Archaeologists Found a 7,500-Year-Old Seal From a Surprisingly Advanced Society

One small artifact opened up a world of discovery of a Neolithic civilization with a remarkably advanced social structure.

Neolithic Stone Seal Sheds Light on Early Social Organization

Archaeologists at Tadım Fortress in Elazığ, eastern Türkiye, have uncovered a 7,500-year-old stone seal, offering a rare glimpse into the lives of Neolithic people. The artifact predates the Urartu kingdom and suggests that complex social structures, economic practices, and personal identification systems were emerging long before more widely known ancient civilizations.

While the exact use of the seal is unknown, it may have functioned as:

• A marker of property or ownership

• A personal identifier

• A tool for agricultural trade, similar to another local seal used in grain transactions

These possibilities indicate early administrative and economic sophistication in the region. The seal is part of a broader excavation overseen by the Elazığ Museum and Provincial Directorate of Culture and Tourism, under Türkiye’s Heritage for the Future Project.

Other discoveries at Tadım Fortress highlight ritual and social practices:

• A recently discovered temple dating to the Late Chalcolithic/Early Bronze Age (~6,000 years ago) features a stone altar with a blood channel, showing evidence of animal and human sacrifice.

• Artifacts from Byzantine, Roman, Seljuk, and Ottoman periods lie above the Neolithic layers, showing the site’s long history of occupation.

Governor Numan Hatipoğlu remarked that the findings demonstrate the region was not only inhabited early but also had sophisticated cultural, economic, and social practices, influencing later civilizations.

In short, this small stone seal provides a window into advanced social and economic life in Neolithic Türkiye, revealing that organized societies with property markers and trade mechanisms existed thousands of years before the classical civilizations of the region.

Common Childhood Virus Detected in Iron Age Remains

Ancient viral genomes reveal deep history of human herpesviruses

A team of researchers from the University of Vienna, University of Tartu, Cambridge University, and University College London has reconstructed the genomes of human betaherpesvirus 6A and 6B (HHV-6A/B) from ancient European human remains.

Today, HHV-6B infects around 90% of children by age two, causing roseola infantum, or “sixth disease,” which involves fever and a rash. Beyond causing illness, HHV-6 viruses can integrate into human chromosomes, remaining dormant; these inherited forms are present in roughly 1% of modern people.

The team analysed nearly 4,000 ancient and historic human remains, detecting HHV-6A/B genomes in 11 individuals. The oldest sample came from a girl buried in Italy between 1100 and 600 B.C. Both HHV-6A and HHV-6B were found in remains from medieval England, Belgium, and Estonia, and the inherited form of HHV-6B appeared in several individuals from England.

Meriam Guellil of the University of Vienna notes that “modern genetic data suggest HHV-6 may have been evolving with humans since our migration out of Africa. These ancient genomes now provide the first concrete proof of their presence in the deep human past.”

This research offers a remarkable window into the long-term relationship between humans and viruses, showing that HHV-6 has been circulating and evolving alongside our species for thousands of years.

Arrow tips found in South Africa are the oldest evidence of poison use in hunting

The earliest known evidence for the use of arrow poison was long believed to come from Egypt, dating back about 4,000 years. This took the form of a black, toxic residue found on bone arrowheads in a tomb at the Naga ed Der archaeological site.

New discoveries from southern Africa are now challenging that view.

Recent research has identified poison residues on stone arrow tips from South Africa dating to around 60,000 years ago, making this the oldest direct evidence of poisoned arrows used for hunting.

These findings add to existing knowledge about the technical skills of early African bowhunters. Such expertise may have played a role in the long-term success of our species in the region and later supported the spread of Homo sapiens beyond Africa.

The evidence comes from Umhlatuzana Rock Shelter in South Africa’s KwaZulu-Natal province. The site was partially excavated in the 1980s to protect archaeological material at risk from construction of the N3 highway linking Durban and Pietermaritzburg.

Two of the authors (Marlize Lombard and Anders Högberg) at Umhlatuzana rock shelter, where the poisoned arrow tips were excavated.

Umhlatuzana is recognised as a significant Stone Age site where hunter-gatherers were living at least 70,000 years ago. It is also one of the few locations in southern Africa that shows evidence of continued human occupation until just a few thousand years ago.

In southern Africa, there is a long tradition of hunting with poisoned arrows. For instance, South African and Swedish archaeologists have identified residues on arrow tips dating from a few hundred to about 1,000 years ago, revealing the use of different poison recipes.

More recently, three bone arrowheads kept inside a poison-filled bone container were reported from Kruger Cave in South Africa and dated to nearly 7,000 years ago. This discovery pushed back direct molecular evidence for the use of arrow poison to around 3,000 years earlier than the Egyptian examples.

Earlier traces of poison had been identified on a stick and in a lump of beeswax from Border Cave in KwaZulu-Natal, dating between 35,000 and 25,000 years ago. However, these were considered indirect indications of early hunting poisons.

