Osteopetrosis is a bone disease that makes bones abnormally dense and prone to breakage. Researchers have described several major types of osteopetrosis, which are usually distinguished by their pattern of inheritance: autosomal dominant, autosomal recessive, or X-linked. The different types of the disorder can also be distinguished by the severity of their signs and symptoms. … Read more
An ancient Roman villa — resplendent with beautifully preserved black-and-white mosaics — has been unearthed under a block of flats at the foot of the Aventine Hill. Archaeologists first exposed the remains of the home — a so-called ‘domus’ that would have belonged to members of the upper class — in Rome back in 2014. Hidden … Read more
Fire was used to make tools by our early human ancestors some 300,000 years ago, an analysis of flint blades unearthed in a cave east of Tel Aviv has revealed. Researchers from Israel studied stone blades, flakes and pot-lids from the Qesem cave — and discovered evidence that they had been exposed to controlled fires. Exposing … Read more
Five hundred-year-old excrement from Medieval toilets reveals how changes in diet since the 15th Century may have triggered diseases such as irritable bowels, allergies and obesity Researchers analysed deposits from two Medieval latrines from Latvia and Israel They identified various microorganisms from the guts of the toilets’ users The findings could provide a baseline to compare with … Read more
A stone head carved around 700 years ago that is thought to depict King Edward II has been unearthed during a dig at the former site of Shaftesbury Abbey in Dorset. Archaeologists said that ‘stunning’ find may once have formed part of a previously unknown gallery of sculpture of Kings and Queens within the grand building. The statues, … Read more
Anglo-Saxon teenage girl had her nose and lips cut off and may have been scalped in a gruesome act of punishment, skull unearthed in Hampshire reveals The skull was unearthed during an excavation in Oakridge back in the sixties Experts re-analysing the specimen found evidence of various horrific injuries Radiocarbon dating indicated that the skull dates … Read more
Hot springs may have been used by early human ancestors to boil food around 1.8 million years ago — long before they mastered cooking with fire, a study suggested. The Olduvai Gorge in northern Tanzania has produced some of the oldest remains of early human ancestors known to date, along with some of the tools they used. … Read more
Archaeologists have uncovered 13 completely sealed wooden coffins in the desert necropolis of Saqqara, Egypt, that date back around 2,500 years. Located 19 miles south of Cairo, the vast burial complex — which features the step pyramid of Djoser and flat-roofed tombs — served the ancient capital of Memphis. While thousands of sarcophagi have been found interred … Read more
Ancient hillfort ‘built by the mysterious Votadini tribe’ and dating back up to 3,000 years is discovered near the top of Arthur’s Seat by archaeologists Excavation is taking place atop the extinct volcano that overlooks Edinburgh Work began in March 2020, but was halted due to the coronavirus pandemic The settlement features thick stone walls … Read more
Magnificent stone remains of a 2,500-year-old royal palace from the time of the Kings of Judah are found carefully buried outside the walls of Jerusalem The remains included the ornate capitals that would have topped stone columns Experts are unclear why they were neatly buried when the rest was plundered When it stood, the palace would … Read more