Tag Archives: unearth

Archaeologists Unearth 2.75 Million-Year-Old Stone Tools in Kenya

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Archaeologists have unearthed Oldowan stone tools across three distinct archaeological layers at the Namorotuknan site, dated to roughly 300,000 years (2.75 million to 2.44 million years ago) within the Koobifora Formation in northeastern Turkana Basin, Marsabit District, Kenya. This discovery, indicating careful selection of rock materials, points to the sustained practice of toolmaking across epochs.

A 2.58 million year old stone tool excavated from the Namorotuknan ruins in Kenya. Image credit: Brown others., doi: 10.1038/s41467-025-64244-x.

The initial phases of toolmaking, which date back over 3 million years, emphasize percussion techniques that are prevalent in the human lineage and shared with other primates.

The practice of tool use associated with extractive foraging continues to be a notable aspect of certain modern primate species.

The earliest structured creation of sharp stone tools, referred to as Oldowan, has been documented at hominin sites in eastern Africa: Lady Gerar and Gona in the Afar Basin (2.6 million years ago), Ethiopia, and Nyayanga in western Kenya (2.6 to 2.9 million years ago).

Professor David R. Brown, an anthropologist at George Washington University and the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, along with his team, discovered stone tools across three archaeological horizons at the Namorotuknan site, estimated to be 2.75 million years ago, 2.58 million years ago, and 2.44 million years ago.

“This site tells an extraordinary story of cultural continuity,” Professor Brown remarked.

“What we observe is a long-standing tradition of technology rather than a singular innovation.”

“Our findings imply that tool usage might have been a more widespread adaptation among our primate ancestors,” stated Dr. Susana Carvalho, science director at Gorongosa National Park in Mozambique.

“Namorotsukunan offers a unique perspective into a transforming world: flowing rivers, fierce fires, expanding arid regions, and resilient tools.”

Stone tools discovered at the Three Horizons site at the Namorotuknan site in Kenya. Image credit: Brown others., doi: 10.1038/s41467-025-64244-x.

“For 300,000 years, the same tools have endured, possibly revealing the origins of our fundamental habit of using technology to adapt to change,” remarked Dr. Dan V. Parc Laurier, a researcher at GeoEcoMar, Utrecht University, and the University of São Paulo.

“Early humans showed remarkable consistency in creating sharp stone tools, reflecting advanced technology and knowledge handed down through numerous generations.”

Researchers have utilized volcanic ash dating, ancient sediment magnetic signals, chemical signatures in rocks, and microscopic plant remains to construct a broad narrative of climate change, providing context for the influence of technology on human evolution.

These toolmakers managed to persevere through significant environmental transformations. Their innovative technology facilitated new dietary practices, including the consumption of meat, transforming challenges into survival advantages.

“These discoveries indicate that humans had already mastered the creation of sharp stone tools by approximately 2.75 million years ago, suggesting that the inception of Oldowan technology is older than previously believed,” stated Dr. Nigas Baraki, a researcher at George Washington University.

Dr. Francis Forrest, a researcher at Fairfield University, added: “At Namorotuknan, cut marks connect stone tools with carnivory, indicating a diverse diet that thrived amidst shifting landscapes.”

“The record of plant fossils narrates a fascinating tale: the landscape transitioned from rich wetlands to fire-prone arid grasslands and semi-deserts,” noted Dr. Rahab N. Kinyanjui, a researcher at the National Museum of Kenya and the Max Planck Institute for Geoanthropology.

“Despite changes in vegetation, the production of tools remained consistent. This reflects resilience.”

of result Posted in today’s diary nature communications.

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Dr. Brown others. 2025. Early Oldowan technology flourished during Pliocene environmental change in the Turkana Basin of Kenya. Nat Commun 16, 9401;doi: 10.1038/s41467-025-64244-x

Source: www.sci.news

Scientists Unearth Fossils of Armored Spicomeras in Morocco

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“We were astonished by its unusual characteristics and how it differs from other dinosaurs, or even all known living or extinct animals,” stated Richard Butler, co-leader of the project and paleontologist at the University of Birmingham in the UK.

The chance to examine the fossils of Spicomelas was to “sway the spine,” Butler remarked.

It wasn’t only the project participants who were captivated.

“This is genuinely one of the most bizarre and unique dinosaurs I have ever encountered,” said Steve Brusatte, a vertebrate paleontologist at the University of Edinburgh, who was not part of the research.

