25 Most Amazing Archaeological Finds

Amazing archaeological finds are changing what we know about the past all the time. These finds are altering timelines, teaching new things about religion, and grabbing attention around the world. Shoes are such an integral part of daily life that often they aren't thought about in terms of how they make life better or how long people have worn them. But the recent find of a 5,500 year old shoe is changing that. Made of leather, the shoe is made by wrapping the leather around the foot and then lacing it up the top of the foot, and is dated to around 3,500 BC. It is this shoe that is believed to have set the standard for shoes not only of ancient times, but modern shoes as well. Evidence suggests that people started wearing shoes 40,000 years ago, which led to adaptations of the foot and walking to better fit while allowing protection for the feet from elements and injury. The shoe was found in a cave in Armenia, where it had fallen, or been thrown, into a pit with sheep droppings. With closed toes and laces, the shoe was a step up from the rope sandals that may have been used and would fit approximately a men's size 7, while being worn by either men or women. When found, it had been stuffed with grass, though it is not known if it was for insulation being worn off, or if it was to keep the shape when not worn, or any other reason. Carpets are one way in which artists are able to present their designs, and within Islamic arts, they have a strong presence. Often they are made of silk or wool, and they were used as trading goods locally as well as across Europe and China, as they were in such high demand. Not only used as carpets, these handmade treasures were used as tapestries on walls, carpets and stop drafts from windows, or other areas of the home. The Ardabil carpet was made in 1539-1540 using silk and wool. It is named for the town in which it was made, Ardabil, Iran, and has a matching partner, as they were both made to adorn the floor in the shrine of Safi al-Din Ardabili during its expansion in the 1530s. Holding 340 knots per square inch, it is more than twice as dense as common carpets, and this makes it both high quality and comfortable but also more durable. Patterns throughout are intricate and highly detailed, using the dense knotting to include delicate stems and vines to connect the small flowers and include tiny details. The inscription includes the name of the creator and other details of the carpet. Viking treasure is rare and always has secrets to share. A silver brooch was found near Braintree, Essex, and it was determined to be connected to other Viking finds. Measuring 1 inch by 0.8 inches and 0.4 inches thick, the brooch is one of the first strong pieces of evidence that there was a Viking presence in England. The rectangle of silver was folded to create a smaller rectangle, and unfortunately split where the fold was located. It carries intricate decorations and repeating patterns, bordered with semi-spherical bosses with wire, and uses wires to hold any panels together. Other pieces that were found in the Curedale Hoard in 1840 had similar patterns and panels of bosses with the wire to connect, and this was in a large hoard of 8,600 pieces. Both are dated tentatively to the early 9th century and showing that the Vikings landed in areas that were previously unproven. Before the USA was officially declared a country, the Williamsburg Bray School, where the children of slaves attended, was open. It operated from 1760 to 1774 and followed the teachings of the Anglican Church, along with encouraging students to accept their life circumstances as they were. A trapdoor into the underground cellar was found on the grounds of the College of William and Mary's campus in Virginia. Measuring 36 feet by 18 feet, the cellar is a large space that contains many artifacts and records from the time which are said to be carefully excavated and studied to find the first information on any of the students. It is believed to have been several levels deep, and the first level was found to be almost 18 inches shorter than was first thought, with investigations to come on the difference. Broken pottery, pieces of slate pencils, buttons, jewelry, and other finds are creating a picture of what life was like for both students and teachers at the school. Several of the items are set to be on display on-site at the hall, while others will visit the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation for the Archaeology Center. In the growing country of Kyrgyzstan, dinosaur fossils have been found that are so rare it's gathering worldwide attention. Jurassic-era discoveries were found creating entirely new and previously unknown archaeological sites and encouraging excavations to continue. One site has been dated to 165 million years ago, and it contained a new species of theropod from the 30 dinosaur fossils that were found. Named Alpcaracus kyrgyzicus, was measured at 26 feet long, and is providing insight into missing information about both the time period and the evolution of the dinosaurs and animals relating to them. Skull bones, dorsal and pelvic vertebrae, pieces of the shoulder and forelimbs, as well as hind limbs were located and removed for study. It is believed to have been 17 years or older and almost fully grown. When compared to similar species it was determined to be carnivorous and is related to others such as the T. rex and dinosaurs who are similar to birds. In Croatia, a water pipeline installation has led to an amazing archaeological find when