Archaeology

Cambridge students find burial pit, 9th century ‘giant’ who underwent surgery during training dig

The pit is believed to have been from a time of conflict “between the Saxon-run kingdom of Mercia and the kingdom of East Anglia, which was conquered by the Vikings in around 870 [CE]."

|ByMIRIAM SELA-EITAM
Cambridge University archaeologists and students discover 9th century CE mass burial pit during a training dig at Wandlebury Country Park on the outskirts of Cambridge, UK, February 4, 2026.
Owl carving above the entrance to a Zapotec tomb from 600 CE in the Oaxaca Valley, Mexico, February 14, 2026.

Zapotec tomb from 600 CE marks Mexico’s most ‘significant archaeological discovery’ in last decade

The Zapotecs were a major pre-Hispanic civilization that flourished in Oaxaca from circa 700-500 BC until the Spanish conquest.

|ByMIRIAM SELA-EITAM
Erdstall discovered in late 2025 by the Saxony-Anhalt State Office for Heritage Management and Archaeology (LDA) during excavations near Reinstedt in Saxony-Anhalt, Germany, February 14, 2026.

German archaeologists discover medieval tunnel system inside Neolithic burial site

Thousands of similar tunnel systems have been discovered across Europe and despite this, their purpose has been subject to decades of theory and debate. 

|ByMIRIAM SELA-EITAM
Rare Roman vehicle ornament depicting a panther with its paws atop a bearded man’s severed head discovered in Essex in 2024.

'Nothing quite like it': UK Treasure Act names Roman carriage ornament Essex's first 'treasure'

According to the Act, archaeological finds can be given the status of Treasure if they are deemed to be of historical, archaeological, or cultural importance.

|ByMIRIAM SELA-EITAM

Stone seal from biblical Kingdom of Judea discovered during construction in northern Israel

The seal, which is made of a light brown gemstone, is thought by archaeologists to have been “hung like a necklace around its owner’s neck,” and decoratively divided into three. 

FEBRUARY 12, 2026ByMIRIAM SELA-EITAM
An 8th century stone seal believed to have belong to a high-ranking official of the biblical Kingdom of Judah. The inscription reads: “Belonging to Makhach (son of) Amihai." Picture released on February 12, 2026.

Archaeologists discover Anglo-Saxon child buried with shield, spear in medieval cemetery in Kent

Four medieval swords were also discovered during excavation.

FEBRUARY 10, 2026ByMIRIAM SELA-EITAM
Target practice for jousting: consisting of a cross-bar turning upon a pivot with a broad part to strike against. Illustration after a manuscript in the Bodleian Library at Oxford. An engraving from The Sports and Pastimes of the people of England, by Joseph Strutt, (London, 1833).

Researchers discover world’s oldest sewn hide, dated to Ice Age, in Oregon caves - study

Through carbon dating, researchers have ruled that the artifacts are between approximately 11,700 and 12,900 years old, a time when Ice Age temperatures had returned after a brief warm period.

FEBRUARY 10, 2026ByMIRIAM SELA-EITAM
Inside Sea Lion Caves, Oregon, February 10, 2026.

Authorities reveal discovery of fourth century Roman shipwreck off Italy’s southern coast

According to the ministry, the site has been under constant monitoring by Italy’s financial police to “protect the site from possible looting and to preserve its enormous scientific value.”

FEBRUARY 9, 2026ByMIRIAM SELA-EITAM
Divers carrying amphorae from the fourth century AD Roman shipwreck discovered off the coast of Gallipoli, southern Italy in June 2025.

Netherlands returns 3,500-year-old sculpture stolen from Egypt during Arab Spring

Egypt requested that the artifact be returned under the 1970 UNESCO Convention, which both it and the Netherlands are beholden to. 

FEBRUARY 8, 2026ByMIRIAM SELA-EITAM
Dutch Education, Culture and Science Gouke Moes and the Egyptian Ambassador to the Netherlands during the formal handover ceremony of the stolen scultpure at the Egyptian embassy in the Hague, February 8, 2026.

Residue from Roman vial reveals first evidence of ancient physicians' use of fecal medicine - study

The vial, also known as an unguentarium, is commonly believed to have held perfumes or cosmetic oils.

FEBRUARY 8, 2026ByMIRIAM SELA-EITAM
Unguentarium, 4th-5th century AD. Creator: Unknown.February 8, 2026.

Elephant bone found at Spanish archaeological site may have marched on Rome with Hannibal - study

The finding represents the first elephant skeletal remains found to possibly confirm Hannibal’s historical march from Carthage to Italy during the Second Punic War.

FEBRUARY 7, 2026ByMIRIAM SELA-EITAM
A member of staff of the Natural History Museum in Berne, Switzerland, checks the skeleton of an elephant on show at the museum's Skeleton Hall, September 16, 2005.

More alike than you think: CT scans of ancient Egyptian mummies reveal back pain, dental issues

Both the mummies and 3D models and prints of the scans will be on display at the California Science Center’s upcoming “Mummies of the World: The Exhibition” exhibit on February 7.

FEBRUARY 7, 2026ByMIRIAM SELA-EITAM
Summer Decker, PHD, (left) 3D Imaging Lead for Keck Medicine of USC, and Diane Perlov, PHD, (right), Senior Vice President for special projects at the California Science Center, examine ancient Egyptian mummy Nes-Min before he is scanned, February 6, 2026.

Caesarea’s Roman-era aqueduct to undergo multi-million shekel preservation, restoration project

Preservation efforts have already begun, Israel Antiquities Authority noted, adding that the project is expected to take about 40 months (nearly three and a half years). 

FEBRUARY 7, 2026ByMIRIAM SELA-EITAM
Israelis and tourists enjoy the beach near the 2,000-year-old Caesarea aqueduct, in Caesarea on August 21, 2023.

Canine remains discovered in Bulgaria show dog meat may have been Iron Age delicacy - study

The Greeks, as well as the Thracians, who lived in what is now modern-day Bulgaria, are believed by researchers to have consumed dog meat. 

FEBRUARY 5, 2026ByMIRIAM SELA-EITAM
Dog skull found during an archaeological excavation.