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Ancient World News
Oldest Human Fossil Found, Redrawing Family Tree
March 4, 2015
The discovery of a jawbone, along with a reconstruction of another fossil, shed light on the mysterious million-year period when the genus Homo first evolved.
Did Dog-Human Alliance Drive Out the Neanderthals?
March 4, 2015
With the help of wolf dogs, early humans out-hunted—and outlasted—Neanderthals.
Europe's Languages Were Carried From the East, DNA Shows
March 3, 2015
Geneticists have uncovered evidence of a westward migration in Europe about 4,500 years ago—and that may explain a long-standing mystery about language.
Pharaoh of "Lost Dynasty" Died Brutal Death, Forensic Study Reveals
March 3, 2015
Forgotten pharaoh may have been earliest Egyptian ruler to die in battle.
Exclusive: Lost City Discovered in Honduran Rain Forest
March 2, 2015
A joint Honduran-American expedition has confirmed the presence of extensive pre-Columbian ruins in Mosquitia in eastern Honduras, a region rumored to contain ruins of a lost "White City" or "City of the Monkey God."
Trail of Tools Reveals Modern Humans' Path Out of Africa
February 24, 2015
Stone "breadcrumbs" trace modern humans' route to Arabia.
Embracing Stone Age Couple Found in Greek Cave
February 20, 2015
Rare double burials discovered at one of the largest Neolithic burial sites in Europe.
Surrounded by Conflict, an Ancient Synagogue Crumbles in Iraq
February 19, 2015
Neglect, fear of Islamic State radicals, and conflicts born of ancient animosities are conspiring against a deteriorating synagogue and the tomb of Nahum.
Archaeologists Stumble Across a Hoard of Gold
February 19, 2015
A cache of medieval Arab gold coins may already be the largest in the eastern Mediterranean, and there's probably more to come.
Graveyard of Giant Lemurs Discovered Underwater in Madagascar
February 17, 2015
Cave divers explore treasure trove of extinct lemur bones.
At Newly Discovered Water Temple, Maya Offered Sacrifices to End Drought
January 27, 2015
As an ancient drought took hold, a water temple saw more offerings from desperate Maya, archaeologists report.
Bones From Era of Alexander the Great Raise More Questions Than Answers
January 26, 2015
As speculation builds about a Greek tomb's potential connection to Alexander the Great, archaeologists are pushing back and urging patience.
Human Ancestors May Have Used Tools Half-Million Years Earlier Than Thought
January 22, 2015
The hand bones of early human ancestors, compared with those of apes and modern people, point the finger at surprisingly early stone tool use.
X-Rays Reveal Snippets From Papyrus Scrolls That Survived Mount Vesuvius
January 20, 2015
Charred in an A.D. 79 volcanic eruption, rolled Roman scrolls may yet reveal their message, a study suggests.
Motorboat-Size Sea Monster Found, Sheds Insight on Evolution
January 13, 2015
Nessie's got some competition: a 170-million-year-old marine reptile that comes from a prehistoric period little known to scientists.
Utah's Dinosaur 'Death Trap' Reveals Trove of Giant Predators
January 6, 2015
A nine-ton slab of rock holds the remains of several Utahraptor dinosaurs that may have died while chasing down prey together.
From Giza to Vegas: Our Favorite Pyramid Pictures From Around the World
January 3, 2015
Our photo editors pick the best pyramid pictures from National Geographic's archive.
World's Most Ambitious Re-Creation of Prehistoric Cave Art to Open
December 19, 2014
With the help of modern artists and high technology, a replica of the famous art cave of Chauvet-Pont-d'Arc will open to the public in April.
Mystery Surrounds Delicate Nasca Lines Threatened by Greenpeace Stunt
December 12, 2014
Mysterious desert designs are at the center of a controversy pitting Peru against the environmental group Greenpeace.
Bunny-Size Dinosaur Was First of Its Kind in America
December 10, 2014
Bunny-size dinosaur was the first of its kind on the continent.
Feathered Fossils Give Scaly Dinosaurs a Makeover
December 9, 2014
Long before flying evolved, dinosaurs flaunted feathers, recent discoveries reveal.
Locked Away for Years, Skeleton's Secrets Rewrite Prehistory of North America
December 7, 2014
People came to the New World thousands of years earlier and by different means of locomotion than expected, says the Sherlock Holmes of old bones.
World's Oldest Art Identified in Half-Million-Year-Old Zigzag
December 3, 2014
A carved shell suggests the first artists were our Homo erectus ancestors, not us.
DNA Confirms: Here Lieth Richard III, Under Yon Parking Lot
December 2, 2014
The king's genes also raise some royally embarrassing questions about the legitimacy of the Tudors who ended his reign.
'Jurassic World' Dinosaurs Stuck in the 1980s, Experts Grumble
November 26, 2014
The latest trailer for the series shows outdated science, experts say, with featherless and oversize dinosaurs.
Wrestling Keeps 'Identity of the Nuba' Alive in Sudanese Refugee Camps
November 25, 2014
Wrestling has always connected the people of Sudan's Nuba Mountains. Now, for thousands in refugee camps, it's one of the only ties left.
Behind Tomb Connected to Alexander the Great, Intrigue Worthy of "Game of Thrones"
November 21, 2014
As archaeologists dig deeper into the burial mound, ancient sources tell a tale of family drama and palace intrigue.
Ears of Ancient Chinese Terra-Cotta Warriors Offer Clues to Their Creation
November 14, 2014
Technology yields new insight into how a Chinese emperor created an army for eternity within his tomb.
Children's Grave Offers Insight Into Earliest Americans
November 10, 2014
The burial site of two infants under an ancient hearth offers clues to the inner lives of some of the New World's earliest settlers.
Europe Was a Melting Pot From the Start, Ancient DNA Reveals
November 6, 2014
Genetic analysis of a 37,000-year-old human bone from Russia suggests widespread intermingling during Paleolithic times.
First Amphibious "Sea Monster" Found; Fills Evolutionary Gap
November 5, 2014
Cartorhynchus lenticarpus, a dinosaur-era sea reptile, had a body built to live in two worlds, a new study says.
Fossil From Dinosaur Era Reveals Big Mammal With Super Senses
November 5, 2014
A nearly complete skull, found accidentally, belongs to the enigmatic Gondwanatherians, a group of ancient mammals that scientists know little about.
Amazon Warriors Did Indeed Fight and Die Like Men
October 29, 2014
Archaeology shows that these fierce women also smoked pot, got tattoos, killed—and loved—men.
Highest Stone Age Campsite Reveals Grit of First Americans
October 23, 2014
Even without genetic adaptations to altitude, early hunters moved high into the Andes soon after people first reached South America.
45,000-Year-Old Bone Pinpoints Era of Human-Neanderthal Sex
October 22, 2014
An ancient Siberian man's DNA helps track humans' spread into Asia.
Queen of the Underworld Sheds New Light on Greek Tomb
October 18, 2014
Newly revealed mosaic may hold key to unlocking mystery: Who was buried in the massive mound?
Pictures: Stunning Fossils on National Fossil Day
October 15, 2014
Parks and museums celebrate Earth's ancient life.
Q&A: Cave Art Older, More Widespread Than Thought, Archaeologist Say
October 10, 2014
Newly dated cave paintings such as recent 40,000-year-old finds in Indonesia show that "our views have been too Eurocentric," says archaeologist Alistair Pike.
Cave Paintings in Indonesia Redraw Picture of Earliest Art
October 8, 2014
Long thought a European invention, some of the oldest cave art in the world has turned up in Indonesia.
Ancient Tomb Helps Push Turkey to Authorize Force Against Islamic State
October 3, 2014
Threat to Suleyman Shah's tomb helps trigger Turkey's response to the jihadist group.
Did the Vikings Get a Bum Rap?
September 26, 2014
A Yale historian wants us to rethink the terrible tales about the Norse.
Birds Evolved From Dinosaurs Slowly—Then Took Off
September 25, 2014
Slow and gradual evolutionary advances transformed dinosaurs into birds, a new study says-until they finally took off.
Amazon Warriors' Names Revealed Amid "Gibberish" on Ancient Greek Vases
September 23, 2014
Meet Worthy of Armor, Don't Fail, and Hot Flanks, ancient Scythian names for woman Amazon warriors, now revealed on Greek vases.
Human Ingenuity Can Fix Past Mistakes and Shape the Future
September 21, 2014
Our mistakes are legion, but our talent is immeasurable, says award-winning author Diane Ackerman.
Richard III Killed by Sustained Attack, Suffering 9 Wounds to Head
September 17, 2014
Shakespeare got it wrong. A new study shows Richard III died for want of a helmet, not a horse.
Paleontologist Finds Dinosaur Paradise, Including First Dino Known to Swim
September 12, 2014
Nizar Ibrahim scoured the deserts of northern Africa to paint the most complete picture of a mid-Cretaceous ecosystem ever described.
Hidden Monuments Under Stonehenge Revealed by High-Tech Mapping
September 11, 2014
Underground images show a large complex of monuments and buildings used in rituals dating back thousands of years.
Giant Spinosaurus Was Bigger Than T. Rex—And First Dinosaur Known to S
September 11, 2014
Spinosaurus could move from land to water, dining on the swampy prey of the ancient world.
Ancient Flying Reptile Ate Like a Toothy Pelican
September 11, 2014
A pterosaur may have skimmed lakes looking for prey, collecting them in a throat pouch like a pelican's, scientists suggest.
Chisel-Toothed Beasts Push Back Origin of Mammals
September 10, 2014
Skeletons of mysterious creatures called haramiyids reset the timeline for when the first mammals evolved.
Who's Buried in Largest Tomb in Northern Greece? New Finds Raise Intrigue
September 9, 2014
The biggest known ancient Greek tomb may hold a relative of Alexander the Great, researchers say.
Obama Visits Stonehenge, Whose Monoliths Still Hold Mysteries
September 5, 2014
President Obama stopped to take in some history at Stonehenge on his way back from the NATO summit in Wales on Friday.
Enormous New Dinosaur as Formidable as Its Namesake Battleship
September 4, 2014
Bones from a new species of dinosaur fill in details of some of Earth's largest animals.
Archaeologists Train "Monuments Men" to Save Syria's Past
September 3, 2014
Syrian archaeologists and activists are risking their lives in the battle against looting.
Newly Discovered Engraving May Revise Picture of Neanderthal Intelligence
September 1, 2014
A grooved carving found in a cave on Gibraltar points to symbolic thought among Neanderthals, scholars report.
Neanderthals Died Out 10,000 Years Earlier Than Thought, With Help From Modern Humans
August 20, 2014
Neanderthals and modern people overlapped in mosaic fashion for thousands of years, improved dating reveals.
New Flying Reptile Found in "Unprecedented" Pterosaur Boneyard
August 13, 2014
A huge boneyard of 47 pterosaur fossils has revealed a new species and unprecedented insight into the lifestyles of the ancient flying beasts.
Fictional Outlander Series Has Real Links to Scotland's Newly Unearthed Neolithic Ruins
August 8, 2014
Diana Gabaldon explains the Outlander theory of the existence of standing stones, describes the Scottish clan system, and shares a secret about a hoped for new book project.
The Smithsonian Disassembles Its Dinosaurs
July 31, 2014
The Smithsonian is renovating its dinosaur hall, which means giant skeletons must come down.
Wooden Ship Unearthed at World Trade Center Site From Revolutionary-Era Philadelphia
July 31, 2014
A wooden ship unearthed at the World Trade Center site is dated to Revolutionary-Era Philadelphia, according to clues contained in tree rings.
Was Six-Million-Year-Old Turd Auctioned for $10,000 a Faux Poo?
July 29, 2014
A six-million-year-old piece of fossilized dung that sold for more than $10,000 at auction may not actually be of animal origin.
Asteroid Timing Erased the Dinosaurs?
July 28, 2014
Amid volcanoes and climate zig-zags, an asteroid impact bumped off dinosaurs at a weak moment for the giant beasts.
Siberian Discovery Suggests Almost All Dinosaurs Were Feathered
July 24, 2014
A Siberian fossil of a new dinosaur species suggests most were probably feathered.
Who Were the Ancient Bog Mummies? Surprising New Clues
July 18, 2014
Centuries-old corpses cast into Danish bogs may have been revered travelers, researchers reveal.
Complex Bread Wheat Genome Cracked
July 17, 2014
The mapping methods for wheat, which contains a staggering 100,000 genes, were unusually labor intensive.
Ancient People Achieved Remarkably Clean Teeth With Noxious Weed
July 16, 2014
Skeletons buried 2,000 years ago in Sudan had surprisingly few signs of tooth decay.
Long Tail Feathers Adorned Four-Winged Dinosaur
July 15, 2014
A four-winged dinosaur sported surprisingly long tail feathers, paleontologists report.
Ancient Native Americans Ate Pachyderms; Site Challenges Theory of Where New World Culture Began
July 14, 2014
What's for supper? In ancient Mexico, early Native Americans dined on elephant-like gomphotheres, archaeologists report.
Biggest Flying Seabird Had 21-Foot Wingspan, Scientists Say
July 7, 2014
Twenty-five million years ago, a "toothed" seabird soared above the ocean with a 21-foot wingspan.
Cursed Warship Revealed With Treasure Onboard
July 7, 2014
Divers discover a remarkably well preserved warship, stumble onto treasure, and thwart a curse.
Climate Swings Drove Patchwork-Like Human Evolution, Study Says
July 3, 2014
Scientists suggest early humans developed their distinguishing features in fragmented fashion, rather than all at once.
Hurricane Science: How Storms Like Arthur Form and Grow
July 3, 2014
It comes down to warm ocean water and the Earth''s eastward rotation.
Dinosaur-Era Fossil Shows Birds' Feathers Evolved Before Flight
July 2, 2014
Feathers covered the Archaeopteryx, the flightless ancient ancestral bird from the age of dinosaurs, a newly found fossil shows.
Tibetans Can Thank Ancient Humans for Gene That Lets Them Live the High Life
July 2, 2014
Neanderthal relatives may have gifted Tibetans with a gene for high-altitude living.
ISIS Cashing in on Looted Antiquities to Fuel Iraq Insurgency
June 26, 2014
Data gleaned from captured computer flash drives show that the sale of illicit artifacts is a significant source of funding for ISIS militants.
What Discovery of Oldest Human Poop Reveals About Neanderthals' Diet
June 25, 2014
Discovery of the oldest human fecal fossils reveals that meat-loving Neanderthals also ate plant foods.
After 450 Years, Archaeologists Still Hunting for Magnificent Sultan's Heart
June 20, 2014
With the 450th anniversary of Süleyman's death approaching, a search is under way to find the Ottoman sultan's lost tomb.
Bonanza of Skulls in 'Pit of Bones' Changes View of Neanderthals
June 19, 2014
A cave in Spain has yielded a cache of ancient Neanderthal skulls that point to early facial evolution in our ancient cousins.
2500-Year-Old Greek Statues Sparkle After Facelift
June 18, 2014
Stripping decades of grime from five marble statues in Athens has restored their beauty.
A Walk Across England Shows Romans Didn't Bring Civilization There
June 15, 2014
A coast-to-coast ramble puts the lie to the notion that civilization in England began with the Romans.
