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Rare Roman mosaic shows woman battling wild animals in the arena, researcher says

Tue, 21 Apr 2026 07:00:34 -0400

An ancient Roman mosaic shows a woman fighting a wild beast in the arena — a rare depiction of a female combatant and the first known visual representation of a woman battling animals, according to a researcher.

The mosaic, which dates to around 250 A.D., appears to show a woman confronting a leopard, with a photo of the damaged artwork showing her wielding a whip beside the animal.

Author Alfonso Manas, a researcher in Spain, argues that the mosaic is the first-known depiction of a woman fighting an animal in the Roman arena.

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The discovery adds to "documented evidence of women performing as gladiators and beast-fighters," Manas told Fox News Digital.

The most persuasive evidence that the figure is female is the fact that she was topless, Manas noted — which he described as "conclusive."

"Showing her topless was actually the typical resource in Roman mosaics to show that a figure was a woman, something hard to determine in [the] context of men due to the lack of fine detail of mosaics," the expert noted.

"And the strongest piece of evidence showing she is a beast-fighter is the leopard on her left, running away from her whip."

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Manas added, "Thus, she is a female beast-fighter, a venatrix — the first known depiction of one of those women."

The researcher emphasized that beast-fighters and gladiators were not synonymous, however.

"To confuse them is as if we today confuse a boxer with a bullfighter — they are two completely different things," he said.

"Their only feature in common in Rome was that they performed in the same building, the amphitheatre."

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Manas said male beast-fighters were far more common, with over 1,000 known visual depictions of men compared to just one of a woman.

The historian added that women often attended shows as spectators.

Men exclusively handled organizing the games and officiating the fights — but beyond those roles, women participated in nearly every other aspect of the spectacles.

"The main difference between men and women in the arena was that men were performers, managers and spectators, whereas women were only performers and spectators," Manas noted.

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The discovery also proves that females performed topless, which was meant to intrigue men.

Doing so "would help those female performers to become more popular and, thus, earn more money in their careers," said Manas.

The researcher also noted that women were banned from taking part in gladiatorial matches in 200 A.D., on the command of Emperor Septimius Severus.

It was unclear if female beast-fighters were also impacted by the ban, but Manas said his discovery suggests they were not, as the mosaic dates to roughly 250 A.D. or later.

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"It adds 50 years or more, perhaps a whole century, to the history of women as performers in the arena," he said.

"This is very important.... Spectators wanted to continue seeing [women] performing in the arena."

Manas added that the fact that "a rich man ordered one of those women to appear in the mosaic... shows the great admiration spectators felt toward those women, something similar to the admiration we feel today for female stars of sports, music [and] cinema."

Unlike female gladiators, who faced criticism and eventual bans, beast-fighters appear to have held a different status in Roman spectacles, Manas said.

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"Diana was the goddess of hunting. She was a huntress, a venatrix, and thus it was seen as acceptable ... that women performed as hunters in the arena," he said.

"Whereas it was shameful for a woman, and man, to perform as a gladiator, essentially because gladiators killed fellow humans, which was always seen as reproachful."

The new research comes as discoveries from ancient Rome continue to surface.

In England, excavators recently found a large Roman industrial complex in northern England, complete with hundreds of well-preserved tools.

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In March, Swiss archaeologists found well-preserved ancient Rome treasures at the bottom of a Swiss lake.

Park rangers unearth 200-year-old shipwreck on remote island dubbed 'graveyard of the Atlantic'

Mon, 20 Apr 2026 06:00:36 -0400

Park rangers in Canada have uncovered a centuries-old shipwreck in a region known for many maritime disasters.

The shipwreck, which dates back more than 200 years, is believed to be the Swift, a civilian vessel that sank on Sept. 27, 1812.

En route from Bermuda to Newfoundland, the Swift sank along with the British Royal Navy frigate HMS Barbadoes and the schooner Emeline.

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The discovery of the ship fragments — and the research that followed — was two years in the making.

The discovery was announced by Parks Canada officials last month. The group was first alerted to the site in February 2024 after team members found a pulley wheel with a mark of the British Royal Navy.

"Another Parks Canada team member later found a piece of copper sheathing with multiple broad-arrow stamps and an Admiralty stamp dated January 1810 from Portsmouth, which supported the likelihood that we'd unearthed a small fragment of the Barbadoes — we know from historical accounts that the ship had a refit at Portsmouth in 1810," the statement said.