they came across wooden boat remains. The boat was dated to the 18th century and was found in Dubrovnik, Croatia, which is well known for being one of the filming areas for the TV show Game of Thrones. It was found around 30 inches under the ocean floor and has been dated using radiocarbon dating, confirming the 18th century as its time of build. The wooden ship is now being protected until it can be further researched and safely excavated. An excavation in Wales has unearthed over 2,000 year old Celtic artifacts. A group of military personnel found the artifacts under the airfield and the excavation has unearthed several artifacts that have been determined to be connected to another hoard that was excavated in the 1940s. Several horse-related items were found including bridles, a horse bit, tarot ring, and other gear, as well as parts of the chariot they would have pulled. Pieces of old chariots are a rare find and provide valuable information about their development and use during that time. There are some key points that can be determined from studying and dating a chariot when compared to other models of transportation in completing the timeline of progression of ancient cultures. Dating to 60 CE, the pieces that are used from the chariot to steer the horse are some of the most exciting parts of the find and they are surprisingly well preserved for their location. The area was at one time a lake and then became a peat marsh that was drained when the airfield was originally constructed. Along with the artifacts in the original find of the rest of the hoard included animal bones, bronze and iron objects that included weapons, tools, cauldrons, chains, and decorative pieces that were dated to 300 BC to 100 AD. It is believed the deposit may have been a sacrifice due to the broken swords and other items that were intentionally damaged beyond use. Burial practices are one of the ways in which a society shares its secrets from the past and a new discovery of bags in Germany have shed new light on Neolithic communities. In an excavation near Krauschwitz, leather bags were found buried with women and infants but not found in the graves of men. The bags were marked with dog teeth and are believed to have belonged to women who were with the teeth as decorations for the bags. While the leather itself has decomposed, the investigation continues of the hundreds of dog teeth to determine their purpose. From the positioning and where the teeth are connected and stitched, the bags would be 12 inches by 8 inches. The position of the bags with only infants and mothers have caused speculation that they may be baby carriers that allowed the moms to carry the hands free while they went about their day. They have been dated to the corded ware culture, which was common 4,500 years ago and was present in the area. The necropolis of La Lentinula outside of Andalusia, Spain, has grown with two newly discovered dolmens. Each is over 33 feet in length and have an outer ring of stones and an inner ring which marks the location of the burial. Currently believed to be from 4,000 BC, there will be further testing to confirm that date, as the location was also used in the Bronze Age, so there are artifacts from both time periods within the dig site. This combination of uses does offer a chance to see directly the differences between burial practices of the two different time periods and the types of grave goods, types of burials, and rituals that were involved. Additional research will be conducted as the archaeological excavations are ongoing, using advanced technology, including 3D scans and photogrammetry to determine what else can be discovered. Near a small village in Scotland, a stone was found that is carved with both letters of an alphabet and depictions of animals. It stands 47 inches high and 32 inches wide and dates to 500 to 700 BCE. It appears to have been made by the Picts, the indigenous people of Scotland, who were also known as the Painted People. The stone has named Old Kilmedoc Stone and uses the Ogham script alongside the depictions of a bull and pelicans. It was a cross slab and was found in what was considered to be a neutral zone between the Due to the inscriptions and size, it may have been a public monument that both represents Christianity with the cross and Pictish heritage with the inscription and images. Having been found in a cemetery, it is clearly meant for the public and may have marked the cemetery for what it was. A recently discovered fresco painting in Greece is being compared to depictions of the Virgin Mary and may be the inspiration for how images of her appear. It was found near Aegea in Greece and was dated to the 4th century BC in a small chamber located within a large complex that seems to have belonged to royalty. Damage and wear over time have left it unknown if she is holding a baby in the fresco or not, but she is seen wearing a veil and her facial features are and she is wearing blue clothing. Comparisons have arisen in the matching color and appearance to what the Virgin Mary is painted as wearing while holding the infant Jesus, and further research is ongoing to determine if there is a link. While it is suspected that this image was one of those that shaped the way in which Virgin Mary is depicted, there has not yet been definitive evidence. Other suggestions include that she is the depiction of an overall mother figure that represents all of the mothers of Greece at the time. Fossils are one of the main ways to learn about plants and animals from the past, but a newly discovered