An exploration of the Yamnaya culture, their origins on the Pontic-Caspian Steppe, their expansion into Europe, and their impact on language, genetics, and culture.
New evidence reveals horses were present in Bronze Age Sicily earlier than previously thought, and played a role in the diets and rituals of early communities. Proteomic analysis of pottery fragments confirmed horse meat consumption.
An international team analyzed ancient DNA from 230 individuals in Georgia and Armenia, revealing a largely stable local gene pool from the Bronze Age to 500 CE, with some migration from Anatolia and the Eurasian steppe. The study also found that cranial deformation, initially introduced by migrants, became a local tradition.
The article discusses the Bronze Age civilizations of Greece, particularly focusing on the Minoan civilization in Crete, its achievements in architecture, craftsmanship, and astronomical knowledge, including the discovery of the 'Gate of Heaven' observatory on Papoura Hill near Knossos. It highlights the conflict between modern Greek authorities and scientists over the preservation of this ancient site, which is at risk due to plans for an airport expansion. The author argues that the Greek government, influenced by foreign powers, is neglecting and potentially destroying its own heritage, leading to a loss of national identity and historical continuity. The piece also touches on the broader context of Greece's historical struggles and foreign influence.
Archaeologists in Azerbaijan have discovered a 3,800-year-old kurgan burial containing the remains of a warrior estimated to be over 2 meters tall, along with rare bronze weapons and artifacts, providing insights into Bronze Age elite society and burial practices.
Archaeological analysis of waste from Bronze Age Troy reveals insights into daily life, economic shifts, and social organization over nearly two millennia. Layers of refuse, including animal bones, pottery, and production debris, document changes in trade, technology, and urban planning.
A newly deciphered Hittite tablet offers potential connections between Bronze Age Anatolia and the epic tradition of Homer’s Iliad, including references to figures and places associated with the Trojan War and a Luwian poetic fragment echoing the Iliad's opening.
A 3,300-year-old bronze helmet discovered in central Turkey provides insights into the Hittite Empire's military prowess, religious beliefs, and craftsmanship. Found in Şapinuva, it served both as military protection and a religious offering to the Storm God.
- Researchers from Washington University in St. Louis and Sichuan University in China have traced the roots of cultural interactions across the Tibetan Plateau to prehistoric times, as early as the Bronze Age.
- The study found that ancient mobility and subsistence strategies of farmers and herders influenced the settlement pattern and the transfer of ceramic styles among distant prehistoric communities.
- The researchers used advanced geospatial modeling to compare environmental and archaeological evidence connecting ancient mobility and subsistence strategies to cultural connections forged among farmers and herders in the Bronze and Iron Ages.
- The study found that ancient mobility and subsistence strategies of farmers and herders influenced the settlement pattern and the transfer of ceramic styles among distant prehistoric communities.
- The researchers used advanced geospatial modeling to compare environmental and archaeological evidence connecting ancient mobility and subsistence strategies to cultural connections forged among farmers and herders in the Bronze and Iron Ages.