“With spikes jutting out across its body, it resembles a kind of reptilian porcupine,” he mentioned on Thursday. “If you were a carnivorous dinosaur from the Jurassic period, you would definitely want to steer clear of this creature.”

Brusatte continued: “This exemplifies how much there is still to uncover. Prior to the discovery of these fossils, there was no indication that such a remarkable animal existed.”

Maidment, another co-leader of the study, emphasized the need for further research in Africa, noting that countries such as Morocco are untapped reservoirs for dinosaur exploration.

“It’s vastly underrepresented compared to other continents,” said a representative from the National Museum of History in London.

Maidment mentioned that the Spicomellus project, which commenced in 2018, encountered numerous challenges, including the Covid-19 pandemic.

The UK team was set to travel and collaborate with their Moroccan counterparts when British Prime Minister Boris Johnson declared the lockdown, resulting in a postponement of plans until 2022.

In spite of these obstacles, research initiatives have marked significant progress in Moroccan science.

“This research has significantly advanced Moroccan science. I have never encountered a dinosaur like this before. There’s still so much more to discover in this area.”

Source: www.nbcnews.com

Herpetologists Unearth Three New Frog Species in Peru

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Herpetologists have identified three new species of the Frog genus Pristimantis from the rugged, misty highlands of northwest Peru.

Pristimantis Chinguelas. Image credits: Chavez et al. , doi: 10.3897/evolsyst.9.148522.

To date, 619 species have been documented. Pristimantis is recognized as the most diverse group of amphibians.

This genus spans Central and South America, showcasing the highest diversity within the tropical Andes of Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru.

The newly discovered species include Pristimantis Chinguelas, Pristimantis Nunezcortezi, and Pristimantis Yonke.

“They are small and elusive,” remarked Dr. Jamen Chavez, a herpetologist at the Peruano de Herpetrogia Institute and the Centro de Ornitrogia y Biodiversidad.

“These frogs serve as significant reminders of the unknown aspects of the Andes,” he added.

All three species inhabit the páramo of the mountain ridge north of Abra de Portuilla, the lowest east-west route in the Peruvian Andes, along with the adjacent Elphin forest.

“Pristimantis Chinguelas is found on the cliffs of Cello Chinlinga, characterized by bodies accented with large, prominent nodules on each side. Their high-pitched calls resonate on damp nights,” the researcher noted.

“Pristimantis Chinguelas resides near a stream in the cool mountains of the regenerated forest. Its distinct black spots in the x-fossa and groin have been named in honor of ornithologist Elio Nuñez Cortez, a trailblazer for conservation efforts in the region.”

“Pristimantis Chinguelas, the smallest of the trio, was discovered amidst bromeliads at an elevation of about 3,000 m.”

“Exploring this area goes beyond fieldwork—it’s about immersing oneself in the wilderness, culture, and resilience,” shared Dr. Karen Victoriano Siguenas from the Institutes of Herpetrogia and Centro de Ornitrogia Biodiversidad.

“Many of these mountain ridges are isolated, lacking roads or featuring extreme terrain,” stated Dr. Ivan Wong, another herpetologist at the Herpetrogia Institute.

“Weather conditions can change dramatically within minutes, and the steep cliffs create significant challenges for every step taken.”

“It’s no surprise that very few scientists ventured into this region before,” he added, “which is precisely why so many discoveries remain to be made.”

The three new species are currently categorized as Data Deficient under IUCN standards, with scientists noting signs of habitat degradation, fire damage, and agricultural expansion.

“Cordilera de Juancabamba represents not just a remote region, but also a living archive of biodiversity and cultural heritage,” remarked Dr. Wilmer Aznaran, a forensic physician at Peruano de Herpetrogia and Centro de Ornitrogia Biodiversidad.

“We have barely scratched the surface of these riches.”

The team’s paper was published in the journal Evolutionary Phylogenetics.

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G. Chavez et al. 2025. Above: Three new species of terrestrial breeding frogs (Anura, Terrarana, Pristimantis) from the highlands of Cordillera de Juancabamba in northwest Peru. Evolutionary Phylogenetics 9(1):145-166; doi:10.3897/evolsyst.9.148522

Source: www.sci.news

Researchers unearth massive dinosaur tracks dating back 167 million years on the Isle of Skye

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Paleontologists have discovered 131 large theropods and sauropods in the formations of the central Jurassic Kirmalag at Prince Charles’s point, located on the northwest coast of the Troternas Peninsula in Sky.