Additional pulley wheels and copper sheathing were uncovered until officials eventually found a sloop-sized shipwreck section made of Bermudan cedar.

The artifacts appeared to belong to Barbadoes — while the shipwreck section pointed to the Swift.

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"Initially, only three bits of wood were sticking out of the sand," the statement said. "We believe the wreck to be that of the Swift."

Sable Island has a reputation as the "graveyard of the Atlantic," a Parks Canada spokesperson told Fox News Digital.

The official cited over 350 recorded shipwrecks since 1583.

Many shipwreck fragments, however, can't be traced back to specific events unless they have "sufficient distinguishing features."

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The official said, "Sometimes, it takes luck."

The spokesperson added that the dig was difficult due to Sable Island's windy, challenging weather and unusual terrain.

Officials worked with Mi’kmaw archaeological technicians alongside both underwater and terrestrial archaeologists to excavate and document the wreck, adapting their methods to Sable Island's shifting sands.

"Sable Island is an unusual site to excavate, because it's composed mostly of loose sand," said the spokesperson.

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"We used sandbags to stabilize the banks and then peeled the sand back from the wreck site. We also used a skid steer to help remove the overburden of sand, then switched to hand tools to avoid damaging the wreck."

When the documentation process was done, archaeologists covered the shipwreck with sand in order to protect it.

What stood out most to archaeologists, the official said, was the scale of the wreck.

"Most shipwreck pieces on Sable Island are usually small fragments lying on the surface or in the intertidal area," the spokesperson noted. "This wreck was unusual both in its completeness and its condition."

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The official added, "This wreck discovery is especially exciting for us, because if we can verify it, it's one of the rare occasions that anyone has been able to correlate a physical shipwreck on Sable Island with a documented historical wreck event from before the 20th century."

Parks Canada's statement noted that there are "still plenty of unknowns about the ships, how they ended up on Sable Island and what their crew’s time was like on the island while they waited to be rescued."

"The shipwreck we found was quite far inland from the current shoreline, so we’re also still piecing together how it got there, as the island moves considerably over time," the announcement said.

The news comes a year after another archaeological discovery was made at Sable Island — though far more modern.

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Last spring, officials announced that a message in a bottle from 1983 surfaced on Sable Island's shores — and still smelled of gin.

'Highly unusual' cannonball cache found at construction site in coastal city may be world's first

Sun, 19 Apr 2026 10:00:34 -0400

Archaeologists recently uncovered a cache of hundreds of medieval cannonballs at a construction site in Belgium.

The discovery was made ahead of construction of an administrative center in Nieuwpoort, the city said in a recent press release.

In a translated statement, the city said the research "has already yielded highly valuable finds that may shed more light on an important chapter of Nieuwpoort’s history."

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Images from the excavation show dozens of stone cannonballs piled together, as well as exposed brickwork and soil layers that shed light on the city's medieval past.

Nieuwpoort is a coastal city in western Belgium near the French border. It was founded in the 12th century and has nearly 1,000 years of history beneath its surface.

Around 450 cannonballs were found in total.

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They date between 1350 and 1600 A.D. — and were likely fired from trebuchets or catapults.

"Their high degree of standardization and quality finishing suggests they were more likely intended for firearms," the city noted.

"Notably, the variation in sizes points to a highly diverse arsenal."

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Archaeologists also found an intact shell from World War I, along with subsurface traces of medieval activity, as well as walls and floor levels.

"The proximity of the site to the City Hall and its belfry, which has stood there since the 13th century, makes these findings particularly significant," officials said.

"It is still too early to draw definitive conclusions about the precise function and dating of these structures. Further analysis of the finds and additional dating efforts are expected to provide more."

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Alexander Doucet, a fieldwork coordinator at the archaeological firm Group Van Vooren, told Fox News Digital that archaeologists have wrapped up excavation as of early April.

Archaeologists plan to spend up to two years analyzing the data and samples before compiling their findings into a final report.

Doucet called the discovery "highly unusual" — especially because the large cache was found in one location.

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"To our knowledge, this is the first time in Flanders and maybe the whole world," the archaeologist said.

While the reason they were placed there is still a mystery, Doucet said the cannonballs may have been discarded into a cellar that needed to be filled.

"For now, the archaeologists have taken the cannonballs with them for further examination," he said.

