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Archaeology

Sterkfontein Caves reopened after safety upgrades
National
/ 21 April 2025

Sterkfontein Caves reopened after safety upgrades

The international landmark closed in 2023 after heavy rainfall caused soil movement that threatened safety

By Umamah Bakharia
The riddle of the missing genes
Opinion
/ 17 January 2025

The riddle of the missing genes

The roots of group violence in the deep past may explain the atrocities that are committed today

By Drew Forrest
Pottery dating reveals the origins of Venda
National
/ 22 August 2021

Pottery dating reveals the origins of Venda

Dating techniques have traced the origins of the Venda language and culture to Mapungubwe, where two distinct cultures merged at initiation schools.

By Sarah Evans
Human history on the verge of being wiped out by climate change
The Green Guardian
/ 29 May 2021

Human history on the verge of being wiped out by climate change

Cave drawings dating back more than 45 000 years are slowly eroding as temperatures and humidity fluctuate

By Boitumelo Kgobotlo
Inside the illicit trade in West Africa’s oldest artworks
Africa
/ 25 October 2020

Inside the illicit trade in West Africa’s oldest artworks

Nok terracottas are proof that an ancient civilisation once existed in Nigeria. Now they are at the centre of a multimillion-dollar, globe-spanning underground industry — and once again, Nigeria is losing out

By Lutz Mükke and Adie Vanessa Offiong
Our starch cravings date back to cave dwellers
Article
/ 31 May 2019

Our starch cravings date back to cave dwellers

​Starches have been dietary staples for even longer than we thought

By Matthew Taub
Class fluidity ruled in ancient Zim 
Article
/ 31 May 2019

Class fluidity ruled in ancient Zim 

A UCT academic has won a top award, highlighting the role of local researchers in uncovering Africa’s rich history

By Bongekile Macupe
Can you spell ‘man bun’ in Futhark?
Article
/ 18 January 2019

Can you spell ‘man bun’ in Futhark?

‘In fact, combs are among the most frequently discovered relic of Viking society, indicating that they paid a lot of attention to their hair’

By Shaun De Waal
Finding Rhapta, East Africa’s lost Roman-era city
Africa
/ 2 February 2018

Finding Rhapta, East Africa’s lost Roman-era city

Forgotten by history, the ancient city of Rhapta is among Africa’s most enduring archaeological mysteries

By Kevin Davie
Gaza Bronze Age remains disappearing under concrete
Article
/ 24 October 2017

Gaza Bronze Age remains disappearing under concrete

Archaeologists and preservation activists in the Gaza Strip have managed to halt the destruction of a Bronze Age site for now

By Laurent Lozano
‘The world must see our golden rhino’
Article
/ 25 August 2015

‘The world must see our golden rhino’

Considered the equivalent of Tutankhamun’s mask, this symbol of precolonial civilisation could leave South Africa for the first time.

By David Smith
Developers threaten cave of humankind
Article
/ 24 July 2015

Developers threaten cave of humankind

An important heritage site may be ruined if plans to build low-cost houses on its doorstep go ahead.

By Lyn Wadleyjhdwcm
‘Vampire’ skeletons dug up in Bulgaria
Article
/ 5 June 2012

‘Vampire’ skeletons dug up in Bulgaria

Archaeologists have unearthed two skeletons from the Middle Ages pierced through the chest with iron rods to keep them from turning into vampires.

By Staff Reporter
Curious about the past
Article
/ 22 March 2012

Curious about the past

Itumeleng Masiteng is passionate about archaeology because it is has no limit.

By Staff Reporter
No image available
Article
/ 5 April 2011

Europe’s ‘oldest readable writing’ found in Greece

A clay tablet over 3 000 years old that is considered Europe’s oldest readable text has been found in an ancient refuse pit in southern Greece.

By Staff Reporter
No image available
Article
/ 25 May 2009

‘Ida’s our Mona Lisa’

James Randerson and Ed Pilkington describe how the purchase of ‘Ida’ was a huge gamble for the scientist who secured the specimen.

By James Randerson and Ed Pilkington
No image available
Article
/ 15 August 2008

Largest known Stone Age burial ground found in Niger

United States archaeologists have discovered the largest known burial ground of the Stone Age in the Sahara Desert, in Niger.

By Staff Reporter
No image available
Article
/ 13 July 2008

Ancient bones may lead to TB cure

Ancient bones from the city of Jericho are to be used by British scientists to develop treatments for tuberculosis.

By Robin McKie and Toni O’Loughlin

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