A 167 million-year-old dinosaur trackway located at Prince Charles’s point on the Isle of Skye. Image credit: Blakesley et al. , doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0319862.

The rocks of Isle of Skye are rich in dinosaur footprints, providing insight into the distribution and behavior of dinosaurs at critical times of evolution.

The newly discovered footprint was left in the wavy sands of an ancient subtropical lagoon dating back to the mid-Jurassic period about 167 million years ago.

The footprint is 25-60 cm long and comes in two types. This is a round “Tyre-Size” track, made by three untidy trucks left by Bipedal: a carnivorous theropod, a tetrapod, and a long-necked sauropod.

Based on comparisons with previous fossil discoveries, the most likely truck maker is Megalosaurus Similar to early branching members of the Neosauropod group CethiosaurusBoth are known from British skeletal ruins.

According to paleontologists, many of these footprints occur together in successive steps.

The longest of these trackways is over 12m, among the longest known examples from the Isle of Skye.

The spacing and orientation of these trackways represent slow walking without consistent orientation or interaction with each other, and what is probably left by the dinosaurs is casually crushed at slightly different times.

The site at Prince Charles’s point supports previous evidence that the Jurassic Sauropod frequently visited Scottish lagoons.

However, this site contains a higher percentage of theropod tracks than similar locales, perhaps indicating differences in the environment between these ancient lagoons.

The site also does not have footprints from other dinosaurs such as Stegosaurus and Ornithopods, but it remains unclear whether these animals really do not exist in this environment or simply did not leave a mark on this site.

“Prince Charles’s footprint at points provides fascinating insight into the behavior and environmental distribution of meat-eating theropods and plant-eating long-necked sauropods during key periods of evolution.”

“In Sky, these dinosaurs obviously preferred shallow, submerged lagoon environments to muddy air exposed.”

“Interestingly, this site also has historical significance as a location for Skye, where Prince Bonnie landed and hidden while flying through Scotland following the Battle of Culloden.”

Discoveries are reported in a paper Published online in the journal PLOS 1.

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T. Blakely et al. 2025. A new central Jurassic Lagoon margin assembly of theropod and sauropod dinosaur trajectories from the Isle of Skye, Scotland. PLOS 1 20(4): E0319862; doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0319862

Source: www.sci.news

Archaeologists unearth ancient 4,000-year-old copper dagger in Italy

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Archaeologists have unearthed a rare dagger dating back to the Copper Age in the Tina Giama cave in Trieste, a decentralized region in Italy’s Friuli-Venezia Giulia region.

A 4,000-year-old copper dagger discovered in Italy’s Tina Giama Cave. Image credit: Davide Bonaduce.

ancient copper dagger Tina Jama Cave It is just under 10 centimeters (4 inches) long and has a spiny leaf shape.

The artifacts were discovered by Professor Federico Bernardini, head of excavations and archaeologist at Venice’s Ca’ Foscari University, and colleagues from Italy and Slovenia.

“Although there are no exact parallels for such finds in Italy, the Tina Jama dagger can be compared with a similar find from the famous Dejman/Deshman pile-dwelling site near Ljubljana, Slovenia. ” said Professor Bernardini.

“During the Tina Jama excavations, we discovered Bronze Age and Final Chalcolithic strata dating back to the second half of the 3rd millennium BC,” added archaeologist Dr. Elena Regissa of the Archaeological Institute of the Slovenian Academy Research Center. Slovensk University of Sciences and Umetnost.

“This discovery is essential for understanding the technological, cultural and social transformation of Europe at the time.”

“The excavations will increase our understanding of various cultural aspects of the third millennium BC in the Caputo-Adriae region.”

“The discovery of the copper dagger is an unusual event that calls into question the use of the cave.”

Archaeologists also discovered a structure made of slabs and stone blocks built between 2000 BC and 1500 BC at the entrance to the cave.

“The purpose of this structure remains unclear, but human skull fragments found nearby suggest that it may have had a funerary function,” the researchers said.

“Or maybe it was built to protect the inside of the cave from storms.”

“The ceramic materials recovered at the site and the presence of a hearth indicate that, before this structure was built, this cave was frequented in the late 3rd millennium by a group whose material culture was closely connected to the Dalmatian region. BC (Cetina culture). ”

Researchers also found flint arrowheads, long blades made from the same material using pressure techniques, polished stone axes, obsidian, stone and ceramic objects, and shell ornaments.

