Ancient history

Egyptian researchers discover collection of ancient rock art spanning 10,000 years in Sinai desert

The engravings and drawings are divided into several groups, researchers learned in their initial study of the space, the oldest of which are done in red and dated to between 10,000 and 5,500 BCE.

Red pigment drawings discovered by Egyptian archaeologists on the Umm Arak Plateau in the southern Sinai, February 17, 2026.
 English archaeologist Howard Carter near the golden sarcophagus of Tutankhamun in the Valley of Kings, Egypt. Photo acquired on February 16, 2026.

On This Day: Howard Carter enters King Tut's burial chamber in Egypt's Valley of Kings

Unguentarium, 4th-5th century AD. Creator: Unknown.February 8, 2026.

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

 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.

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


Neolithic engravings may push Chinese writing back 7,000 years

Feng Shi confirmed that inscriptions on ceramic stands from Liulinxi are the earliest known Chinese characters, appearing in groups rather than alone, making them easier to interpret.

Neolithic engravings may push Chinese writing back 7,000 years.

Ancient Crocodile Species Discovered in Egypt Sheds Light on Evolutionary History

“The discovery underlines the Western Desert’s importance as a natural repository of secrets from ancient geological eras,” said Mansoura university president.

Life reconstruction of Wadisuchus kassabi from the Late Cretaceous of Egypt, showing an adult capturing a lungfish in a wetland, with a juvenile nearby. The scene highlights the ancient ecosystem, including turtles and lush vegetation, based on fossil evidence from the Quseir Formation.

Dresden Codex decoded: study unveils the Maya’s 700-year eclipse calculator

“The 405-month eclipse table had emerged from a lunar calendar in which the 260-day divinatory calendar commensurated the lunar cycle,” the authors wrote.

A solar eclipse next to the Mayan pyramid of Kukulcan in the Mexican city of Chichen Itza.

Ancient teeth reveal salmonella and louse-borne fever helped doom Napoleon’s 500,000-man force

Teeth from 13 Grande Armée soldiers in a Vilnius grave give first genetic proof that infections, with famine and cold, helped cause the loss of 300,000 men during Napoleon’s retreat from Russia.

Troops in battle. Illustration.

Patagonia expedition uncovers 70 million year old carnivorous dinosaur egg live on camera

The research team confirmed they will conduct micro computed tomography scans to determine whether the egg contains a fossilized embryo.

Patagonia expedition uncovers 70 million year old carnivorous dinosaur egg live on camera.

Opium residue found in an Ancient Egyptian vase, rewriting the story of Tutankhamun’s tomb raids

Analysis detected morphine, thebaine, noscapine and other opiate alkaloids, providing the first scientific identification of the contents of an inscribed egyptian alabastron.

The Egyptian, alabaster vase that was analyzed.

Archaeologists find intact Merian axe from tenth century near Rostov, Russia

The Merians were a Finno-Ugric people who lived in the upper Volga basin.

Archaeologists find intact Merian axe from tenth century near Rostov, Russia.

Tutankhamun's tomb on brink of collapse amid widening cracks and soaring humidity

Researchers report that cracks formed after the 1994 flood have widened, letting rainwater infiltrate kv62 and fostering mold that eats away its 3300-year-old frescoes.

Mummy of pharaoh Tutankhamun in his tomb.

Lion-headed stone found at Bathonea points to late antique olive oil and wine production hub

A carved limestone block bearing a lion-head spout emerged from the soil of Bathonea, the ancient harbor city on the northern shore of Istanbul’s Lake Küçükçekmece.

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Ancient lead exposure may have given Homo sapiens a genetic shield

Researchers found lead bands in 73 percent of 51 fossilized teeth spanning two million years of hominin history.

Homo sapiens. Illustration.