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Archaeology and palaeontology

A study has found that ceratopsians, a type of herbivorous dinosaur such as this Protoceratops, had reduced intelligence, hearing and sense of smell as they evolved into larger creatures. Photo: Shutterstock
Science

Dinosaurs grew stupid over time – and the same could happen to humans: study

A new Chinese-led study into the evolution of dinosaurs has offered a timely warning to our technology-reliant world.

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Science

Russian scientists hail discovery of 32,000-year-old sabre-toothed cat cub

SCMP Highlights

Recap | Ancient king’s tomb unearthed, a Song dynasty fashion shock and more historical finds

Science

Chinese women wore tank tops, transparent clothing 800 years ago: study

Digital reconstruction of treasure trove found in 800-year-old tomb reveals forward-thinking fashion of the day, according to scientists.

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Chinese scientists have created a digital reconstruction of a wealthy woman’s clothing from the Southern Song dynasty. Photo: Wuhan Textile University
Hong Kong society

‘Work priorities’ delayed identifying Hong Kong dinosaur fossils by 11 years

Commissioner for Heritage Ivanhoe Chang reveals fossils were found in geological study and left for over a decade due to ‘work priorities’.

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Chinese history

The imperfect value of digital facial reconstructions of our ancient ancestors

Digital facial reconstructions are looking increasingly realistic, but do they add equal scientific value?

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Science

Sacred Lion of Venice was made in China, new research suggests

It is the emblem of the Italian city. But now scientists say this ancient statue originated much further east.

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Researchers have proved that the Lion of Venice statue which stands in St Mark’s Square, Venice, originated in China. Photo: Shutterstock
Animals

What did the biggest bug on Earth look like? Scientists recreate its head

Arthropleura fossils tell the story of an ancient, many-legged creature that could grow up to 2.7 metres (nine feet) long.

Science

China set to conduct nation’s first expeditions in the ‘land of the dinosaurs’

Leading Chinese scientist hopes project will be the ‘beginning of our international expeditions’ after decades of playing catch-up.

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Chinese history

Chopsticks date back millennia, silver versions used by elites in China and Korea

Recent discovery of 800-year-old chopsticks highlights just how little the technology has changed over thousands of years.

A recent excavation in Sichuan province revealed a remarkably preserved pair of metal chopsticks from the Southern Song dynasty (1127-1279). Photo: SCMP composite/Shutterstock/kaogu.cssn.cn
Science

10,000 gold, bronze relics unearthed as China’s Sanxingdui ruins give up secrets

Bronze items buried under hundreds of elephant tusks in attempt to ‘fully conceal’, paper by archaeologists behind the find says.

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A platform adorned with 13 bronze figures is among the dazzling relics recovered from the Sanxingdui pits between 2020 and 2022. Photo: Sichuan Cultural Relics
Science

Chinese scientists find world’s oldest cheese buried with Xinjiang mummies

DNA tests suggest Bronze Age people who lived in far west China 3,500 years ago made kefir cheese, challenging beliefs about ancient diets.

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Chinese history

These 3 individuals shaped ancient Chinese history during their childhood

Whether they were progeny philosophers or boy emperors, their names are stamped in Chinese history.

Chinese history

Recent study into China oracle bones highlights how AI is changing archaeology

Pattern recognition algorithm could determine if a 3,000-year-old oracle bone was written by someone left-handed or right-handed.

Researchers use AI to determine if left or right-handed people wrote ancient oracle bones. Photo: SCMP composite/Shutterstock/Wikipedia
Chinese history

Remarkable tales of resilience among women throughout China’s history

Researchers analysed two examples of resilience among ancient women and found a propensity to survive after traumatic injury.

Archaeological findings in China have revealed fascinating insights into the lives of women from ancient times, highlighting their resilience. Photo: SCMP composite/Shutterstock/Archaeological Research in Asia
Chinese history

5,000-year tradition of healthy tooth removal reveals indigenous culture in Taiwan

A team of researchers painted an in-depth picture of the practice of tooth ablation, which was extremely common among Taiwan’s indigenous population.

Israel

5-year-old accidentally smashes 3,500-year-old jar during museum trip

The jar, dating back to the Bronze Age, was displayed without glass barriers.

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Egypt

Egypt recovers 3 artefacts found in the Netherlands, including a mummified head

The items include a mummified head from the Hellenistic period. Two of the items were for sale in an antiques shop, Egyptian officials said.

A head of a mummy retrieved from the Netherlands by Egypt. Photo: Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities via Xinhua
Israel

Israel to open Roman-era tombs to the public

The tombs, which date back more than 1,600 years and were discovered over 50 years apart, are decorated with murals of mythological figures.

Chinese history

Ancient ‘elite’ grave may tell tale of the years that led to rise of Genghis Khan

Archaeologists excavating a 12th-century grave believe it can help them better understand the years that paved the way towards Genghis Khan.

Science

Chinese and Kenyan researchers find Stone Age ‘production line’ for tools

The team unearthed hundreds of stone tools made using a distinctive technique that helped early humans shape and sharpen their blades.

The discoveries were made by a joint Chinese-Kenyan team at two sites in the Rift Valley. Photo: Henan Provincial Institute of Cultural Relics and Archaeology
Trending in China

4,000-year-old bone workshop signals China’s transition out of Neolithic age

A bone needle workshop in northwest China represents an important example of tool-making industrialisation.

Thousands of bone needles and tools discovered in northwest China illuminate modern scientists about the technological advancements marking the transition between two ages in human development. Photo: SCMP composite/Journal of Anthropological Archaeology
Science

Chinese-led study finds uneven polar ice melt could cause global disruption

Ice sheets and sea ice are melting faster in Northern Hemisphere than Southern Hemisphere, which could trigger another climate event: paper.

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Accidents and disasters in China

Chinese scientists track ‘once-in-a-millennium’ storm through snail shells

Chinese researchers say isotopic changes detected in snail shells are a record of Zhengzhou’s 2021 super rainstorm.

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Chinese history

Ancient China shipwreck unveils insights into Song-era smuggling, government apathy

The excavation of the Nanhai No 1 shipwreck revealed a robust smuggling operation in ancient China and a government that condoned it.

Investigations into a Song-era shipwreck reveal a compelling tale of smuggling and the acendancy of private merchants. Photo: SCMP composite/Sohu/Journal of Maritime Archaeology
Chinese history

Ancient human sacrifice in China likely served to reinforce social hierarchies

A team of scientists analysing a victim of human sacrifice concluded that the man was likely used as an offering to the inhabitants of the tombs.

Ancient human sacrifice in China likely served to solidify social hierarchies. Photo: SCMP composite/Shutterstock/The Poetics of Violence in Afroeurasian Bioarchaeology
Trending in China

Fossilised rib bone suggests Denisovans may have lived alongside ancient humans

Scientists analysing a fossilised rib bone believe it belonged to a Denisovan, the mysterious ancient cousin of Homo sapiens.

Chinese culture

Chinese archaeologists unearth 3,400-year-old jade workshop at Sanxingdui ruins

Discovery in southwest China sheds light on handicraft industry and layout of ancient city believed to be at heart of mysterious Shu kingdom.

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Archaeology and palaeontology
The latest news, analysis and opinion on Archaeology and palaeontology. In-depth analysis, industry insights and expert opinion.
last updated:
9 September, 2024
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