New Evidence Ties Illegal Antiquities Trade to Terrorism, Violent Crime
June 13, 2014
In Cambodia and beyond, archaeologists and criminologists are fighting the underground trade in cultural treasures.
George Stuart: National Geographic's Staff Archaeologist, Editor, and Maya Scholar
June 12, 2014
George Stuart, who, in a 40-year career at National Geographic helped shape the field of Maya studies, died on June 11.
Extinct Fox Species With Supersharp Teeth Discovered in Tibet
June 10, 2014
The discovery of the ancient, sharp-toothed predator may support the theory that many polar carnivores originated in Tibet.
World's Oldest Masks Modeled on Early Farmers' Ancestors
June 10, 2014
A museum exhibit in Israel showcases ritual stone masks likely connected to early farmers' ownership of land.
Ancient Europe Colonized by Island Hoppers?
June 9, 2014
The spread of agriculture can be seen in the DNA of modern-day Mediterranean people, scientists say.
Archaeologists Warn of Pillaged Egypt as U.S. Weighs Tougher Antiquiti
June 3, 2014
U.S. State Department advisers heard archaeologists and coin dealers argue over import rules blocking looted antiquities.
Artifact Trove at Egyptian Tomb Illuminates Life Before Pharaohs
May 30, 2014
A recently discovered tomb at the Egyptian site of Hierakonpolis is shedding new light on the ancestors of the pharaohs.
Earliest Bird Pollinator Found in Germany
May 27, 2014
A tiny bird from 47 million years ago is the first known pollinator.
Tut's Tomb: A Replica Fit for a King
May 20, 2014
The creation of high-tech copies of ancient archaeological sites may allow us to keep from wrecking the cultural treasures we most want to see.
Climate Change Threatens National Landmarks
May 20, 2014
Climate change threatens 30 historically significant sites, according to a new report.
Desert Blocked Spread of Early Dinosaurs
May 20, 2014
An immense desert kept dinosaurs from spreading into what is now North America for millions of years, study suggests.
Most Complete Ice Age Skeleton Helps Solve Mystery of First Americans
May 15, 2014
A nearly complete skeleton found in Mexico is at least 12,000 years old, offering insights into the first Americans.
Dinosaur-Killing Asteroid Triggered Global Winter 66 Million Years Ago
May 12, 2014
Ancient sediments reveal that a dinosaur-killing space impact caused a global winter lasting less than a century.
"Pinocchio Rex" Found; Dinosaur Sported Unusually Long Snout
May 7, 2014
It's no lie-a new tyrannosaur nicknamed "Pinocchio rex" has been unearthed in China, a new study says.
Andean Rock Art Pointed to Festival Sites in 300 B.C.
May 5, 2014
Straight geoglyph lines made in southern Peru pre-date the more famous and elaborate Nasca lines.
Gap Between Neanderthals and Us Narrows, But Does Not Close
May 2, 2014
Do Neanderthals deserve to have an evolutionary inferiority complex? Paleoanthropologist Chris Stringer weighs in.
Princes and Princesses Among 50 Egyptian Mummies Unearthed
May 1, 2014
A royal mummy discovery in Egypt's Valley of the Kings includes several princes and princesses.
Hot Stew in the Ice Age? Evidence Shows Neanderthals Boiled Food
April 30, 2014
Without even stone pots, our ancient Neanderthal cousins still likely knew how to boil their meals.
Cold War Spy-Satellite Images Unveil Lost Cities
April 25, 2014
Archaeologists have used Cold War spy-satellite photos to uncover thousands of unsuspected archaeological sites.
Neanderthals Lived in Small, Isolated Populations, Gene Analysis Shows
April 22, 2014
Comparisons with Neanderthal DNA may point to genes that make us uniquely human and uncover the origins of genetic ailments.
Pompeii "Exposed and Vulnerable" to Neglect and the Elements
April 20, 2014
In her new book, Ingrid D. Rowland explains of abiding allure of Pompeii over the centuries and laments the effects of neglect and the weather.
Rescue of Ancient Ruin of Pompeii Follows New Plan
April 18, 2014
The ancient town destroyed by Vesuvius is undergoing renewed rescue efforts.
Fossils Suggest Modern Sharks Are More Evolved Than Previously Thought
April 16, 2014
The image of modern sharks as "living fossils," unchanged over millions of years, needs an update, researchers say.
The Nation's T. Rex Invades the Smithsonian
April 15, 2014
Museum staff ditched the bubble wrap in favor of custom-molded plaster cradles when shipping a Tyrannosaurus rex to Washington, D.C.
How to Ship a T. Rex Across the Country
April 14, 2014
Museum staff will ditch the bubble wrap in favor of custom-molded plaster cradles when shipping a Tyrannosaurus rex to Washington, D.C.
Drones: Archaeology's Newest Tool to Combat Looting
April 11, 2014
Cheaper and sharper-eyed than satellites, unmanned aerial vehicles are the latest high-tech tool used to study looting of ancient artifacts.
New Golden Age for Pterosaurs, Flying Reptiles of the Dinosaur Era
April 5, 2014
With new research and their own museum exhibit, the flying relatives of dinos are finally taking off.
11 Museum Surprises: Rediscovered Treasures, from a Celtic Brooch to an Early Hitchcock Film
March 28, 2014
Valuable artifacts, documents, and art were mislabeled, mislaid, or ignored-some for many decades.

Developers and Preservationists Find Historic Common Ground in Miami
March 28, 2014
When an ancient Indian village was found under a hotel construction site in Miami, preservationists braced for a battle. But they worked out a historic solution with developers.
Q&A: Giant-Bird Research Illuminates "Chicken From Hell" Dinosaur
March 25, 2014
A dinosaur-and-bird expert weighs in on how the newfound "chicken from hell" dinosaur might have looked and acted.
Shipwrecks Lost to Time That Archaeologists Would Love to Get Their Hands On
March 24, 2014
These wrecks carried everything from Bronze Age explorers to a lost Egyptian sarcophagus.
Stick Insects Have Mimicked Plants Since Age of Dinosaurs
March 19, 2014
Stick insects camouflaged themselves to look like leaves, way back in the days of the dinosaurs.
New "Chicken From Hell" Dinosaur Discovered
March 19, 2014
The 66-million-year-old Anzu wyliei resembled a demonic cassowary, according to a new analysis of incredibly well preserved fossils.
Ancient City of Petra Built to Align With the Sun
March 17, 2014
An ancient civilization built Petra so that the sun would illuminate their sacred places like celestial spotlights, a new study says.
Ancient Moss Revived After Ages on Ice
March 17, 2014
Ancient moss from a frozen island has been revived in the lab after more than a millennia of icy dormancy.
Extinct Porpoise Found to Be First Mammal With Major Underbite
March 13, 2014
A newly described extinct porpoise species had a pronounced underbite, the first seen in mammals.
New Pygmy Tyrannosaur Found, Roamed the Arctic
March 13, 2014
At 20 feet long, the polar-dwelling Nanuqsaurus hoglundi measured about half the size of T. rex, a new study says.
Could an Ancient Indian Village Stop a New Hotel in Miami?
March 12, 2014
The discovery of a 1,500-year-old Tequesta Indian village in downtown Miami has ignited a
battle between developers of a hotel, restaurant, and movie complex and preservationists.
Genghis Khan's Secret Weapon Was Rain
March 10, 2014
How did the Mongols build an empire? Tree-ring studies suggest that a run of bountiful rains gave them the resources to invade and conquer.
Study Says Cahokia, America's First City, Was a Melting Pot
March 7, 2014
Cahokia was the largest and most influential city of the mound-building Mississippian culture. Analysis of teeth from 87 ancient Cahokians indicates that massive immigration may have driven the city's explosive growth.
Dark Skin May Have Evolved to Protect Against Skin Cancer
March 7, 2014
Darwin and others said skin cancer couldn't influence the evolution of skin color. A new study makes the case that it did.
Largest Known Predatory Dinosaur in Europe Found, Was "Big Bruiser"
March 5, 2014
A new species of dinosaur found in Portugal likely used brute force to take down prey, a new study says.
On Way to New World, First Americans Made a 10,000-Year Pit Stop
February 27, 2014
An extended layover in Beringia would help explain how the genome of Native Americans became distinct from that of their Asian ancestors.
Tiny Algae Responsible for Mysterious Fossil Whale Graveyard?
February 27, 2014
A fossil whale graveyard in Chile could have been the result of poisoning by microscopic algae, says a recent study.
British Storms Unbury an Ancient Welsh Forest
February 26, 2014
There's one good thing that Britain's winter storms have done: unearthed an ancient petrified forest near Wales that conjures up the mythical kingdom of Cantre'r Gwaelod.
Gladiator School Discovery Reveals Hard Lives of Ancient Warriors
February 25, 2014
Archaeologists have mapped an ancient gladiator school, where the famed warriors lived, trained, and fought.
One-of-a-Kind Aztec Dog Burials Found in Mexico
February 18, 2014
Mexican archaeologists have found the bones of Aztec dogs, mysteriously buried together 500 years ago.
Oldest Sea Monster Babies Found; Fossil Shows Reptiles Had Live Birth
February 12, 2014
Oldest Sea Monster Babies Found; Fossil Shows Reptiles Had Live Birth
Feathered Dinosaur Colors Bloomed 150 Million Years Ago
February 12, 2014
Early birds, and mammals, quickly sprouted a variety of colors more than 150 million years ago, a new study suggests.
Oldest Burial Yields DNA Evidence of First Americans
February 12, 2014
DNA from a nearly 13,000-year-old infant confirm that the ancient Clovis people were descended from Asians.
Domesticated Camels Came to Israel in 930 B.C., Centuries Later Than Bible Says
February 10, 2014
Domesticated camels weren't known in Israel until about 900 B.C., when there were major changes in copper production throughout the region.
Oldest Human Footprints Found Outside of Africa
February 7, 2014
Researchers find the oldest known human footprints outside of Africa on a beach in England.
Woolly Mammoths Wiped Out by Grass Invasion?
February 5, 2014
A switch from flowery to grass-dominated steppes across the Arctic may have bumped off the woolly mammoth, a new study says.
Newly Excavated 4,600-Year-Old Egyptian Pyramid Threatened by Development
February 5, 2014
Older than the pyramids at Giza, a 4,600-year-old monument in southern Egypt, previously known but newly excavated by archaeologists, faces threats from modern development.
Ancient Ash Volcanoes Entombed Chinese Dinosaurs
February 4, 2014
Ashy, explosive, volcanic outbursts killed and buried the famed dinosaurs of northern China, a new study says.
New Species of Ancient "Swamp Monster" Discovered; Lived in Once-Tropical Texas
January 31, 2014
The 17-foot-long, crocodile-like creature lived in tropical rain forests that once covered Texas, a recent study says.
Oldest Known Hearth Found in Israel Cave
January 29, 2014
Previously unknown early humans used a campfire site—the earliest-known evidence of domestication of fire-in a cave in Israel, new evidence shows.
Neanderthal Genes Hold Surprises for Modern Humans
January 29, 2014

Two new studies suggest that the contribution from Neanderthal DNA was vital to modern human genomes.

Blue-Eyed Hunter-Gatherers Roamed Prehistoric Europe, Gene Map Reveals
January 26, 2014
The gene map of a prehistoric Spaniard reveals that early European hunter-gatherers had blue eyes and dark skin, a new study says.
Cairo Blast Rips Into Islamic Art Museum, Damaging Key Global Collection
January 24, 2014
A car bomb in Cairo, Egypt, this morning has damaged one of the world's most important museums of Islamic art.
"Haunted" Maya Underwater Cave Holds Human Bones
January 16, 2014
Underwater archaeologists have found human bones at the bottom of a Maya cenote in Mexico.
Headhunters' Trophy Skulls Uncovered From Ancient London
January 15, 2014
Ancient gladiators, criminals, and war victims may have been beheaded, suggests ancient skulls discovered from Roman-era London.
Our Fishy Ancestors Had Fins Made for Walking
January 13, 2014
One of the first fish to live on land moved by using its surprisingly robust rear fins, a new study says.
King Tut's Mummified Penis Hints at Political Struggle?
January 10, 2014
King Tut's mummy, and his symbolically erect penis, may offer evidence of a big political change in ancient Egypt, says a new study.
Dinosaur-Era Swimming Reptiles Had Black Skin
January 8, 2014
Ancient skin pigments reveal that turtles and "sea monsters" widely sported dark colors for tens of millions of years, a new study says.

Ancient Egyptian Brewer's Beautiful Tomb Discovered
January 3, 2014
Archaeologists have discovered the beautifully preserved tomb of an ancient Egyptian brewer.
World's Third Oldest Bible Displayed at Smithsonian
December 27, 2013
The world's third oldest Bible, housed at the Smithsonian, makes a rare appearance over the holidays.
This Year's Biggest Discoveries in Science
December 20, 2013
Boundaries fell before science this year: the edge of the solar wind, the first cloned human embryonic stem cells, and the genes of our ancient ancestors among them.
Ancient Incest Uncovered in Neanderthal Genome
December 18, 2013
A surprising variety of early humans roamed around in prehistory, widely meeting and mating, a new genetics study shows.
Neanderthal Burials Confirmed as Ancient Ritual
December 16, 2013
New findings validate claims made more than a hundred years ago that Neanderthals buried one of their dead in a French cave.
Dinosaur Fossil With Fleshy Rooster's Comb Is First of Its Kind
December 12, 2013
Soft tissues are rarely preserved in fossils, but a newfound dinosaur fossil features a fleshy crest, much like that of a rooster, atop its head.
Discovery of Oldest DNA Scrambles Human Origins Picture
December 4, 2013
Scientists reveal the surprising genetic identity of early human remains from roughly 400,000 years ago in Spain.
Photos: Ancient Tomb of Chimú Nobles Found in Peru
December 2, 2013
Archaeologists have found a tomb of noble musicians and weavers from the ancient Chimú culture in the coastal desert of Peru.
The Scoop Behind Ancient Poop
November 27, 2013
The oldest-known locales where rhino-like reptiles gathered to poop and socialize some 240 million years ago have been uncovered in Argentina.
Oldest Javelins Predate Modern Humans, Raise Questions on Evolution
November 26, 2013
The oldest stone-tipped javelins, 280,000 years old, predate the earliest known Homo sapiens fossils by 80,000 years.
Oldest Buddhist Shrine Uncovered In Nepal May Push Back Buddha's Birth Date
November 25, 2013
Excavations at a Buddhist pilgrimage site in Nepal have uncovered a shrine dating to the sixth century B.C.
Newfound Giant Dinosaur Ruled Before T. Rex
November 22, 2013
A giant carnivorous dinosaur ruled North America long before tyrannosaurs grew to their great size.
Were People Killing Giant Sloths in South America 30,000 Years Ago?
November 20, 2013
Bones with possible human tool marks could point to an earlier human arrival in the Americas, a new study says.
New Clues About Human Sacrifices at Ancient Peruvian Temple
November 19, 2013
Bones and teeth at ancient Moche burial sites suggest that the victims of human-sacrifice rituals were war captives.
Fossil Find Clears Up Big Cat Origins
November 12, 2013
Scientists working in Tibet have discovered the oldest known big-cat fossils, supporting origins in Asia.