“This evidence suggests that this cave has been visited for thousands of years and holds promise for future excavation efforts,” the researchers concluded.

Source: www.sci.news

Archaeologists unearth ancient Pompeii temple adorned with blue walls dating back 2,000 years

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Italian archaeologists have unearthed the so-called Sacramento in Pompeii, the ancient Roman city frozen in time after the devastating eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD.

A 2,000-year-old sacramental vessel discovered in Pompeii, Italy. Image courtesy of Pompeii Archaeological Park.

The newly discovered sacrarium – an ancient temple used for ritual activities and storing sacred objects – covers an area of approximately 8 square meters.

The chamber was excavated in the center of Pompeii by Dr. Gabriel Suftriegel and his colleagues from the Pompeii Archaeological Park.

“Against the blue background of the wall, two female figures are depicted on either side of a central niche,” the archaeologists said in a statement.

“The figures in the side niches represent the horae, the four seasons, while the figures in the central panel represent an allegory of agriculture and shepherding, shown with the symbols of the plough and pedum (a short staff used by shepherds and hunters).”

“The blue color seen in this room is rarely seen in Pompeii frescoes and was usually used in more elaborately decorated rooms.”

In the sacristy, researchers found 15 transport amphorae and a set of bronze objects, including two jugs and two lamps.

They also unearthed large amounts of ancient building materials that can be used in the renovation work.

“A pile of empty oyster shells was found by the front door. The shells had probably been crushed into small pieces and added to the plaster or mortar,” the scientists said.

“The room was found in a building located on the southern side of a block (insula) belonging to the secondary area of the larger domus,” the researchers added.

“The structures discovered include a bathhouse, which is still being excavated, and a large reception room decorated with black frescoes overlooking a courtyard with a staircase leading to the first floor of the complex.”

“These excavations are part of a wider project aimed at strengthening the boundaries between excavated and unexcavated areas and improving the hydrogeological structure in order to more effectively and sustainably protect Pompeii’s vast archaeological site (more than 13,000 rooms in 1,070 residential units, public areas and sacred sites).”

Team paper Published in Electronic Journal Scavi di Pompei.

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Gabriel Suchtriegel others. Nostalgia Land: District 9 of Pompeii, 10 Sacred Sites on the Island. Electronic Journal Scavi di Pompeipublished online June 3, 2024

Source: www.sci.news

Archaeologists unearth ancient fishing hook in Indonesia

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Many individuals engage in fishing for both sustenance and recreation in modern times. Ever pondered about the origins of fishing? While fishing has been a part of human history for centuries, the limited discovery of ancient fishing hooks poses a challenge in uncovering the details of past fishing practices.

Although fishhooks dating back over 20,000 years have been unearthed, those found on coastlines or excavation sites older than approximately 12,000 years are scarce. However, recent discoveries by researchers from Australia and Indonesia have shed light on this subject.

In Makupang Cave on Indonesia’s Alor Island, a significant collection of 239 fishing artifacts estimated to be up to 15,000 years old was uncovered. Most of these artifacts date back to a period between 11,000 and 13,000 years ago, including 218 fishing hooks and fragments. Makpan, located on the southwest coast of Alor, was identified as a convenient storage spot for ancient fishing equipment due to its proximity to the sea, even during periods of lower sea levels, such as the last ice age approximately 25,000 years ago.

During excavations at Makupang, the research team carefully removed accumulated layers of soil and dust to uncover the ancient fishing hooks. The sediment from the cave entrance was meticulously examined through a 1.5-millimeter mesh sieve. Other fishing remnants, including hooks and fragments, were recovered and analyzed under a powerful microscope to determine the ancient techniques used in their production.

The researchers identified various types of hooks, including jab hooks, rotating hooks, and sinkers, as well as possible fishing lures. These hooks, ranging from 9 to 50 millimeters in size, were predominantly crafted from shellfish such as limpets, Rokia, and turbo. By studying the tool collection, researchers could discern the process of hook-making, which indicated multiple craftsmen involved in the production.

The discovery in Makupang Cave is considered remarkable due to the abundance of fishing artifacts found, surpassing previous finds from the same period by more than five times. Ongoing research at the site is anticipated to offer further insights into ancient fishing practices.

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Source: sciworthy.com