As a researcher in cognitive and Stone Age archaeology, I examined artefacts from Umhlatuzana almost 20 years ago and identified use-wear and adhesive residues on some quartz backed microliths—small, shaped stone tools—dating to around 60,000 years ago. This suggested they were likely used as arrow tips.

More recently, Sven Isaksson of the archaeology laboratory at Stockholm University has identified molecular traces of toxic plant alkaloids—chemical compounds known to be used as arrow poisons—on several of these artefacts.

Left: Front and back of a 60,000-year-old poisoned arrow tip from Umhlatuzana. Middle: Two micrographs of the sharp, top edge that shows impact scars and the direction in which the arrow tip was fixed in the shaft. Right: A 2,000-year-old arrow head with stone tip fixed in the same way as the arrow tip from Umhlatuzana.

Poison from indigenous plants

The new study identified the toxic alkaloids buphandrine and epibuphanisine on five of the ten arrow tips analysed from Umhlatuzana. These same compounds were also detected on bone arrowheads collected by Swedish travellers in southern Africa about 250 years ago, indicating that the same type of arrow poison was used in the region for thousands of years.

Both alkaloids occur in several southern African plants belonging to the Amaryllidaceae family, which grow from bulbs. However, the plant most clearly documented as a source of arrow poison is Boophone disticha, commonly known as gifbol (poison bulb). Its bulb produces a highly toxic sap.

The presence of these specific alkaloids on half of the quartz arrow tips examined is unlikely to be accidental. Ancient hunter-gatherers would have been well aware of the poisonous properties of gifbol. Evidence from the region shows that by around 77,000 years ago, people already understood how to use certain aromatic plants for their insecticidal and larvicidal effects in bedding. This suggests they would also have known to handle gifbol carefully and avoid keeping it in living areas.

Modern contamination can be ruled out, as substances containing buphandrine and epibuphanisine are not used in commercial products or in archaeological conservation.

Gifbol bulbs are remarkably resilient, capable of surviving for a century or more despite droughts and frequent fires. The plant is native to South Africa and thrives in grassland, savanna and Karoo environments. It is widespread across southern, eastern and northern South Africa and grows within a day’s walk of Umhlatuzana Rock Shelter today. For these reasons, it is very likely that the plant was also available to the site’s inhabitants tens of thousands of years ago.

The toxic compounds in the bulb are chemically stable. They break down very slowly, even in wet conditions, and bind well to mineral surfaces such as stone arrow tips. This stability helps explain how traces of the poison were able to survive on the artefacts for around 60,000 years.

Illustration of gifbol being prepared for use in hunting.

Implications of the world’s oldest known poisoned arrow tips

The quartz arrow tips coated with gifbol poison now constitute the earliest direct evidence of poisoned arrow use, not only in southern Africa but anywhere in the world, dating back 60,000 years.

This discovery shows that early bowhunters had sophisticated knowledge systems that allowed them to recognise poisonous plants, extract their toxic substances, and apply them effectively to weapons. They also needed an understanding of animal behaviour and ecology, knowing that poison would act gradually and weaken prey over time, making it possible to track and eventually capture it through persistence hunting.

Using a weapon whose effects were delayed and not immediately visible points to complex cognitive abilities. It required self-control, as hunters had to wait for the poison to take effect, as well as advanced planning, abstract thinking, and an understanding of cause and effect. Because poison works chemically rather than through direct physical force, its use reflects a high level of conceptual reasoning.

Beyond establishing the earliest known example of poisoned arrow hunting, these findings deepen our understanding of human adaptation, technological and behavioural sophistication, and the development of modern human behaviour in southern Africa.

And finally… first Scottish coin

The earliest known coin to be minted within Scotland has been secured for the nation following its discovery by a metal detectorist.

Discovered in a wooded area near Penicuik, Midlothian, in 2023, the silver coin dates to the late 1130s, during the reign of King David I. After review by the Scottish Archaeological Finds Allocation Panel, it was valued at £15,000 and assigned to National Museums Scotland (NMS), with the finder receiving the reward, according to BBC reports.

Although King David I is recognised for introducing Scotland’s first coinage, earlier examples were thought to have been minted in Carlisle, Cumbria, which was under his control at the time. This coin, however, carries an inscription showing it was produced in Edinburgh. Alice Blackwell, senior curator of medieval archaeology at NMS, said this makes the find historically significant, as it provides the first evidence of Scottish coins being struck within the heart of the Scottish kingdom rather than south of today’s border.

The coin shows an image of the king on one side and a cross design on the other. With very little surviving documentary evidence about medieval minting, the coin itself acts as a key historical source. It offers rare insight into how David I—who founded royal burghs such as Stirling and Perth—developed Scotland’s economic systems. NMS plans to study the coin further and hopes to display it publicly in the future.

One of Britain’s three known Iron Age carnyx uncovered in Norfolk conservation project

A largely intact Iron Age battle trumpet has been uncovered in West Norfolk, making it one of just three known carnyx from Britain and among the most complete examples discovered in Europe.

The bronze instrument, dating to around 2,000 years ago, was found during a routine archaeological investigation carried out by Pre-Construct Archaeology as part of the planning process for new housing. These animal-headed trumpets were used by Celtic groups across Europe to rally and intimidate warriors in battle, and they also captivated the Romans, who often portrayed them as spoils of war.

