Neanderthal Rope!
Neanderthals made rope by 48,000 BCE indicating the raw cognitive abilities likely evolved on our common ancestor 440,000 years ago.
Pre-Sumer
Possible evidence for pre-Sumer advanced thinking.
Dispilio Tablet: European Proto-Writing
About 7,260 Years Ago someone created the Dispilio Tablet. Discovered in 1993 in the Neolithic Settlement of Dispilio in Greece. It is an ancient wooden tablet, etched with intricate symbols, yet to be deciphered,
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Sunghir Burial Site
The Sungir Burial Site, dating back to around 30,000 BCE, offers a remarkable glimpse into the lives of Upper Paleolithic humans in what is now Russia. The people of Sungir were part of a sophisticated hunter-gatherer society, living in the cold climate of the Russian Plain. They were highly skilled artisans and craftsmen, evidenced by
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Vinor Circular Building: a roundel
Europe, Czech Republic: The Vinor Circular Building, discovered in Vinoř, Prague, is a remarkable archaeological site dating back to approximately 900 years before the common Biblical creation date. This Neolithic structure, known as a roundel, consists of three concentric trenches forming a large circular enclosure with multiple entrances. With an internal diameter of about 55
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Cuban Underwater City: More Research Needed
The sea offers tremendous resources and stability. The rising and receding oceans continue to destroy the homes of many. How many unknown cultures in our vast history thrived on the coast for millennia? The site discovered off the coast of Cuba, also known as the “Cuban Underwater Pyramids,” includes pyramid-like structures and other geometric formations
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Fuente Magna Bowl: Forgery or Real?
The Fuente Magna Bowl, discovered in 1950 near Lake Titicaca, Bolivia, is a large stone vessel with intricate carvings. Unearthed by a local farmer, the bowl was later donated to a small local museum and eventually transferred to the Museum of Precious Metals in La Paz. The bowl features engravings that some claim resemble ancient
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Czeck: Dolní Věstonice Community
The Dolní Věstonice people thrived in a harsh Ice Age landscape. They built sturdy huts from mammoth bones, crafted intricate art, and developed symbolic expression. They honored their dead with elaborate burials and likely held spiritual beliefs. With early ceramics and resourceful hunting practices, they demonstrated remarkable adaptability and creativity, leaving behind a lasting legacy
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Ukraine: Mezhyrich Community
The Mezhyrich community thrived in Ukraine, living in huts built from mammoth bones. These resourceful people used mammoth skulls, tusks, and bones to construct shelters covered with animal skins. They engaged in daily activities such as cooking, tool-making, and socializing, showcasing a harmonious, bustling life. The nearby rivers provided resources and sustenance, while their sophisticated
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Olduvai Gorge Site: A Glimpse into Early Organizational Behavior
The Olduvai Gorge in Tanzania stands as a testament to early human ingenuity and foresight, illustrating a rudimentary form of organizational behavior that predates modern civilization. Utilized extensively over two million years, the site functioned akin to a “factory,” where early humans systematically crafted a variety of stone tools. They strategically selected specific locations that
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Upper Paleolithic Cave Art with Symbols
Earliest known symbol use in the Europe/Mediterranean zone. Dating back to around 40,000 BCE, the Upper Paleolithic cave art found across Europe presents a compelling narrative of early human communication and symbolic expression. Sites like Lascaux in France and Altamira in Spain feature elaborate depictions of animals, human figures, and abstract symbols that recur with
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World Population: 1.5 Million
Cognitive Revolution By 70,000 BCE. Population range: 500,000 to 2.5 million. Given the uncertainties and lack of direct data, the following are speculative estimates. Africa-Middle East: 50-60% or 600,000 to 1 million people Africa, being the origin of modern humans, likely had the highest population density at this time, particularly in Sub-Saharan regions which were
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Seasonal Settlements at Monte Verde
Earliest Known Semi-Permanent Settlement in the Americas: Located in the lush landscapes of southern Chile, Monte Verde marks one of the earliest known human settlements in the Americas. Dating back to around 14,800 years ago, this site provides compelling evidence of early human ingenuity and adaptability far from the commonly accepted Eurasian cradles of civilization. The
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Seasonal Settlements at Franchthi Cave
Earliest known seasonal settlement in the European Mediterean zone: Nestled in the Argolid region of the Peloponnese in Greece, the Franchthi Cave offers a unique window into the lives of early Europeans spanning from the Upper Paleolithic through the Mesolithic and into the Neolithic periods. For over 23,000 years, from about 20,000 BCE to 3,000 BCE,
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Seasonal Settlements at Klasies River Caves
Earliest known seasonal settlement in the Africa/Middle East zone: In the diverse and rich landscapes of what is now South Africa, the Klasies River Caves served as a vital seasonal haven for early modern humans. Positioned strategically along the coast, these caves were revisited across generations, suggesting a shared understanding among different groups about the
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Lebombo bone: First Lunar Phase Counter
Journalism has roots going back to early attempts to document. It matters because rumor is easy and verification is hard. Watch bylines. Trust reporting over journalist over opinion.
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Under Investigation: Yonaguni Monument
Possible lost city off Japan: Discovered in 1985 off the coast of Yonaguni, Japan, it has captivated archaeologists, geologists, and conspiracy theorists alike. Characterized by its monolithic, terraced structures, this submerged rock formation resembles architectural craftsmanship that some suggest could date back to around 8000 BCE, a time when global sea levels were significantly lower.
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Plaster Invented
The earliest known use of plaster dates back to around 9000 BCE, with evidence from the ancient site of Çatalhöyük in modern-day Turkey. Here, Neolithic inhabitants utilized plaster made from lime to coat the floors, walls, and even ceilings of their mud-brick houses. This early application of plaster represents a significant technological innovation, indicating a
Ain Ghazal Statues: Early Plaster Art
The Ain Ghazal statues, dating back to around 7200 BCE, are among the earliest known examples of human figures crafted from plaster, highlighting an advanced use of materials in the Neolithic period. This technique involved applying plaster, made from lime and powdered limestone, over a core of reeds and twine to create lifelike statues with
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Tell Abu Hureyra
Located in modern-day Syria, this is an important site because of the evidence demonstrating a likely pattern from hunter-gatherer to farming. It provides evidence of one of the earliest known villages. The leading interpretation is that they were settled in the area and practiced hunting and gathering before about 11,500 BCE. Around 11,500 BCE there
Göbekli Tepe Culture (11000 BCE to 8000 BCE)
Located in modern-day Turkey, Göbekli Tepe is one of the world’s oldest known temples. This site features massive carved stones and complex architectural structures that predate Stonehenge by some 6,000 years. The sophistication and scale of Göbekli Tepe suggest that the community was able to coordinate large-scale projects, indicating a high level of social organization
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