Archaeology
![The Great Pyramids of Giza - Khufu's on the right and Cheops's on the left, Giza Plataeu, Egypt](jpg/b44kc9cdps5m7tvdnosf2w-320-80.jpg)
Humans have left clues of our existence throughout time, leaving behind burials, artifacts and written records that hint at our evolution, beliefs, practices and cultures. Studying the archaeological record shows us that the oldest known bones belonging to Homo sapiens are 300,000 years old, or that the world’s oldest civilizations arose at least 6,000 years ago.
Whether you’re looking for facts about the ancient Egyptians, the discovery of an ancient human skull, a gold hoard dating to the fall of the Roman Empire or how the latest technology is helping us find hidden pyramids, Live Science's expert science writers and editors are here to give you the latest coverage on our past with archaeology news, articles and features.
Explore Archaeology
Editor's Picks
Latest about Archaeology
![A glossy, blue statuette of a blue hippo.](jpg/9tbh8q3nawehbrfmaamykv-320-80.jpg)
'William the Hippo': The ancient Egyptian statuette deliberately crippled to prevent it wreaking havoc in the afterlife
By Jennifer Nalewicki published
Ancient Egyptians feared hippos, to the point that they removed three of the statuette's legs so it wouldn't cause chaos in the afterlife.
![Popcorn against a black background](jpg/y43kqr7kh82xmkncsdy7r9-320-80.jpg)
How popcorn was discovered nearly 7,000 years ago
By Sean Rafferty published
An archaeologist explains the food's likely appeal for people in the Americas millennia ago.
![A photo of the Bromeswell bucket against a black background.](jpg/s6tdsdop6m786yfs4wzzdd-320-80.jpg)
Missing pieces of 6th-century Byzantine bucket finally found at Sutton Hoo
By Kristina Killgrove published
Archaeologists at Sutton Hoo, a 1,400-year-old boat burial in England, have discovered pieces of a broken bucket from the Byzantine Empire.
![The artistic rendering of the head and face of a 13-year-old girl from the prehistoric human species, the Denisovans, based on technology developed by Hebrew University professor Liran Carmel and his team. The bust was revealed at a news conference in Jerusalem on Sept. 19, 2019.](jpg/5hvsnhnnuchcmnjlz8lc24-320-80.jpg)
Who were the Denisovans?
By Charles Q. Choi last updated
Here are Denisovan facts about their discovery, where and when they lived and what we know about their appearance, genetics and culture.
![An aerial view of the burial mound](jpg/bep3hzuidh3liglqwb8avg-320-80.jpg)
6,000-year-old burial mound in Czech Republic may be one of earliest funeral monuments ever found in Europe
By Tom Metcalfe published
The structure is thought to be made by the people behind the Neolithic Funnel-Beaker culture.
![A cave painting of a human-like figure charging a warty pig](jpg/kja34aps2zlkn4rpi3whfh-320-80.jpg)
51,000-year-old Indonesian cave painting may be the world's oldest storytelling art
By Kristel Tjandra published
A 51,000-year-old painting in the Sulawesi cave "art gallery" is the oldest evidence of narrative rock art ever discovered.
![Left to right, Kabria Baumgartner, Northeastern University historian, and Meghan Howey, University of New Hampshire archaeologist, at the dig site of what archeologists believe is the home of King Pompey.](jpg/nryyw37whpftfsd2jxrj8g-320-80.jpg)
Long-lost homestead of King Pompey, enslaved African who gained freedom, found in colonial New England
By Kristina Killgrove published
Archaeologists have discovered the homestead of Pompey, a formerly enslaved man from West Africa who was elected "king" by his community in the 1700s.
![An enhanced view of the rock art showing geometric line and dot drawings](jpg/t24jctwbkcyonbzdqmbikq-320-80.jpg)
4,000-year-old rock art in Venezuela may be from a 'previously unknown' culture
By Owen Jarus published
Archaeologists in Venezuela have discovered 20 previously unknown rock art sites that are thousands of years old.
![Woven sagebrush sandals unearthed from Fort Rock Cave, Lake County, Oregon, United States, on exhibit at the Oregon Historical Society Museum in Portland](jpg/yoky2dpm5wtrjfh7bqpbta-320-80.jpg)
When did humans start wearing shoes?
By Charles Q. Choi published
The oldest known sandals are from Oregon, but there may be older shoes out there.
![Two men stand in a cave](jpg/68hlmrvtu3iyejmvs7edng-320-80.jpg)
12,000-year-old Aboriginal sticks may be evidence of the oldest known culturally transmitted ritual in the world
By Kristina Killgrove published
Aboriginal artifacts in Australia that were likely used for ritual spells may be evidence of the oldest culturally transmitted ritual on record.
Sign up for the Live Science daily newsletter now
Get the world’s most fascinating discoveries delivered straight to your inbox.