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"After this is completed, the owner of the cannonballs, the city of Nieuwpoort, can decide what to do with them. The archaeologists are going to make recommendations that the balls be displayed as a whole."

New book on archaeological evidence for Jesus rockets to top of bestseller list

Sun, 19 Apr 2026 07:00:17 -0400

A new book on the historical evidence for Jesus has skyrocketed to the top of the bestseller charts as a prominent New Testament scholar argues that overwhelming archaeological finds verify the authenticity of the Bible and the resurrection.

In "The Jesus Discoveries: 10 Historic Finds That Bring Us Face-to-Face with Jesus," author Dr. Jeremiah Johnston points to 10 major archaeological finds, including the controversial Shroud of Turin and the Dead Sea Scrolls, as historical artifacts that corroborate the biblical accounts.

The book reached No. 2 on Amazon Charts' bestseller list in nonfiction last week, and reached No. 3 on the New York Times Bestsellers List this week. Johnston has shared his research on several popular podcasts recently, including the "Shawn Ryan Show," reaching over 1 million views.

Johnston said he has spent the past four years traveling the world to consult with scientists and archaeologists who have studied these artifacts. He argues the findings provide compelling evidence for the New Testament, regardless of a person’s religious background.

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"It turns out that we can learn 65 facts about the birth, the life, the ministry, the miracles and, of course, the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus... before we ever open the Bible. And no other religious figure on planet Earth has ever been this well evidenced," he told Fox News Digital.

One discovery is the Shroud of Turin, a burial cloth some believe wrapped Jesus Christ, while others believe it is a 13th-century forgery. The shroud is unique compared to other burial cloths from the 1st century because it displays an image of a tortured, crucified man.

"The fascinating thing about the shroud of Turin is it has an image of a brutalized, tormented, crucified man on the front and back that when you see it in the photo negative, you're actually seeing it in a photo positive and it takes your breath away," Johnston said.

He said details on the cloth showing the man's injuries match the biblical narrative of how Jesus was killed.

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"The red blood cells have broken down in the bilirubin because he's been tormented. It has high levels of ferritin and creatinine. And then you see that there is a wound on the left side, piercing through rib five and six," Johnston said. He noted the shroud shows piercings through the man's wrists and ankles, rather than through his palms and feet, as art from later centuries often depicts the crucifixion.

He also says that pollen samples taken from the cloth are native to the Jerusalem area. He argues no one has been able to replicate the cloth's "mysterious properties, including its anatomical accuracy, lack of pigment and three-dimensional characteristics."

"The image is only 0.2 microns thin. You realize that's one-fifth of the thickness of a piece of our hair?" Johnston said. "That's how superficial the image on the shroud is."

Johnston spoke to Italian physicist Paolo di Lazzaro, a senior researcher at the ENEA Research Center in Rome, who spent five years trying to recreate the image.

Lazzaro's testing found it would take "a burst of 34,000 billion watts of radiant energy delivered in one-40 billionth of a second to create the image," according to Johnston.

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Johnston believes the findings suggest a supernatural event created it.

"That's why I say the Shroud of Turin is not a death cloth; it is a resurrection cloth. That is the moment when Jesus' physical body came back to life," he claimed.

The shroud has only been carbon-dated once, in 1988, returning a date of 1260-1390 AD. Johnston said recent peer-reviewed studies have "discredited" that dating, arguing the sample was a contaminated area that had been patched. He said newer technologies using Wide-Angle X-ray Scattering (WAXS) have "confirmed a 1st century date."

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He points to other evidence suggesting the shroud is older than the radiocarbon date, such as a similar image of Jesus on the front of a seventh-century solidus from Emperor Justinian II.

The shroud is just one discovery Johnston discusses in the book. He also details an artifact dubbed the "Jesus Cup," which is dated to 50 AD. The cup is inscribed in Greek with a phrase describing Jesus as an enchanter or magician, which Johnston says shows Jesus' reputation as a healer was well known throughout the Roman Empire.

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Other artifacts in the book include the James Ossuary, the Magdalen Papyrus, and finds confirming the existence of Pontius Pilate.

Johnston said he wanted to help Christians and nonbelievers see historical evidence for Christianity.

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"Not a shred of the New Testament would have been written" if Jesus' apostles had not had an evidence-based belief that they saw him alive after he died, he said.