This Week's Most Intriguing Discoveries
November 8, 2013
We crisscrossed the corners of the world to find the week's most interesting discoveries.
Excavation of Human Ancestor Fossils Begins in South African Cave
November 6, 2013
A team led by South Africa's Lee Berger began a cave excavation today to recover fossils of an early human species.
Newfound "King of Gore" Dinosaur Ruled Before T. Rex
November 6, 2013
The newly discovered "King of Gore" dinosaur sets the family tree of tyrannosaurs back to 80 million years ago.
Mystery of King Tut's Death Solved? Maybe Not
November 6, 2013
King Tut's chariot crashed and later his mummy burned, says an upcoming TV show.
From Angkor Wat to Stonehenge: How Ancient People Moved Mountains
November 6, 2013
From temples to pyramids to statues, ancient techniques moved giant blocks.
Mystery Dinosaur Finally Gets a Body
November 4, 2013
A 70-million-year-old mystery dinosaur stands revealed as a 36-foot-tall plant-eater, one with perplexing spines running along its back.
Beijing's Forbidden City Built on Ice Roads
November 4, 2013
The massive, monumental carved stones of the Forbidden City in Beijing were borne on sledges from quarries on winter ice roads.
Giant Platypus Found, Shakes Up Evolutionary Tree
November 4, 2013
At about three feet long, the ancient Obdurodon tharalkooschild is the biggest platypus ever found, a new study says.
Finest Roman Sculpture Ever Found in London Uncovered
October 31, 2013
Archaeologists found an 1,800-year-old statue with carving so crisp that it seemed at first to be a garden ornament from the Victorian era.
Did Ancient Sea Monster Turn Prey Into Art?
October 30, 2013
Fossils presented at a science meeting revive a controversy over the possible existence of the ancient squid, the kraken.
Tomb of Ancient Egyptian Physician Discovered
October 25, 2013
Archaeologists excavating at the ancient cemetery of Abusir have found the tomb of a royal physician from 2400 B.C.
Drought Led to Collapse of Civilizations, Study Says
October 24, 2013
A new study shows that drought spurred the collapse of Bronze Age civilizations on the eastern shores of the Mediterranean.
Neanderthal Gums Relieved by Toothpicks
October 23, 2013
Fossils show that Neanderthals used toothpicks to relieve their aching gums.
Replica of King Tut's Tomb to Open in Egypt
October 23, 2013
An exact copy of King Tut's painted burial chamber is slated for installation near Egypt's Valley of the Kings in December.
Hoodoo Toppled by Utah Scout Leader Explained
October 22, 2013
Utah Boy Scout leaders who filmed themselves knocking over the top of a rock formation called a hoodoo have faced a firestorm of criticism. An expert weighs in.
Much Earlier Split for Neanderthals, Humans?
October 21, 2013
A new study suggests that the common ancestor of Neanderthals and humans may have lived longer ago than previously thought.
Beautiful Skull Spurs Debate on Human History
October 17, 2013
A newly discovered skull, some 1.8 million years old, has rekindled debate over the identity of humanity's ancient ancestors.
My T. Rex Is Bigger Than Yours
October 16, 2013
Who has the most impressive and imposing Tyrannosaurus rex? Not the Smithsonian, on this National Fossil Day. See who does.
5 Surprising Facts About Otzi the Iceman
October 16, 2013
Scholars continue to be amazed by the ancient man found frozen in the Alps.
Were the First Artists Mostly Women?
October 8, 2013
Three-quarters of handprints in ancient cave art were left by women, study finds.
Two-Tailed Ancient Bird Uncovered
October 7, 2013
An ancient dinosaur-era bird turns out to have two tails, one perhaps for flying and the other for showing off.
London Dig Uncovers Roman-Era Skulls
October 4, 2013
Recently found ancient skulls reveal life and death insights from Roman-era London.
Hard Times Followed Booms for Europe's Ancient Farmers
October 1, 2013
Archaeologists report Europe's first farms sparked a population boom, and then a long-lasting bust, starting some 8,000 years ago.
Deadly 13th-Century Volcano Eruption: Mystery Solved?
September 30, 2013
Using ice cores, geochemistry, tree rings, and ancient texts, scientists have discovered which volcano erupted in the 13th century with worldwide effects.
Fish Fossil Has Oldest Known Face, May Influence Evolution
September 25, 2013
The extinct animal's face structure could help explain how vertebrates, including ourselves, evolved our distinctive look.
Beheaded Maya Massacre Victims Found
September 11, 2013
Scholars report the discovery of dismembered war captives from seventh century.
Shark-like Tails Sped Ancient Sea Monsters Through Oceans
September 10, 2013
An amazingly well-preserved find in a Jordanian quarry shows mosasaurs were capable of high-speed swimming, like sharks.
As Fashion Week Ends, Pondering the Origins of Clothes
September 10, 2013
Our ancient ancestors and our Neanderthal kin made their own fashion statements. But it's hard to know exactly what they were.
Ancient Fish Downsized But Still Largest Ever
August 27, 2013
Once thought to be 90 feet long, the fish is now a more modest 26 to 55 feet.
European Hunter-Gatherers Had Domesticated Pigs Earlier Than Thought
August 27, 2013
Mesolithic hunter-gatherers likely acquired the pigs through trade with their farmer neighbors to the south.
Oldest Evidence of Cooking With Spices Found, Scientists Say
August 23, 2013
Hunter gatherers in Europe used garlic mustard seeds to add some pungent spice to their foods.
Pictures: Looters Shatter Museum of Ancient Egyptian Treasures
August 23, 2013
Amid the deadly chaos sweeping across Egypt, looters ransacked the archaeological museum in the town of Mallawi last week.
Fossil Insects Tweak Date of Deadly "Atlantis" Eruption
August 22, 2013
Pest insects preserved in an ancient seed jar suggest the Santorini volcanic eruption happened sometime between May to early June.
Scientists: Meteorite Beads Oldest Example of Metalwork
August 22, 2013
New research has confirmed that beads uncovered in 1911 inside an ancient Egyptian tomb were welded from meteoric iron and are the oldest known example of metalworking.
Oldest Globe of New World Carved on Ostrich Eggs?
August 21, 2013
A Belgian map collector has discovered what he claims is the oldest globe depicting the New World-but some are skeptical.
Oldest North American Rock Art up to 14,800 Years Old
August 15, 2013
Nevada petroglyphs in Winnemucca Lake range from simple lines to complex shapes resembling plants and could date back to the first peopling of the Americas.
Tips on How to Become a Fossil
August 10, 2013
What you need to know to improve your odds of becoming a fossil after you die.
Tomb of a Powerful Moche Priestess-Queen Found in Peru
August 8, 2013
Archaeologists have uncovered the lavish tomb of a Moche priestess-queen at a site in Peru.
Giant Maya Carvings Found in Guatemala
August 7, 2013
Giant Maya Carvings Found in Guatemala
Mideast's Largest Crusader-Era Hospital Unveiled
August 5, 2013
After a long excavation, the largest Crusader-era hospital in the Middle East has been unveiled in Jerusalem.
Two for the Road: Second Coffin Found With Richard III
July 31, 2013
The English parking lot where the famous king lay has now yielded another older, more ornate grave.
Moche Mural in Peru Revealed in Stunning Detail
July 31, 2013
Interactive gigapixel technology offers a way to see an ancient Moche mural in stunning detail, from the Huaca de la Luna (Temple of the Moon).
Inca Child Sacrifice Victims Were Drugged
July 29, 2013
Mummy hair reveals that young sacrifice victims were heavy users of coca and alcohol in their last years of life.
Ancient Global Warming Raised Sea Levels Nearly 70 Feet
July 23, 2013
Studying the ancient sea-level rise could help us understand the effects of modern global warming.
Freshwater Creatures Less Affected by Dino-Killing Asteroid
July 23, 2013
The same biological adaptations that some creatures evolved to deal with living in freshwater also helped them survive the asteroid impact.
New Big-Nosed Horned Dinosaur Found in Utah
July 16, 2013
Paleontologists have discovered a Triceratops relative with a supersize schnoz that roamed what's now Utah, a new study says.
Fossil Tooth Is "Smoking Gun" That T. Rex Was a Killer
July 15, 2013
A fossil tooth lodged inside a duckbill dinosaur's tailbones may prove T. rex was a capable predator, scientists say.
Archaeologists Suspect Vampire Burial; An Undead Primer
July 15, 2013
Archaeologists have uncovered a burial site in Poland thought to be the grave of accused vampires.
Why Ancient Earth Was So Warm
July 15, 2013
A new 3-D model sheds light on why early Earth was so toasty even with a much dimmer sun.
World's Oldest Calendar Discovered in U.K.
July 15, 2013
A series of large pits were dug by Mesolithic people to track the cycle of the moon.
American Dog Breeds Hail From Pre-Columbian Times
July 9, 2013
American Dog Breeds Hail From Pre-Columbian Times
Sabertooths Had Weak Bites, Used Neck Muscles to Kill
July 2, 2013
At least two species of sabertooths were more muscle than bite, subduing their prey with powerful necks and forelimbs, a new study says.
Mysterious Pair Buried With Flowers—Oldest Example Yet
July 1, 2013
A grave of two people buried together in Israel is among the oldest examples of using flowers to celebrate the dead, a new study says.
First Unlooted Royal Tomb of Its Kind Unearthed in Peru
June 27, 2013
Archaeologists discover 1,200-year-old tomb filled with gold and silver artifacts-as well as human sacrifices.
First Pictures: Peru's Rare, Unlooted Royal Tomb
June 27, 2013
Pictures from the discovery of the first unlooted royal tomb discovered from the Wari empire. The 1,200-year-old tomb is filled with precious artifacts-and human sacrifices.

World's Oldest Genome Sequenced From 700,000-Year-Old Horse DNA
June 26, 2013
A 700,000-year-old horse leg bone has yielded the world's oldest complete genome.
Pre-Hispanic Chiefs in Panama Were Born to Rule
June 20, 2013
An archaeologist has found evidence for inherited power, hallmark of a sophisticated society, in burials of pre-Hispanic chiefs in Panama.
More Than 400 Animals Offered to Aztec Gods
June 17, 2013
Archaeologists in Mexico City have identified more than 400 species of animals among offerings to Aztec gods.
New Shades for a Dinobird's Feathers
June 14, 2013
Extensive x-rays of the ancient bird Archaeopteryx reveal a previously unseen pattern in its feather pigments.
The Neanderthal With the World's Oldest Tumor
June 5, 2013
Researchers have discovered a bone tumor in a Neanderthal who lived more than 120,000 years ago.

Can Purported Mammoth Blood Revive Extinct Species?
June 1, 2013
A reality check on a new find out of Russia and hopes for species revival. Can woolly mammoths really be brought back?
Picture: 5,000-Year-Old Bead Made From Meteorite
May 31, 2013
The bead reportedly represents the earliest known use of iron in Egypt.
The Hanging Gardens of … Nineveh?
May 31, 2013
This wonder of the ancient world may not have been in Babylon after all. A historian's new book points to Nineveh as the garden spot.
New Candidate for World's First Bird
May 30, 2013
The discovery of the feathered Aurornis stokes the debate over the first avian.
Carbon Dating Confirms World's Oldest Torah Scroll
May 30, 2013
A scroll at the University of Bologna is shown to be 800 years old, after it was originally thought to be much younger.
Dinosaur Eggs Are Missing Link In Egg Evolution
May 30, 2013
Dinosaur eggs from 150 million years ago are filling in gaps in the evolution of eggs.
Billion-Year-Old Water Preserved in Canadian Mine
May 17, 2013
The primordial water contains chemicals that could support life without sunlight.
Ancient Mayan Pyramid Destroyed in Belize
May 15, 2013
An archeological group says it plans to take legal action after road crews destroyed a pyramid at a site called Nohmul.
New Sea Monster Found, Rewrites Evolution?
May 14, 2013
A new species of dinosaur-era reptile is rewriting the books on the evolution of so-called sea monsters, a new study claims.
Dog And Human Genomes Evolved Together
May 14, 2013
A new study finds that genes for diet, behavior, and disease in dogs and humans have evolved together.
Lost Lands Found by Scientists
May 9, 2013
The "Brazilian Atlantis" is just the latest lost land to be discovered.
Now We Know What Early Earth Smelled Like
May 3, 2013
A first glimpse of one billion-year-old bacteria eating another shows how life developed-and what early earth smelled like.
Jamestown Colonists Resorted to Cannibalism
May 1, 2013
Starving colonists resorted to cannibalism to survive harsh winter of 1609, according to a recent find.
New Views of Ancient Culture Suggest Brutal Violence
April 29, 2013
Archaeologists working at the ancient city of Harappa have uncovered evidence of immigration but also great violence.
New Evidence Unearthed for the Origins of the Maya
April 25, 2013
Archaeologists find evidence that refutes current theories on the origins of the Maya.
Birds' "Crouching" Gait Born in Dinosaur Ancestors
April 24, 2013
The zigzag pattern of bird legs was driven by the development of heavier forelimbs and, eventually, wings.
Modern Europe's Genetic History Starts in Stone Age
April 23, 2013
DNA from ancient skeletons shows that the genetic makeup of modern Europe was established only about 4,500 years ago.
Byzantine Site in Israel Yields Church-Shaped Lantern
April 19, 2013
Israeli archaeologists find a church-shaped lantern near a Byzantine winepress. Was the owner of both a Christian?
Hobbit's Brain Size Holds Clues About Its Ancestor
April 18, 2013
New brain measurements of Homo floresiensis support the theory that the creature was a shrunken version of Homo erectus.
Archaeologists Find a Classic Entrance to Hell
April 14, 2013
Italian archaeologists working at the Greco-Roman site of ancient Hierapolis in Turkey have uncovered that city's gate to the underworld.
New Candidate for Our Most Immediate Ancestor
April 11, 2013
Does a 2-million-year-old skeleton unseat "Lucy" from a critical evolutionary junction on the way to Homo, our genus?
You Never Know What You'll Find Under a Parking Lot
April 11, 2013
When digging starts at a construction site, it may uncover unexpected treasures: ancient temples, headless Vikings, even a few new whale species.
Baby Dinosaurs Flexed Muscles Inside Their Eggs
April 10, 2013
Like modern birds, baby dinosaurs likely flexed their muscles while still in their eggs to spur bone development.
Did the Real T. rex Resemble the One in Jurassic Park?
April 5, 2013
The real Tyrannosaurus rex may have been even more terrifying than the one in the movie.
Picture Archive: Women Weaving, Cyprus, circa 1920
April 3, 2013
As Cyprus struggles for economic footing, a look back at a former cash cow.
Trilobites Found With Mysterious Markings
March 27, 2013
These ancient arthropods may have used their spots as camouflage, a new study says.
8 Mummy Finds Revealing Ancient Disease
March 21, 2013
Human remains, preserved artificially or by nature, hold clues to what ailed ancient populations around the world.
Mega-eruptions Caused Mass Extinction, Study Finds
March 21, 2013
Eruptions that ripped apart continents in the Triassic also caused mass extinctions, says a new study.
Crow-Size Pterosaur Named After 9-Year-Old Fossil Hunter
March 21, 2013
Crow-size and likely toothless, the newfound flying reptile lived in a hot, lush England more than 65 million years ago.