The hoard also contains elements of a second carnyx, a sheet-bronze boar’s head that once formed part of a military standard, five shield bosses, and an iron object whose purpose is unclear. Together, the objects are exceptionally rare in both Britain and the wider European context.

Historic England is collaborating with Pre-Construct Archaeology, Norfolk Museums Service, and the National Museum of Scotland to oversee the research and conservation of the collection.

After the discovery, the objects were removed from the site encased within a single block of soil. Initial scans showed how the items were arranged before conservation specialists at Norfolk Museums Service began carefully extracting each piece for preliminary assessment.

Senior conservator Jonathan Clark is carrying out the micro-excavation, methodically freeing the objects from the soil block, stabilising the extremely delicate materials, and recording every stage of the work to ensure no evidence is lost.

Because of their fragile condition, the items will require extensive stabilisation before detailed research can take place.

How medieval monks tried to stay warm in the winter

The ideal site for a monastery was one close to both water and woodland, a point frequently noted by medieval monastic writers. Orderic Vitalis, born near Shrewsbury in 1075 and sent at the age of five to the Norman monastery of St Évroult, was particularly clear about this dual requirement. Water was essential for washing, sanitation, drinking, making ink, and producing lime mortar, while wood was needed for construction and, at least occasionally, for warmth.

Throughout the Middle Ages, the Benedictine way of life was the most widespread form of monasticism, though many other orders also existed. The Rule of St Benedict, set out in 73 chapters, provided guidance on how monks should live. It emphasised preparation for the world to come, obedience, humility, and spiritual discipline.

Monks were forbidden to own personal property or wealth, even though monasteries themselves could become extremely rich. In theory, comfort was not a priority. In fact, medieval religious culture often linked physical hardship with spiritual merit: the greater the discomfort, the greater the perceived spiritual value. This belief was especially evident among the Cistercians, who emerged as a distinct order at the end of the 11th century. Although they followed the Benedictine Rule, they placed particular emphasis on austerity in every aspect of daily life.

Attitudes towards cold must be understood within this framework of regulation and restraint. The Rule of St Benedict made only limited allowances for cold weather, acknowledging that monks in colder regions would need additional clothing. Generally, the main seasonal difference was the use of a thicker, woollen cowl in winter instead of a lighter one.

Benedict wrote in sixth-century Italy, where conditions were very different from those experienced in northern Europe during the later Middle Ages. Monasteries in these regions could be bitterly cold. Orderic Vitalis vividly described the impact of winter at the end of the fourth book of his Historia ecclesiastica. After recounting conflicts along the Normandy–Maine frontier, he reflected that human suffering was too vast to record fully. Exhausted and numbed by the cold, he explained that he would end his book there and continue writing only when the warmth of spring returned.

Despite the general lack of heating, one room in a monastery was kept warm during winter: the calefactorium, or warming house. This space contained a fire and, in some cases, additional comforts. Fireplaces were rare in monastic buildings; churches and dormitories were unheated. The warming house was therefore both unusual and significant. Even when relatively large, it could accommodate only a limited number of monks at a time. It is easy to imagine small groups gathered quietly around the fire, seeking warmth in an otherwise cold environment—an image that is likely close to reality.

Although clearly important, warming houses are rarely mentioned in written sources. Even so, surviving buildings and documentary references provide valuable insights into monastic life. In medieval England, one example comes from the Cistercian abbey of Meaux in Yorkshire, founded in 1141. While no physical remains survive, an extensive chronicle does. Records from the abbacy of Thomas (from 1182 onwards) note the construction of a stone refectory, along with a warming house and a small kitchen. Their inclusion in the chronicle highlights how highly they were valued. Notably, while the refectory was built quickly with donated funds, the kitchen and warming house were completed more gradually as resources allowed.

Other warming houses survive more visibly. Rievaulx Abbey in North Yorkshire provides a strong example. Located next to the refectory, its warming house underwent significant alterations between the 12th and 16th centuries. Eventually expanded to two storeys, the complex also incorporated facilities for washing clothes during winter.

Durham offers further insight through The Rites of Durham, a detailed 16th-century account preserving memories of monastic life before the Reformation. It describes the warming room—called the common house—as being located on the right-hand side of the cloister exit. Inside, a fire was kept burning throughout the winter. This was the only fire available to ordinary monks, apart from those reserved for senior officials and masters.

Although medieval buildings were notoriously difficult to heat, the existence of warming rooms demonstrates the value placed on warmth. At Durham Cathedral Priory, the common house also appears to have offered modest seasonal comforts. Around Christmas, monks were reportedly given figs, raisins, cakes, and ale, all to be consumed in moderation.

Deep Sulawesi cave dig could reveal overlap between extinct humans and us

Could Homo sapiens and an archaic, now-extinct human species have lived side by side on the Indonesian island of Sulawesi more than 65,000 years ago?

