Archeology

January 6, 2025

18th-Century Angel Mural Hidden for Over 100 Years Is Being Restored at Boston’s Oldest Surviving Church

Constructed in 1723, Old North Church is the oldest surviving church in Boston. Beyond its age, the colonial building is renowned for the two lanterns hung from its steeple in 1775 by Paul Revere as a warning of the British army’s approach. Nearly 250 years later, the church is now gaining recognition due to a significant restoration project.

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December 22, 2024

King Arthur Site in England is Actually 4,000 Years Older Than Archaeologists Originally Thought

Situated on England’s southwestern coast, Cornwall is known for its rugged cliffs, breathtaking beaches, and rich history. King Arthur, a folkloric hero throughout the medieval literary tradition, is even said to have been born in the county. A renowned site once associated with the mythical king, however, has now been revealed to be more than 4,000 years older than archaeologists originally thought.

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December 11, 2024

Indigenous Elders Decode Ancient Rock Art Filled With Shamans Spiritually Transforming Into Animals

Archaeologists have finally deciphered the meaning of a series of prehistoric rock art images with the help of local Indigenous elders and ritual specialists. The Serranía de la Lindosa, a 12-mile-long sandstone outcrop in Colombia’s Guaviare department, is covered with thousands of red ochre paintings, some believed to date back over 11,000 years. For much of the last century, research in this northwestern region was obstructed by political unrest and inaccessibility.

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November 30, 2024

The Oldest Written Text in the World Is 5,500 Years Old

Nestled in the historical region of southern Mesopotamia, Sumer stands as the earliest known civilization. It’s no surprise, then, that the oldest written text can be traced back to Kish, an ancient Sumerian city in modern Tell al-Uhaymir, Iraq. Named after the location of its discovery, the Kish Tablet dates back to the Uruk period (c. 3500–3200 BCE), and features proto-cuneiform signs. Proto-cuneiform emerged in Mesopotamia and was largely rooted within a pictographic system.

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