March 14, 2013
De-Extinction - The April Cover of National Geographic Magazine Explores the Possibility of Reviving Extinct Species - National Geographic
March 14, 2013
Behind the Scenes at a NatGeo Baby Cover Shoot - National Geographic
Ancient Egyptian Cemetery Holds Proof of Hard Labor
March 12, 2013
Skeletons of ordinary people buried at the site of Amarna show signs of malnutrition, backbreaking work, and accidental injuries.
Failure to Hunt Rabbits Part of Neanderthals' Demise?
March 11, 2013
Neanderthals' crude weapons and intense energy needs may have made it difficult for them to change hunting strategies.
Finders Keepers? Not Always in Treasure Hunting
March 6, 2013
The United Kingdom's novel archaeology laws promote collaboration between amateurs and experts.
Return of the Neanderthals
March 6, 2013
Scientists could someday resurrect Neanderthals—or at least their cells—to help modern humans. Would it be ethical?
Pictures We Love: February
March 4, 2013
Dinosaurs in London and a cemetery to call home are among our photo editors' picks of the most interesting news pictures from February.
Scarred Duckbill Dinosaur Escaped T. Rex Attack
February 28, 2013
A healed scar suggests a duckbill dinosaur was attacked by a T. rex and survived.
Ancient Lost Continent Discovered in Indian Ocean
February 25, 2013
Evidence of a drowned "microcontinent" has been found in sand grains from the beaches of a small Indian Ocean island, scientists say.

New Ancient Members of Whale Family Found
February 19, 2013
These ancient relatives of modern baleen whales had teeth instead of baleen, which modern whales use to filter feed.
What Killed Dinosaurs: New Ideas About the Wipeout
February 12, 2013
An asteroid slamming into Earth 66 million years ago was a contributing factor but not the only culprit in the dinosaurs' extinction.
Richard III Mania: Understanding a Kingly Obsession
February 6, 2013
The world's atwitter over the discovery of a British king's 500-year-old bones. But why?
Severed Heads Were Sacrifices in Ancient Mexico
February 6, 2013
Archaeologists in central Mexico have uncovered a ritual site connected to pleas for rain and attempts at political power.
Timbuktu's vulnerable manuscripts are city's "gold"
January 29, 2013
There are new questions about the fate of Timbuktu's ancient manuscripts.
What Does First-century Roman Graffiti Say?
January 29, 2013
Work at the Roman Colosseum raises questions about what 2,000-year-old graffiti really says.
Sicilian Mummies Bring Centuries to Life
January 28, 2013
Scientists are using radiology and chemistry to determine what the specimens once ate, the medicine they took—and how they died.
Primitive and Peculiar Mammal May Be Hiding Out in Australia
January 7, 2013
The long-beaked echidna is thought to live only in New Guinea. But now there's evidence that Australia might also be home to the rare, egg-laying mammal.
Bus-Size Sea Monster Found, Took On Prey Its Own Size
January 7, 2013
A new species of prehistoric sea monster may have been the first ocean predator to take on prey its own size, a new study says.
Ancient Sea Monster Found—First Freshwater Species Known
December 19, 2012
It's not quite Nessie, but it's close: Scientists have unearthed an 84-million-year-old freshwater sea monster in Hungary.
A 110-Million-Year-Old Trash Collector
December 10, 2012
Complex hiding behavior encased in amber for 110 million years.
Timbuktu Falls
December 7, 2012
Mali has gone from one of Africa's model democracies to a haven for al Qaeda, leaving the people of Timbuktu asking what happens next?
Oldest Dinosaur Found?
December 5, 2012
Rediscovered fossils push back the dawn of the dinosaurs about 10 to 15 million years earlier than previously thought, a new study says.
Oldest Giant Panda Relative Found in Spain
December 4, 2012
The oldest relative of the giant panda has been discovered in Spain—suggesting that the ancestors of giant pandas originated in Europe, a new study says.
Volcano Eruption Baked Rare Rhino Fossil
November 30, 2012
Paleontologists in Turkey uncover a 9-million-year-old rhino fossil, slow-cooked by volcanic debris.
Pictures: Mysterious Maya Tomb Explored for First Time
November 30, 2012
A 1,500-year-old burial chamber in Mexico contains vibrant red murals, jade pieces, and just maybe an ancient king, experts say.
Pictures: Oldest Pharaoh Rock Art Rediscovered in Egypt
November 29, 2012
Rare pictures of what may be Egypt's founding king, Narmer, have been found near Aswan a century after their first discovery.
Stone Spear Tips Surprisingly Ancient—"Like Finding an iPod in Ancient Rome"
November 16, 2012
Weapons dated to 500,000 years ago may be an evolutionary oddity. Said one scientist: "It's like finding an iPod in a Roman Empire site."
Thracian Gold Treasure Discovered in Bulgaria (Pictures)
November 10, 2012
"Amazing findings"—elegant horse heads, tiny busts, a circus-like necklace—bear witness to the golden history of Thracian metalworking.
Why the Maya Fell: Climate Change, Conflict—And a Trip to the Beach?
November 9, 2012
The latest thinking suggests the mighty Maya Empire collapsed due to climate change, conflict—and maybe a trip to the beach.
Ancient Roman Giant Found—Oldest Complete Skeleton With Gigantism
November 9, 2012
It's no tall tale—the first complete ancient skeleton of a person with gigantism has been discovered near Rome, a new study says.
Two-Ton "Alien" Horned Dinosaur Found—"Different From Every Other"
November 9, 2012
"Different from every other horned dinosaur," the new species suggests flamboyant beginnings for the lineage that includes Triceratops.
Supervolcano Rained Acid on Both Poles—But Wasn't So Bad After All?
November 7, 2012
The eruption was 5,000 times larger than Mount St. Helens's 1980 blast, but evidence suggests its fallout was just shy of apocalyptic.
At "Europe's Oldest Town," Unusual Fortifications Hint at Prehistoric
November 7, 2012
"Unusual" fortifications found at a prehistoric site underscore just how rich the settlement was. But was it Europe's first town?
New "Sauron" Dinosaur Found, Was Big as T. Rex
November 6, 2012
A new, T. rex-size predator from North Africa has been named after the demonic Sauron from the Lord of the Rings films, a new study says.
Dragon-Like, Feathered Dinosaur Was Ace Flyer
November 5, 2012
Crow-size Microraptor had aerodynamic wings that allowed it to turn on a dime, paleontologists say.
Tsunamis in the Alps?
October 31, 2012
A killer wave slammed medieval Geneva, a new study says. And it could happen again.
What Makes Us Human? Cooking, Study Says
October 26, 2012
A surge in human brain size about 1.8 million years ago is linked to the innovation of cooking, a new study says.
"Lucy's Baby" a Born Climber, Hinting Human Ancestors Lingered in Trees
October 26, 2012
A 3.3-million-year-old fossil child suggests our ancestors abandoned tree life later than previously thought, scientists say.
New Coelacanth Species Discovered in Texas
October 25, 2012
A new species of hundred-million-year-old coelacanth has been identified—an ancestor to "fossil fish" of today, a new study says.
World's Oldest Primate Was a Rodentlike Climber
October 24, 2012
An "extraordinary discovery" exposes the earliest known primate as a rodentlike climber that evolved in tandem with flowers and fruit.
Evidence of Viking Outpost Found in Canada
October 19, 2012
Telltale blade sharpeners may be smoking guns in the quest for the New World's second known Viking site.
"Lethally Hot" Earth Was Devoid of Life—Could It Happen Again?
October 18, 2012
Fossil clues point to high temperatures during one of Earth's low points. Could it happen again?
Neanderthals ... They're Just Like Us?
October 12, 2012
Well, not exactly. But the latest discoveries have had a surprisingly humanizing effect.
Tomb of Maya Queen Found—"Lady Snake Lord" Ruled Centipede Kingdom
October 4, 2012
The suspected burial site and remains of a powerful Maya ruler have been unearthed in Guatemala, archaeologists say.
New Fanged Dwarf Dinosaur Found—"Would Be Nice Pet"
October 3, 2012
A new, tiny dinosaur likely used its self-sharpening teeth against competitors, not prey, a new study suggests
Swastika-Bearing Buddhist Statue Was Chiseled From a Meteorite
September 27, 2012
An ancient, swastika-bearing Buddhist statue recovered by Nazis was carved from a meteorite, researchers say.
Pictures: Royal Treasure, Lost for 350 Years, Revealed by Sinking River
September 26, 2012
Looted—and promptly lost—350 years ago by invading Swedes, tons of monumental marble artifacts come to light as a Polish river withers.
Jesus May Have Had a Wife, Ancient Text Suggests
September 19, 2012
A papyrus fragment believed to be from the fourth century includes the first known reference to a spouse.
Prehistoric "Movie Monster" Mollusk Re-created With 3-D Printer
September 18, 2012
A spiky, well-armored mollusk that lived 390 million years ago has been brought back to life with the help of 3-D printers.
Exclusive Pictures: Maya Murals Found in Family Kitchen
September 7, 2012
When Lucas Asicona Ramírez began renovating his centuries-old home, a strangely garbed Maya procession paraded into view.
Men and Women Really Do See Things Differently
September 7, 2012
The grass is almost always greener to women, for starters, a new study says—and such differences could have roots deep in human evolution.
Ancient Tomb Built to Flood—Sheds Light on Peru Water Cult?
September 6, 2012
Archaeologists find an unusual stacked grave holding pre-Inca leaders.
Maya Prince's Tomb Found With Rare Drinking Vessel
August 30, 2012
Under a remote Maya palace in the ruined city of Uxul, archaeologists in Mexico have uncovered an ancient burial—and a rare artifact.
Pictures: Mass Sacrifice Found Near Aztec Temple
August 29, 2012
Below street level in Mexico City, archaeologists have found a jumble of bones dating to the 1480s.
Triassic Mites Join World's Oldest Amber Animal Finds (Pictures)
August 28, 2012
Locked in tree resin since the dinosaur dawn, new fossils are among scientific gold that reveals how little some animals have evolved.
Pictures: Syrian Cultural Sites Damaged by Conflict
August 20, 2012
Ancient mosques, citadels, and museum collections have suffered damage, say observers.
Pictures: New Pyramid Found With Vivid Murals, Stacked Tombs
August 17, 2012
With tombs stacked three high—including one with vibrant murals—a newfound pyramid in Mexico is a rarity of the ancient Zapotec culture.
Castles, Ancient Treasures Under Fire in Syria—Possibly Beyond Repair
August 17, 2012
As shells rip through ancient citadels and artifacts go missing, experts worry some damage may be beyond repair.
Pictures: Death-Cult Mummies Inspired by Desert Conditions?
August 13, 2012
Surrounded by naturally preserved corpses, a South American people may have been inspired to make their own elaborate mummies, a new study says.
Flat-Faced Early Humans Confirmed—Lived Among Other Human Species
August 8, 2012
Another early human species—so far nameless—has been identified at the roots of our family tree. And it wasn't alone.
Fossil Rodents With Supertough Teeth Found
August 2, 2012
Two new species of prehistoric rodents found in central Chile may have lived in the world's earliest grassland, scientists say.
Pictures: "Important" Aztec Child Burials, Sacrifices Found in Mexico City
July 31, 2012
Ancient corpses—including 11 children—found at a Mexico City apartment site are offering clues to a little-known Aztec group.
Pictures: Toothless "Vampire" Skeleton Unearthed in Bulgaria
July 24, 2012
With a rod through its ribs and its teeth pulled—just to be safe—a 700-year-old suspected vampire has escaped the crypt in Bulgaria.
"Dramatic" New Maya Temple Found, Covered With Giant Faces
July 21, 2012
Once blood red, the monument depicts the sun god as shark, blood drinker, and jaguar—and sheds new light on the Maya god-king connection.
Neanderthals Self-Medicated?
July 20, 2012
Forget flesh-hungry Neanderthals—our extinct cousins may have been vegetarians who also used medicinal herbs, a new study suggests.
Mystery of Lost Roman City Solved: Ancients Greened the Desert?
July 18, 2012
How did the monumental city of Palmyra survive the Syrian Desert? New finds suggest the ancients engineered a sort of green revolution.
Friday the 13th: Why We Fear It; Why It Can't Strike Again in 2012
July 13, 2012
The third Friday the 13th of the year—the most possible—is falling hard on triskaidekaphobes. Find out why it can't strike again in 2012.
Surprise Human-Ancestor Find—Key Fossils Hidden in Lab Rock
July 12, 2012
A tooth in a rock revealed hidden treasure under researchers' noses—and could lead to the most complete early human ancestor skeleton yet.
Lost Viking Military Town Unearthed in Germany?
July 11, 2012
Medieval jewels, weapons, and foundations in Germany may have helped lead experts to the earliest mentioned Viking settlement.
"Beautiful" Squirrel-Tail Dinosaur Fossil Upends Feather Theory
July 2, 2012
Forget overgrown lizards—the oldest known meat-eating dinosaur with feathers suggests "probably all" dinosaurs bore plumage, a new study says.
Human Ancestors Ate Bark—Food in Teeth Hints at Chimplike Origins
June 27, 2012
Food stuck in prehistoric teeth suggest some of our forebears ate—and lived—a bit more like chimps than expected, a new study says.
World's Oldest Purse Found—Studded With a Hundred Dog Teeth?
June 27, 2012
Studded with a hundred Stone Age dog teeth, the world's oldest purse may have been found in Germany.
Easter Island Mystery Solved? New Theory Says Giant Statues Rocked
June 22, 2012
How did ancient Polynesians move the stone giants? The answer may lie in the moai's pleasantly plump midsections.
Mating Turtles Fossilized in the Act
June 21, 2012
The first known fossils of copulating vertebrates may solve poisonous paleontology mystery: What killed the creatures of Messel Pit?
"Frankenstein" Bog Mummies Discovered in Scotland
June 21, 2012
Two Bronze Age bodies found on a Scottish island are actually made from six people, a new study reveals.
Pictures: New Terra-Cotta Warriors Found—And Unprecedented Armor
June 20, 2012
Dozens of new terra-cotta warriors have emerged from the burial of China's first emperor—along with the site's first known shield.
Warm Snap Turned Antarctica Green Around the Edges
June 20, 2012
A warm, wet snap about 15 million years ago thawed Antarctica, allowing abundant greenery to grow along its coasts, a new study says.
John the Baptist's Bones Found?
June 19, 2012
Found under Bulgarian ruins, purported remains of Jesus' baptizer are from the right time and place, testing suggests.
Pictures: Golden "Emergency" Treasure Troves Found in Holy Land
June 19, 2012
Two newfound "emergency hoards" from Israel—gold jewelry and coins—may have been hidden by ancient families fleeing unknown dangers.
World's Oldest Cave Art Found—Made by Neanderthals?
June 14, 2012
The newly dated cave paintings—perhaps the world's oldest—are "evidence that Neanderthals were not a distinct species," one expert says.
Pictures: Huge Peru Tomb Found With 80 Bodies, Ring of Babies
June 6, 2012
Encircled by infant remains, the thousand-year-old burial holds 80 bodies and, archaeologists hope, clues to a mysterious pre-Inca culture.
19th-Century "Time Capsule" Warship Emerging Near D.C.