"We should be skeptical of anything we commit our lives to," he said. "The beautiful thing is, the deeper you go with your questions into Christianity, the more rock-solid our faith becomes."

Scientists say turtle shells could hold clues to secret side of Neanderthal behavior

Wed, 15 Apr 2026 10:06:04 -0400

Cavemen hunted turtles — but not for food, new research suggests.

Scientists say that shells of reptiles caught by children may have been used as ladles or digging devices by early humans over 100,000 years ago.

Careful cleaning of fragments found at the Neumark-Nord archaeological site in Germany indicates that pond turtle shells were used as small containers or scoop-like implements, news agency SWNS reported.

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An international research team examined pieces of turtle shell — dating back some 125,000 years — discovered at the dig in what is now the Saxony-Anhalt region of Germany.

Using methods including high-resolution 3D scanning, researchers found that many of the 92 fragments bear cut marks on their inner surfaces, indicating that the turtles were carefully butchered by Neanderthals — with limbs detached, internal organs removed and shells thoroughly cleaned.

Study leader professor Sabine Gaudzinski-Windheuser said, "Our data provide the first evidence that Neanderthals hunted and processed turtles north of the Alps, beyond the Mediterranean region."

However, the team believe the turtles were not used as a food source.

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Gaudzinski-Windheuser, of the Institute for Ancient Studies at Johannes Gutenberg University (JGU) in Mainz, said, "We can virtually rule this out, given the abundance of remains [of] large, high-yield prey animals at this site. There was in all likelihood a complete caloric surplus," as SWNS noted.

A total of more than 100,000 animal bones or bone fragments have already been recovered at Neumark-Nord, including numerous bones from deer, cattle and horses, as well as from the largest land mammals of the time — the European straight-tusked elephant, which could weigh more than 10 tons.

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The research team reported last year that Neanderthals operated a kind of "factory" at the site, systematically extracting fat from the bones of large mammals.

Gaudzinski-Windheuser said that "pond turtles have a comparatively low nutritional value," weighing roughly 2.2 pounds.

"However, they are relatively easy to catch and may therefore have been hunted by children. Their shells may then have been processed into tools."

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She said it was also possible they were hunted for their taste or for an assumed medicinal value — a suggestion supported by findings from studies of later Indigenous peoples.

Gaudzinski-Windheuser added, "Our current results shed new light on the ecological flexibility and complex survival strategies of Neanderthals, which went far beyond simple caloric maximization."

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The new study was published in the journal Scientific Reports. It's the latest in a series of ongoing scientific analyses of material from the former open-cast lignite mine at Neumark-Nord.

2,000-year-old Roman shipwreck discovered with treasures still clustered where it sank

Wed, 15 Apr 2026 06:00:48 -0400

Archaeologists recently found well-preserved ancient treasures at the bottom of a Swiss lake — and the treasures remain close to where the ship sank.

The shipwreck was found in Lake Neuchâtel in Switzerland, some 75 miles southwest of Zurich, by a team of Swiss archaeologists, according to news agency Jam Press.

A team of excavators from the Cantonal Archaeology Office of Neuchâtel (OARC), the Octopus Foundation and the Archaeological Service of the State of Fribourg conducted the search in March 2025, though officials didn't announce the finds until last month.

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The cargo, which dates to between 20 and 50 A.D., was once part of a Roman merchant vessel traveling on Lake Neuchâtel.

The treasure includes hundreds of finely crafted dishes, bowls, cups and plates that were produced across the Swiss Plateau, the central lowland region between the Jura Mountains and the Alps.

In antiquity, the area was known as the Roman province of Helvetia.

Pictures from the dive show archaeologists surrounded by ceramic plates, dishes and other debris on the lakebed.

Archaeologists also uncovered amphorae once used to transport olive oil from Hispania, now modern-day Spain.

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The objects were grouped close together — indicating that they remained close to where the ship sank.

Archaeologists also found everyday items used by the crew, including tools, harnesses and parts of wagons.

The wheels, strikingly well-preserved after 2,000 years underwater, are believed to be the only Roman examples of their kind ever found in Switzerland.

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The team also uncovered a sword at the underwater site, which suggests a military escort may have been aboard the ship.

Officials caution that the artifacts are fragile and vulnerable to damage.

In a statement, OARC said the precious artifacts are exposed to lake bed erosion, as well as "the anchoring of pleasure boats… and, above all, acts of vandalism and looting."

