovery strongly supports the idea that the ancestors of the First Australians were in Sahul by 65,000 years ago,” Dr Oktaviana said. 

There were two main migration routes into Sahul proposed by researchers: a northern route to the New Guinea portion of this landmass via Sulawesi and the ‘Spice Islands’ and a more southerly route that took the sea voyagers directly to the Australian mainland via Timor or adjacent islands. 

Professor Renaud Joannes-Boyau from the Geoarchaeology and Archaeometry Research Group (GARG) at Southern Cross University, who co-led the research, said the discovery sheds light on the most likely course of humans’ ancient island-hopping journey from mainland Asia to Sahul via the northern route. 

“With the dating of this extremely ancient rock art in Sulawesi, we now have the oldest direct evidence for the presence of modern humans along this northern migration corridor into Sahul,” Professor Joannes-Boyau said.  

“These discoveries underscore the archaeological importance of the many other Indonesian islands between Sulawesi and westernmost New Guinea,” said Professor Aubert, who, together with professors Brumm and Joannes-Boyau, continues to search for more evidence of early human art and occupation along the northern route with funding from the Australian Research Council (ARC). 

The ARC’s backing forms part of a broader investment in human origins research, including the recently awarded ARC Centre of Excellence for Transforming Human Origins Research, with Griffith University as lead institution, and the ARC Training Centre for Advancing Archaeology in the Resources Sector at Southern Cross University, aiming at advancing our global understanding of human evolution and preserving our heritage.  

The research was also supported by Google Arts & Culture and the National Geographic Society. 

The research on early rock art in Sulawesi has been featured in a documentary film, ‘Sulawesi l’île des premières images’ produced by ARTE, released in Europe today.  

The study titled ‘Rock art from at least 67,800 years ago in Sulawesi’ has been published in Nature. 

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67,800 yr old hand stencil, Muna, Sulawesi. Credit: Supplied by Max Aubert

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Map showing the island of Muna, Sulawesi. Credit: Generated by M. Kottermair and A. Jalandoni using ArcGIS.

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Cave entrance, Muna, Sulawesi. Credit: Supplied by Ratno Sardi

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Dr Adhi Agus Oktaviana illuminates another hand stencil found on Sulawesi. Credit: Supplied by Max Aubert

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Article Source: Griffith University news release.