June 6, 2012
Excavations are about to begin at a well-preserved 19th-century shipwreck, which could offer new insight into the war that inspired the U.S. national anthem.
Giant Bugs Eaten Out of Existence by First Birds?
June 4, 2012
Entomophobes rejoice! Prehistory's biggest insects were likely easy prey to dinosaur-era birds, a new study says.
Pictures: Mystery Shipwreck Found With Muskets, Beer Bottles
May 31, 2012
See a 19th-century wreck that has experts stumped. The site's few clues include guns, beer bottles, and copper outlines of a missing hull.
Evolutionary Flop: Early 4-Footed Land Animal Was No Walker?
May 23, 2012
New 3-D models suggest that what's been seen as one of Earth's first land walkers was actually more of a flopper.
Magma Rise Sparked Life as We Know It?
May 23, 2012
Oxygen-breathing life exists on Earth today because of changes in the planet's magma 2.5 billion years ago, a new study says.
Fossil Ink Sacs Yield Jurassic Pigment—A First
May 21, 2012
Still soft ink sacs from 160-million-year-old squidlike animals have yielded pigment matching that of modern cuttlefish.
Pictures: "Body Jars," Cliff Coffins Are Clues to Unknown Tribe
May 15, 2012
Perched on precarious cliff ledges, centuries-old log coffins and "body jars" are the only known traces of an unknown Cambodian tribe
Prehistoric "Panda" Found in Spain—Giant Panda Has European Roots?
May 14, 2012
A small fossil bear recently identified in Spain suggests China's giant panda has European roots, a new study says.
Pictures: New Maya Mural, Calendars Debunk 2012 Myth
May 10, 2012
See the rare, newfound Maya artworks and calculations that show mysterious figures and contradict popularly held 2012 apocalypse theories.
Unprecedented Maya Mural Found, Contradicts 2012 "Doomsday" Myth
May 10, 2012
Unprecedented paintings and calculations have emerged from under the Guatemalan jungle—including evidence against the 2012 "doomsday myth."
Howard Carter: "Miraculous," Misunderstood Man Behind Google's Gilded
May 9, 2012
Find out why the "miraculous," misunderstood archaeologist who found King Tut's ancient tomb is being honored today in a modern way.
Biggest Crocodile Found—Fossil Species Ate Humans Whole?
May 8, 2012
The 27-foot-long predator may have ambushed early humans in what's now Kenya, a new study says.
Pictures: Ancient Pygmy Pipehorse Species Found
May 8, 2012
Fossils of a new species of pygmy pipehorse, a tiny relative of the seahorse, have been unearthed in Slovenia.
Dinosaurs' Gaseous Emissions Warmed Earth?
May 7, 2012
Giant plant-eaters known as sauropods may have heated the planet by releasing huge amounts of methane, a new study says.
World's Oldest Blood Found in Famed "Iceman" Mummy
May 2, 2012
Using new nanotech—which could be a boon to modern murder investigations—scientists find that Stone Age Ötzi "definitely" died quickly.
Pictures: New "Rebel" Coelacanth Found
May 2, 2012
The unusual predator was built to do "everything a coelacanth should not do," its discoverers say.
Female Gladiators? Tantalizing New Evidence From Ancient Rome
April 19, 2012
Women took to the gladiatorial arena too, according to a new study of a scantily clad bronze statue from ancient Rome.
Pictures: 3,000 Ancient Buddhas Unearthed in China
April 17, 2012
Found at the site of an ancient Chinese city, the 1,500-year-old statues—some life-size—may have been buried by temple officials.
Photos: Oldest Reptile Embryos Discovered
April 17, 2012
New reptile fossils may show both the earliest evidence of live birth and of parental care, a new study says.
One-Ton Feathered Dinosaur Found: Fluffy and Fierce
April 4, 2012
About as long as a bus but downy soft in chicklike plumage, Yutyrannus is by far the biggest feathered dinosaur yet, a new study says.
"Lucy" Wasn't Alone? Had Neighbors in Trees, Fossil Foot Suggests
March 28, 2012
A new fossil foot suggests the "Lucy" species may have had company: another type of human ancestor—and quite the swinger.
Viking Invaders Brought Armies of Mice
March 21, 2012
Vikings who conquered new lands unwittingly brought with them another sort of invader: mice, a new study says.
Photos: Bejeweled Anglo-Saxon Found in Christian "Burial Bed"
March 21, 2012
A young woman buried with an exquisite gold-and-garnet cross is offering clues to the earliest days of the English church, scientists say.
"Lost" Great Wall of China Segment Found?
March 19, 2012
Deep in the Mongolian desert, researchers say they've uncovered a forgotten 60-mile stretch of the Great Wall system.
Cave Fossil Find: New Human Species or "Nothing Extraordinary"?
March 14, 2012
Found in a Chinese cave, fossils might represent a heavy-browed new human species—or "nothing extraordinary," as one critic put it.
New Horned Dinosaurs Found—Among Littlest Known
March 13, 2012
The mini plant-eaters—including one with a neck frill and a hatchet-shaped jaw—roamed then balmy Alberta, Canada, a new study says.
Lost Leonardo da Vinci Mural Behind False Wall?
March 12, 2012
A long-sought Leonardo da Vinci mural may be hidden behind a brick wall—and another masterpiece—preliminary tests suggest.
Pictures: Dinosaur's Flashy Feathers Revealed
March 9, 2012
Microraptors—four-winged, feathered dinosaurs that lived 125 million years ago—sported Earth's oldest known iridescence, a new study says.
"Cute" Tropical Camels: Prehistoric Species Found in Panama
March 6, 2012
Two new species of tiny, tropical camels with croc-like snouts have been found in Panama, a new study says.
Leap Year 2012: Why We Need February 29
February 29, 2012
Find out why we need February 29, when leap day was adopted, and how cultures with other systems for tracking time handle their calendars.
T. Rex Bite Strongest Ever on Land—Ten Times Greater Than Gator's
February 28, 2012
The dinosaur chomped with ten times the force of an alligator, a new study says—but something in the sea was even stronger.
Giant Prehistoric Penguins Revealed: Big but Skinny
February 27, 2012
Scientists finally have the skinny on two extinct species of tall, "svelte" penguins that lived in New Zealand, a new study says.
32,000-Year-Old Plant Brought Back to Life—Oldest Yet
February 21, 2012
The oldest regenerated plant has beaten the previous recordholder by some 30,000 years, a new study says. The oldest plant ever to be regenerated has beaten the previous recordholder by some 30,000 years, a new study says.
Life on Earth Began on Land, Not in Sea?
February 13, 2012
The first cellular life on Earth probably arose in vats of volcanic mud akin to Darwin's idea of a "warm little pond," a new study says.
"Vampire" Parasite Found Entombed in Amber
February 10, 2012
The first known fossil of a rare bloodsucker called the bat fly has been found in 20-million-year-old amber, a new study reports.
Pictures: Bird Mummies "Fed" After Death, Stuffed With Snails
February 7, 2012
Some of the millions of ancient Egyptian ibis mummies were "fed" after death, scans reveal—the better to live the afterlife.
Oldest Animal Discovered—Earliest Ancestor of Us All?
February 7, 2012
Could 760-million-year-old African "sponges" be humankind's earliest known ancestors?
Guinea Pigs Were Widespread as Elizabethan Pets
February 7, 2012
The tiny South American rodents were bred as pets throughout 16th- and 17th-century Europe, a new study suggests.
Is This Russian Landscape the Birthplace of Native Americans?
February 3, 2012
The genetic homeland of Native Americans is a small mountainous region in southern Siberia, a new study suggests.
Elephants Took 24 Million Generations to Evolve From Mouse-Size
February 3, 2012
For mammals, evolving into bigger sizes takes a lot longer than shrinking, new evolution study shows.
Prehistoric "Shield"-Headed Croc Found
February 1, 2012
A fossil croc sporting an odd head "shield" has been found in Morocco, paleontologists say.
Stonehenge Precursor Found? Island Complex Predates Famous Site
January 27, 2012
Not only that, the Scottish island complex may have been the model for England's famous stone-circle site, new data suggest.
Feathered Dinosaur Had Black Wings?
January 24, 2012
A winged dinosaur had at least one black wing feather, which are stronger than other feather colors, according to a new study.
Pictures: Oldest Dinosaur Nests Found in South Africa
January 24, 2012
Dinosaur-baby footprints and 190-million-year-old egg clutches have been pried from a rock wall in South Africa, a new study says.
Ancient Popcorn Found—Made 2,000 Years Earlier Than Thought in Peru
January 19, 2012
Just in time for National Popcorn Day, a new study says that Peruvians were eating the snack thousands of years earlier than thought.
2012 Pictures: 6 Maya Apocalypse Myths Debunked
January 3, 2012
See six good reasons why the world (probably) won't end in the new year, despite supposed warnings in the Maya calendar.
Mysterious Mass Sacrifice Found Near Ancient Peru Pyramid
December 28, 2011
An apparent ritual mass sacrifice—including decapitations and a royal beer bash—is coming to light near a pre-Inca pyramid, experts say.
Evolution of Angels: From Disembodied Minds to Winged Guardians
December 23, 2011
From disembodied minds to winged guardians, heavenly messengers haven't always looked like the familiar Christmas tree toppers.
It's Official: Stonehenge Stones Were Moved 160 Miles
December 22, 2011
Some of the volcanic bluestones in the inner ring of Stonehenge match an outcrop in Wales 160 miles from the site, geologists show.
"Golden Chief" Tomb Treasure Yields Clues to Unnamed Civilization
December 21, 2011
"Golden chief" graves in Panama are yielding thousand-year-old gold, gems, and clues to an unnamed civilization.
Pictures: Fire Destroys "Temple of Knowledge" in Egypt
December 20, 2011
Ancient manuscripts were lost to the ages this weekend as fire consumed Cairo's "Temple of Knowledge"—a "huge shock" to Egyptologists.
End of World in 2012? Maya "Doomsday" Calendar Explained
December 20, 2011
Even if the world does end in 2012, the Maya calendar deserves no credit for predicting it, experts say.
Top Ten Discoveries of 2011: Nat Geo News's Most Popular
December 19, 2011
An Earth-like planet and the biggest great white shark are among National Geographic News's most visited coverage of 2011 discoveries.
Pictures: Mysterious Viking-era Graves Found With Treasure
December 16, 2011
Viking? Slavic? Neither? Swords, amulets, and jewelry recently found in dozens of thousand-year-old Polish graves have experts stumped.
Walking Began Underwater, Strolling-Fish Discovery Suggests
December 13, 2011
Look Ma, no feet! The first walkers may well have been full-on fish, say experts who've seen a prehistoric-like fish walk underwater.
Three-Foot "Shrimp" Had More Than 30,000 Lenses Per Eye?
December 12, 2011
The ancient superpredator may have had more than 30,000 lenses in each eye, granting the animal enhanced eyesight, a new study says.
Bible Accounts Supported by Dead Sea Disaster Record?
December 8, 2011
New evidence suggests the salty lake once dried out completely—and might support biblical disaster accounts.
Oldest Known Mattresses Found; Slept Whole Family
December 8, 2011
Last slept on 77,000 years ago, the world's oldest known mattress has been unearthed in South Africa, a new study says.
Pictures: National Geographic's Top Ten Discoveries
December 7, 2011
To mark the National Geographic Society's 10,000th grant, Society experts have named Nat Geo's top grant projects since 1890.
Pictures: Prehistoric Whale "Graveyard" Found in Desert
December 6, 2011
In what's now Chilean desert, 20 whales died five million years ago. Experts are brushing away sands of time to find out why.
Massive Population Drop Found for Native Americans, DNA Shows
December 5, 2011
Indigenous populations quickly dropped by roughly half following European contact about 500 years ago, a new DNA study says.
Pictures: "Gorgeous" Dinosaur Nest Found Full of Babies
November 29, 2011
A nest full of dinosaur babies—fossilized in their "last, bug-eyed, terrified minutes"—suggests Protoceratops parents nurtured their young.
Sex With Humans Made Neanderthals Extinct?
November 25, 2011
Fleeing advancing ice, Neanderthals increasingly encountered modern humans—and interbred to the point of extinction, a new study suggests.
Bashed Skull Is Earliest Evidence of Human Aggression?
November 22, 2011
A bashed skull offers some of the earliest known evidence for violence between ancient humans—but also hints at their caring side.
"Great Dying" Lasted 200,000 Years
November 21, 2011
Wildfires and disappearing oxygen helped kill off 90 percent of all life some 252 million years ago—and fast, a new study says.
Giant, Dinosaur-Age Islands Found in Deep Sea?
November 18, 2011
Together the size of West Virginia, pieces of an ancient continent from dinosaur times may have been found underwater, scientists say.
Oldest Antarctic Whale Found; Shows Fast Evolution
November 14, 2011
The oldest known whale to ply the Antarctic may suggest whales evolved faster than thought, researchers say.
Vikings Navigated With Translucent Crystals?
November 10, 2011
Vikings may have navigated by looking through a "sunstone" made of Icelandic spar, a new study suggests.
"Lost" Fortresses of Sahara Revealed by Satellites
November 10, 2011
New satellite pictures have uncovered scores of ancient settlements that belonged to a mysterious African civilization.
Prehistoric "Shield"-Headed Croc Found
November 9, 2011
A fossil croc sporting an odd head "shield" has been found in Morocco, paleontologists say.
Pompeii Is Crumbling—Can It Be Saved?
November 7, 2011
Recent collapses highlight "critical" situation, but the site is safe for tourists, experts say. Can new funds stop the decay?
Ancient "Saber-Toothed Squirrel" Found
November 2, 2011
The fossilized skull and teeth of a fanged, shrew-like mammal have been discovered in Argentina, a new study says.
Conquistador Was Deep in U.S.: "Stunning" Jewelry Find Redraws Route?
November 1, 2011
The "stunning" discovery of 16th-century Spanish artifacts in a strange spot could redraw the map of Hernando de Soto's expedition.
Asians, Too, Mated With Archaic Humans, DNA Hints
November 1, 2011
Humans alive today in Southeast Asia carry a trace of genetic material from prehistoric cousins called the Denisovans, a new study says.
Best Evidence Yet for Dinosaur Migrations—Teeth Tell Tale
October 27, 2011
New tooth analysis provides the best evidence yet that dinosaurs migrated like modern-day birds and elephants, scientists say.
Photos: Speared Mastodon Bone Hints at Earlier Americans
October 21, 2011
A spear tip in a mastodon rib hints that an unknown North American culture was killing big game a thousand years before the famed Clovis culture.
Oldest Tiger-like Skull Yet—Hints Evolution Got It Right From Start
October 18, 2011
A two-million-year-old mini-tiger's skull is "surprisingly similar" to modern tigers', experts say.
Oldest "Art Studio" Found; Evidence of Early Chemistry
October 13, 2011
About a hundred thousand years ago, early artists made ochre paint inside a South African cave, a new study says.
Spawn of Medieval "Black Death" Bug Still Roam the Earth
October 12, 2011
Modern plague bacteria are still basically the same as the bug that caused the Black Death in medieval Europe, a new DNA study shows.
Kraken Sea Monster Account "Bizarre and Miraculous"
October 11, 2011
An artistic kraken—a giant squid-like sea monster—is said to be behind a fossil graveyard. Critics call the find "fun" but "implausible."