This question has been raised by an international team of archaeologists following multiple excavation seasons at Leang Bulu Bettue, a limestone cave in the Maros–Pangkep karst region of southern Sulawesi.

If evidence confirms that modern humans and another human species occupied the island at the same time, it also raises the possibility that the two groups may have encountered and interacted with one another.

Findings from a new study led by Griffith University and published in PLOS ONE reveal, for the first time, a deeply layered archaeological sequence extending at least eight metres below the present ground surface. These layers contain evidence of human activity that predates the arrival of modern humans on Sulawesi. The study is titled “A near-continuous archaeological record of Pleistocene human occupation at Leang Bulu Bettue, Sulawesi, Indonesia.”

The discoveries build on earlier research by the same team indicating that archaic hominins were present on Sulawesi as early as 1.04 million years ago.

By comparison, Homo sapiens are believed to have reached the island sometime before the first settlement of Australia, around 65,000 years ago.

“The depth and continuity of the cultural sequence at Leang Bulu Bettue now make this cave a key site for exploring whether these two human lineages overlapped in time,” said Griffith University PhD candidate Basran Burhan, an archaeologist from South Sulawesi who led the research under the supervision of Professor Adam Brumm of Griffith University’s Australian Research Centre for Human Evolution.

Stratigraphy at Leang Bulu Bettue.

Excavations carried out since 2013 have uncovered an exceptionally long and well-preserved sequence of human occupation at the site, with the deepest and oldest evidence dating to more than 132,300–208,400 years ago.

Some of the most remarkable discoveries from this early phase include clear signs of animal butchery and stone tool production, including large, heavy-duty tools known as “picks.” These activities took place long before Homo sapiens had left Africa.

“These behaviours appear to represent an archaic hominin cultural tradition that continued on Sulawesi well into the Late Pleistocene,” said Professor Adam Brumm.

However, the archaeological record shows a dramatic change by around 40,000 years ago. An earlier occupation phase—characterised by cobble-based core and flake technologies and animal remains dominated by dwarf bovids (anoas, small wild cattle native to Sulawesi) alongside now-extinct Asian straight-tusked elephants—was replaced by a distinctly different cultural phase.

“This later phase is marked by a new technological toolkit and the earliest known evidence of artistic expression and symbolic behaviour on the island—traits typically associated with modern humans,” said Basran Burhan.

“The clear behavioural break between these two phases may indicate a major demographic and cultural shift on Sulawesi, most likely linked to the arrival of our species and the replacement of the earlier hominin population.”

The researchers suggest that Leang Bulu Bettue could provide the first direct archaeological evidence of a chronological overlap—and possibly interaction—between archaic humans and Homo sapiens in Wallacea.

These findings underscore Sulawesi’s importance for understanding human evolution in Island Southeast Asia and open new pathways for investigating how different human species coexisted, adapted, and ultimately disappeared.

“That’s what makes archaeological research in Sulawesi so exciting,” Professor Brumm said. “At Australian sites, no matter how deep you dig, you will never find evidence of humans before Homo sapiens arrived, because Australia was only ever inhabited by our species.

“But Sulawesi was occupied by hominins for a million years before we arrived. If you dig deep enough, you may reach the point where two human species came face-to-face.”

Adding to the intrigue, the team has not yet reached the bottom of the site’s cultural deposits.

“There may be several more metres of archaeological layers beneath the deepest levels we have excavated so far at Leang Bulu Bettue,” Basran said.

“Future work at this site could uncover discoveries that significantly reshape our understanding of early human history on Sulawesi—and possibly beyond.”

Huge Roman factory was 'hidden in plain sight'

A large Roman factory has been uncovered on the banks of the River Wear at Offerton, near Sunderland, a site that had remained “hidden in plain sight” for centuries.

The discovery revealed hundreds of whetstones, which were used in Roman times to sharpen swords and farm tools.

Excavations began in February 2025 and were carried out by the local Vedra Hylton Community Association.

Allyson Timm, who found the first objects, initially mistook them for “Mars Bar stones” because she did not know what they were. She said, “I actually found the first ones over the opposite side of the river and didn't have a clue what they were. I'm so pleased to be part of [the dig] and we've all worked together. It's just amazing and now we've made history with it.”

The dig was conducted by members of the Vedra Hylton Community Association

Around 800 whetstones have been uncovered at the Offerton site, though the dig team believes thousands more may still be hidden within the riverbank.

Durham University supported the excavation and noted that research indicates Offerton is the first known Roman site in Britain where stone was deliberately quarried specifically for whetstone production.

Analysis of sediment samples suggests the factory was in operation between AD 104 and AD 238.

About 800 whetstones have been found by the riverbank

The excavation was led by Gary Bankhead, president of the Vedra Hylton Community Association and honorary fellow at Durham University’s Department of Archaeology.

Bankhead described the whetstone production site as the largest in Britain, “without a shadow of a doubt,” and added, “It’s probably the largest number of whetstones found in the entire north-west of Europe, so it’s a significant location, hidden in plain sight.”

He also noted that the team uncovered objects from various periods, indicating that Offerton was abandoned after the Romans left but later reoccupied as a settlement.