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In the meantime, they've removed the most vulnerable items from the site as a precaution.

Officials said the discovery is unlike anything previously found in the region.

"The richness and diversity of this collection of goods, in an excellent state of preservation, make this discovery exceptional, unique in Switzerland and in the inland waters north of the Alps," the statement said.

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Researchers are now conserving and studying the artifacts before going on display at the nearby Laténium Archaeology Park and Museum, Switzerland's largest archaeological museum.

Curators at Library of Congress discover lost film by legendary cinema pioneer after spotting 'subtle clue'

Tue, 14 Apr 2026 06:00:54 -0400

What began as a routine day for Library of Congress librarians turned into a major find when they discovered a lost 1897 film featuring one of cinema's earliest robots.

The film, called "Gugusse and the Automaton," was made by legendary French filmmaker Georges Méliès in 1897.

Méliès was a pioneer of special effects and directed the famous 1902 film "A Trip to the Moon."

The newly discovered film shows a magician battling a mischievous automaton in a brief slapstick sequence.

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The Library of Congress described the film as "the first appearance of what might be called a robot."

It was uncovered by librarians who had been examining a collection of deteriorating film reels. They identified the film in September, though officials kept the discovery under wraps until late February.

"It had not been seen by anyone in likely more than a century," the release said.

The curators didn't immediately know what they were looking at, said Jason Evans Groth, a curator of the Moving Image Section at the Library of Congress National Audio-Visual Conservation Center in Culpeper, Virginia.

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Groth told Fox News Digital that the team noticed a "subtle clue" in a frame that made them wonder if it was a Méliès film.

"After looking closely at the film on their inspection table, they saw a star painted on one of the props," he said.

"Knowing that Méliès’ film production company was called Star Film, and that he often used that iconography in his movies, they contacted a colleague who is a Méliès expert with a photo of the frame," Groth said.

The colleague responded, "Congratulations! You’ve discovered a lost Méliès!"

Groth added, "They also identified the title for us — which cinema and Méliès historians knew had existed, but which had been lost for decades."

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The reel was sent to the Library of Congress by Bill McFarland, a Michigan man whose family had preserved the films for decades, storing them in basements, barns and garages.

Groth described the film as a "copy of a copy of a copy," indicating it had likely been widely duplicated and shared.

"We don’t know exactly how [McFarland's great-grandfather] William DeLyle Frisbee got this one, or if it was one of his favorites, but having a French magic trick film to show to folks in Pennsylvania — especially one with a robot! — must have been something to see," he said.

For those unfamiliar with Méliès' work, Groth said his influence spans from the earliest days of filmmaking to the 2011 Martin Scorsese film "Hugo," in which he is portrayed as a character.

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Méliès "made hundreds of movies, and rather than just documenting what he was seeing, he managed to weave imaginative stories into the shorts he created, conjuring atmospheres and moods that were rooted in fantasy, early science fiction and illusion," said Groth.

"He created new worlds and mystified audiences, leaning on narrative storytelling to capture the audience’s minds and imaginations rather than just showing them the world on screen."

Groth noted that a "very large percentage" of early silent films have been lost to history — making the discovery particularly special.

"Luckily, more and more presumed lost films are coming to light," he said.

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"Some are buried in larger collections," he said. "Some are, like in this case, passed down from generation to generation but are not able to easily be projected and, thus, sit fallow until they get into the right hands."

Ancient ocean mystery deepens as long-misidentified fossil is finally revealed by researchers

Mon, 13 Apr 2026 13:50:33 -0400

More than two decades after scientists identified a fossil as the world's oldest octopus — officials now say it wasn't one at all.

A recent study published in the journal Proceedings of the Royal Society B found that the fossil Pohlsepia mazonensis — a 300-million-year-old sea creature found in the Mazon Creek fossil beds of northeastern Illinois — was closer to a nautilus than an octopus.

Researchers now believe the creature was a relative of the nautilus, which is a shell-covered cephalopod with tentacles.

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Cephalopods are a class of marine animals that includes octopuses, squids and cuttlefish, and are known for their tentacles and advanced nervous systems — and for lacking rigid skeletons.

The fossil was identified as the world's oldest octopus in 2000 — but is now considered the oldest soft-tissue nautilus in the world.