120 Roman Shoes Found in U.K.; "Substantial" Fort Find
October 10, 2011
A pile of 2,000-year-old Roman sandals and shoes has been found at a supermarket construction site in Scotland, archaeologists say.
Huge New Dinosaur Trackway Found in U.S.
October 7, 2011
Spanning two football fields, the footprints of dinosaurs "stomping in the mud" hint that a giant predator was a bit pigeon-toed.
Tar Shrank Heads of Prehistoric Californians Over Time?
October 6, 2011
A health decline in prehistoric California Indians may be linked to a tar that they used as "superglue" and chewing gum, experts say.
Cannibalism Confirmed Among Ancient Mexican Group
September 30, 2011
Bones found in cave houses prove that eating humans was "crucial" to the spiritual life of an ancient people, experts say.
New Raptor Dinosaur Used Giant Claw to Pin, Slash Prey?
September 21, 2011
Talk about a lucky break—paleontologists have found fossils of a new raptor dinosaur species that had a telling injury, a new study says.
Giant Prehistoric Croc Found Near World's Biggest Snake
September 16, 2011
A fish-eating crocodile relative may have battled the world's largest snake in what's now Colombia, a new study suggests.
Pictures: "Incredible" Dinosaur Feathers Found in Amber
September 16, 2011
Prehistoric dinosaur and bird feathers, perfectly preserved in amber, are shedding light on the evolution of feather form and function.
Huge Gladiator School Found Buried in Austria
September 12, 2011
Nearly as big as two Walmarts, the "important" find boasted its own cemetery and amphitheater—and rivaled its counterparts in Rome, experts say.
Ancient Toothy Fish Found in Arctic—Giant Prowled Rivers
September 12, 2011
A new species of giant carnivorous fish that lived 375 million years ago has been discovered in the Canadian Arctic, scientists say.
Oldest Shark Nursery Found—Predators Lived in Lakes?
September 9, 2011
The oldest known shark nursery has been found in an ancient lake bed in Kyrgyzstan, a new study says.
Human Ancestor May Put Twist in Origin Story, New Studies Say
September 8, 2011
New studies are offering clues to Australopithecus sediba, helping scientists refine the species' place in the time line of human evolution.
Early Daddy Longlegs Revealed in 3-D—Bugs Evolved Little
August 25, 2011
New 3-D models show that the spiderlike creatures have changed little in 305 million years, experts say.
Dino-era Mammal the "Jurassic Mother" of Us All?
August 24, 2011
Dug up from the dinosaur era, a shrew-like fossil is the oldest known mammal that gave birth to mature, live young, a new study says.
Oldest Antarctic "Sea Monster" Found
August 24, 2011
The Loch Ness monster-like creature swam warm Antarctic seas 85 million years ago, a new study says.
Ancient Dog Skull Shows Early Pet Domestication
August 19, 2011
A 33,000-year-old canine found in a Russian cave is the most well-preserved example of how wolves became dogs, a new study says.
Texas and Antarctica Were Attached, Rocks Hint
August 12, 2011
About 1.1 billion years ago, what are now El Paso, Texas, and Antarctica appear to have existed side by side, scientists say.
"Sea Monster" Fetus Found—Proof Plesiosaurs Had Live Young?
August 11, 2011
Like most mammals, giant, dinosaur-era marine reptiles gave birth to live young, a new fossil study hints. But did the monsters mother?
Why Giant Bugs Once Roamed the Earth
August 8, 2011
Dragonflies the size of modern birds ruled 300 million years ago because smaller larvae were at risk of oxygen toxicity, a new study hints.
"Spectacular" Three-Cat Monolith Unearthed in Mexico
August 1, 2011
The "spectacular" monolith may have been part of an ancient monumental wall crawling with felines.
What Was Machu Picchu For? Top Five Theories Explained
July 20, 2011
Were the 15th-century Inca ruins a royal retreat, a sacred memorial, or something else entirely?
Ancient Wasps Roosted in Rotting Dinosaur Eggs?
July 19, 2011
Eight sausage-shaped cocoons from Argentina may be the first proof of bugs feasting on dinosaur eggs, experts say.
Pictures: Largest "Sea Monster" Skull Revealed?
July 12, 2011
An ancient marine reptile with eight-foot jaws packed the biggest bite in history—and may be a new species, scientists suggest.
"Tomb of the Otters" Filled With Stone Age Human Bones
July 7, 2011
Stumbled upon by a homeowner, a 5,000-year-old chamber crammed with human bones and otter remains has been found on a Scottish island.
Pictures: Human Sacrifice Found in Maya City Sinkhole
July 6, 2011
The submerged remains of six humans, jade beads, and ceramic vessels are among Maya objects discovered in a giant hole in Chichén Itzá.
Pictures: Blood-Red Pyramid Tomb Revealed by Tiny Camera
June 29, 2011
Fed through a hole, a tiny camera exposed a Maya tomb to its first light in centuries, revealing a blood-red chamber, jade, and more.
Pictures: Ancient "Solar Boat" Unearthed at Pyramids
June 24, 2011
Locked underground for millennia, an ancient Egyptian sun-god ship found by the Pyramids is slowly making its way to the surface.
Iceman's Stomach Sampled—Filled With Goat Meat
June 23, 2011
Hours before he died, "Ötzi" the Iceman gorged on the fatty meat of a wild goat, according to a new analysis of his stomach contents.
Sacks of Human Waste Reveal Secrets of Ancient Rome
June 23, 2011
A giant "septic tank" in volcano-smothered Herculaneum held clues to everyday Roman existence, including—not surprisingly—what they ate.
Oldest Art in Americas Found on Mammoth Bone
June 22, 2011
The Americas' oldest known artist has been confirmed as an Ice Age hunter in what is now Florida, according to a new study.
Arizona Fire Threatens Hundreds of Ancient Sites
June 14, 2011
Arizona's giant Wallow Fire could scorch hundreds of archaeological sites—some dating back to the time of Christ—experts say.
Wormlike Parasite Detected in Ancient Mummies
May 31, 2011
A tiny parasite that plagues people worldwide also infected ancient Africans, new mummy analyses reveal for the first time.
3-Foot "Shrimp" Discovered—Dominated Prehistoric Seas
May 27, 2011
By far the largest ever found of its kind, the spiny fossil predator "would have made enough scampi to feed an army," one expert quipped.
Neanderthals Made a Last Stand at Subarctic Outpost?
May 13, 2011
A prehistoric "tool kit" suggests Neanderthals hung on longer than expected—and farther north, in a subarctic refuge, a new study says.
Friday the 13th Superstitions Rooted in Bible and More
May 13, 2011
They date back at least to ancient Roman times, but Friday the 13th superstitions won't be getting much of a workout this year. Luckily for triskaidekaphobia sufferers, today is 2011's only Friday the 13th.
Sea Monster Battle Seen in Prehistoric Bite Marks
May 5, 2011
A gnawed fossil skull points to "a really aggressive encounter" between two giant dolphin-like reptiles.
Lost City Revealed Under Centuries of Jungle Growth
April 25, 2011
The ancient Maya city of Head of Stone—a hundred buildings buried under rain forest—has emerged via 3-D mapping.
Egypt Mummy Pictures: Scans Show Ancient Heart Disease
April 15, 2011
Recent scans of 52 mummies revealed at least half the dead had clogged arteries—including a princess with the oldest known heart disease.
Legendary Saints Were Real, Buried Alive, Study Hints
April 15, 2011
The skeletons of two married, early-Christian saints—buried alive nearly 2,000 years ago—may have been ID'd via forensic analysis in Italy.
Egyptian Princess Mummy Had Oldest Known Heart Disease
April 15, 2011
A "petite" Egyptian royal who would have needed double bypass surgery may offer new clues to the causes of clogged arteries, experts say.
Maya Mystery Solved by "Important" Volcanic Discovery?
April 13, 2011
Even at Maya sites far from volcanoes, ash fell frequently, an "important" find that could explain some cities' survival, experts say.
New "Buck-Toothed Evil Spirit" Dinosaur Found
April 12, 2011
A newfound dinosaur with "monstrous front teeth" links the earliest dinos with more advanced predators such as T. rex, experts say.
Fossil Pictures: Oldest Flying Insect Imprint Found
April 6, 2011
Three hundred million years ago, a possible ancestor of the mayfly got trapped in the mud—leaving behind a rare full-body impression.
Pictures: 2,500-Year-Old Brain Examined
April 6, 2011
An ancient brain mysteriously preserved in English mud likely belonged to an Iron Age man who was hanged and beheaded, studies show.
Ancient "Pickled" Brain Mystery Explained?
April 6, 2011
Scientists may have partially cracked how Britain's oldest known brain was preserved in mud for some 2,500 years.
Pictures: Millions of Puppy Mummies in Egypt Labyrinth
April 6, 2011
Perhaps supplied by ancient puppy mills, millions of animal mummies—likely seen as conduits to a jackal-headed god—fill newly excavated tunnels.
Ancient Tablet Found: Oldest Readable Writing in Europe
March 30, 2011
Found at a site tied to myth, the early Greek tablet bears the continent's earliest known readable writing—and survives only by accident.
Prehistoric Americans Traded Chocolate for Turquoise?
March 29, 2011
Talk about a sweet deal—prehistoric peoples of Mesoamerica may have traded chocolate for gems from the U.S. Southwest, a new study says.
Odd Saber-Toothed Beast Discovered—Preyed on ... Plants?
March 24, 2011
Saber teeth can turn up in the strangest places—such as in the fossil head of the new pre-dinosaur vegetarian discovered in Brazil.
Giant Rabbit Fossil Found: Biggest Bunny Was "Roly-Poly"
March 22, 2011
Giant fossils found in Spain are from the biggest known rabbit species—a "beach bum" that couldn't hop and had short ears, experts say.
New Species Found: Thai Fossils Reveal Ancient Primate
March 11, 2011
A handful of fossil jaws from a Thai coal mine belong to a new species of nocturnal primates called tarsiers, scientists say.
Pictures: Lifelike "Wet Mummy" Found During Roadbuilding
March 10, 2011
Freed from a liquid-filled coffin last week, the centuries-old Chinese woman had been found when roadbuilders stumbled upon a tomb.
"First Skyscraper" Built to Fight Solstice Shadow?
March 9, 2011
Built below the mountain where Satan is said to have tempted Christ, the Tower of Jericho may shielded against the peak's solstice shadow.
Huge Impact Crater Found in Remote Congo
March 7, 2011
A circular depression deep in the Democratic Republic of the Congo has been confirmed as the first known impact crater in central Africa, a new study says.
New Death Ritual Found in Himalaya—27 De-fleshed Humans
March 1, 2011
In high cliffside caves, explorers find 1,500-year-old de-fleshed skeletons—clues to an unknown Himalayan rite.
Pictures: Bones Evidence of Himalaya Death Ritual?
March 1, 2011
Found in dangerously high Himalayan cliff caves, newfound bones—many of which had been defleshed—point to an unknown ancient ritual.
Pictures: Otzi the Iceman's New, Older Face Unveiled
February 25, 2011
More Gandalf than Aragorn, the new face of ''Ötzi,'' the famous Iceman mummy, is more wizened and weathered than previous reconstuctions.
Ice Age Child Found in Prehistoric Alaskan Home
February 24, 2011
A newfound Alaskan cremation site may offer clues to how the first Americans lived—and where they came from.
"Thunder Thighs" Dinosaur Thrashed Predators to Death?
February 23, 2011
A new dinosaur that used its "exceptionally powerful" thighs to kick predators likely had a bad temper to boot, one expert says.
Wormlike "Walking Cactus" Fossil Found
February 23, 2011
The 500-million-year-old creature had ten sets of jointed legs that resemble those of modern spiders and crabs, a new study says.
Valentine's Day Facts: Gifts, History, and Love Science
February 14, 2011
Where did Valentine's Day come from? (Think naked Romans, paganism, and whips.) What does it cost? And why do we fall for it, year after year?
Egypt Antiquities Missing
February 14, 2011
Egyptian officials—who earlier reported that no artifacts were stolen from the Egyptian Museum in Cairo during a looting attempt last month—now say several items are missing from the museum, including some depicting King Tut.
"Lucy" Was No Swinger, Walked Like Us, Fossil Suggests
February 10, 2011
The Australopithecus afarensis human-ancestor species (made famous by "Lucy") wasn't much for tree climbing but could walk like a modern human, a new foot-fossil study suggests.
Frogs Evolve Teeth—Again
February 10, 2011
Lower-jaw teeth in frogs re-evolved after an absence of 200 million years, challenging evolutionary thinking, scientists say.
Pictures: "Remarkable" Ice Age Fossil Cache Found
February 9, 2011
The ''bumper crop'' of prehistoric animals—including mammoths and a giant sloth—is giving scientists a peek into Ice Age life in the Rockies.
Egypt Antiquities Restoration Under Way
February 9, 2011
Restoration work is under way for antiquities damaged during a looting attempt at Cairo's Egyptian Museum in late January. Museum officials say very little was damaged and that nothing was destroyed or stolen from the museum.
New Dinosaur: Titanic Triceratops Ancestor?
February 4, 2011
With an eight-foot skull, Titanoceratops may have been the granddaddy of Triceratops. But did it really exist?
Biggest Bear Ever Found—"It Blew My Mind," Expert Says
February 3, 2011
There's a new titleholder for biggest bear ever found—an ancient South American giant short-faced bear that weighed up to 3,500 pounds.
Pictures: Ancient Bog Girl's Face Reconstructed
February 2, 2011
Working with skull fragments, a 3-D printer, and more, scientists have given several new faces to an Iron Age girl found in a peat bog.
Egypt Antiquities Damaged, at Risk During Unrest
February 1, 2011
See Egyptian artifacts damaged during the current instability. Can Egypt's historic sites and antiquities be protected? Video.
Pictures: Ancient Egyptian Artifacts Damaged in Looting
January 31, 2011
Mummies were decapitated and statues were snapped apart by looters at the Egyptian Museum in Cairo as mass protests seized Egypt.
Egypt Treasures Looted, but Public Strikes Back
January 31, 2011
To save sites, everyday Egyptians and experts are forming human chains and inventing ways around Internet and phone shutdowns.
Humans Left Africa Earlier, During Ice Age Heat Wave
January 27, 2011
An Ice Age heat wave gave early humans a route out of Africa much earlier than thought, an ancient tool kit and climate evidence suggest.
First One-Fingered Dinosaur Found—Dug for Bugs?
January 24, 2011
The parrot-size T. rex cousin probably used its enlarged digit to probe termite mounds, a new study says.
Mother Pterosaurs Laid Soft Eggs, New Fossil Hints
January 20, 2011
The discovery is also the first to show the difference between male and female pterosaurs, suggesting only males had elaborate head crests.
Oldest Domesticated Dog in Americas Found—Was Human Food
January 17, 2011
A skull fragment from a Texas cave shows that humans were breeding—and eating—dogs as early as 9,400 years ago, scientists say.
Ancient Transylvanians Rich in Gold, Treasure Shows
January 13, 2011
Surprisingly hefty golden snake bracelets have been traced to ancient Transylvania—confirming a mysterious people's mineral wealth.
