• Mesopotamia: The Land Between Two Rivers
Reference Article: Facts about Mesopotamia.
Reference Article: Facts about Mesopotamia.
The altar reveals new details about a rebellion against the Kingdom of Israel.
Pompeii was buried in ash in A.D. 79 in the cataclysmic eruption of Mount Vesuvius.(Image: © Eric VANDEVILLE/Getty Images)In the decades before the city ofPompeiiwas buried in ash by the cataclysmic eruption of Mount Vesuvius in A.D. 79, everyday lif
The bodies of a young man and woman, possibly in their teens, have been found buried facing each other in a cemetery that dates back about 4,000 years in Kazakhstan. It's possible they were a couple in a romantic relationship.(Image: © Courtesy Karag
The passage of carts over decades could cause ruts (like the one shown here), particularly in high-traffic areas of Pompeii.Credit: Eric PoehlerAncient workers used molten iron to repair Pompeii's streets before the historic and devastating eruption of Mo
Here, one of the 2,500-year-old skeletons discovered in a kurgan in Russia.Credit: Ministry of Culture and Tourism of the Astrakhan RegionA farmer in Russia has uncovered the remains of three elite members of a nomadic tribe from 2,500 years ago. A horse'
The passage of carts over decades could cause ruts (like the one shown here), particularly in high-traffic areas of Pompeii.Credit: Eric PoehlerAncient workers used molten iron to repair Pompeii's streets before the historic and devastating eruption of Mo
Justinian IResearchers working at the Hagia Sophia, the largest Christian cathedral constructed in the ancient world, have made a number of discoveries. For instance, they discovered a circle made of a type of igneous rock called porphyry where Justinian
Archaeologists exploring the site of a naval battle fought 2,200 years ago between Rome and Carthage have uncovered clues to how the battle may have unfolded — as well as several mysteries.
An intentionally damaged limestone carving found within a 3,500-year-old shrine at Tell Edfu, in southern Egypt, shows what appears to be an ancient couple who someone tried to vanquish in the afterlife.The carving depicts a man and woman standing beside
Defense wallCredit: S.E. SidebothamA 2,300-year-old fortress, and associated structures, which protected an ancient port called Berenike, have been discovered in Egypt by the Red Sea. This photo shows a fragment of the northern defense wall of Berenike un
Credit: Raffaella Bianucci, University of TurinHistoric finds in 2018Many fascinating archaeological discoveries were made in 2018. From the world'soldest cheeseto the world'soldest breweryto a massive black granite sarcophagus that ignited a mediafrenzys
This 4,400-year-old tomb at Saqqara was constructed for a "divine inspector" named "Wahtye."Credit: Photo courtesy Egyptian Ministry of AntiquitiesA 4,400-year-old tomb constructed for a "divine inspector" named "Wahtye&
The remains of residential buildings found at Tenea date between roughly 300 B.C. and A.D. 400.Credit: Photo courtesy Greek Ministry of CultureArchaeologists have uncovered portions of the ancient Greek city of Tenea, whose residents claimed they were pri
A 2,100-year-old pit containing a mini "Terracotta Army" has been discovered in China.Credit: Photo courtesy Chinese Cultural RelicsInside a 2,100-year-old pit in China, archaeologists have discovered a miniature army of sorts: carefully arrange
This graffiti, recently discovered on the wall of a Pompeii house, suggests that Mount Vesuvius blew its top in the autumn of A.D. 79, not in August as some had thought.Credit: Pompeii Parco ArcheologicoGraffiti scribbled on the wall of a Pompeii house th
The 10-year-old has a rock stuffed in the mouth, something that may have been done to prevent the child from rising from the grave and spreading malaria to other people.Credit: David Pickel/Stanford UniversityA 1,550-year-old "vampire burial" of
The "Grand Lady's" coffin was buried inside another coffin in China.Credit: Photo courtesy Chinese Cultural RelicsAn exquisitely preserved skeleton of a woman dubbed the "Grand Lady" has been discovered in a water-filled coffin within
Final resting placeCredit: Photo courtesy Chinese Cultural RelicsArchaeologists in China have uncovered the tomb of a 900 year-old "Grand Lady," as writing found in her tomb calls her, in China. The inner coffin of the Grand Lady is shown here.
