Archaeologists in Spain have discovered a 5,000-year-old dolmen that is 43 feet long and contains multiple burials and grave goods, including weapons and seashells.
Scientists have sequenced a complete genome from ancient Egypt, revealing the man's ancestry was mostly North African with a notable fraction from the Fertile Crescent, supporting a long-suspected cultural link.
Archaeologists have discovered a 7,000-year-old settlement in Dagestan, Russia, revealing insights into the spread of early farming communities and cultural connections in the Caucasus Mountains during the Eneolithic period.
Çatalhöyük, a Neolithic settlement in Turkey, is unique for its lack of streets. Residents entered homes via rooftops, a design likely influenced by flooding, climate control, community closeness, defense, and resource scarcity.
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.
Researchers have found shocked quartz at three Clovis culture archaeological sites, supporting the Younger Dryas impact hypothesis, which proposes a fragmented comet explosion contributed to megafaunal extinctions and the disappearance of the Clovis culture.
A PBS series 'Human' explores the history of humanity and how *Homo sapiens* became the dominant species on Earth, highlighting the existence of multiple human species and the importance of cooperation in our success.
This article details the Mississippian culture, its origins in Cahokia, and its influence—or lack thereof—in Louisiana, particularly in relation to Caddo and Plaquemine cultures. It discusses key characteristics like shell-tempered pottery, symbolic decorations, and maize agriculture, and examines archaeological sites in Louisiana to determine the extent of Mississippian presence.
The 64 Parishes article details the Mississippian culture, originating around 1050 CE with a significant “Big Bang” of cultural change centered at Cahokia. This culture spread throughout the southeastern US, characterized by shell-tempered pottery, specific symbolic motifs, and maize agriculture.
The article focuses on the limited presence of full Mississippian culture in Louisiana, primarily evidenced by shell-tempered pottery and some sites showing influence or possible intrusion (Transylvania, Salt Mine Valley, and Sims). It highlights the distinction between sites with Mississippian *influence* within existing Plaquemine cultures and those potentially occupied by migrating Mississippian peoples.
While maize agriculture was adopted, it wasn’t a staple as it was elsewhere. The article suggests that Louisiana’s Plaquemine cultures largely maintained their traditions, resisting full integration of Mississippian ways of life. It emphasizes that shell tempering is the most pervasive artifact of the Mississippian culture.
The 64 Parishes article details the Mississippian culture, originating around 1050 CE with a significant “Big Bang” of cultural change centered at Cahokia. This culture spread throughout the southeastern US, characterized by shell-tempered pottery, specific symbolic motifs, and maize agriculture.
The article focuses on the limited presence of full Mississippian culture in Louisiana, primarily evidenced by shell-tempered pottery and some sites showing influence or possible intrusion (Transylvania, Salt Mine Valley, and Sims). It highlights the distinction between sites with Mississippian *influence* within existing Plaquemine cultures and those potentially occupied by migrating Mississippian peoples.
While maize agriculture was adopted, it wasn’t a staple as it was elsewhere. The article suggests that Louisiana’s Plaquemine cultures largely maintained their traditions, resisting full integration of Mississippian ways of life. It emphasizes that shell tempering is the most pervasive artifact of the Mississippian culture.
Archaeologists in Turkey have discovered a previously unknown ancient language on clay tablets unearthed from the ancient capital of the Hittite Empire, Hattusa. The tablets reveal a focus on multiculturalism and preserving the traditions of subject peoples within the empire. The language, called Kalasmaic, was spoken in the Kalasma region and was lost for approximately 3,000 years.
One of the Largest Prehistoric Burial Grounds Ever Found in Bavaria Unearthed During Power Line WorkArchaeologists have uncovered a large prehistoric burial site near Regensburg, Bavaria, containing 22 remarkably well-preserved human skeletons dating back over 4,000 years. The site provides insights into ancient funeral practices and the Bell Beaker culture.