University of Reading zoologist Thomas Clements, the lead researcher of the new study, told The Associated Press the fossil is a "very difficult [one] to interpret."

He added, "To look at it, it kind of just looks like a white mush."

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"If you look at it, and you are a cephalopod researcher, and you’re interested in everything octopus, it does superficially look a lot like a deep-water octopus."

The determining factor, Clements said, was its teeth — which researchers examined using a synchrotron to peer inside the fossil.

They found that each row had 11 teeth — more than the seven or nine typically found in octopuses.

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"This has too many teeth, so it can’t be an octopus," Clements said.

"And that’s how we realized that the world’s oldest octopus is actually a fossil nautilus, not an octopus."

The fossil had the same teeth as a nautiloid called Paleocadmus pohli, an ancient creature found in the same area.

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Researchers say the mix-up likely occurred because the creature decomposed and lost its shell before it was fossilized.

The next oldest-known octopus fossil is about 90 million years old — around 210 million years younger than the fossil Pohlsepia mazonensis.

"It’s a huge gap," Clements said, noting it had long raised questions.

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"And so that big gap got researchers sort of questioning, ‘Is this thing actually an octopus?'"

The fossil is currently held in the Field Museum in Chicago.

Paul Mayer, who manages the museum's fossil invertebrate collections, said he was "a little surprised" by the new classification, but acknowledged that scientists have questioned the finding for years.

"People have been questioning whether it was an octopus ever since the original paper was first published in 2000," Mayer told the AP.

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He added that the news "is great for our collections, and hopefully new discoveries will be made and new stories will be revealed."

The Associated Press contributed reporting.

Discovery at Monticello reveals construction secrets Thomas Jefferson left out of maps and letters

Mon, 13 Apr 2026 08:00:11 -0400

Archaeologists have uncovered a previously unknown remnant of Thomas Jefferson's era at Monticello: a brick kiln used to build his home.

The kiln was recently found on the east side of the Founding Father's home amid an excavation that began in March, officials said.

Monticello historians believe it dates back to the early 1770s — some time before Jefferson wrote the Declaration of Independence in 1776.

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It was part of the construction of Monticello I, the first version of Jefferson's home.

The current structure reflects a later rebuild and expansion completed after his time in France, after 1789.

Photos from the site show researchers working around a rectangular dig at Monticello, exposing evenly spaced brick channels and revealing several bricks stamped with initials.

The kiln was a large, temporary oven used to harden bricks, said Crystal O'Connor, manager of archaeological field research at Monticello.

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O’Connor told Fox News Digital that archaeologists found brick channels "filled with overcooked brick rubble, and the soil beneath them had been baked hard by intense heat."

Archaeologists "immediately started hitting brick, and uncovered a series of low parallel brick walls, evenly spaced about a foot and a half apart, with channels running between them," she said.

"While the team and I weren’t sure of what we were looking at initially, that pattern is a telltale sign of a brick kiln," O'Connor added.

Workers once stacked thousands of unfired bricks atop the kiln and kept fires burning for several days until the bricks, eventually used to build Monticello, hardened.

"When the firing was done, workers took the kiln apart and carried the finished bricks to the house," said O'Connor.

She added, "This kiln was crucial to building the home of the author of the Declaration of Independence."

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O'Connor noted that it was likely run by George Dudley or William Bishop, two White workmen who were hired by Jefferson — and that it relied heavily on slave labor.

Though Jefferson wasn't making the bricks by hand, the Virginia statesman was certainly aware of the kiln's existence.

"Jefferson knew about this work because he contracted with his brickmakers for a set number of bricks before each major building campaign," O'Connor said.

"He would not have overseen the firings himself. Dudley or Bishop would have managed that process."

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O'Connor said records show Jefferson calculated whether hauling finished bricks uphill or producing them on site was more efficient in late 1774.

"We wonder if the brickmakers themselves pointed out the problem of dragging barrels of water and loads of firewood uphill, and if that helped push Jefferson to do the math and move the work downhill, closer to the raw materials," she added.

O'Connor noted that "very few" artifacts were found at the site, other than bricks — but 18th-century remnants were interesting nonetheless.

These included "several bricks shaped in special molds to match the design of the house."

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"These are decorative bricks with curved and S-shaped profiles," said O'Connor. "Jefferson used them in the exterior brickwork of the dining room wall, which dates to around 1772."