This figure shows images of the step pyramid. a) part of the stone buttresses of the second and the third steps of the pyramid; b) eye symbols that decorate the pyramid c) a view of the buttresses under excavation; d) a general view of the pyramid before
The octagon-shaped tomb is filled with murals and has a pyramid-shaped roof.Credit: Chinese Cultural RelicsArchaeologists in Yangquan, China, have discovered an octagon-shaped tomb with walls covered in murals that dates back some 700 years, when the desc
Ancient cityCredit: Chinese Cultural RelicsA tomb dating back around 700 years, to a time when the descendants of Genghis Khan ruled China, has been discovered in Yangquan City, China. The octagon-shaped tomb is filled with murals and has a pyramid-shaped
EmpireCredit:Razvy|ShutterstockThere were several different types of gladiators who fought at the time of the Roman Empire. Wearing different kinds of armor, and welding a mix of weapons, these fighters were pitted against each other in the arena and ofte
A satellite image, captured on Sept. 14, 2017, shows "site 1056," which might be the ancient city of Irisagrig.Credit: DigitalGlobeHundreds of ancient stolen tablets, seized from the company Hobby Lobby and returned to Iraq, provide clues about
Archaeologists have discovered the lost city of Mardaman, the remains of which are pictured here. It is located in northern Iraq near a modern-day town called Bassetki. It was inhabited for thousands of years. The remains left by its ancient inhabitants f
Odd circumstancesAbout 1,500 years ago a fortress that is now called "Sandby borg" came under a surprise attack. Archaeologists found that the inhabitants were slaughtered, many of them didn't even have the chance to face their attackers. This p
A cuneiform tablet seized by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) from Hobby Lobby.Credit: U.S. Attorney's Office Eastern District of New YorkHundreds of 4,000 year old tablets that were looted in Iraq and bought by the U.S. company Hobby Lobby
This 1,500-year-old papyrus was found near the pyramid of the Pharaoh Senwosret I.Credit: Rogers Fund, 1934/Public DomainScientists have deciphered what they describe as a 1,500-year-old 'magical papyrus' that was discovered near thepyramidof the Pharaoh
Built between roughly A.D. 1113 and 1150, and encompassing an area of about 500 acres (200 hectares), Angkor Wat is one of the largest religious monuments ever constructed. Its name means "temple city."Originally built as a Hindu temple dedicate
Archaeologists in Rome have recently discovered a 1,900-year-old home that would have belonged to a Roman military commander. It is located beside a barracks that housed Roman soldiers. The home has 14 rooms as well as the remains of a courtyard, fountain
Inside the military commander's house, archaeologists found the remains of mosaic floors made with white marble and grey slate. Many of the mosaics were decorated with geometric patterns.Credit: Ministero Dei Beni E Delle Attività Culturali Del TurismoArc
At least 40 limestone sarcophagi that held mummified burials were discovered in the cemetery. One of them is pictured here.Credit: Egyptian Antiquities MinistryArchaeologists have discovered a 2,300-year-old underground cemetery that holds burials of the
This 2,700-year-old seal impression contains the Hebrew name for "Isaiah" and may refer to the biblical prophet who lived at the same time.Credit: Ouria Tadmor/copyrightEilat MazarSome 2,700 years ago, someone pressed a seal bearing the name Isa
Scholars have deciphered a Dead Sea Scroll written in a Hebrew code, finding that it contains part of a 364-day calendar of holy days.
Excavations have begun in an area of the Valley of the Kings where the tomb of Tutankhamun's wife may be located, archaeologist Zahi Hawass announced today (Jan. 16). Archaeologists are digging in
Using cosmic particles called muons, and possibly tiny robots, scientists hope to figure out what created two mysterious voids inside the Great Pyramid. Possibilities range from a new burial chambe
The Dead Sea Scrolls on display at Qumran in 2010.Credit: ShutterstockThe burial of a warrior who lived and (literally) died by the sword, a new tomb in the Valley of the Kings and a cave that may have held Dead Sea Scrolls — these are just some of the bi
Soup dishCredit: Photo courtesy Chinese Cultural RelicsA 3,100-year-old tomb filled with bronze food vessels that have incredible designs has been discovered in Baoji City in China. This photo shows a "tureen," a vessel that is often used to ser
The castle found beneath the surface of Lake Van in Turkey may have been built 3,000 years ago by ancient people called the Urartians, but archaeologists can't say for certain.Credit: Photo by Tahsin CeylanLast week, a story about a 3,000-year-old castle
Cremated human remains were found inside this ceramic box. An inscription found nearby says that they were buried Jun. 22, 1013 and belong to the Buddha. It is not certain if the statues were buried along with the remains.Credit: Photo courtesy Chinese Cu