Gary Bankhead called the Roman site a remarkable discovery

The discoveries also included a post-medieval wooden jetty, an older stone jetty, chisels and stone-splitting tools, a Tudor leather shoe, and iron and stone cannonballs dating to the English Civil War.

While a Civil War skirmish at Offerton was already documented, Durham University noted that the ammunition finds suggest the battle covered a larger area than previously believed.

“This isn’t just a Roman site, it’s Sunderland’s story revealed through the dedication of local volunteers and researchers working side by side,” said Bankhead. “The River Wear has once again offered us a remarkable discovery, and we are only beginning to understand its full legacy.”

'Extraordinary' Roman box made of bone found

An “extraordinary” artefact from the late Roman period has been uncovered in Broadway, Worcestershire.

During excavations at Milestone Ground, which revealed 8,000 years of human activity, archaeologists were particularly excited by a carved bone box found in the grave of a young woman. The find is expected to shed new light on the lives, beliefs, and craftsmanship of people who once lived in the north Cotswolds.

Jamie Wilkins, who led the dig, described the discovery as “extraordinary” and unlike anything he had seen before.

The excavation was carried out by Worcestershire Archaeology, part of Worcestershire County Council, and was commissioned and funded by Wychavon District Council ahead of planned development. Artefacts spanning prehistoric, Roman, and Saxon periods were uncovered.

The bone box and other finds featured in an episode of BBC Two’s Digging for Britain. Emma Kearsey, Wychavon’s executive board member for planning, infrastructure, and urban design, said the excavation is “rewriting what we know about Broadway and Worcestershire’s past” and praised the BBC feature for sharing the discovery with a wider audience.

Digging for Britain, presented by Professor Alice Roberts, airs on BBC Two on Wednesday and is also available on BBC iPlayer.

Scientists Study Spread of Bronze Age Plague

FAYETTEVILLE, ARKANSAS—Researchers from an international team have identified a potential Bronze Age host of the plague bacterium, Yersinia pestis. The plague affected populations across Eurasia for roughly 2,000 years starting around 5,000 years ago, but its pathways of spread remained unclear.

DNA from Y. pestis has now been detected in 4,000-year-old domesticated sheep from Arkaim, a fortified settlement in the Southern Ural Mountains linked to the Sintashta culture, known for herding, horse riding, and bronze weaponry.

“Our plague sheep gave us a breakthrough,” said Taylor Hermes of the University of Arkansas. “We now understand transmission as an interaction between people, livestock, and an as-yet unidentified ‘natural reservoir,’ which could have been steppe rodents or migratory birds.”

Hermes and colleagues plan to investigate which animals may have served as this natural reservoir for Y. pestis during the Bronze Age.

Rare Iron Age battle trumpet discovered in West Norfolk excavation

A rare Iron Age battle trumpet, known as a carnyx, has been uncovered in west Norfolk during routine archaeological work ahead of a new housing development.

The nearly complete bronze instrument was part of a hoard discovered last summer on privately-owned land. One of only three carnyces known in Britain, it is among the most intact examples found in Europe, according to Historic England.

The trumpet, featuring an animal head, would have been used by Celtic warriors to rally troops and intimidate enemies, and it also captivated the Romans, who often depicted such instruments as war trophies.

The rare near-complete carnyx which dates back to the Iron Age discovered in West Norfolk.

The hoard also contains a sheet-bronze boar’s head, likely from a military standard, along with five shield bosses and an iron object of unknown purpose.

Mark Hinman, chief executive of Pre-Construct Archaeology, which conducted the excavation, said: “Before this dig began our project manager had a feeling that this site would be special. We are so impressed with the team responsible for this find. They discovered something completely unexpected, paused for breath, then followed best excavation practice to recover these rare and fragile objects.”

To protect the delicate items, experts removed them encased in a block of soil before initial examination. Conservation and further research are being undertaken by Historic England, Norfolk Museums Service, and the National Museum of Scotland, a leading authority on carnyces.

Initial investigation work on the bronze Iron Age trumpet, known as a carny, which was discovered in West Norfolk.

Dr Tim Pestell, senior curator of archaeology at Norfolk Museums Service, said: “This find is a powerful reminder of Norfolk’s Iron Age past which, through the story of Boudica and the Iceni people, still fascinates the British public. The Norfolk Carnyx Hoard will give archaeologists an unparalleled opportunity to study several rare objects and ultimately reveal how they came to be buried in the county 2,000 years ago.”

Claudia Kenyatta and Emma Squire, co-chief executives of Historic England, described the hoard as a “remarkable discovery” and said it would be “hugely significant for our understanding of ancient British culture.”

A coroner is expected to decide the legal status of the hoard early this year, and its long-term location has yet to be determined.

The hoard will be featured in the new series of Digging for Britain on BBC Two, in an episode airing at 9 pm on 14 January.

Hominin fossils from Morocco may be close ancestors of modern humans

Jawbones and vertebrae belonging to a hominin that lived around 773,000 years ago have been discovered in North Africa. These fossils could represent a shared ancestor of Homo sapiens, Neanderthals, and Denisovans.

