Latest news with #EarlyBronzeAge
The Star
2 days ago
- Science
- The Star
5,500-year-old flint blade workshop uncovered in S. Israel
JERUSALEM, July 28 (Xinhua) -- Israeli archaeologists have uncovered an ancient flint blade workshop dating back about 5,500 years, near the southern city of Kiryat Gat, the Israel Antiquities Authority said in a statement on Monday. The site attests to an advanced industry, where skilled individuals produced Canaanite blades using sophisticated techniques, offering a rare glimpse into early specialization and social organization at the start of the Early Bronze Age, researchers said. A Canaanean blade is a long, wide blade made out of stone or flint, predominantly found at sites in Israel and Lebanon. While such blades have been uncovered in Israel's center and north, actual production sites are rare. The workshop was part of a large settlement that was inhabited for hundreds of years, from the Chalcolithic period through the Early Bronze Age. Excavations revealed hundreds of underground pits, some lined with mud bricks, used for storage, living spaces, crafts, and possibly ritual activity. The researchers said the long, sharp flint tools discovered at the site were used for butchering, cutting, and harvesting. Producing these blades required a high level of precision, possibly using a lever-based device to apply pressure to the flint, they explained. According to the researchers, the site may have served as a regional center for producing and distributing flint blades across the Levant, suggesting a society with well-developed economic roles and a structured community life far earlier than previously thought.
National Geographic
22-07-2025
- Science
- National Geographic
4,000-year-old victim was shot in the back—and survived with an arrow to the rib
A flint arrowhead lodged in a rib from a person who lived in the Spanish Pyrenees more than 4,000 years ago was most likely shot during a skirmish with a rival clan, researchers say. "It is direct evidence of a violent conflict episode," says Carlos Tornero, who led the team that unearthed the rib in a mountain cave 6,000 feet above sea level near the Spanish-French border. His team announced the finding July 8. Previous excavations at the cave—called Roc de les Orenetes, or "Rock of the Swallows" in Catalan—unearthed thousands of human bones. Some had fractures and cut marks apparently caused by stone-tipped spears, arrows, and copper or bronze axes and daggers. The researchers published their analysis of the bones last year and concluded the injuries came from conflicts with other groups. This latest finding reinforces that idea. The interior of the cave as seen from the entrance. Photograph by Leo Pérez, IPHES-CERCA "This extraordinary discovery is direct proof, and confirms our initial hypothesis," says Tornero, an archaeologist at the Autonomous University of Barcelona (UAB) and a researcher at the Catalan Institute of Human Paleoecology and Social Evolution (IPHES-CERCA). Little is known about who shot the arrow, except that they were probably from an enemy group who fought violently against the people later buried in the cave—in a dispute over territory, or perhaps access to resources. The researchers dated the violent episodes to between 2550 and 2150 B.C. Tornero says the victims in the cave were likely from a single clan of Early Bronze Age farming people; but their attackers may have been nomadic hunters. The archer shot this individual from behind so the arrow lodged in their back, within the rib cage but below the shoulder blade. "Undoubtedly, the person who was struck had little ability to react in time to avoid it," says Tornero. Excavation work at the Roc de les Orenetes site, where human remains dating to 2400 BC can be seen in the foreground. Photograph by Leo Pérez, IPHES-CERCA The moment of the discovery of a flint arrowhead with a broken tip, dated to 2400 BC. Photograph by Iván Ramírez, IPHES-CERCA Each arrowhead found in the cave was likely once embedded in the flesh of the dead people interred there, he says. But this individual did not die from their arrow wound—instead, the rib bone shows signs of healing that indicate the victim lived for a long time after their close encounter with death, Tornero says. Roc de les Orenetes was discovered in 1969, and the remains of 60 bodies—many bearing scars from battle—have since been unearthed there, although only one-third of the site has been excavated, according to Tornero. The newly found arrowhead is another indicator of the violent conflicts in prehistory, as well as final proof for Tornero that the ancient people buried at Roc de les Orenetes were sometimes the victims of violence—and may have been the perpetrators of deadly violence in return.
