Scientists Discover Ancient Pottery Contains a Magnetic “Clock” That Can Reveal Its Past
Scientists discovered a magnetic “clock” in ancient pottery that could help museums distinguish real artifacts from modern fakes.
archaeology
Ancient Inca Complex with Surprisingly Advanced Ventilation System Uncovered High in the Andes
High in the Andes, archaeologists working at an ancient pre-Hispanic settlement have uncovered evidence of sophisticated ancient technology.
Scientists Investigating a 17th-Century ‘Vampire’ Grave Discover Something Unprecedented
Scientists investigating a 17th-century "vampire" burial uncover evidence the mysterious grave may have been reopened after burial.
A Lost English “Ghost Village,” Long Hidden Beneath One of England’s Largest Reservoirs, Has Mysteriously Resurfaced
The remains of a “lost” English village hidden beneath the waters of an English reservoir for more than half a century have resurfaced.
“No One Has Seen Anything Like It Before”: Mystery Surrounds Ancient Stone Structure Unearthed in Scotland
Archaeologists report the baffling discovery of an unusual stone structure containing human remains near Dornoch in northern Scotland.
2,500-Year-Old Mystery Surrounds a Larger-Than-Life Discovery Unearthed by Archaeologists in Turkey
Archaeologists have uncovered a massive discovery—and an all new mystery—at the site of an ancient lost city in western Turkey.
Mobile Hypersonic Spaceports, a Manhattan-sized “Ice Island,” and a Lost City Surfaces in Egypt
This week, a commercial space company reveals a game-changing new launch capability, satellites capture the formation of a Manhattan-sized "ice island," and much more.
Lost for 1800 Years, a Mysterious Altar Linked to an Ancient Roman Cult Resurfaces as Drought Drains Europe’s Rivers
An unexpected discovery by archaeologists has revealed an ancient cult object in the suddenly shallow waters of one of Europe’s longest rivers.
A New Discovery at Göbekli Tepe Could Reshape Our Understanding of One of the Ancient World’s Most Perplexing Sites
The enigmatic Neolithic site of Göbekli Tepe in Turkey, home to some of the world’s earliest advanced megalithic construction and sophisticated symbolic art, continues to surprise archaeologists.
Scientists Have a Plan to Detect Exotic Aliens, New Gamma Wave Glasses, and an Ancient Roman ‘Megastructure’ Resurfaces
In this week's stories from The Debrief, we look at how scientists have a plan that could help find alien life, and other science and technology stories in the news.
Archaeologists Have Unearthed a Rare and Mysterious Runestone at an Ancient Site in the Faroe Islands
An ancient runestone has been discovered on the floor of a structure being excavated by archaeologists at Sondum on Sandoy.
Mysterious Ancient Inscriptions Decoded, a Phobos Photobomb, a New Time Crystal, and New Evidence of Neolithic Technology
This week, we look at archaeologists decoding mysterious stone inscriptions, a rare cosmic alignment over Mars, and more stories in the news.
These Curious Ancient Greek Artifacts Have Extraterrestrial Origins—Why They Vanished 3000 Years Ago Remains a Mystery
New evidence suggests high-status individuals in ancient Greek society wore jewelry with origins that were literally out-of-this-world.
Mysterious Engravings on Rare 9,000-Year-Old Projectiles May Reveal a Forgotten Symbolic Tradition in Ancient Anatolia
A collection of unusual 9,000-year-old engraved projectiles reveal the existence of a mysterious ancient symbolic tradition.
Deep in a Spanish Cave, Archaeologists Discovered a Puzzling Set of Ancient Inscriptions—Could They Be Evidence of a Mysterious Subterranean Cult?
A remarkable collection of ancient inscriptions within a cave in eastern Spain is providing archaeologists with deep new insights into the ancient religious practices it once housed.
Antarctica’s Unusual Islands, 5,000-Year-Old ‘Sophisticated’ Egyptian Technology, and a 1.4-Million-Year-Old Fossil Surprise
This week in stories we're covering at The Debrief... recent NASA satellite imagery, archaeological discoveries, and more are in the news.
How Did Fish Suddenly Appear in the Empty Waters of Ancient Norwegian Lakes? A 7000-Year-Old Archaeological Discovery Provides the Answer
7,000-year-old fish traps reveal the clues to the longstanding mystery of when fish were initially placed in high mountain Norwegian lakes.
