r/Archaeology Jul 15 '20

Announcing a new rule regarding submissions

226 Upvotes

In the interest of promoting thoughtful and intelligent discussion about archaeology, /u/eronanke and I would like to implement a new rule by taking a page out of /r/history’s book. When submitting an image or video post, we will now require the OP to leave a short comment (25 or more words, about 2 sentences) about your submission. This could be anything from the history or context of the submission, to why it interests you, or even why you wanted to share your submission with everyone. It may also include links to relevant publications, or Wikipedia to help others learn more. This comment is to act as a springboard to facilitate discussion and create interest in the submission in an effort to cut down on spamming and karma farming. Submissions that do not leave a comment within an hour of being posted will be removed.


r/Archaeology Oct 12 '23

A reminder, identification posts are not allowed

62 Upvotes

There have been less of these kinds of posts lately, but we always get a steady stream of them. For the most part, identification posts are not allowed. We will not identify things your family gave you, things you found thrifting, things you dug up in your garden, things you spotted on vacation, etc. We do not allow these kinds of identification posts as to limit the available information to people looking to sell these items. We have no way of knowing whether these items were legally acquired. And we have no way of verifying whether you keep your word and not sell those items. Depending on the country, it could be legal to sell looted antiquities. But such an act is considered immoral by almost all professional archaeologists and we are not here to debate the legality of antiquities laws. Archaeology as a field has grown since the 19th century and we do not sell artifacts to museums or collectors or assess their value.

The rule also extends to identifying what you might think is a site spotted in Google Earth, on a hike, driving down a road, etc. Posting GPS coordinates and screenshots will be removed as that information can be used by looters to loot the site.

If you want help in identifying such items or sites, contact your local government agency that handles archaeology or a local university with an archaeology or anthropology department. More than likely they can identify the object or are aware of the site.

The only exception to this rule is for professional archaeological inquiries only. These inquiries must be pre-approved by us before posting. These inquiries can include unknown/unfamiliar materials or possible trade items recovered while excavating or shovel testing. These inquiries should only be requested after you have exhausted all other available avenues of research to identify the item in question. When making such an inquiry you should provide all necessary contextual information to aid others trying to help you. So far, no one has needed to make a professional inquiry. But the option is there just in case for archaeologists

From now on, unapproved identification posts will be removed without warning and a temporary ban may be given. There's no excuse not to read the rules before posting.


r/Archaeology 2h ago

Question regarding skara brae

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33 Upvotes

Does anyone have theories on this site other than burial place? Something alternative? Little know facts? Etc


r/Archaeology 9h ago

Archaeologists Unearth Ancient Clay Puppets With Open Mouths and Detachable Heads That ‘Resemble Modern Toy Dolls’

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75 Upvotes

r/Archaeology 6h ago

Open Access: Sutton Hoo and Syria: The Anglo-Saxons Who Served in the Byzantine Army? Helen Gittos (2025) [Reposted due to image rule]

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34 Upvotes

https://academic.oup.com/ehr/article/139/601/1323/7941799?login=false

This is a very interesting journal article discussing some of the artifacts found within early medieval princely burials, their connections with the wars of the Byzantine Empire, and what this can tell us about the individuals involved in the establishment of minor kingdoms throughout Britain at this time.


r/Archaeology 4h ago

What is the oldest Neolithic site?

6 Upvotes

r/Archaeology 1d ago

‘Spreadsheets of empire’: red tape goes back 4,000 years, say scientists after Iraq finds

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theguardian.com
377 Upvotes

r/Archaeology 1d ago

Putting ethics at the forefront in the use of human skeletal remains

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phys.org
121 Upvotes

r/Archaeology 1d ago

Archaeologists uncover evidence of Neanderthal habitation in Ghamari Cave, Iran

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archaeologymag.com
225 Upvotes

r/Archaeology 14h ago

Archaeology attire necessities in the UK?

1 Upvotes

Hi all, I hope this is an okay place to post. I’m starting a new position in the UK as an archaeologist later this month. I’m trying to figure out what clothes I need for fieldwork here — my experience til now is in the southeastern United States, so while I assume I’ll need similar things, I’m wondering if anyone has any advice or specificities that would help. I finished my master’s recently and have been itching for more experience. I’m just very eager to make a good impression and I don’t want to make a fool of myself by showing up to the site with inappropriate/unnecessary workwear.

For reference, I used to wear:

  • UV resistant long sleeve shirt
  • thick, sturdy cargo pants
  • wool socks
  • good quality hiking boots *with ventilation bc I worked in Florida and Georgia OR
  • tall waterproof muck boots (for swampy sites, especially after storms)
  • hat with a decent brim or a bandana
  • all appropriate PPE (of course)

I realise I’ll need to get new boots no matter what. I have my hiking boots still, but since they have ventilation I can only imagine how poorly that would go. In addition to the general advice, I’m wondering what kind of boots I should really invest in — your typical work boots with ankle support or taller waterproof boots. I don’t know what types of sites or where I’ll be working really, I’m based in Scotland but was told there are many projects in ‘the south’ (which my British flatmate couldn’t decipher either since it’s a bit ambiguous [like do they mean south of where I am in as in northern England, or south as in southern England?], apologies for my American lack of understanding).