Wales Online
24-06-2025
- Science
- Wales Online
Bronze Age burial site found during dig in popular Cardiff park
Bronze Age burial site found during dig in popular Cardiff park A new structure containing cremated human remains has been discovered adjacent to an ancient roundhouse that is situated on the site Volunteers and students work to excavate the site (Image: Vivian Thomas ) During an archaeological dig under a popular Cardiff park in 2022, a roundhouse that dates back to around 1500 BC was discovered. It was an amazing discovery and is believed to be the oldest house at Cardiff. Last year's dig focused on excavating around the roundhouses to find out how people lived 3,500 years ago. You can read more here. Now, on its fourth dig volunteers have unearthed a Bronze Age burial site, just underneath a a popular playing field in Cardiff. The team behind Caerau and Ely Rediscovering (CAER) Heritage Project have once again returned to Trelai Park, where a new structure containing cremated human remains has been discovered adjacent to the roundhouse that was previously found. CAER is made up of a collaboration between Cardiff University, Action in Caerau and Ely (ACE), local schools, residents and heritage partners. Never miss a Cardiff story by signing up to our daily newsletter here . A number of pits have been located next to the foundations of this smaller building, with at least three containing a small amount of cremated human remains. Volunteers are now working to piece together the significance of the latest finds, which suggest the site could be more expansive than previously thought. The well-preserved roundhouse that was initially discovered two years ago dates back to 1500 BC. Last year, evidence of an even earlier roundhouse was found underneath it, suggesting the house had been replaced at some point. Article continues below There is also evidence of a timber circle further down, which experts believe may date to the Early Bronze Age around 2000-1600 BC. An aerial shot of the dig, now in its fourth year (Image: Vivian Thomas ) CAER co-director Dr Oliver Davis, who leads Archaeology and Conservation at the University's School of History, Archaeology and Religion, expressed his excitement about the discovery. He said: "The discovery of these cremations is hugely exciting and is yet another example of the rich history that lies so well preserved under Trelai Park. "This area, which we already knew was only 200 metres away from a Roman Villa, has clearly been an important place over thousands of years. "It's providing us with a window onto some of the very earliest Cardiff residents who were living here in Caerau and Ely over three millennia ago. The work now begins to carefully dig through each layer, sifting through the materials we are finding here on an hourly basis. It's a real team effort." Archaeology volunteers uncover Bronze Age burial site (Image: Vivian Thomas ) The excavation site at Trelai Park, commonly used by sports teams and dog walkers, is located just half a mile from Caerau Hillfort, a significant national heritage site where previous discoveries have uncovered Neolithic, Iron Age, Roman, and medieval artefacts. Alice Clarke, 36, from Caerau, has dedicated five years to volunteering with the CAER Project and is set to continue her passion by working at the CAER Heritage Centre post-excavation. She shared: "It's really fascinating. We've found a lot of quartz here so far. I will also work at the CAER Heritage Centre after the dig, cleaning all the finds that come in big bags. I love doing it. It's given me confidence – it's nice to get out and meet friends." A flint scraper found at this year's dig (Image: Vivian Thomas ) Hannah Secker, 19, hailing from Grangetown, recently completed her A Levels and aspires to delve into archaeology and ancient history at university. She said: "There is quite an exciting atmosphere here and everyone has been so welcoming. I had no archaeological experience before coming here and it's been great to speak to students about their degrees. It's unbelievable finding artefacts that could be 3,000 years old and thinking about the people that have walked on this ground before us." CAER co-director Dr David Wyatt also remarked on the discoveries made at Trelai Park: "The finds from Trelai Park just keep coming. When you piece these latest discoveries with the Roman Villa that's a short walk away and the more recent sporting history here, it's not difficult to argue that Trelai could be one of the most important parks for heritage in South Wales. "It really has all the potential to be a popular and thriving tourist attraction which could hugely benefit the local communities." Article continues below Mike Tate, headteacher of Cardiff West Community High School, just a stone's throw away from the site, remarked: "As a school we see real value with our links to this project. Our pupils learn about the history of the area in which they live and they, literally, get their hands on the past. The experiences through the project bring subjects in school to life and can ignite engagement for our pupils. We are really pleased to continue this work." There will be an open day at the heritage centre on Saturday, June 28, between 10am and 2pm. You can find more information here.