An “Impossible” Physics Breakthrough, Hannibal’s Elephants, and an “Unusual” Underwater Archaeological Discovery
This week in stories we're tracking at The Debrief, we look at an "impossible" physics breakthrough, the mystery of Hannibal's elephants, and more.
2000-Year-Old Evidence of a Cult Shrine to Odysseus, the Legendary Hero of Homer’s ‘Odyssey,’ Has Been Uncovered at Ithaca
Archaeologists have uncovered evidence of an ancient cult site devoted to the legendary hero of Homer's epic poem, The Odyssey.
A Solution to a Famous Feynman Problem, ‘Psychedelic’ Breathwork, and an Odd Stone Sphere is Unearthed
This week, a famous physics problem is solved, along with new insights into psychedelic states and an archaeological discovery "unlike anything previously documented."
Mysterious Stone Sphere Unearthed at Ancient Site in Azerbaijan Baffles Archaeologists, Raises New Questions About Neolithic Technology
A stone sphere unearthed at an archaeological site in Azerbaijan is reportedly unlike anything previously documented in the South Caucasus.
Major New Study Uncovers “Hemisphere-wide Evidence” Challenging Past Views on How Ancient Americans Survived
A new study challenges the idea that ancient Americans were diverse hunter-gatherers, arguing instead that they were highly specialized big-game hunters.
Archaeologists Opened a Chinese Lord’s 2,600-Year-Old Tomb—and Discovered Dozens of “Deactivated” Metallic Artifacts
Why were dozens of bronze artifacts discovered within an ancient Chinese tomb "deactivated" at the time of their placement?
Surprising Evidence of a ‘Lost’ Ancient City is Emerging from Beneath the Sands of Egypt’s Western Desert
Archaeologists have found the remains of an ancient 'lost' city in Egypt’s western desert, Ministry of Antiquity officials have revealed.
One of the Ancient World’s ‘Seven Wonders’ Resurfaces, a Red Planet Photo Op, and an “Impossible” Artifact
This week, The Debrief looks at the rediscovery of one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, a stunning new image of Mars, and much more.
“We Don’t Have Any Records So Far”: Archaeologists Discover Ancient ‘Monolith’ in Mexico Unlike Anything Previously Seen
Archaeologists in Mexico report the “unprecedented” discovery of an unusual monolith and pre-Hispanic ruins unlike others in the region.
Ancient Romans Buried Secret Coin Hoards Across Europe and Never Retrieved Them—Now Archaeologists Finally Know Why
Scholars may have solved an enduring archaeological riddle: why ancient Romans concealed massive coin hoards and never returned for them.
Lost for Centuries, One of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World Has Been Rediscovered, and is Now Rising from the Mediterranean Sea
After more than seven centuries, the third-longest-surviving of the seven ancient wonders is rising again, offering archaeologists clues to the appearance and construction of this historic marvel.
2,700-Year-Old Assyrian Artifact Made from Odd Material Should Have Been “Impossible” to Craft with Ancient Tools, Archaeologists Say
Archaeologists have unearthed an artifact they say should have been "impossible" to craft using techniques available to artisans in the Near East nearly 2,700 years ago.
Tiny Artifact Found by Metal Detectorist Complicates the Story of Sutton Hoo, May Rewrite the History of Early English Metallurgy
A chance discovery is challenging archaeologists’ understanding of one of England’s most famous archaeological sites.
“This is Far from an Ordinary Burial”: Archaeologists Have Made Rare Discoveries in an ‘Elite’ Siberian Grave
A burial site uncovered by archaeologists in southern Siberia has revealed a series of unusual discoveries.
This Unusual Artifact Resembling a TV Remote Could Reveal the Oldest Evidence of Numerical Calculation in Mesoamerica
Archaeologists have discovered an unusual artifact they say could represent the earliest known use of written numbers ever discovered in Mesoamerica.
2,600-Year-Old Underground Discovery Reveals a Mysterious Ancient Structure Hidden Below Egypt’s Nile Delta
A curious recent discovery has revealed a promising new underground archaeological find at the ancient site of Buto in Egypt’s Nile Delta.