She added, "They don't appear anywhere else on the house and represent a crazy amount of customization. Finding them in the rubble next to the kiln is what tells us it dates to the early 1770s."

The official stressed the importance of archaeology at Monticello, especially because the kiln was entirely unrecorded in Jefferson's maps, drawings, notes and letters.

"The discovery has already changed how we understand the building of Monticello," she said.

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"Even at one of the best-documented historic sites in America, archaeology keeps revealing what the written record does not."

This article was published on April 13, 2026, which would have been Thomas Jefferson's 283rd birthday.

Ancient 'seated' skeletons unearthed beneath modern school site, puzzling archaeologists

Sat, 11 Apr 2026 07:55:14 -0400

Archaeologists have uncovered ancient skeletons beneath a school site in France — all buried in an unusual seated position.

The discovery was announced by Inrap, France's national institution for preventive archaeology, in a press release in March.

The skeletons were found on the grounds of the Josephine Baker school complex in Dijon, roughly 195 miles southeast of Paris. The campus serves students from preschool through elementary school.

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The graves date to the Gallic period in France, a time when Celtic tribes known as the Gauls lived in the region.

The Gallic period lasted from the fifth century B.C. to 50 B.C., when Julius Caesar conquered the area.

Inrap first found similar Gallic burials at the site in 2024.

While excavators found 13 graves two years ago, they discovered "five to six" new ones during the most recent excavation — three of which formed a second, parallel line.

STUDENT 'ACCIDENTALLY' FINDS 'EXTREMELY RARE' CRUSADER-ERA SWORD AFTER CHASING OFF SUSPECTED THIEVES

Pictures of the site show archaeologists working as sections of ground are carefully excavated into circular pits, with skeletons positioned inside.

Inrap said the new graves were "seated at the bottom of the pit, [their] backs against the eastern wall, facing west," according to a translated release.

"Their arms rest along the torso, with hands near the pelvis or femurs," the release described.

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"Their legs are tightly flexed, often asymmetrically."

Adding to the mystery, archaeologists found no personal items or grave offerings, other than a black stone armband dated to the third century B.C.

Archaeologists have released few details about the site, but noted that the graves found in 2024 showed "signs of unhealed violence."

The injuries "likely indicate intentional killing," Inrap said — and included cuts on an upper arm bone.

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"One individual suffered two blows from a sharp object (possibly a sword) to the skull," the release said.

Officials also said the discovery is significant for the number of burials and "the good state of skeletal preservation."

"Examples of individuals buried in a seated position are known from as early as the Mesolithic and, although rare, throughout prehistory," the statement said.

"Only about a dozen archaeological sites have yielded around 50 ‘seated’ burials, typically located near elite residences, sanctuaries or places of worship, and set apart from standard cemeteries."

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Archaeologists are still investigating whether the individuals were warriors, members of elite families or figures tied to religious practices.

Fox News Digital reached out to Inrap for comment, but did not immediately hear back.

The latest find is one of many recent notable archaeological discoveries in France.

Last year, Inrap archaeologists uncovered a 16th-century gallows, in which condemned prisoners were put on display during the Protestant Reformation.

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Last summer, officials announced the discovery of a rare 16th-century shipwreck in French waters, found at record depth.

Cold War bunker 'waiting for Armageddon' found beneath medieval castle in 'perfect location'

Fri, 10 Apr 2026 08:00:31 -0400

Experts recently uncovered a nuclear bunker from the Cold War — located, strangely, on the grounds of a medieval castle in England.

The bunker was decommissioned and sealed in 1968, British news agency Jam Press reported.

The hideout was presumed lost until archaeologists from English Heritage recently pinpointed its location at Scarborough Castle in North Yorkshire.

CONSTRUCTION CREW UNEARTHS SURPRISING 300-YEAR-OLD CANNON WHILE DIGGING IN HISTORIC CITY

The tiny space measures roughly 15 feet, 6 inches long and 7 feet, 6 inches wide.

The bunker was intended for volunteers of the Royal Observer Corps (ROC), who would monitor and report on nuclear blasts in the event of war.

The lookout post has remained a mystery since its closure, with online sleuths suggesting it was buried somewhere between the castle and the North Sea.

Britain was once dotted with around 1,500 ROC posts, a little-known Cold War network, said Kevin Booth, senior curator at English Heritage.

"Wherever you lived in Britain, you were probably no more than a few miles from an ROC post," he told Jam Press.

