Archäologie

A 59,000-year-old tooth from a Siberian cave reveals that Neanderthals drilled into cavities to treat decay. The discovery pushes back the origins of dentistry by tens of thousands of years. Researchers identified clear marks from stone tools on the molar.

13. Mai 2026 Von KI berichtet

New research indicates that humans repopulated the British Isles around 15,200 years ago, nearly 500 years earlier than previous estimates. The return coincided with a sharp rise in summer temperatures that transformed the landscape.

Researchers from the National Museum and the University of Copenhagen have deciphered over 4,000-year-old clay tablets, uncovering magic spells, royal records, and everyday bureaucracy from ancient Middle Eastern civilizations. The texts include rare anti-witchcraft rituals protecting Assyrian kings and a regnal list hinting at the historical existence of King Gilgamesh. One tablet even records a simple receipt for beer.

4. Mai 2026 Von KI berichtet

Researchers have traced Leonardo da Vinci's family across 21 generations, identifying 15 living male descendants for genetic analysis. The Leonardo DNA Project aims to reconstruct the Renaissance genius's genetic profile using Y chromosome matches. Excavations at a family tomb in Vinci, Italy, are underway to recover ancient remains for comparison.

Scientists analyzing sediments from a lake near the ancient Maya city of Itzan in Guatemala found no signs of drought during the period of population decline around 800-900 CE. The study suggests the collapse resulted from interconnected regional crises rather than local climate failure. Itzan maintained stable rainfall while neighboring areas suffered droughts.

22. April 2026 Von KI berichtet

Researchers have analyzed mitochondrial DNA from eight Neanderthal teeth found in Stajnia Cave in Poland, reconstructing the genetic profile of a small group that lived there around 100,000 years ago. The study, published in Current Biology, marks the first such multi-individual genetic picture from a single site north of the Carpathians. The findings show genetic links to Neanderthals across Europe and the Caucasus.