Extreme cooling caused extinction of early humans in Europe
Study led by the University College London (UCL) suggests that an extreme cooling period approximately 1.1 million years ago likely contributed to the extinction of early human populations in Europe.
Chimú Culture constructed 10 km wall to protect capital against El Niño events
Archaeologists conducting a study of the Muralla La Cumbre, a 10 km wall in northern Peru, have concluded that the Chimú Culture constructed the wall to protect the capital of Chan Chan against El Niño events.
Arid regions of South Africa were once home to ancient lakes
Recently discovered evidence supporting the existence of ancient lakes in remarkably dry areas of South Africa indicates that Stone Age humans may have inhabited a more extensive range across the continent than initially believed.
Periods of prolonged droughts caused downfall of Indus megacities
A new study by the University of Cambridge has found new evidence locked away in stalagmite formations in a Himalayan cave, suggesting that the downfall of the Indus megacities was caused by periods of prolonged droughts.
Libyan archaeological sites in danger due to coastal erosion
A study published in the open-access journal PLOS ONE, reveals that escalating coastal erosion poses a threat to the preservation of archaeological sites located along the Libyan shoreline.
Lessons for a secure food future can be drawn from the Medieval ‘Green Revolution’
Archaeologists aim to uncover how societies in the Western Mediterranean region overcame environmental obstacles and sparked a 'green revolution' that lasted for a millennium.
Ancient mummy labels help to reconstruct climate of Roman Egypt
A project funded by the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF) is using mummy labels to help reconstruct the climate of Roman Egypt.
Tree ring study suggests drought encouraged Attila’s Huns to attack the Roman Empire
A study of tree rings suggests that the Hunnic peoples migrated westward across Eurasia, switched between farming and herding, and became violent raiders in response to severe drought in the Danube frontier provinces of the Roman Empire.
Ancient footprints found on UK beach
Archaeologists and geographers from the University of Manchester have discovered hundreds of ancient animal and human footprints on a beach in Merseyside, England.
Archaeologists give new insights into final blow of autonomous Ancient Palmyra
Archaeologists conducting a study to estimate the maximum productivity of the land around Palmyra are revealing new insights that questions the historical narrative.
Sustainability of the Nile since the construction of the Aswan Dam
For thousands of years, the people of North Eastern Africa have relied on the Nile River as their primary source of life sustaining water.
Early humans were drawn to Kalahari during water-rich periods
Evidence of water-rich periods in the Kalahari attracted early humans, according to a new study published in the journal PLOS ONE.
Connections between climate change and civil unrest among the ancient Maya
An extended period of turmoil in the Maya city of Mayapan in Mexico was marked by population declines, political rivalries and civil conflict.
Climate change reveals archaeological treasures in melting ice
Melting ice patches across Norway are revealing archaeological treasures from thousands of years ago that are under threat from climate change.
Droughts in the sixth century paved the way for Islam
Extreme dry conditions contributed to the decline of the ancient South Arabian kingdom of Himyar.