The jawbone of an ancient hominin found at Grotte à Hominidés in Morocco

Fossils from North Africa, dating back nearly 750,000 years, may belong to a common ancestor of Neanderthals, Denisovans, and modern humans, living just before these lineages diverged.

Scientists estimate that this last shared ancestor existed between roughly 765,000 and 550,000 years ago, though its exact time and location remain key mysteries in human evolution.

Massive Roman grave revealed in A66 excavation

Further evidence of ancient funerary practices has emerged at one of the largest Roman cemeteries ever excavated in the UK.

Excavations began last year along the A66, ahead of plans to widen the road between Penrith and Scotch Corner. While archaeologists had been aware of a Roman grave on the site near Penrith since the 1960s, this is the first time such extensive digging has been possible.

Dr Lauren McIntyre of Oxford Cotswold Archaeology said the team has so far uncovered around 340 graves. The excavations have revealed that both cremation and inhumation were practiced, suggesting that individuals had a degree of choice in how to conduct funerary rites for their loved ones.

McIntyre also noted that the cemetery is likely much larger than the area currently excavated. “It’s pretty massive,” she said.

Several ceramic pots were found at the site near Penrith

McIntyre added that, given the site’s proximity to a Roman fort and settlement, it likely served both civilians and soldiers.

“There’s no indication that civilians were buried anywhere else,” she said.

Archaeologists also uncovered several ceramic pots, which may have held either cremated remains or grave goods such as wine or oil. Among the finds was a Cupid figurine, probably buried alongside cremated ashes.

The team’s next step is to analyse the collected ashes to determine the origins of the soldiers buried at the site. McIntyre noted that Roman soldiers were typically recruited from regions far from where they were stationed. She explained that isotopic analysis could help identify the areas where these individuals likely grew up.

Near-complete bronze carnyx among Iron Age hoard discovery

A remarkable hoard of Iron Age metalwork, dating to around 2,000 years ago, has been uncovered in West Norfolk, offering new insight into the ceremonial and military practices of Britain’s Celtic communities.

The find was made during a routine archaeological excavation by Pre-Construct Archaeology, carried out as part of the standard planning process ahead of residential development.

What at first looked like a compact mass of soil was soon identified as one of the most significant Iron Age discoveries made in Europe in recent decades.

Central to the hoard is a near-complete bronze carnyx—a battle trumpet noted for its striking animal-headed design—alongside fragments from a second instrument.

Carnyces were used by Iron Age warriors across Europe to inspire their own forces and intimidate opponents, and were often portrayed by Roman writers and artists as exotic trophies of war. Only three examples have been found in Britain to date, and the Norfolk carnyx ranks among the most complete ever discovered.

Also included in the hoard is a sheet-bronze boar’s head, thought to have once decorated a military standard and to have symbolised power and ferocity in Celtic culture. Five shield bosses and a mysterious iron object of unknown purpose complete the assemblage, making the discovery exceptional not only within Britain but also in a wider European context.

Because of the objects’ extreme fragility, the entire group was carefully removed from the ground encased in a single block of soil. Senior conservator Jonathan Clark of Norfolk Museums Service is overseeing the meticulous micro-excavation process, which involves removing soil a few millimetres at a time, stabilising the metalwork, and recording each stage to ensure no archaeological information is lost.

“The condition of the carnyx and the associated objects is extraordinarily delicate,” Mr Clark said. “Every element has to be secured and documented before it can be safely separated from the surrounding soil.”

Conservation specialists at Norfolk Museums Service are now carrying out initial assessments, although extensive stabilisation will be required before detailed academic analysis can begin. Historic England is coordinating the project in collaboration with Pre-Construct Archaeology, Norfolk Museums Service and the National Museum of Scotland, drawing on expertise from across the UK.

The discovery will feature in an upcoming series of the BBC programme Digging for Britain, airing from 7 January 2026, giving viewers an early look at a hoard already being described as one of the most important Iron Age finds of the century.

Archaeologists Uncovered a Strange Carving of a Terrifying Mythical Figure

The more welcoming side of Medusa turns typical mythology upside down, with the smile likely designed to represent peace and prosperity.

Here’s what you’ll discover in this story:

• Archaeologists excavating an ancient Roman forum in what is now Turkey uncovered an unusual depiction of Medusa.

• The columned forum featured ceiling panels carved with her image, but instead of a fearsome expression beneath her snake-like hair, Medusa is shown smiling.

• This gentler portrayal challenges traditional mythology, with the smile likely symbolizing harmony and prosperity.

Medusa is typically portrayed as intimidating, defined by her serpentine hair and threatening gaze. However, a recently uncovered carving from an ancient Roman forum presents a strikingly different interpretation. Archaeologists found ceiling panels above marble columns depicting Medusa with a childlike smile.

“Our Medusa was fashioned much like Eros, with the face of a very young child and a smiling expression,” said Fatma Bağdatlı Çam, a professor at Bartın University, as quoted by Turkey Today.