National Geographic
30-05-2025
- Science
- National Geographic
These 4,500-year-old rattles may be among the world's oldest toys
Clay rattles made in Syria about 4,500 years ago were designed to 'amuse and calm' infants, according to a new study. But some archaeologists think they were used in rituals to dispel evil spirits, or that they might have served both purposes. 'They have little handles that are too small for me, and I have quite small hands,' says archaeologist Mette Marie Hald from the National Museum of Denmark in Copenhagen. 'They are for infants or toddlers.' In the new study published in the journal Childhood in the Past, Hald and her co-authors describe artifacts kept by the museum after excavations of an ancient mound in Hama in Syria in the 1930s. The possible playthings are among the oldest toys in the archaeological record. (Who made these unusual ancient 'puppets'—and left them atop a pyramid?) Early excavations Many of the artifacts ended up in museums throughout the Middle East, including Syria's National Museum of Damascus. But the expedition members took some back to Denmark, where they were placed in storage until Hald and her colleagues re-examined them. The new analysis has established that at least 21 of the clay fragments come from rattles made between about 4,500 and 4,000 years ago, during the Early Bronze Age, when Hama was one of several ancient city-states in the region. Hald says part of one rattle had been misidentified as a 'sieve' because it contained holes; and the hollow handle of another was mislabeled as 'piping.' Examples of handles and bodies from the Hama rattle assemblage are superimposed over the outline of a complete rattle from another site in Syria called Al-Zalaqiyat. Photoillustration by G. Mouamar, the National Museum of Denmark Bronze Age rattles or wards against evil? The analysis shows the fragments are almost identical in style and size to an unbroken rattle found at an ancient cemetery a few miles north of Hama, named Al-Zalaqiyat, and to rattles from other Early Bronze Age sites now held at the museum in Damascus. Those rattles were filled with pebbles or small clay pellets, to make a noise when they were shaken—similar to some modern baby toys—and so the authors suggest they were designed for small children to play with. Some archaeologists have proposed that the rattles were 'apotropaic'—meaning the noise they made was designed to ward off evil spirits—or that they were used as musical instruments. But the study's lead author, archaeologist Georges Mouamar of the National Museum of Denmark and the French research agency CNRS, carried out experiments with the rattle from Al-Zalaqiyat and determined it was too small to have made much noise. 'It just made a tiny little sound,' Hald says. 'It wouldn't have been very entertaining as a musical instrument.' The Hama fragments were also found in what had been a domestic neighborhood, rather than a temple or a burial ground; and this strengthened the idea they were used by children, Hald says. The analysis also determined that the Hama fragments were made from the same distinctive mix of clays as commercial pottery from the ancient city—implying the rattles were made by professional potters for sale at street markets to parents. The Hama rattles seem well-finished, with intricate designs in pottery glaze that support the idea they were made by professionals, Hald says. Hama was a regional center during the Early Bronze Age, and so the rattles may have been mass produced there for sale elsewhere. Other types of rattles have been found in other parts of Syria and the Middle East—rattles shaped like animals, for example, are often found in northern Syria—and so it is likely local potters made them in locally popular styles, she says. Fragments of 4500-year-old baby rattles match the chemical makeup of other ceramic housewares from Hama. Photograph by John Fhær Engedal Nissen, the National Museum of Denmark The new study has stirred debate among experts over whether the Hama rattles and others like them served a ritual or playful purpose. Archaeologist Elynn Gorris of Belgium's University of Louvain, who was not involved in the study, is concerned that the Hama rattles, while small, would have been too large and heavy for babies to hold. But she allows that they would have been suitable for toddlers. Gorris notes that similar rattles have been found at archaeological sites in the Americas—including a similar rattle from California that may be up to 1,000 years old—where evidence indicates they were used traditionally in rituals and for making music, as they still are today. But 'this is not about wrong or right—this is an inclusive story,' she says. 