From ancient DNA analysis to cutting-edge lidar technology, archaeologists made groundbreaking discoveries in 2024.
This past year was an exciting one for archaeology, with scientists using cutting-edge technology to learn about humans and our close extinct relatives. The array of tools available to archaeologists is impressive. One is lidar (light detection and ranging), which involves shooting lasers from an aircraft to map the ground's topography, which was used to discover ancient settlements hidden deep in the Amazon rainforest in January.
Meanwhile scientists studying a Neanderthal's crushed remains in Shanidar Cave in Iraqi Kurdistan analyzed the proteins in the deceased's tooth enamel and found that she was female, which helped experts create a facial reconstruction of her. Another technique that yielded a treasure trove of new information this year is ancient DNA analysis, which can show how humans are related to one another and which features they had. For an ice age baby boy in Europe, DNA revealed he had a somewhat common appearance at that time — blue eyes, dark skin and curly dark-brown to almost black hair, a September study found. Even plain old metal detecting — often by amateurs — revealed stunning finds, including the discovery of a silver hoard from the Viking Age, 300-year-old coins hidden by a Polish con man and Roman cavalry riding gear. However, a few stories stand out above the rest. Here are my top picks for 2024. 'An offering to energize the fields'Our coverage of mass child sacrifice in a pre-Incan culture in Peru was the most read archaeology story on Live Science in 2024. This child sacrifice site is actually one of many found in Peru from the Chimú culture, which thrived in the region from the 12th to 15th centuries and is well known for its textiles and art. In previous coverage of a similar sacrificial site, an archaeologist told Live Science that the Chimú viewed death, people's roles in life and even the cosmos differently. It's possible that the Chimú saw sacrifice as the only way to save their culture from destruction
Archaeology Ancient DNA Lidar Neanderthals Child Sacrifice
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
2024’s Biggest Xbox Series X Exclusive Gets Biggest Discount Yet2024's biggest Xbox Series X exclusive is currently 35 percent off on the Microsoft Store for a limited time.
Read more »
See How and What You Photographed in 2024 With Google Photos’ 2024 RecapGoogle Photos' new AI-powered year-in-review, 2024 Recap, shows users how and what they photographed in 2024.
Read more »
Bill Skarsgård's Rotten Tomatoes Cold Streak Is Officially Over Thanks To Acclaimed Upcoming Horror MovieBill Skarsgard in the posters for The Crow (2024), Boy Kills World (2024), and Nosferatu (2024)
Read more »
A monster diamond, ancient lipstick and erotic Roman frescoes: 15 remarkable discoveries of 2024From a marble god stashed in a sewer to a mysterious ancient object whose use has been lost to time, the best archaeological and art historical finds of the year were uncovered by professionals and amateurs alike.
Read more »
Top 2024 Astrophysics DiscoveriesThis article highlights some of the most significant astrophysical discoveries and advancements made in 2024, showcasing the incredible progress in our understanding of the universe.
Read more »
iPad Mini (2024) vs iPad Air (2024): Which One is Right for You?Apple's 2024 iPad lineup includes a refreshed iPad mini and a new iPad Air with two screen sizes. This comparison helps you decide between these two popular models.
Read more »