The north entrance of the Palace of Knossos on the Greek island of Crete.Credit:Andrei Nekrassov|ShutterstockThe Palace of Knossos is located just south of modern-day Heraklion near the north coast of Crete. Built by a civilization that we call theMinoans
The hull of the ship was cracked, suggesting it was hit and took on water, leading to it being wrecked some 700 years ago.Credit: Photo courtesy Chinese Cultural RelicsArchaeologists have uncovered a shipwreck buried under silt and mud that dates back aro
This 2,000-year-old wooden chariot was buried alongside the remains of two horses and a dog, as well as the remains of a nobleman from Thrace, in what is now Bulgaria.Credit: UBB/Veselin IgnatovThe photo of an ancient Thracian chariot alongside the bones
According to the inscription, a kingdom called Mira controlled Troy 3,200 years ago and a prince from Troy, named Muksus, led Mira's forces in a series of military campaigns. (Alex Khripunov/Shutterstock)A 3,200-year-old stone slab with an inscription tha
A statue of Leonidas was erected in 1968 in Sparta, Greece.Credit:Anastasios71|ShutterstockSparta is a city in Laconia, on the Peloponnese in Greece. In antiquity, it was a powerful city-state with a famous martial tradition. Ancient writers sometimes ref
According to legend, 6th-century Babylonian King Nebuchadnezzar had a colossal maze of waterfalls and dense vegetation planted across his palace for a wife, who missed her lush homeland. Archaeologists still debate the garden's existence.Credit: Photo Cre
This sculpture of an Egyptian pharaoh was found in the ancient city of Hazor in Israel. It was constructed around 4,300 years ago, at a time when pyramids were being built in Egypt, and was smashed apart when Hazor was destroyed around 3,300 years ago. (G
A series of Egyptian tombs dating back about 2,000 years, to the time when the Romans controlled Egypt, have been discovered at Bir esh-Shaghala in the Dakhla Oasis in Egypt.Credit: Egypt Ministry of AntiquitiesA series of tombs dating back about 2,000 ye
The name Troy refers both to a place in legend and a real-life archaeological site. In legend, Troy is a city that was besieged for 10 years and eventually conquered by a Greek army led by King Agamemnon. The reason for this "Trojan War" was, ac
From prehistory to the 21st century, human sacrifice has been practiced around the world by numerous cultures. Live Science takes a look at 25 cultures that practiced, or still practice, human sacrifice.
A tomb dating back around 3,400 years has been discovered on Sai Island, on the Nile River in Sudan.
Archaeologists discovered the tomb in 2015, though it wasn't until 2017 that a team with the AcrossBorders archaeological research project fully excavated the site.
The ancient catacombs of St. Domitilla sprawl for more than 10 miles (17 kilometers) in a labyrinth of tunnels beneath Rome and contain numerous tombs, many belonging to the city's elite.
The remains of at least four female heads, made out of ceramic, have been discovered at the ancient town of Porphyreon, located in modern-day Jiyeh, Lebanon.
A mongoose on a leash, a colorful pelican and various bats are just a few of the rare animal drawings revealed in a new survey of a group of 4,000-year-old tombs in Egypt.
Archaeologists have discovered an underground catacomb containing numerous mummy-filled corridors at an ancient cemetery at the site of Tuna el-Gebel in Egypt.
This monster-like creature, as archaeologists call it, was found on the vaulted ceiling of the tomb's corridor. Archaeologists say that it has four outstretched limbs and appears to be "dashing down from above." This mural was found in a tomb in
A silk-covered body inside a coffin and a silver bowl depicting Greek goddesses are among the discoveries at a 1,500-year-old cemetery in Inner Mongolia, an autonomous region in China.
A 3,800-year-old pyramid found with an alabaster block bearing the name of pharaoh Ameny Qemau has been discovered at the site of Dahshur in Egypt.
Construction workers accidentally discovered a vaulted tomb dating back to the time of the Assyrian Empire in Erbil, the capital of Iraqi Kurdistan. Ten skeletons were also found at the site.
Mural tombArchaeologists in Datong City, in northern China, have discovered a tomb with colorful murals on the walls dating back around 1,000 years. The murals depict servants, cranes and a vast amount of clothing. The colors on the murals are vibrantly p
A 1,000-year-old circular tomb, whose walls are decorated with colorful murals, has been discovered in Datong City, in northern China.
A house dating back around 1,900 years, which is decorated with frescoes showing scenes of nature, has been discovered at the archaeological site of Omrit in northern Israel. Phallic amulets were also found at the site.
A group of archaeologists has said the tomb of Tutankhamun may hold a hidden chamber containing the tomb of Queen Nefertiti. So far, radar scans have failed to confirm such a chamber.