'These could have been used by toddlers, but that doesn't exclude the fact that they could have been percussion instruments to keep rhythm for adults, for lullabies or for ritual songs.' Archaeologist Kristine Garroway, a professor at Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion in Los Angeles who has studied clay rattles from the ancient Levant, is 'very convinced' by the study's findings. But she also thinks the rattles may have had a 'dual use,' first as apotropaic devices to scare evil spirits from homes and then as noisemakers to amuse small children. 'These could have been used in multiple different ways,' she says. (What can we learn from a Bronze Age lunchbox?) If the rattles are toys, then they are some of the earliest that survive—other contenders include a 5000-year-old chariot from Turkey and a 4000-year-old stone head, possibly from a doll, from an Italian island. The fact the researchers are thinking about ancient children is important, notes Garroway: 'Children get overlooked in the archaeological record, [so] to even stop and think that children could have been using these objects is amazing.' For Hald, all the evidence indicates the Hama rattles were designed to keep small children entertained. 'Parents in the past loved their children, just as we do today,' she says. 'But perhaps parents also needed to distract their children now and then so that they could have a bit of peace and quiet to themselves. Today, we use screens, back then it was rattles.'
Miami Herald
23-05-2025
- General
- Miami Herald
From massive carvings to tiny rings: See archaeological finds from the week
The summaries below were drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All linked stories were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists. Throughout history, cultures have left behind a trail of breadcrumbs for archaeologists to follow. New sites and artifacts are found all the time, revealing forgotten secrets of the past. Here are some of the latest discoveries: Dig at ancient king's throne room unearths 26,000-pound carving. 'Spectacular' In Nineveh, Iraq, a team of archaeologists uncovered a 26,000-pound carving in King Ashurbanipal's throne room. This extraordinary relief depicts the king and several Assyrian deities, providing a glimpse into the religious and artistic culture of the Assyrian Empire. The find is linked to the reign of Ashurbanipal, known for his contributions to Mesopotamian culture. | Published May 14 | Read More | 1,200-year-old gilded cross found by metal detectorist in UK field. 'Remarkable' In Leeds, England, a metal detectorist discovered a 1,200-year-old gilded Saxon cross, offering a fascinating glimpse into the region's past. This stunning piece of metalwork, likely worn by someone of high status, reflects the religious identity of the time. | Published May 15 | Read More | 'Uncommon' 8-sided Roman ring — at least 1,600 years old — found in UK ditch In Lincolnshire, England, archaeologists unearthed a 1,600-year-old Roman ring from a drainage ditch. This eight-sided copper alloy ring, likely lost by its wearer, offers a tactile connection to the past. The find is considered uncommon and adds to the understanding of Roman presence in Britain. | Published May 15 | Read More | Legend about school in Mexico being an ancient cemetery turns out to be true In Zacatecas, Mexico, renovations at an elementary school revealed a historic cemetery, confirming local legend. The discovery included a wooden coffin and several burials, dating back to when the building served as a convent and hospital. | Published May 16 | Read More | 4,500-year-old baby rattles discovered in Syria — made from clay. See the toys In Hama, Syria, archaeologists discovered 4,500-year-old clay baby rattles, revealing insights into ancient childhood. These rattles, found in a neighborhood dating back to the Early Bronze Age, were likely used to entertain children, much like toys today. The discovery highlights the universality of parental care across millennia. | Published May 20 | Read More | McClatchy News continues to follow the discovery of intriguing archaeological discoveries from around the globe. Check back to see the latest finds.