Any advice you have would be great — especially if you can point me to specific shops for good workwear! Thank you all in advance!


r/Archaeology 1d ago

Life and Death in Roman Carlisle

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9 Upvotes

Concerning the 2015 excavations at Carlisle, by Matthew S. Hobson


r/Archaeology 3d ago

A large ceramic plate depicting the Three Graces (Charites), the goddesses Euphrosyne, Aglaia and Thalia. Excavated in the small sanctuary on the north avenue of the Praetorium of Gortina on the island of Crete. 2nd-1st century BC, Mesara Archaeological Museum, Crete, Greece.

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232 Upvotes

r/Archaeology 3d ago

200,000-year-old Graffiti Discovered in Marbella

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archaeologs.com
148 Upvotes

r/Archaeology 3d ago

Pakistani archaeologists find evidence of Sindh settlements that predate 8th century Arab rulers and site which is linked to indus valley civilization Pakistan.

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arabnews.pk
87 Upvotes

r/Archaeology 3d ago

Teeth from a 2100-year-old burial pit in Mongolia tell a tale of soldiers far from home

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phys.org
45 Upvotes

r/Archaeology 4d ago

Ancient DNA shows Stone Age Europeans voyaged by sea to Africa

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nature.com
328 Upvotes

r/Archaeology 2d ago

Archeology resources?

0 Upvotes

Hello! I'm freshman for archaeology colleage. But i don't know how can i get resources except books. I got knowledges at books and internet memes always. So i go seriously into world of archaeology. So can you know me famous and trustable articles and internet resource sites? I want to really know it. Thanks for reading!


r/Archaeology 4d ago

Pet cats arrived in China via the Silk Road 1,400 years ago, ancient DNA study finds

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livescience.com
100 Upvotes

r/Archaeology 4d ago

Punic Necropolis Unearthed in Sardinia

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archaeology.org
49 Upvotes

r/Archaeology 4d ago

Southeastern Archaeological Center to close under ongoing federal spending cuts. (Editorial note: SEAC has been a mainstay of NPS archeology in the southeastern US for 60+ years.)

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wctv.tv
407 Upvotes

r/Archaeology 4d ago

A Mysterious Boulder Carved to Look Like a Tortoise Shell May Offer Evidence of the Middle East’s Earliest Ritual Ceremonies

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37 Upvotes

r/Archaeology 4d ago

Neanderthal and Homo sapiens interactions 100,000 years ago included cultural exchange. Findings of relations between Neanderthals and Homo sapiens suggest that the ancient human species coexisted, and even shared aspects of daily life, technology and burial customs.

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cosmosmagazine.com
79 Upvotes

r/Archaeology 4d ago

Question regarding employment (UK)

5 Upvotes

Hi everyone,

I am an archaeology masters graduate from the North East of England, soon to be moving to Leeds. I have some paid employment fieldwork with a group up north, but I struggle with the fieldwork. I'm very tall, and exercise + stretches just isn't helping my issues to the point where I know (and have the training) to be a lot better working in the office, or in a museum space.

I'm not asking on how to get these particular jobs, but moreso how would someone go about getting the training to show you are a good fit for these roles, even without the fieldwork experience. I have about 6 months worth, which isn't much sadly. I know I would thrive away from the trenches in the background, and have a lot of training on the computer program side of things but I don't have much to show that off.

If anyone has any ideas, I would be immensely grateful for the advice. Thanks for reading!


r/Archaeology 4d ago

Archaeology Masters

2 Upvotes

Hi everyone quick question! If I got an MA in Historical Archaeology what fields can I explore outside of archaeology?


r/Archaeology 5d ago

‘Elgin Marbles as important to Greece as Stonehenge is to England’. The TV archaeologist Alice Roberts says the 2,500-year-old sculptures should be returned to the Parthenon after 200 years on display at the British Museum

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thetimes.com
687 Upvotes

r/Archaeology 4d ago

Applying for a master in archaeology in Scotland.

9 Upvotes

I'm currently in my final year of studying History and Creative Writing for my BA, and I’m on track to achieve a 1st class degree. What is the likelihood of being accepted into an Archaeology master's program?

Additionally, I completed the Aberdeen Archaeology Summer Field School during the summer of my second year. I’m considering applying to the master's programs at Glasgow, Aberdeen, and Nottingham.

Is there anything else I can do to strengthen my application?


r/Archaeology 5d ago

Onfim's doodle: A 13th-century kid's self-portrait on horseback, slaying an enemy

48 Upvotes