Papers Revisiting Skhūl I: New Insights into Ancient Burial Practices from 140,000 years ago in the Levant The Remarkable Skhūl I Child from Mount Carmel: A Window into Ancient Human Origins In an awe-inspiring piece of archaeological detective work, the bones of a child discovered back in 1931 have once again stirred the minds of scientists at the Skhūl Cave on Mount Carmel in Israel. This site By Caterina • 3 min read
Papers Ancient Corinth: The Genetic Connections Between a Greek Colony and Its Metropolis Ancient Greek Colonization: A Journey Through Time and Genetics Ancient Greek Colonization: A Journey Through Time and Genetics The Dawn of Greek Expansion The fascinating world of ancient Greek colonization, an era that marked a significant chapter in history, reveals a tapestry of migratory expeditions and cultural interplay. This period, By Caterina • 4 min read
Papers 5,000 Years of Genetic History in the South Caucasus: the Bronze Age to the Early Middle Ages Introduction to the Archaeological Findings The South Caucasus, sandwiched between the Greater and Lesser Caucasus mountain ranges, has long stood as a cultural and technological crossroads between Eastern Europe and Southwest Asia. This strategic location facilitated a lively interchange of ideas and innovations since prehistory, as most evidently seen in By Jamie L • 4 min read
Papers Skulls, Science, and Scandal: Gustaf Retzius and the Racial Theories of 19th-Century Scandinavia The Pälkäne Skull Odyssey: From Archaeological Specimen to Genetic Breakthroughs In a captivating blend of archaeology and cutting-edge genetics, the relics of ages past are now part of a groundbreaking investigation that merges history with modern science. Thirty-three skulls that once lay beneath the sacred soil of Pälkäne's By Sven • 3 min read
Papers Ancient DNA Unlocks the Mysteries of Northern Eurasia Ancient DNA Uncovers Uralic and Yeniseian Origins An electrifying discovery has come to light, unraveling the deep history of Northern Eurasia through the lens of ancient DNA. International researchers have pieced together the genomic puzzle of Uralic and Yeniseian language-speaking populations, offering one of the most expansive genetic panoramas to By Sven • 4 min read
Papers Unearthing Ancient Genomes: Genetic Insights into the Rise and Spread of the Neolithic Hongshan Culture By Jamie L • 4 min read
Papers Unveiling Medieval Bolgars Genetic Mosaic: Insights from Genomic Study of 14th Century Burials Archaeological Insights from Great Bolgar's Greek Chamber Exciting Archaeological Insights from Great Bolgar's Greek Chamber In the heart of Eastern Europe, Great Bolgar held a significant place in medieval history. The city, nestled in what is today Russia, was a melting pot of cultures, bustling with By Caterina • 3 min read
Papers Unveiling Bronze Age Histories: DNA, Pathogens, and Cultural Dynamics Across Eurasian Civilizations Exploring Cultural Roots: Mysteries of the Bronze Age Exploring Cultural Roots: Mysteries of the Bronze Age The Intriguing Lives of Ancient Populations Deep within the lush landscapes of the Yaroslavl region in European Russia lies a remarkable archaeological treasure—the Volosovo-Danilovsky burial ground. This site, nestled near the serene banks By Jamie L • 4 min read
Papers Investigation of Otto I's Tomb in Magdeburg Cathedral A Journey Through Medieval History In a remarkable blend of archaeology and history, researchers have recently opened the wooden sarcophagus within the grave of Emperor Otto I at the Magdeburg Cathedral. This momentous event forms part of delicate restoration work on the tomb, revealing extraordinary discoveries that promise to illuminate By Caterina • 3 min read
Papers Untangling the Sogdians Ancestry: Silk Road Trade, Tang Dynasty Graves, and Genetic Admixture By Caterina • 3 min read
Papers The Story of One of Europe's Last Neanderthals Neanderthal Genetic Structure: A Discovery from Grotte Mandrin The research reveals an enlightening archaeological and genetic discovery of one of the last Neanderthals in Europe, unearthed from the limestone depths of Grotte Mandrin in the scenic Rhône River Valley, France. This ancient individual, fondly christened as "Thorin," brings By Sven • 3 min read
Papers Golden Horde Elites: Genetic Insights into the Mongol Empires Ruling Lineage Golden Horde: Unearthing the Past The Golden Horde, once a formidable frontier of the vast Mongol Empire, has left us with tantalizing glimpses into its storied past. This branch, commanded by the descendants of the legendary Genghis Khan, played an instrumental role in shaping the cultural and political landscapes of By Jamie L • 4 min read
Papers Ancient Plagues and Epidemics: DNA Insights from 35,000 Years of History Ancient Pathogens in Human History Ancient Pathogens in Human History The story of ancient pathogens is as intricate as the history of human civilization itself, spanning thousands of years and revealing fascinating insights into the evolution of these microscopic invaders. Unearthed from the graves of our ancestors, these pathogens tell By Caterina • 4 min read
Papers The Southern Urals as a Genesis Point for 10th Century Hungarians Archaeological Origins of 10th Century Hungarians in the Southern Urals Archaeological Origins of 10th Century Hungarians in the Southern Urals The Southern Urals region stands as a crucial archaeological crossroads that illuminates the complex origins of 10th century Hungarian populations. This vast territory, stretching across the boundary between Europe and By Jamie L • 4 min read
Papers Unveiling the Genetic Shifts in Neolithic to Bronze Age Catalonia Neolithic and Bronze Age Genetic Transitions at Mas d'en Boixos Neolithic and Bronze Age Genetic Transitions at Mas d'en Boixos Archaeological Context and Site Overview The archaeological site of Mas d'en Boixos (MDB), nestled in the Catalan pre-littoral depression of the Penedès region, represents By Caterina • 4 min read
Papers Deciphering the Genetic Ancestry of the Sarmatian Peoples The Sarmatian Period in the Carpathian Basin The Sarmatian Period in the Carpathian Basin: Archaeological Wonders and the Role of DNA Archaeological Discovery of the Sarmatians The Sarmatians were a nomadic people believed to have migrated from the Central Steppe region and the Southern Urals, arriving in the Carpathian Basin By Caterina • 5 min read
Papers The Kronan: Sweden's Greatest Maritime Disaster - the Face of a Kronan Crew Member Revealed By Sven • 5 min read
Papers Unearthing Ancient Egypt: The Old Kingdom Necropolis of Nuwayrat The Third Dynasty and DNA Analysis of an Ancient Individual In the charmingly convoluted labyrinth of ancient Egyptian history, the exploration of Nuwayrat in the 16th Upper Egyptian Nome unveils a tapestry woven with the lives, death practices, and societal structures of the early Old Kingdom. The necropolis, nestled north By Sven • 6 min read
Papers Scientific Insights into Ancient Macedonia: the Tomb of Persephone and its Occupants Vergina: A Glimpse into Ancient Macedonia Buried deep under the Great Tumulus of Vergina, often referred to as Aegae, lies a remarkable cist-tomb known popularly as the "Tomb of Persephone." Situated in the midst of what is believed to be a royal burial complex of the Macedonian kings, By Caterina • 4 min read
Papers Unveiling Ancient Rituals: Neolithic Burials in Southern France Ancient DNA Reveals Neolithic Funerary Practices in Southern France The archaeological site of Aven de la Boucle, a karst shaft near Corconne, Gard in Southern France, unveils revealing insights into Neolithic burial customs. Used as a collective burial ground from 3,600 to 2,800 BCE, this site encompasses the By Sven • 6 min read