Pictures: "Nasty" Little Predator From Dinosaur Dawn Found
January 13, 2011
Fast and fierce, dog-size Eodromaeus dates to the advent of the dinosaur age and may have led to both T. rex and the humble turkey.
Video: "Nasty" Little Dinosaur Found
January 13, 2011
Meet the "dawn runner," the newfound, 230-million-year-old dinosaur thought to be a precursor to meat-eaters like T. rex.
Earliest Known Winery Found in Armenian Cave
January 10, 2011
In the same Armenian cave where the oldest known leather shoe was found, barefoot winemakers were likely stomping grapes 6,000 years ago.
Prehistoric Bird Had Wings Like Nunchucks
January 4, 2011
A flightless bird with wings like martial arts weapons once thrashed its foes on what's now Jamaica, a new study says.
New Prehistoric Crocodile Found in "Kitchen Counters"
December 30, 2010
Fossils of a new species of ancient crocodile cousin have been found in limestone once destined for Italian kitchen countertops, a new study says.
Pictures: Ancient Roman Spa City Reburied in Turkey
December 29, 2010
A well-preserved, almost 2,000-year-old Roman spa city has been reburied as part of a Turkish dam project that's triggered a flood of controversy.
"Chilling" Child Sacrifices Found at Prehistoric Site
December 23, 2010
Eighty-two child victims of a "chilling" bloodletting ritual have been discovered in Peru, a new study says.
New Type of Ancient Human Found—Descendants Live Today?
December 22, 2010
Evolution's "new twist": A Neanderthal-like "sister group" interbred with humans like us—and their descendants live today, DNA study says.
Mummified Forest Found on Treeless Arctic Island
December 17, 2010
"Surreal" remnants of a prehistoric forest have been discovered on a now treeless island in the Canadian Arctic.
Ancient Maya Temples Were Giant Loudspeakers?
December 16, 2010
Ancient complexes in the Americas may have used sound design to enthrall—and disorient—audiences.
Best of Archaeology 2010: Nat Geo News's Ten Most Viewed
December 14, 2010
From Titanic to Noah's Ark—Nat Geo News's most viewed archaeology tales of 2010 told of vanishing treasures, rediscovered relics, and more.
Pictures: Are These Prehistoric Game Boards?
December 13, 2010
See ''enigmatic'' semicircles that may be the earliest evidence of game-playing in Mexico and possibly North America.
Ancient Balloon-Headed Dolphin Found by Fishers
December 13, 2010
A 20-foot dolphin with a bulbous head roamed the North Sea 2.5 million years ago, a newfound fossil reveals.
Prehistoric Dice Boards Found—Oldest Games in Americas?
December 10, 2010
dice, gaming, gambling, native american, indian casinos, science, archaeology
Stonehenge Built With Balls?
December 9, 2010
Stone Age Britons may have rolled monumental stones on a series of balls in grooved rails, a new experiment suggests.
"Horse Dragon," Colossus Dinosaurs Found in Utah
December 7, 2010
One of two new plant-eaters found in Utah, the species has shaken up a branch of the dinosaur family tree, a new study says.
Pictures: Medieval Cave Tunnels Revealed as Never Before
December 1, 2010
3-D laser scans are revealing anew the man-made caves under Nottingham, U.K., including dungeons, secret tunnels, bowling alleys, and more.
Top Ten Discoveries of 2010: Nat Geo News's Most Popular
November 30, 2010
A time-bending earthquake, a fish with "hands," and "Yoda bat" are among National Geographic News's most visited coverage of 2010 discoveries.
Top Ten Videos of 2010: Nat Geo News's Most Watched
November 29, 2010
You watched, we noticed. See Nat Geo News's best videos of 2010, as measured by viewer interest—a fire tornado, a vampire squid, and more.
American Indian Sailed to Europe With Vikings?
November 23, 2010
Five hundred years before Columbus hit the New World, Vikings might have brought an American Indian woman home with them, DNA suggests.
Pictures: Oldest Dinosaur Embryos Show "Big Surprises"
November 16, 2010
The most detailed look yet at the 190-million-year-old babies reveal a lack of teeth, suggesting their parents may have cared for them, a new study says.
Pictures: 12 New Sphinxes Confirm Legendary Egypt Route
November 16, 2010
Long known from Egyptian texts, a storied stretch of the Avenue of Sphinxes has been confirmed by the discovery of 12 new sphinxes.
Billion-Pixel Image Tool Probes Science Mysteries
November 12, 2010
Ultra-zoomable panoramas give scientists new tools to explore prehistoric rock art, mysterious bee die-offs, and more. With interactives.
Early Cities Spurred Evolution of Immune System?
November 8, 2010
"Amazing" DNA results show benefits of hailing from areas of ancient urbanization, researchers say.
Giant Shrimp-like Sea Predator Was a Weakling After All
November 3, 2010
A shrimplike creature thought to be Earth's first great predator was actually more of a worm-eating wuss, scientists say.
Pompeiians Flash-Heated to Death—"No Time to Suffocate"
November 2, 2010
Ash may not have killed most of Vesuvius's victims after all. "There was no time to suffocate," says the lead scientist of a recent study.
"Mind-Boggling" Pictures: Goats Scale Dam in Italy
November 1, 2010
Yes, these viral pictures of goats clinging to an impossibly steep rock face are real. Get the facts behind the Internet rumors.
Headless Romans in England Came From "Exotic" Locales?
October 28, 2010
A mysterious cemetery filled with decapitated skeletons is offering hints that the victims lost their heads a long way from home.
Oldest Modern Human Outside of Africa Found
October 25, 2010
A fossil jawbone with a strong chin is upsetting conventional notions of when our ancestors migrated out of Africa, a new study says.
Odd Pyramid Had Rooftop Homes, Ritual Sacrifices?
October 21, 2010
Feasting on guinea pig, smelting copper, and perhaps sacrificing maidens, ''powerful individuals'' likely lived on a newfound Peruvian pyramid.
Pictures: Egypt Priest's Tomb Found Near Pyramids
October 19, 2010
Buried in a painted cliffside tomb, the ''purification priest'' Rudj-Ka likely lived about 4,350 years ago and served in a dead pharaoh's cult.
Fuzzy Critters' Crystallized Pee Changes Climate Record?
October 15, 2010
The crystallized pee of the rodent-like rock hyrax is filling in gaps in our understanding of climate change, experts say.
T. Rex Was a Cannibal, Bone Gashes Suggest
October 15, 2010
The formidable Tyrannosaurus rex had nothing to fear—except possibly its own kind, gnawed fossil bones suggest.
Giant Pterosaurs Could Fly 10,000 Miles Nonstop
October 15, 2010
Burned fat stores equal to a ''good-size human'' each trip, expert says.
Bejeweled Stonehenge Boy Came From Mediterranean?
October 13, 2010
A Bronze Age teen buried near Stonehenge may have been a wealthy visitor from 500 miles away, new research suggests.
New Strong-Handed Dinosaur May Shatter Assumptions
October 6, 2010
A new dinosaur species suggests giant, plant-eating dinosaurs may not have been so gentle, a new study says.
Video: 5-Foot Penguin Fossil Discovered
September 30, 2010
Scientists have found the fossilized remains of a giant penguin, believed to have stood about 5 feet tall, in Peru. Video.
Giant Prehistoric Penguin Found, Sported Splashes of Red
September 30, 2010
A new, 36-million-year-old Peruvian penguin species--the water king--swam in shades of red and brown, a new study says.
Trampling Skews Artifact Dates by Thousands of Years?
September 29, 2010
Sorry, archaeologists. A new study says animal footsteps might have made artifacts seem thousands of years older than they are.
Volcanoes Killed Off Neanderthals, Study Suggests
September 22, 2010
Eruptions may have wiped out our heavy-browed cousins, but we survived by being largely out of the line of fire, study suggests.
Two New Horned Dinosaurs Found in Utah
September 22, 2010
A giant with a supersized head and another sporting an array of "bony bells and whistles" were found in a "lost continent" in what is now Utah.
Pictures: Undersea Cave Yields Prehistoric Skeleton
September 17, 2010
Divers have retrieved one of the oldest skeletons in the Americas from a deep cave in Mexico—a 10,000-year-old young man.
Tyrannosaurs Were Human-size for 80 Million Years
September 16, 2010
T. rex may have towered, but for their first 80 million years, most tyrannosaur species were no bigger than humans.
Pictures: Giant Fossil Bird Found With Spiky "Teeth"
September 15, 2010
The newfound prehistoric species had a beak lined with jagged "pseudoteeth" and a 17-foot wingspan, scientists announced Wednesday.
Undersea Cave Yields One of Oldest Skeletons in Americas
September 14, 2010
Divers have retrieved one of the oldest skeletons in the Americas from a deep cave in Mexico—a ritually placed, 10,000-year-old young man.
Hunchback Dinosaur Found: Carnivorous "Camel"
September 8, 2010
The otherwise fearsome new one-ton predator, Concavenator corcovatus, sported an odd hunchback and scrawny "protofeathers," puzzling scientists.
Human Meat Just Another Meal for Early Europeans?
August 31, 2010
For early Europeans, cannibalism was just another way to eat—and the meals may have given new meaning to "brain food," a study says.
Ancient Sorcerer's "Wake" Was First Feast for the Dead?
August 30, 2010
First feast? Packed with tortoise "leftovers," the earliest known shaman's burial hints that the first villagers made peace by partying.
Giant "Terror Birds" Used Their Heads Like Hatchets
August 19, 2010
Standing up to ten feet tall, the prehistoric terror birds used their ax-like heads to chop their way to the top of the food chain, study says.
Friday the 13th Superstitions Rooted in Bible and More
August 13, 2010
They date back at least to ancient Roman times, but Friday the 13th superstitions won't be getting much of a workout this year. Luckily for triskaidekaphobia sufferers, today is 2010's only Friday the 13th.
Infant, Magma-Ball Earth Glimpsed Via Newfound Rocks
August 12, 2010
From a time when the world was a ball of magma, the rocks offer "the best possibility yet to understand the Earth's original composition."
Lucy the Butcher? Tool Use Pushed Back 800,000 Years
August 11, 2010
Newfound prehistoric leftovers suggest early human ancestors of "Lucy"'s species were using tools about 800,000 years earlier than thought, a new study says.
"Thor's Hammer" Found in Viking Graves
August 10, 2010
Seen as lightning repellent, "thunderstones" resembling the Norse god Thor's hammerhead were put in Vikings' graves for good luck, experts say.
Ancient Human-Bone Sculptors Turned Relatives Into Tools
August 9, 2010
In what's now Mexico, thousands of bone pieces from freshly dead corpses were made into housewares in the ancient city of Teotihuacan.
Pictures: Ancient "Cat Crocodile" Discovered
August 4, 2010
See features that made the newfound fossil crocodile Pakasuchus kapilimai unique: mammal-like teeth, a bendy back, and more.
Video: Prehistoric Croc Was Mammal-like
August 4, 2010
Fossils of an ancient crocodile show that it had mammal-like teeth and legs, and that it probably lived most of its life on land.
Fossil "Cat Crocodile" Had Mammal-like Teeth
August 4, 2010
With canines, molars, and a sliding jaw, the newfound fossil crocodile Pakasuchus kapilimai could do one thing no other known reptile can or could: chew.
Pictures: Human-Sacrifice Chamber Discovered in Peru
July 30, 2010
Built for the "presentation," in which prisoners' cuts filled cups with blood, an ancient chamber has emerged in Peru with burials intact.
Dead Sea Scrolls Mystery Solved?
July 27, 2010
Recent finds may help reveal who wrote the seminal scrolls. For starters, they may hail from the purported home of the Ark of the Covenant.
Pictures: Stonehenge "Twin" Revealed
July 23, 2010
See the ghostly images that revealed Stonehenge's sister site, how the new henge may have looked, the gear that got the job done, and more.
Stonehenge Had Neighboring, Wooden Twin—More to Come?
July 23, 2010
A stone's throw from Stonehenge, archaeologists have found a sister circle—hinting that such temples were once plentiful at the site.
Pictures: Odd Maya Tomb Yields Jeweled Teeth, More
July 21, 2010
Human fingers in stunningly preserved tamale bowls, jeweled teeth, monkey-head pottery, and more have been found in a Maya tomb, archaeologists say.
Bowls of Fingers, Baby Victims, More Found in Maya Tomb
July 21, 2010
With bowls of human fingers, a burned baby, and jeweled teeth, a Maya king's tomb is rich in oddities—and archaeological gold.
Wooden "Stonehenge" Emerges From Prehistoric Ohio
July 20, 2010
Built in prehistoric Ohio, "Woodhenge," like its British counterpart, was aligned with the summer solstice, new study reveals.
"Lost" Languages to Be Resurrected by Computers?
July 19, 2010
A new program has deciphered writing last used in Biblical times, a feat that may lead to the "resurrection" of mysterious ancient texts.
Human Sperm Gene Traced to Dawn of Animal Evolution
July 16, 2010
The gene responsible for sperm in all sexual creatures dates to the beginning of animal evolution—and may be a key to the elusive male birth control pill, a new study says.
Human Brains "Evolve," Become Less Monkey-Like With Age
July 12, 2010
The brain regions that grow the most as we age are the same areas that expanded the most during evolution, a new study says.
Pictures: Ancient Egyptian Tombs Found With False Doors
July 9, 2010
Two newfound ancient Egyptian tombs built for father and son boast false doors, boldly painted portals to the afterlife.
Pictures: Secret Tunnel Explored in Pharaoh's Tomb
July 7, 2010
Archaeologists have finally discovered what lies at the end of a tunnel leading steeply downward from a 3,300-year-old royal tomb.
New Leviathan Whale Was Prehistoric "Jaws"? (Pictures)
June 30, 2010
A newfound prehistoric sperm whale with giant teeth likely attacked other whales—and possibly giant sharks, scientists say.
Diver "Vanishes" in Portal to Maya Underworld
June 29, 2010
An explorer "disappears" into the floor of a pool sacred to the ancient Maya, and divers find the first known fossils in Belize. Video.
T. Rex Plodded Like an Elephant, Nerve Study Says
June 29, 2010
The mighty Tyrannosaurus rex didn't have the nerves—literally—to be a fast, agile killing machine, a new study says.
Aztec, Maya Were Rubber-Making Masters?
June 28, 2010
Ancient Mesoamerican cultures blended plant juices to make rubber bouncier or more durable, a new study says.
Fungi, Feces Show Comet Didn't Kill Ice Age Mammals?
June 22, 2010
Tiny balls of fungus and feces may disprove the theory that a space rock exploded over North America, triggering an ancient cooling event.
"Lucy" Kin Pushes Back Evolution of Upright Walking?
June 21, 2010
A newfound skeleton that was a male relative of "Lucy" supports the idea that walking upright evolved earlier than thought, a new study says.
Pictures: Pagan-Cult Worship Objects Found
June 16, 2010
A face-adorned cup and incense ritual stands are among more than a hundred intact idol-worship objects found recently in Israel, archaeologists say.
Photos: Human Sacrifices Found at Ancient China Complex
June 15, 2010
How better to say "bless this house" than by sacrificing horse or human? A new dig in China sheds light on the ancient practice's beginnings.
Prehistoric Europeans Hunted, Ate Lion?
