ancient-history

Archaeologists from the Museum of London Archaeology (Mola) have completed an excavation at Stanton Cross in Wellingborough, Northamptonshire, revealing what has been described as a "remarkable window into life in the area during the Roman period". The dig covered nine hectares at a new housing development situated near Chester House Estate, where evidence of an ancient Roman settlement had previ…

Festschriften are, by their very nature, both scholarly tribute and personal testament, and No Good Deed Goes Unpunished succeeds admirably on both counts. Produced in honour of Peter Lacovara, this substantial volume

Ordovician SeasOrdovician seas, some 485 to 444 million years ago, were gloriously alive. If the Cambrian was Earth's exuberant dress rehearsal for complex life, the Ordovician was opening night. The oceans swelled with innovation, diversit...

The fall of the Roman Empire led to a tumultuous period of political, demographic and cultural change in Western Europe from the 4th to 6th centuries in the Common Era (CE). A new study that uses ancient human DNA analyses combined with archeological finds is helping scientists to frame a better picture of the Early Medieval people who inhabited Western Europe and the societies they created. Thei…

Ötzi the Iceman was discovered in 1991, and is a treasure trove of information about the Copper Age.

A remarkable archaeological discovery in Slovakia is changing what scientists thought they knew about life and death in some of Europe’s earliest farming communities. Since 2022, researchers have been excavating a 7,000-year-old settlement near the modern town of Vráble. What they found was startling: dozens of human skeletons piled together in and around a ditch, […] The post Archaeologists disc…

Italian students have uncovered a huge Roman vault beneath their school in an astonishing chance find. Students at the Liceo Scientifico Cavour, just a short walk away from the Roman Colosseum, had long heard rumours of mysterious rooms under their sports hall. The pupils, investigating the rumours, happened upon an ancient structure underneath the school. Teachers were notified, who then told au…

Scrape marks inside a skull and sharpened limb bones in a set of remains found in Scotland may be evidence of unusual Iron Age funerary rituals

A new analysis of 2,000-year-old skeletons found in northern Scotland has revealed an unusual funeral ritual involving the manipulation of dead bodies.

Archaeological excavations at a housing development site have unearthed a remarkable collection of Bronze Age artefacts dating back approximately 4,000 years. The work in Drighlington, Leeds, revealed an ancient burial mound containing cremated human remains and objects believed to have been associated with funeral ceremonies performed by local inhabitants millennia ago. The dig at Pitty Close Fa…

Silphium was an extinct Libyan plant renowned for contraception, medicine, and trade. Its disappearance remains a historical mystery, and scientists continue searching for surviving descendants. Roman leader Julius Caesar is said to have kept a stock of it in the treasury. Ancient writer Pliny the Elder says Rome’s Emperor Nero owned the last stalk of [...]

Ancient Egyptian Funerary Art: The Fayum Mummy Portraits Introduction The Fayum mummy portraits are among the most striking examples of ancient funerary art. Created during the Roman period in Egypt (roughly 1st–3rd century CE), these lifelike painted portraits were attached to mummies, blending Egyptian burial traditions with Greco-Roman artistic styles. Historical Context These portraits were p…

The Roman Theater of Aspendos: The Best Preserved Roman Stage Introduction The Aspendos Theatre is one of the best-preserved Roman theaters in the world. Built during the reign of Emperor Marcus Aurelius in the 2nd century CE, it showcases the height of Roman engineering, acoustics, and architectural design. Located in the ancient city of Aspendos in modern-day Turkey, it remains remarkably intac…

Ancient Greek Sanctuaries: The Oracle of the Dead at Ephyra Introduction In ancient Greece, sanctuaries were not only places of worship but also sites where people sought guidance from the divine. One of the most mysterious of these was the Necromanteion of Ephyra , known as the “Oracle of the Dead.” Unlike other oracles that communicated with gods like Apollo, this sanctuary was believed to allo…

The Minoan Civilization: The Social Status of Women in Crete Introduction The Minoan civilization is often noted for its unique social structure compared to many other ancient societies. One of the most debated topics among historians is the role and status of women in Minoan society, particularly in religious, social, and possibly political life. Evidence from Art and Archaeology Much of what we…

Roman Military Strategy: The Use of the Testudo Formation Introduction The Roman army was famous for its discipline, organization, and tactical innovation. One of its most recognizable battlefield formations was the testudo , or “tortoise” formation. This tactic was designed to protect soldiers from missiles during sieges and assaults. What is the Testudo Formation? The testudo formation was a de…

The Viking Age Paganism: The Temple at Uppsala Introduction The religious life of the Viking Age was deeply rooted in Norse pagan beliefs centered on gods, rituals, and sacred places. One of the most famous religious sites described in medieval sources is the Temple at Uppsala , a major center of worship in pre-Christian Scandinavia. Although its exact archaeological form is debated, it is strong…

Ancient Egyptian Artisans: The Tomb of the Vizier Ramose Introduction The Tomb of Ramose is one of the most important examples of New Kingdom Egyptian tomb art. It belonged to Ramose, a high-ranking official who served as vizier —one of the most powerful positions under the pharaoh. The tomb, located in the necropolis of Thebes, showcases a turning point in Egyptian artistic style during the late…

The Mycenaean Civilization: The Legend of the Trojan War Introduction The Mycenaean civilization was one of the earliest advanced civilizations in mainland Greece. It is closely linked to the legendary stories of the Trojan War , a conflict immortalized in Greek epic poetry, especially the Iliad attributed to Homer. While the war itself blends myth and possible historical memory, it reflects the …