fossil in Utah is bringing more questions than answers. After studying, it was determined that this plant doesn't fit any of the known plant genus. Found near an old mine, it was originally believed to be related to ginseng, but was later found to be closely matched to a similar find at UC Berkeley. As the other specimen was further along in its development with leaves, flowers, and fruits, it was easily seen that it doesn't resemble ginseng, and the research continued. Having the stem with leaves and berries attached sets the specimen apart from others, as they are usually found separately, and offers new insight into the growth of the plant. Microscopes and digital enhancement has allowed for the inner anatomy of the fruit to be observed, and inside seeds were found. These details are providing a strong basis for testing and research, which continues in hopes the plant will be identified, creating a new genus or family of plants to discover. The Vistula River is the longest river in Poland, and it runs near many cities, including Warsaw. It was at this river that a medieval sword was found that is well preserved through the entire length, though may be missing the pointed tip. It was spotted from the side of the river by a fisherman who was out for a walk, and when Andrzej Korpikowicz found it, he reported it almost immediately after cleaning it off to see his discovery. The sword is rusted from centuries in the water, and it was found only due to the low water levels that allowed it to be seen. While many details are not yet known, it remains an almost full sword and hilt. It is suspected to be from the medieval ages, but dating has not yet been completed, and it contains a cross pate engraved on the hilt. A round pommel tops the sword. Suggestions for why the cross is present include connections to the Knights Templar, the Knights Hospitaller, and a maker's mark from the man responsible for creating the sword. Research is ongoing to learn more about the sword, including where it was made, when it was made, and who used it. Rice was an early item to be used in trade, and found its way around the world as an easy to store and use stable food source. A recent discovery is showing just how early it arrived in other countries, as early evidence of its presence was found on Guam from over 3,500 years ago. This discovery changes the time that it was expected rice arrived in the Pacific significantly, and will also change the beliefs on the local diet and food options, as well as access to trade. Evidence suggests that the rice was carried over from the Philippines over 1,400 miles, an impressive feat for the available navigation tools at the time. The difficulty of obtaining rice made it an important food item that would be saved for rituals or important celebrations. Evidence in the cave showed it was a common place for rituals, and rice was used often, found alongside pottery, pendants, and ornaments. Other caves nearby did not have the same items with them, but rather were found empty, and no residue of rice or other materials were found. Rare knives from bronze that were found in the Kazakhstan's Pavlodar region are thought to be from the Sakha period. They were dated to over 2,700 years ago, and were found at a burial site within a national park. It was determined that the bronze was found locally, and the techniques used to cast the knives showed how advanced the metallurgy skills were. These are the oldest bronze artifacts that have been found in the region, and adjust how early they believe that the skills were present. Further investigation of the site showed that beneath the bodies that these knives were buried with was another burial site used much earlier, and these discoveries together are shedding light on the burial practices and development of skills for those who were living in the area. The Amazon has secrets hidden that may never be found. However, one more has been discovered when a tree fell and unearthed seven burial urns. Rather than damaging the urns, the roots protected them, and they were surprisingly intact for their age. There were several skeletons found within the urns, some being human and others being animals. Each urn was made with an unfamiliar and rare ceramic that has yet to be connected with any of the known ceramics from the time. It is believed that the animal bones mixed with the human ones were done so for rituals, though it cannot be determined for certain as the culture has not yet been determined, and ongoing studies are taking place. Evidence suggests this may be from a multicultural society that was previously undiscovered, and it may offer insight into the way of life in the region. None of the urns had lids, suggesting organic material was used to seal the tops and it has disintegrated. They are believed to have been buried under homes, which are no longer present, based upon the manner of burial, including them being only 16 inches below ground. Green clay was used to coat the ceramic of the urns, which has only been seen in a few different sites within the same region. Near the German town of Delbruck, a Roman-era settlement was uncovered, and it is estimated to be from the 4th and 5th centuries AD. Within the dig site, there have been several buildings found, along with hundreds of smaller artifacts, including a well, post holes, pit houses, cremation graves, and over 750 other artifacts. Within the cremation grave, evidence of the cremation remained, including charcoal, cremated human remains, and burnt grave goods. One burial contained a