June 14, 2010
Prehistoric Europeans were top hunters capable of taking down cave lions, a new study suggests, though the practice was likely extremely rare.
Giant Sea Reptiles Were Warm-Blooded?
June 10, 2010
Giant reptiles that ruled dinosaur-era seas might have been partly warm-blooded—giving them the faster metabolism of an aggressive hunter, a new study says.
World's Oldest Leather Shoe Found—Stunningly Preserved
June 9, 2010
At 5,500 years old, the "astonishingly modern" shoe was exceptionally preserved by sheep dung and dryness.
Sticky Rice Holds Ancient Chinese Buildings Together
June 8, 2010
Sticky rice has helped ancient Chinese buildings stand for centuries, says a new study decoding the mixture's "legendary strength."
Mammoth-Belch Deficit Caused Prehistoric Cooling?
June 3, 2010
By killing off woolly mammoths and other Ice Age megamammals, humans may have sparked a thousand-year cooling event, a new study says.
Eating Crocodile Helped Boost Early Human Brains?
June 2, 2010
A diet of crocodiles and other aquatic animals may have given early humans lots of "good fat," leading to bigger brains, a new study says.
Pagan Burial Altar Found in Israel
May 28, 2010
Wealthy pagans worshiped at the 2,000-year-old altar, which is adorned with carved bull heads, ribbons, and laurel wreaths, archaeologists say.
New Giant Flying Reptile Found; Hunted on Foot?
May 28, 2010
The 95-million-year-old pterosaur likely stalked prey on foot in the once lush Sahara, a new study says.
Oldest Human Species Found: May Have Been Cannibal?
May 26, 2010
Potential new species Homo gautengensis walked upright, looked somewhat apelike, swung from trees, and played with fire, study suggests.
Pictures: Massive Maya City Revealed by Lasers
May 20, 2010
Within days, lasers "stripped" away tangled rain forest to reveal a sprawling Maya city bigger and more advanced than anyone had imagined.
Headless Egypt King Statue Found; Link to Cleopatra's Tomb?
May 19, 2010
Unearthed at an Egyptian temple, the figure is likely of Egypt's King Ptolemy IV—suggesting a link to Cleopatra's tomb, dig leaders say.
Pyramid Tomb Found: Sign of a Civilization's Birth?
May 18, 2010
In the oldest pyramid tomb in Mesoamerica, jeweled royals, human sacrifices—and just maybe the birth of the Zoque civilization.
Neanderthals, Humans Interbred—First Solid DNA Evidence
May 6, 2010
Turns out most of us have a little Neanderthal in us, according to the first solid DNA evidence for Neanderthal-human interspecies mating.
Pictures: Ancient Egypt Crocodile Mummies Revealed
April 30, 2010
A crocodile's last meal and an ancient fishhook are among "exciting" details revealed by new CT scans of the 2,000-year-old mummies.
Dinosaurs Changed Their Feathers With Age
April 28, 2010
A dinosaur's odd switch from ribbons to quills suggests ancient animals experimented with a diversity of feather types, a new study says.
Noah's Ark Found in Turkey?
April 28, 2010
Explorers are "99.9 percent" sure they've found Noah's ark in Turkey. Others say the claim is all wet.
New Flying Reptile Discovered; Soared Over Dallas
April 28, 2010
The winged reptile had a jaw filled with needlelike teeth and likely fished from the shallow sea that once covered Texas, experts say.
Egypt Pictures: Roman-Style Mummy, Tombs Found
April 20, 2010
Dwarf? Woman? Girl? The occupant of a tiny, Roman-style coffin remains largely a mystery even as the burial hints at a golden past.
Prehistoric Mummies Poisoned
April 12, 2010
Arsenic-laced drinking water caused the demise of some of the world's oldest mummies, found in the harsh northern deserts of Chile, a new study says.
Pictures: New Human Ancestor Fossils Found
April 8, 2010
See the fossil skulls that helped identify the new human-ancestor species with an unprecedented mix of human and ape features.
"Key" Human Ancestor Found: Fossils Link Apes, First Humans?
April 8, 2010
Australopithecus sediba had human-like face and could walk well upright but was apelike in other ways.
Comet "Shower" Killed Ice Age Mammals?
April 7, 2010
A new model suggests a comet breakup wiped out North America's big mammals—and the debris might still be creating an annual meteor shower.
First African Amber Pictures: Thunder Fly, Wasps, More
April 5, 2010
Frozen in "time capsules" of fossilized tree sap, bugs and spores from the dinosaur era have been dug up at a site in Ethiopia.
New "Roadrunner" Dinosaur Found in China
March 31, 2010
Look out, Wile E. Coyote: A newfound fossil unearthed in China belonged to one of the fastest dinosaurs ever to roam the Earth.
Lead "Burrito" Sarcophagus Found Near Rome
March 29, 2010
The 1,700-year-old lead sarcophagus found in an abandoned city could contain a gladiator or a Christian dignitary, archaeologists say.
New Type of Human Discovered via Single Pinky Finger
March 25, 2010
Meet the uncanny "X-woman"—or more likely, X-child—whose pinky's DNA points to a whole new branch on the human family tree.
Tiny T. Rex Ancestors Achieved World Domination
March 25, 2010
"Mini-Me" versions of T. rex once dominated the globe, hints a new fossil that's the first tyrannosaur ancestor found in the Southern Hemisphere.
Feces, Bite Marks Flesh Out Giant Dino-Eating Crocs
March 23, 2010
Rock-hard feces and oddly bitten bones are helping to flesh out a 29-foot, dinosaur-eating croc.
New Dinosaur: "Exquisite" Raptor Found
March 19, 2010
A claw protruding from a desert cliff in China led to the discovery of one of the most complete raptor fossils ever found, scientists say.
"Hobbits" Had Million-Year History on Island?
March 17, 2010
Newfound stone tools suggest the evolutionary history of the "hobbits" on the Indonesian island of Flores stretches back a million years.
St. Patrick's Day 2010: Irish Shamrock Shortage & More
March 17, 2010
Fast facts for St. Patrick's Day 2010: the science behind the shamrock shortfall, the man behind the myth, and more.
51 Headless Vikings in English Execution Pit Confirmed
March 16, 2010
"FedEx" Fossil Amphibian Found in Pittsburgh
March 15, 2010
The toothy predator likely chased after giant cockroaches when Pittsburgh was near the Equator, a new fossil study says.
Headless Man's Tomb Found Under Maya Torture Mural
March 12, 2010
The tomb of a headless Maya man has been accidentally discovered beneath an ancient chamber famously painted with scenes of torture.
Stolen Sarcophagus Handed Over to Egypt
March 10, 2010
Confiscated by U.S. Customs agents in Miami, a brightly painted, 3,000-year-old sarcophagus was handed over to Egypt's antiquities chief, Zahi Hawass, on Wednesday. Video.
Ancient Corpses Ritually Dug Up, Torn Apart, Reburied
March 9, 2010
For 4,500 years in what is now Mexico, decomposing bodies were pulled apart and reburied, according to what may be the first evidence for ritual "double burials."
"Snowball Earth" Confirmed: Ice Covered Equator
March 4, 2010
But volcanoes would've made Earth more mud ball than snowball, scientists say.
Liberals, Atheists Are More Highly Evolved?
March 3, 2010
Evolution may have resulted in smarter people being more inclined to nontraditional values, a new study suggests.
Dinosaurs Ten Million Years Older Than Thought
March 3, 2010
The oldest known dinosaur relative—a dog-size, four-legged omnivore—pushes back the origin of dinosaurs to at least 243 million years ago, a new study says.
Snake Caught Attacking Dinosaur—First Fossil Proof
March 1, 2010
Entombed at the moment of attack, a fossil serpent and sauropod are the first solid proof that prehistoric snakes ate dinosaurs, a new study says.
Pictures: Snake vs. Dinosaur in New Fossil Find
March 1, 2010
See the first proof that snakes ate dinosaurs—a first-ever fossil dinosaur-nest scene showing a serpent at the moment of attack.
King Solomon's Wall Found—Proof of Bible Tale?
February 26, 2010
A 3,000-year-old defensive wall found in Jerusalem might be unprecedented archaeological support for a Bible passage on King Solomon.
"Vampire of Venice" Unmasked: Plague Victim & Witch?
February 26, 2010
A "vampire" unearthed in a mass grave near Venice was unusually old for the Middle Ages, suggesting she may also have been accused of being a witch, according to new research that includes a reconstruction of the medieval woman.
Ancient Horned Crocodile Found—Ate Early Humans?
February 25, 2010
A newfound species of fossil crocodile that reached 19 feet long attacked early humans in Africa more than a million years ago, a new study says.
Huge New Dinosaur Found via "Mind-boggling" Skulls
February 24, 2010
Four 105-million-year-old dinosaur skulls with surprisingly tiny teeth may give scientists a head start on understanding the biggest animals ever to walk the Earth, a new study says.
Pictures: Shipwreck Discovery Yields Ancient Treasure
February 24, 2010
The discovery of a 3,000-year-old shipwreck—complete with gold jewelry and raw materials to make bronze—suggests prehistoric Britain had international trade links.
Primitive Humans Conquered Sea, Surprising Finds Suggest
February 17, 2010
Prehistoric axes found on a Greek island show that seafaring existed in Mediterranean more than a hundred thousand years earlier than thought.
King Tut Mysteries Solved: Was Disabled, Malarial, Inbred
February 17, 2010
The "frail boy" needed a cane to walk, had history's earliest genetically proven case of malaria, and was sired by siblings, says a new DNA study of King Tut and relatives.
King Tut Was Disabled, Malarial, and Inbred, DNA Shows
February 16, 2010
The "frail boy" needed a cane to walk, had history's earliest genetically proven case of malaria, and was sired by siblings, says a new DNA study of King Tut and relatives.
Valentine's Day Facts: Gifts, History, and Love Science
February 10, 2010
Where did Valentine's Day come from? (Think naked Romans, paganism, and whips.) What does it cost? And why do we fall for it, year after year?
World's Biggest Snake Ate New Prehistoric Croc Species
February 5, 2010
A new, unusually small species of ancient croc found in Colombia was likely no match for the largest snake ever to slither across the Earth, a new study says.
True-Color Dinosaur Pictures: First Full-Body Rendering
February 4, 2010
See the woodpecker-like dinosaur that's made history as the first to be fully and scientifically colored—and the feathery fossil that spawned the new view.
Oddly Angled Teeth Make Masiakasaurus Stick Out
February 4, 2010
It had a long neck and tail, walked on two feet, and weighed about as much as a German shepherd. But the most unique feature of the newly discovered Masiakasaurus knopfleri is its teeth, some of which protruded from its jaw almost horizontally.
Lost Roman Codex Fragments Found in Book Binding
February 3, 2010
Scraps of paper recovered from a set of 16th-century books are from a compilation of 3rd-century Roman laws thought to have been lost to history, scientists say.
Birds Got Too Fat to Fly After Dinosaurs Vanished?
February 1, 2010
New "Destroyer" Dinosaur Found, Was T. Rex Relative
January 28, 2010
The 29-foot-long predator reigned over the U.S. West about 75 million years ago, rare dinosaur fossils from New Mexico reveal.
Pictures: Evolution of Dinosaur Art
January 27, 2010
See how science has changed the art of dinosaur illustration—from the addition of feathers to, as of today, the discovery of dinosaur pigment.
Dinosaur True Colors Revealed for First Time
January 27, 2010
Pigments have been found in fossil dinosaurs for the first time—taking "dinosaur color out of the realm of art and into the realm of science."
Pictures: Dinosaur True Colors Revealed by Feather Find
January 27, 2010
See the first ever scientifically colored dinosaur illustration—and get the facts on the feather-pigment discovery that made it possible.
Photos: Queen's Cat Goddess Temple Found in Egypt
January 21, 2010
An ancient temple filled with about 600 cat statues was built for the goddess Bastet by Queen Berenike II, say archaeologists who found the ruins under modern-day Alexandria.
Mammals "Rafted" to Madagascar, Climate Model Suggests
January 20, 2010
The ancestors of lemurs, fossa, and other Madagascar mammals got to the island aboard natural rafts, according to a new model of the ocean currents and prevailing winds that existed 50 million years ago.
Pictures: Dinosaur "Death Pits" May Be Fossil Footprints
January 19, 2010
Following in a giant dinosaur's footsteps could be fatal—but not for the reasons you might suspect. A new study suggests that death traps filled with rare raptor fossils may have been created when a behemoth strolled across ashy mud.
Dinosaur "Death Pits" Created by Giant's Footprints?
January 19, 2010
Chinese pits filled with an astounding array of small dinosaur fossils may have been created by a 20-ton behemoth wandering a volcanic landscape, a new study suggests.
Cleopatra's Eye Makeup Warded Off Infections?
January 14, 2010
Thick coats of black and green eye makeup partially made from lead may have boosted the immune systems of ancient Egyptians, a new study suggests.
Superlungs Gave Dinosaurs Competitive Edge
January 14, 2010
Homo Erectus Invented "Modern" Living?
January 12, 2010
Homo Erectus Invented "Modern" Living?
New T. Rex Cousin Suggests Dinosaurs Arose in S. America
January 8, 2010
The newfound, 215-million-year-old species suggests dinosaurs originated in what is now South America--and reveals the roots of the lineage that spawned T. rex and, eventually, birds.
Top Ten Dinosaur and Fossil Finds: Most Viewed of 2009
January 7, 2010
Large, "lost," or simply unusual, a bevy of prehistoric beasts were brought to life in National Geographic News's most popular paleontology stories of the year.
PHOTOS: 7 Major "Missing Links" Since Darwin
January 7, 2010
For the 200th anniversary of Charles Darwin's birth, National Geographic News asked leading scientist for their picks of the most important fossil evidence for evolution.
Early Whale Was Dwarf Mud-Sucker, Fossils Hint
January 7, 2010
Unearthed in southeastern Australia, the tiny, ancient whale likely captured its prey by slurping up mouthfuls of mud from the seafloor, scientists say.
PHOTOS: Oldest "Human" Skeleton Refutes "Missing Link"
January 7, 2010
See images of Ardi, the new human ancestor that could rewrite evolutionary theory.
Oldest Land-Walker Tracks Found--Pushes Back Evolution
January 7, 2010
Oldest Land-Walker Tracks Found--Pushes Back Evolution
"Lost" Amazon Complex Found; Shapes Seen by Satellite
January 5, 2010
Venomous Dinosaur Discovered--Shocked Prey Like Snake?
December 22, 2009
Jurassic Park may have had it partly right. Some raptors did have venom, though it was more stupefying than lethal, a new study suggests.
Prehistoric Pygmy Sea Cow Discovered in Madagascar
December 16, 2009
The fossil "water bushpig"—as the locals call it—fills in a gap between primitive land-dwelling mammals to today's aquatic sea cows, a new study says.
Ancient Tablets Decoded; Shed Light on Assyrian Empire
December 9, 2009
Meticulous ancient notetakers have given archaeologists a glimpse of what life was like 3,000 years ago in the Assyrian Empire.
Top Ten Archaeology Finds: Most Viewed of 2009
December 7, 2009
Vampires, pirates, ghost ships, skeletons—if it isn't Halloween, it can only be one thing: National Geographic News's annual lineup of our most popular archaeology coverage.