The distinctive image was discovered during excavations in the ancient city of Amastris—modern-day Amasra—while researchers were uncovering a monumental Roman forum with a columned gallery and decorated ceiling tiles. The work forms part of Turkey’s Ministry of Culture and Tourism’s Heritage for the Future project, carried out in collaboration with the university’s Archaeology Application and Research Center. So far, excavations across a 30,000-square-foot area have revealed marble columns reaching heights of up to 30 feet.

BBC crews film Digging for Britain in Broadway after discovery

BBC crews have filmed an episode of a well-known television programme in Broadway following an archaeological discovery made ahead of planned development.

The village will appear in an episode of BBC Two’s Digging for Britain after excavations revealed evidence of 8,000 years of human activity.

Among the finds attracting national attention was a carved bone box recovered from the grave of a young woman, dating to the late Roman period.

The excavation was carried out by Worcestershire Archaeology and was commissioned and funded by Wychavon District Council in advance of development plans.

Jamie Wilkins, who led the excavation, described the discovery as “extraordinary,” noting not only the craftsmanship and preservation of the box, but also the insight it offers into the community that once lived there. He said he had never encountered an object like it before and quickly realised its significance.

Cllr Emma Kearsey, Wychavon’s executive board member for planning, infrastructure and urban design, said the work at Milestone Ground is transforming understanding of Broadway and Worcestershire’s history. She highlighted the bone box as a particularly compelling find and welcomed its inclusion on Digging for Britain so a wider audience can share in the discovery.

She added that further discoveries are expected at the site and that work is ongoing with Worcestershire Archaeology and Broadway Museum to share the story locally.

The new series of Digging for Britain, presented by Professor Alice Roberts, will be broadcast on BBC Two and BBC iPlayer from 7 January 2026.

A spokesperson for Wychavon District Council said the finely decorated box is believed to date to the late Roman period, based on its decorative style, a date that has since been confirmed through radiocarbon analysis of the associated burial.

Specialist analysis has also revealed an unexpected detail: the box was made from roe deer bone and may originally have been used to hold an ointment.

Its careful placement within the grave suggests it was a valued or deeply personal item for the individual who was buried there and for those who laid them to rest.

Although the bone box is the most striking discovery, archaeologists have also uncovered evidence of substantial prehistoric, Roman and Saxon activity at the site. This reinforces Broadway’s long-standing importance as a settlement located along a key route across the Cotswolds escarpment.

A multi-year programme of specialist study is now set to begin. Once completed, all finds and records from the excavation will be deposited with the county museum, in accordance with archaeological best practice.

Iron Age battle trumpet found on site for new Norfolk homes

A near-complete Iron Age battle trumpet and a bronze boar’s head that once decorated a military standard are among a hoard of “remarkable” artefacts uncovered in Norfolk.

The discoveries were made in the west of the county during archaeological investigations carried out ahead of a planned housing development.

The bronze trumpet, known as a carnyx, is exceptionally rare: it is only the third example ever found in Britain and ranks among the most complete specimens discovered anywhere in Europe.

The Carnyx

The animal-headed instruments were used by Celtic tribes across Europe to rally warriors in battle and intrigued the Romans, who often portrayed them as captured trophies of war.

The internationally significant hoard also includes a sheet-bronze boar’s head that once formed part of a military standard.

Stacks of shield bosses covering the head of the carnyx

Five shield bosses and an enigmatic iron object that has baffled archaeologists were also uncovered on privately owned land last summer, though the exact location has not been disclosed.

After the discovery, the items were removed encased in a block of soil and later scanned to determine their original positions within it.

Senior conservator Jonathan Clark, carefully removing the hoard from its soil block

Conservation experts at Norfolk Museums Service then carefully extracted each object.

Because the finds are extremely fragile, they will require extensive stabilisation before detailed research can begin.

Dr Tim Pestell, from Norfolk Museums Service

Dr Tim Pestell, senior curator of archaeology at Norfolk Museums Service, said the discovery is a striking reminder of Norfolk’s Iron Age heritage which, through the story of Boudica and the Iceni, continues to capture public interest in Britain.

He added that the Norfolk Carnyx Hoard offers archaeologists a rare opportunity to study several exceptional artefacts and, ultimately, to understand why they were buried in the county around 2,000 years ago.

As the discovery includes two or more base metal objects from the same site, it may qualify as treasure trove.

A coroner will decide the hoard’s legal status later this year, a ruling that will determine the next steps.

New Fossil Analysis Suggests This Seven-Million-Year-Old Primate Walked on Two Legs, Potentially Making It the Oldest Known Human Ancestor

Fresh findings about arm and leg bones advance the debate over whether Sahelanthropus tchadensis was bipedal, but not everyone is convinced

Bones from a chimpanzee on the left, Sahelanthropus tchadensis in the center, and an Australopithecus species on the right

New Analysis Suggests Sahelanthropus tchadensis Walked Upright

In the early 2000s, researchers discovered roughly seven-million-year-old primate bones in Chad’s Djurab Desert. Belonging to the extinct species Sahelanthropus tchadensis, these fossils have sparked decades of debate among paleontologists over whether the species walked on two legs—a trait that would make it the oldest known member of the human lineage, or hominin.