An Explorer Vanished Searching for a ‘Lost Civilization’ in the Amazon—Now Archaeologists Think They May Have Found It
Advancements in archaeology made with LiDAR and other technologies are revealing evidence of a "lost civilization" in the heart of the Amazon.
Mysterious Artificial Islands in Scotland Have Long Perplexed Archaeologists—A New Discovery Reveals Clues to Their Ancient Origins
Scattered throughout Scotland’s ancient lochs, curious structures known as crannogs have long intrigued archaeologists and historians.
5,500-Year-Old Discoveries in a Remote Mountain Cave Reveal Evidence of Prehistoric Industry Linked to the Dawn of Metallurgy
Strange green stones, possible hidden burials, and other discoveries have been made in a remote cave high in the Pyrenees mountains.
4,500-Year-Old Discovery on a Remote Island Could Change Everything We Know About Ancient Nautical Technology in the High Arctic
A discovery by archaeologists on a remote island in the High Arctic could upend past thinking on ancient seafaring technology.
Stonehenge Mystery Deepens as New Study Reveals Altar Stone’s 466-Mile Journey Across Ancient Britain
New study reveals how Stonehenge's Altar Stone may have traveled hundreds of miles across prehistoric Britain before arriving at the monument.
A Massive 6000-Year-Old ‘Mega-Structure’ Unearthed by Archaeologists Reveals Links to a Mysterious Early European Culture
A massive discovery in northeastern Romania has revealed links to a curious ancient culture from ancient Eastern Europe’s Neolithic and Chalcolithic periods.
Hidden in a Croatian Cave, Archaeologists Have Made a Perplexing Discovery They Say “Remains Open to Interpretation”
Archaeologists in Croatia have made an unusual discovery at an ancient ritual site along the country’s southern coast.
An “Impossible” Crystal, 8000-Year-Old Lost Technology, and a Radical Approach to Solving Consciousness Mysteries
This week, an "impossible" crystal formed during a historic nuclear blast, 8000-year-old technology "lost to history," and radical approches to solving consciousness questions are in the news.
14,500-Year-Old Evidence of Human Presence in South America? Experts Fire Back at Controversial Study Challenging Age of Chile’s Monte Verde Site
Experts have responded sharply to a controversial study published earlier this year challenging the age of Chile’s famous Monte Verde site.
11,000-Year-Old Major Discovery in Canada Could Challenge “Everything We Thought We Knew” About North American Prehistory
A major archaeological discovery at Sturgeon Lake First Nation in Canada is challenging long-held ideas about life in early North America.
This Ancient Roman Artifact’s Weird Properties Point to Evidence of 1600-Year-Old Nanotechnology, Scientists Say
Scientists have revealed a precocious nanotech discovery involving an ancient Roman artifact that predates the modern development of nanotechnology by an astounding 1,600 years.
Webb Spies a “Super-Earth,” an Ancient Surprise in the Pyrenees, and the “Cyclops” of Our Evolutionary Past
This week from The Debrief, scientists have successfully characterized several surface features on a nearby "Super-Earth," along with other recent discoveries in science and technology.
A Mysterious 4000-Year-Old “Lost” Writing System Has Finally Been Decoded, in a Modern “Rosetta Stone” Breakthrough
An ancient mystery has been solved by a French archaeologist who successfully cracked the code to an undeciphered Iranian writing system.
Great Pyramid Construction Theory Reveals New Link to Mysterious “Void” Within Egypt’s Largest Ancient Megastructure
New research into how the Great Pyramid of Giza was built may offer clues about a mysterious void within Egypt’s largest monument.
12,000-Year-Old Discovery at Karahan Tepe, “the World’s First Village,” Reveals an Ancient Key to Human Survival
New discoveries at Göbekli Tepe’s enigmatic sister site, Karahan Tepe, reveal a major clue to how these ancient Neolithic innovators thrived.
Time Mysteries, Radio Signals from Beneath Antarctica, and the Recovery of a “Lost” Ancient Manuscript
This week, time could hold the key to resolving quantum mysteries, researchers have determined the source of strange radio signals emanating from beneath Antarctica, and more.
These Weird Medieval Artifacts Are Helping Archaeologists Unearth the Hidden World of Human Senses in the Middle Ages
New research reveals how curious medieval artifacts are helping uncover the hidden world of sensory experiences in the Middle Ages.