spearhead, garment clasps, a comb made from bone, and a buckle that had an animal head on it, which is believed to have belonged to a Roman military member. A cattle trough, construction pit, and a three-foot-wide well were also found and excavated. It is the first find to confirm Roman presence during this time frame. Research into the objects will continue as the life of the residents during the time of Roman presence are pieced together with the artifacts left behind. Pompeii is an ancient city with endless secrets and seemingly endless artifacts. One of the most recent finds is a thermal bath, similar to a modern day hot tub, suggests the family was well acquainted with luxury and had the wealth to continue to live in it. When the city was stopped in time from a Mount Vesuvius eruption in 79 CE, this thermal bath complex also stopped in time. It is in the Regio IX region, which is right in the center of the city and was designed for large gatherings and dinner parties. It is at this time the largest private thermal complex that has been found, accommodating up to 30 people. Three of the rooms are heated, each to a different temperature. The caludarium would be entered first and is full of hot water. The tepidarium is next, where oil would be applied and the water is warm. Then the frigidarium would be filled with cold water to cool the body after the heated rooms. In addition, a changing room was supplied and had a stunning mosaic floor to upgrade the experience. Guests could also move easily into the dining room next door to continue the evening. The home itself was full of mosaic floors and fresco walls, with several rooms that have been excavated already and work in the city and in this home specifically is continuing. Record-keeping has changed many times over the years and a set of copper plates from a Muslim graveyard in Kodada village, India, is showing one way in which this was done in ancient times. Several sets, at this time nine, of rectangular copper plates have been found and on them are records of land transfers, royal land grants, and other details on running the region. One that has been determined to be the oldest record of the genealogy of the Kakatiya dynasty of 1000 to 1323 AD, granting them a village. Each of the plates are covered in Sanskrit and true to the location and time period and each contains details that were before unknown to historians. It was awarded to a family who had supported the ruler during his rise to power as a reward for their support. A eulogy has also been read on the plates and other details of land that was awarded during the same time. Land grants would often set the new lineage for tracking back the genealogy of families in the area and set up some families for wealth to pass down for generations while leaving others to find their own way. The plates have all been dated to approximately 1,000 years ago and they are remarkably well preserved, both maintaining their original color and easy to read with inscriptions that have not faded away. A set of fraternal twins found in a Roman cemetery in Croatia have been an ongoing question for those who found them. As they appeared to be healthy with no obvious signs of what had gone wrong in their short lives, it has remained unknown why or how they died. Having kept their secret for almost 2,000 years, new research is showing that lead poisoning played a role. The burial was unusual for several reasons, one of which being that it was a double burial with both of the twins in one grave facing each other. The cemetery is located in the city of Trogir, which was a Roman city around 47 BC and the burial was estimated to be during the 1st or 2nd century AD. This suggested that they passed at the same time, either within two months of birth or perhaps as stillbirths, but no determination has been made on those details. Further research and analysis has been undergone and shown metabolic disease and they may not have been able to access and use all of the nutrients their bodies needed, which can lead to scurvy and rickets. It is believed the mother may have been malnourished as well and unable to provide the needed nutrients. In addition, there is evidence to suggest that lead poisoning may have also been a key factor in the metabolic complications. The use of lead has been limited in many things due to the effect that it has on the body and those effects are often passed through the placenta and breast milk, which increases illness in the babies and can lead to increased miscarriages in the community. The Roman Empire has already been shown to have been drastically affected by lead poisoning due to the high levels that were used in their water pipes, cookware, food preservation, and when making wine. Funerary rituals are a common way to learn about a culture and they can be a common find in archaeological digs. In one such discovery, Roman burial rituals are being studied after finding a pig ritual in what was once the military home of over 5,000 Roman soldiers. The site is known as Legio and it was a military base from 117 to 300 CE, making funerary practices in the area common and necessary. A shallow pit that was found within the camp and near the burial site was found to be full of domestic pigs. Estimates suggest 13 pigs were in the pit. However, it was only specific portions including the jaw and teeth, but no complete skeletons. It is evident from the positioning of the bones that they were placed there intentionally and it was not an accidental occurrence. There were more lower jaws than upper, which has also been