A new study, published January 2 in Science Advances, adds to this debate by analyzing fragments of arm and leg bones, offering evidence that S. tchadensis may indeed have been upright.

The species was first described in 2002 based on a skull, teeth, and jaw fragments. These suggested upright posture, but without leg bones, firm conclusions about bipedalism were impossible. Later, researchers identified a nearby femur and two ulnae as belonging to the species, though interpretations of their meaning for walking remained contested.

In the new analysis, scientists examined the bones’ fine anatomical details and compared them with those of living primates and other fossils. One key finding was a rounded bump on the femur, called the femoral tubercle. Study co-author Scott Williams, an evolutionary morphologist at New York University, explains that this is the attachment point for the largest and most powerful ligament in the body, which tightens when standing and helps stabilize the torso during walking—a feature previously only identified in bipedal hominins.

The researchers also confirmed other traits linked to bipedalism: a twist in the femur that aids upright walking, buttocks muscles modeled for walking and running like those of ancient hominins, and a femur-to-ulna length ratio more similar to Australopithecus than to apes, which typically have shorter legs and longer arms for quadrupedal movement. These proportions suggest a significant evolutionary step toward human-style walking.

Williams concludes, “Sahelanthropus tchadensis was essentially a bipedal ape with a chimpanzee-sized brain, likely spending much time in trees, yet adapted to upright posture and movement on the ground.”

Not all experts are fully convinced. John Hawks, an anthropologist at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, supports the findings but emphasizes the gradual and complex nature of early hominin evolution, noting that Sahelanthropus likely displayed a mix of ape-like and human-like traits.

Marine Cazenave of the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, however, calls the evidence “weak” due to the fossil’s poor preservation, making it difficult to determine the full structure of the femoral tubercle and its implications for bipedalism.

The debate continues, highlighting the challenges of interpreting some of the earliest steps in human evolution.

And finally… gilt trip

Archaeologists in Lower Saxony have confirmed the discovery of a significant Roman-era hoard near Borsum, comprising 450 silver coins, several silver bars, a single gold coin, and a gold ring.

Early Roman Hoard Unearthed in Lower Saxony

A significant early Roman Imperial hoard was recently recovered in Borsum, Lower Saxony, under the supervision of Sebastian Messal, regional head of the State Office for Monument Preservation. Messal described the find as one of the largest hoards uncovered in the region.

The discovery underscores the delicate balance between amateur detecting and professional archaeology. While metal detecting is regulated and requires permits in Lower Saxony, initial improper digging at the site damaged the archaeological context—the precise positioning of items that helps researchers understand the burial. Messal’s team conducted a controlled secondary sweep of the woodland, recovering additional coins and working to reconstruct the deposit’s history.

Experts classify the find as a hoard, suggesting the valuables were deliberately buried for safekeeping during a period of unrest. The presence of silver bars points to the conversion of loose metal into portable currency, common in frontier economies. A single gold coin and a ring indicate either ownership by a high-status individual or a “piggy bank” approach, where prestige items were saved alongside standard currency.

Scientific analysis is now underway to clean the artifacts and examine wear patterns, mint marks, and metallurgical composition. Non-destructive tests on the silver alloys aim to trace the metal to its source mines, while coin inscriptions will provide a terminus post quem, the earliest possible date for the hoard’s burial. This information is key to understanding northern Germany’s turbulent Roman-era history, where Roman forces and local tribes interacted near the Rhine.

Researchers hope the Borsum hoard may be linked to the aftermath of the Varus Battle of 9 AD, offering evidence of the movement of people, goods, and power along the empire’s frontier. Whether it represents Roman military pay, Germanic tribute, or a merchant’s hidden savings, ongoing study aims to map ancient economic and social networks with precision.

Powick Old Bridge delay over removing driftwood and trees

Repairs to Powick Old Bridge Delayed

The fate of the medieval Powick Old Bridge will have to wait, as the trees and driftwood piled against its partially collapsed structure will not be cleared until next week.

Workmen were on site on Monday, but Worcestershire County Council confirmed that the main debris removal will now take place on Monday, January 12. Preparatory work will be carried out in advance to ensure the site is ready. A council spokesperson explained that a larger excavator will be brought in from the Powick Mill side, and the field and riverbank are being prepared under an archaeological watching brief.

Residents have expressed concern about the buildup of debris in the River Teme near the bridge, worried it could worsen damage in the event of flooding. While the council said the bridge is not currently believed to be at risk of collapse, the structure is partially unstable.

Powick Old Bridge is historically significant, having witnessed both the opening skirmish and the final battle of the English Civil War in the 17th century. Nearly two years ago, on January 31, 2024, a wingwall partially collapsed into the river. Some parts of the bridge date back to before 1447, and the site was immediately closed to pedestrians and cyclists.

The bridge has been added to Historic England's 2025 Heritage at Risk Register, highlighting its serious risk from neglect and decay. Worcestershire County Council has approved £5 million for repairs and is seeking additional funding to restore the historic structure.