In 2019, a circular 1st-century mausoleum with rich grave goods was discovered during the renovation of a house in Carmona, Spain. Among other things, a glass ashtray urn containing a strange reddish liquid. The liquid, preserved after 2,000 years, is a "miracle" in itself, but the liquid has now been analysed and found to contain wine. The world's oldest wine...
The excavation of soil for the construction of the radar system of the new airport on the top of Papoura hill, northwest of the Cretan town of Kastelli, revealed a monumental circular structure dating back to the Bronze Age. Scientists do not yet know what it was used for. The magnificent work is attributed to the Minoan civilization, unparalleled in the archaeological record...
Archaeologists from the Saxony-Anhalt State Office for Conservation and Archaeology have announced the discovery of a hoard of silver coins from the 17th century. They were found by construction workers during the renovation of a historic farmhouse in Wettin. The coins are mainly thalers and pennies of several European countries, most of them in very good condition.
During the mass detector event, 60-year-old John Belgrove somewhat distanced himself from the others. He noticed a nearby hill from which he wanted to look around and rejoin the group. As he climbed up, he happened to notice a strong signal. Once he had dug it out he couldn't believe his eyes.
During the renovation of an old wine cellar in Gobelsburg, Austria, local winemaker Andreas Pernerstorfer discovered large bones that prompted him to contact experts. The find turned out to contain 30,000 to 40,000-year-old mammoth remains. It is the most significant find of mammoth bones in Austria for more than a century and the first to be explored using modern methods...
A recent scientific study has produced surprising results about the health of the famous composer Ludwig van Beethoven. Analysis of strands of his hair revealed high concentrations of lead, arsenic and mercury. They contained levels of lead up to 100 times higher than is now considered safe. They caused long-term health complications, but they didn't kill the genius composer...
Neanderthals had big brains, their own language and used sophisticated tools. They were smart, had aesthetic and artistic sensibilities, and were spiritually based - they buried their dead with reverence. In many ways they were equal to modern humans and in many ways even surpassed them. So why did the Neanderthals die out while our ancestors took over the world? New evidence suggests that the fundamental differences were not in individual skills, but in our societies...
A rare silver brooch dating from the 2nd century was discovered during archaeological excavations of the old Roman state building Hostalot-Idlum in the Spanish municipality of Vilanova d'Alcolea. It depicts the legendary story of a she-wolf nursing the brothers Romulus and Remus, the supposed founders of Rome. According to experts, this is an exceptional artefact of first-class quality and artful craftsmanship that is second to none.
At the bottom of the Gulf of Mecklenburg in northern Germany, scientists have discovered a stone mound nearly a kilometre long and up to 11,000 years old. It was probably used for hunting reindeer or other animals, and it is probably the oldest megalithic structure in Europe.
Researchers from Kiel University have demonstrated in the first archaeobotanical study of burnt food remains on the surface of ceramicpottery on the surface of ceramic vessels to show how varied and tasty the food prepared in East Holstein was 5,000 years ago...