Archaeologists uncovered a surprising culinary artifact in northwestern China: 3,500-year-old cheese. Found in tombs around the necks of ancient mummies, this cheese was determined to be kefir, a soft variety made from goat milk.
This discovery sheds light on how ancient cultures preserved food and dealt with issues like lactose intolerance. The production of kefir was likely a way to extend the shelf life of milk and make it digestible for those who couldn’t process lactose.
Aside from its nutritional value, this cheese provides insight into the dietary habits and agricultural practices of the time. This find also shows how ancient societies adapted to environmental challenges and used their resources wisely.
In a remarkable breakthrough, previously unreadable Greek text from a 2,000-year-old Roman scroll was deciphered using artificial intelligence. The scroll, carbonized during the AD 79 eruption of Mount Vesuvius, was part of a collection found at the Villa of the Papyri in Herculaneum.
The deciphered text revealed a philosophical discussion about senses, pleasure, and aesthetic experiences. Mentions of music, capers, and the color purple painted a vivid picture of Roman intellectual life. The scroll also referenced a flautist, Xenophantus, known from writings by ancient authors like Seneca and Plutarch.
This is an important step for integrating technology with archaeology, giving us a fresh perspective on Roman culture. As researchers decode more scrolls, they hope to unlock further insights into the intellectual pursuits of this era.
Excavations in Sandomierz-Mokoszyn, Poland, revealed an extraordinary Neolithic longhouse dating back to 5300–4900 BC. Initially expecting to uncover remnants of the Funnelbeaker culture, archaeologists instead stumbled upon a settlement predating it by several thousand years.
The longhouse, once 20 feet wide and 65 feet long, was part of the Linear Pottery culture, known for their advanced ceramics and agricultural practices. Surrounding storage pits contained pottery fragments, flint tools, and animal bones, suggesting long-term human occupation.
This discovery shows the enduring nature of this site, where distinct Neolithic cultures thrived over millennia. The evidence of earlier and later settlements in the same area points to the region’s importance as a hub for farming, trade, and daily life during the Neolithic period.
Related: These 25 Amazing Archaeological Discoveries Beggar Belief!
The ancient Roman city of Pompeii continues to yield fascinating finds. Archaeologists unearthed stunning frescoes in the House of Leda, including one depicting Phrixus and Helle from Greek mythology. Nearby, a banquet hall known as the “Black Room” showcased elaborate frescoes of the Trojan War and a mosaic floor made of over one million tiles.
In June this year, a shrine room with painted blue walls was discovered, adorned with allegories of the four seasons and symbols of agriculture. Rare bronze jugs and oil lamps found inside hint at the room’s use for sacred rituals.
Other finds included human remains in a temporary bedroom, where archaeologists reconstructed the furnishings, revealing a vivid snapshot of life frozen in time during the eruption of Mount Vesuvius. These discoveries add layers of depth to our understanding of Roman culture, art, and daily life.
In the ancient village of Thorikos near Athens, archaeologists uncovered one of the earliest Iron Age houses in Greece. Dating back to 950–825 BC, this dwelling consisted of five or six rooms and a paved courtyard.
The presence of a millstone and an intricate layout suggests a sophisticated society with advanced organizational skills. Researchers believe the house belonged to a highly developed civilization, possibly linked to the Mycenaeans.
This discovery provides valuable insights into the architectural styles and daily lives of early Iron Age communities. The structure’s complexity challenges previous assumptions about the technological capabilities of this period.
A 6,000-year-old urban center discovered in Ukraine has challenged the traditional narrative of ancient cities. Belonging to the Trypillia culture, this settlement spans over 100 hectares and includes planned streets and concentric rings of houses.
These early cities lacked the characteristics of modern urban centers but demonstrated advanced planning and social organization. Researchers found evidence of large wooden and clay structures, many of which were burned during an ancient conflict.
The absence of grave sites is particularly puzzling, suggesting unique burial practices or beliefs about death. This discovery reveals the complexity of Trypillia society and reshapes our understanding of early urbanization.
Researchers have uncovered the oldest known DNA from early humans, found in bone fragments beneath a medieval castle in Ranis, Germany. These remains date back about 45,000 years and belonged to six individuals, including a mother and daughter, offering new insights into our history with Neanderthals. The analysis revealed that the ancestors of these humans likely interbred with Neanderthals around 80 generations earlier, adding complexity to our understanding of human evolution.
The findings indicate that this interbreeding happened during a crucial period between 50,500 and 43,500 years ago, just before Neanderthals vanished. Genetic data suggest some traits shared with Neanderthals, particularly in terms of immunity and adaptation. Interestingly, early Europeans, like those from Ranis, carried 2.9% Neanderthal DNA, bridging connections between our species and theirs. As science progresses, we continue to unravel the intricate story of human ancestry and migration across the globe.
Related: 8 Little Known-Facts about Neanderthals
A recent discovery in Mallorca has taken the archaeological world by surprise: a 5,600-year-old stone bridge found in the ancient Genovesa Cave. This bridge indicates that humans inhabited the island much earlier than experts previously thought. For years, researchers found it puzzling that settled areas showed up on smaller islands but not Mallorca, which is so close to the mainland.
The bridge, measuring 25 feet long and built without mortar, indicates sophisticated engineering from early settlers who utilized the cave’s water resources. Dating techniques and artifacts, such as pottery, suggest human activity dates back possibly as far as 6,000 years ago, rewriting parts of our understanding of early human history in the Western Mediterranean. This find highlights not just human presence but also their organization and ingenuity. It's exciting to think about what else lies hidden beneath the waves, waiting to tell us more about our ancestors!
