Archaeology

The Great Pyramids of Giza - Khufu's on the right and Cheops's on the left, Giza Plataeu, Egypt
The Great Pyramids of Giza in Egypt (Image credit: Shutterstock)

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. 

Discover more

—What is archaeology?

—Amazing facial reconstructions

—What was the longest-lasting civilization?

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.  

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In 332 B.C. Persian rule in Egypt came to an end with the arrival of Alexander the Great (pictured here). After his death a dynasty of Greek kings would take control of Egypt and would rule for the next three centuries.
Did Alexander the Great have any children? Alexander the Great died at age 32, leaving behind a vast empire. Did he have any heirs to rule in the power vacuum that followed his death?
pyramid
Why are so many ancient Egyptians buried at the Saqqara necropolis? The ancient Egyptians buried their dead at Saqqara for thousands of years. Why was the necropolis so important to them?
Bird's eye view of people walking on a map of the world.
Why did Homo sapiens emerge in Africa? Our human ancestors arose in Africa due to many factors, including climate.

Latest about Archaeology

A glossy, blue statuette of a blue hippo.

'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.

Ancient Egyptians
Popcorn against a black background

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.

Archaeology
A photo of the Bromeswell bucket against a black background.

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.

Archaeology
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.

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.

Archaeology
An aerial view of the burial mound

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.

Archaeology
A cave painting of a human-like figure charging a warty pig

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.

Archaeology
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.

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.

Archaeology
An enhanced view of the rock art showing geometric line and dot drawings

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.

Archaeology
Woven sagebrush sandals unearthed from Fort Rock Cave, Lake County, Oregon, United States, on exhibit at the Oregon Historical Society Museum in Portland

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.

Archaeology
Two men stand in a cave

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.

Archaeology
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