reported in similar situations in Jerusalem, and they appear to have been chosen for their age, all being 6 to 18 months. The symbolism of the pig to a Roman soldier was key in understanding this ritual, as they represented strength and masculinity, as well as being used as a necessary food source. It is believed that this sacrifice follows a known tradition mentioned in ancient texts as a purification ritual. Roman soldiers would seal an oath of loyalty with a pig sacrifice, which has been compared to the offering of a pig in a ritual meal to purify the burial area and honor the dead. A silver hoard that was found at the ancient city of Megiddo, which is well known for its rich history both in and out of the Bible. It contains 44 pieces of silver, including silver bars, pieces that had been cut, sheets, and silver wire. They were found within a room that was in the central area of the city in the 1930s, when it was believed to be connected to the Middle Bronze Age. However, recent re-examination has suggested that it is from the Late Bronze Age. Through further analysis with updated techniques, the age has been adjusted, and the chemical signature of the bronze aligns with the later years of the Bronze Age rather than the Middle. This change links the hoard to the Egyptian pharaoh Thutmose III and the conquest of the city in the 15th century BC, which provided them control of the city for 400 years afterwards. While there are records of the siege of the city, there has not yet been physical evidence to support that until this find. If these times are correct, this is the first and only evidence so far that the Egyptian Empire had entered and won the city. Within the country of Azerbaijan, the burial mound of what is believed to be a warrior king was excavated and has been dated to 3,800 years ago. The excavation and examination of the area has been ongoing for several years and is a joint project supporting summer schools for thousands of students participating. The Kurgan, or the tomb of the warrior king, measured at 92 feet wide and 6.5 feet high, and it contained the remains of one man who was 6.6 feet tall. In his hand was a bronze spearhead, and the weapon may represent an elite status in the military, with grave goods that also proclaim his importance. The burial chamber has three separate sections with the remains in one, 12 ceramic vessels in the second one, and an empty third section. Each of the vessels had bones from cooked animals within, which may have been offerings to help usher him into the afterlife. 6.5-foot limestone slabs were found above the burial, 14 of them, to cover the tomb and prevent looting and other access. Pericles was an important figure in ancient Greece. Born in Athens in 495 BC, he was ruler during the Golden Age of the city, and he was key in the development of the government and their democracy. A cup that he used was found in a tomb in Kyphoshea, Athens, and has been put back together for display at the local museum. The black cup had two handles and was thin-walled, standing 3.1 inches high, and has a list of names engraved into it. It had been found in 12 pieces, and after being put back together the names became legible. But only when the cup was upside down. Six names are found listed within a box on the side of the cup. Aristides, Diodotus, Diocemos, Eryphron, Pericles, Eucritos, and on the bottom is another name, Drapedus. As Eryphron is such a rare name and found so closely linked to Pericles, it is believed that is his brother, and that they shared the cup at a gathering with the other men on the list, and that they all engraved their names on the cup. With no way to prove who everyone was or when and why they had their names carved on a cup, this may be a mystery that remains unsolved. The Silk Road is one of the most known networks of trade routes that was used for moving goods between China and the Mediterranean areas. It was operating from the 2nd century BCE until the 15th century, and was named for the amount of silk that was moved from China to the rest of the world. Along the road were many Buddhist structures, but none matched the Amlok Dharastupa, which was once just short of the towering heights of the Roman Pantheon. Standing in Swat Valley, Pakistan, it was situated in a space that often created the boundary between empires, and was the location of many high-profile battles, including one with Alexander the Great. A new area of the building has been found during excavations, including the complex that surrounds the stupa. The stupa itself has been known about since the 1920s. It was built in the 3rd century, and was in use until the 10th or 11th, remaining very well preserved for how old it is. It was acknowledged at finding as one of the best preserved Buddhist sites in Gandhara. Excavations are finding statues or pieces of statues, figurines and other relics throughout the complex, which is a large square base surrounding the domed top and providing a thick protective layer around the inner chambers. Human remains are key to learning about the evolution of humans and the world around them, and the recent discovery of a human skull that is over a million years old is one example of this. It is the skull of a Yunxiang man, found intact at an excavation site in Xutangliangxi in Yongyang District, Xi'an City in central China. Due to how intact the skull is and the details of it, it is thought to be the most intact of its kind and age in Eurasia, providing a great opportunity for study and a wealth of information about people during that time.