A beet farmer in the Czech Republic got the surprise of his life last month when he unearthed a thin, crumpled sheet of gold that turned out to be nearly 2,500 years old. The ornate object was covered in dirt but well preserved, inspiring the farmer, who wishes to remain anonymous, to send photos to […]
Archaeologists in Ukraine recently uncovered a glut of arrowheads, spinning wheels and ceramic fragments that date to the late sixth century and early fifth century B.C., a time when Scythian nomads, renowned for their skill as mounted archers, occupied the area. The Scythians were a culturally related group of nomadic tribes that occupied large regions […]
The herpes virus behind cold sores may have first spread widely about 5,000 years ago, possibly due to the rising popularity of kissing at the time, researchers say. “Every primate species has a form of herpes, so we assume it has been with us since our own species left Africa,” co-senior author Christiana Scheib, a […]
The herpes variants that cause modern cold sores became widespread in the wake of bronze age migrations, and may have received a boost from the practice of kissing that came with it, researchers say. Scientists in Cambridge analysed the first ancient DNA specimens of herpes simplex virus and found that one variant overtook all others […]
Golfers are forever trying to avoid everything from bunkers, the rough and water to other players’ putting lines. In Lincolnshire the hazard was almost an incredibly rare telephone box-sized early bronze age coffin. Historic England on Friday revealed details of a remarkable discovery as works were being carried out on a golf course pond in […]
