Ancient history

Frescos from famed Etruscan tomb go on display in Rome after multi-million euro purchase by Italy

The Italian state spent €15 million on a series of celebrated frescoes found in the central hall of the tomb, which were painted between 340 and 320 BCE.

People look at the newly acquired Tomb of Francois, a 4th-century BC masterpiece bought last month by Italy's Culture Ministry for 15 million euros, at the National Etruscan Museum of Villa Giulia in Rome, Italy, June 30, 2026.
"A historical overview of gambling in the Middle East, from ancient civilizations to modern regulation."

A historical overview of gambling in the Middle East

Mosaic showing Alexander the Great on a horse, June 25, 2026.

Turkey places site of Alexander the Great’s first battle with Persians under historic protection

Cave from Lower Paleolithic era found south of Haifa, June 11, 2026.

WATCH: A Paleolithic time capsule: Rare prehistoric cave discovered near highway outside of Haifa


Sparta and Athens: History's wartime lessons for a modern-day Israel - analysis

As Netanyahu evokes "super-Sparta," Israel may be repeating the mistakes that left both city-states devastated after decades of war.

Repulse of Pyrrhus from Sparta', 1890. Pyrrhus, in retreat at the Siege of Sparta, 272 BC from Spartans defending their city under command of Areus I. From "Cassell's Illustrated Universal History, Vol. I - Early and Greek History", by Edmund Ollier.

Study: Oldest mummies predate ancient Egypt by 6,000 years

Researchers analyzed 54 skeletons from 11 sites, detecting prolonged low-temperature heating and tightly bound 'fetal' postures consistent with deliberate processing before burial.

Smoked mummies kept in private households in Papua, Indonesia, photographed in January 2019.

Ancient lentils in the canary islands survived 2,000 years, DNA shows

Genetic analysis reveals indigenous cultivation practices and crop continuity dating back to the 3rd century CE.

Lentil plant grown at Fuerteventura.

Older than Neanderthal rites? New papers double down on the Homo naledi burial hypothesis

Researchers say remains of at least 15 individuals in the Rising Star cave were deliberately placed and quickly covered by sediments, countering claims of accidental deposition.

A facial reconstruction of Homo naledi.

Three new 7.7-million-year-old elephant skulls unearthed in Turkey

“This year we can talk about the year of the elephant. From 2018 until now, we had identified two skulls, but only this year did we find three” described an archeologist.

Illustration: The skull of an asian elephant.

'Palm-sized predator' with outsized teeth rewrites lizard origins

Scientists used the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility to X-ray the tiny fossil and reveal high-resolution details.

An illustration of the newly discovered lizard ancestor.

9,500-year-old communal hall uncovered at Çayönü, reshaping our understanding of Neolithic society

“The fact that the floor paint was renewed at least four times shows that the building was periodically re-functionalized and used” said an archeologist.

The Çayönü excavation area in 2020.

Under La Rambla's makeover, a 50-meter stretch of Barcelona's 14th-century defenses is revealed

Archaeologists documented a pentagonal tower, flood deposits at 3.5 meters, and the burial of a small donkey surrounded by bronze needles.

Excavations of the ancient wall in Barcelona’s La Rambla.

Ancient Cemetery Reveals Unique Burial Practices with Insect Jewelry

"The discovery of a Phyllobius viridicollis beetle ornament in a cremation grave shows diverse use of organic materials in funerary rites and, with dandelion pollen, helps date the burial season."

Contemporary representation of the beetle and the remains found.

The oldest organ in Christendom plays again after 800 years of silence

Archaeologists found 222 bronze pipes, bells, and other objects hidden by Crusaders. Built in 11th-century France for Bethlehem's Church of the Nativity, the organ will go to Terra Sancta Museum.

Dr. David Catalunya with the reconstructed organ.