Booth added, "It seems strange to have a Cold War bunker built inside Scarborough Castle, but in many ways, it is a perfect location."

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The expert cited the bunker's strategic position on a headland used since the Bronze Age, including during the Roman period and the Middle Ages.

He described it as a "1960s concrete bunker watching for Armageddon."

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Booth added that researchers were keen to locate it and "reopen it [to] see what was inside."

"Old mapping gives a sense of where it might be, but it really comes down to survey — looking under the ground with radar to find the big black blob that is a concrete structure," he said.

The bunker remains sealed for now, and researchers found that it had around six feet of water in it.

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They hope to open it in the future once it is safe to access.

The find adds to a growing list of recent archaeological discoveries across England.

Excavators recently found four-wheeled wagons from the Iron Age near the village of Melsonby in Yorkshire — the first such discovery in Britain.

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Officials also recently announced they had identified a 2,000-year-old coin unknowingly used as bus fare in Leeds.

Valuable discovery in Egypt reveals 3,000-year-old scrolls with secret messages still unread

Thu, 09 Apr 2026 08:00:52 -0400

Archaeologists in Egypt have uncovered rare papyrus scrolls — and the "valuable" items are yielding remarkable insights.

The eight rare papyri, found along with a "cache of colorful coffins of Amun chanters," date back to the Third Intermediate Period, which lasted from 1070 B.C. to 664 B.C. The Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities announced the discovery just last month.

The scrolls were uncovered during an excavation in the Qurna area on Luxor's West Bank, near the tomb of Seneb.

ARCHAEOLOGISTS UNEARTH 1,600-YEAR-OLD CHRISTIAN MONASTIC SITE WITH PAINTINGS, MYSTERIOUS INSCRIPTION

Excavators found the ancient scrolls in a large pottery vessel, with some even bearing their original, 3,000-year-old clay seals.

"They vary in size and are considered a valuable source of information, with the world awaiting the results following their restoration and translation," the translated release said.

The coffins of Amun chanters — temple singers dedicated to the god Amun — were found stacked in a rock-carved rectangular funerary chamber.

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Officials said that ancient Egyptians "maximized space by arranging the coffins in 10 horizontal rows and separating the lids from the boxes to increase the chamber’s capacity."

The wood was in "poor condition," the statement noted — prompting urgent work to preserve them.

"The mission's restoration team carried out urgent conservation work, including treatment of deteriorating wood fibers and weakened painted plaster layer, [as well as] careful mechanical cleaning to remove deposits without affecting the vibrant colors," the release added.

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Archaeologists are currently trying to identify the occupants — a significant challenge, as the coffins display the decedents' titles rather than their names.

"The most common title is 'Chanter(s) of Amun,' opening new avenues for studying the class of chanters and singers during that period," officials said.

Minister of Tourism and Antiquities Sherif Fathy said the discovery "represents a significant addition to Egypt’s record of distinguished archaeological finds."

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"It reflects the full and ongoing support provided by the Egyptian state for archaeological research, as part of a comprehensive strategy to preserve cultural heritage and highlight its civilizational and human value," he noted.

The discovery is the latest in a string of recent notable archaeological finds in Egypt.

In December, officials said they found a "pleasure boat" near Cleopatra VII's palace in the royal harbor of Alexandria.

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In October, archaeologists found a fortress that was built along the ancient military road mentioned in the Book of Exodus.

Ancient monastery from earliest centuries of Christianity unearthed at desert site

Wed, 08 Apr 2026 06:50:36 -0400

An ancient monastery dating to the dawn of Christianity was recently uncovered in an Egyptian desert, according to local officials.

The Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities announced in late March the monastery had been found in Wadi El-Natrun in Beheira Governorate.

Wadi El-Natrun is considered "one of the most important centers for the emergence of monasticism in Egypt and the world," according to officials — and the monastery dates from the fourth to sixth centuries A.D.

ARCHAEOLOGISTS UNCOVER MYSTERIOUS CHRISTIAN ARTIFACT NEAR WATERS TIED TO JESUS' MINISTRY: ‘NO KNOWN PARALLEL’

The mudbrick building measures around 21,528 square feet, with walls more than three feet thick and rooms reaching about seven feet in height.

The site features an open courtyard surrounded by buildings. The buildings housed monks' cells, ovens, kitchens and storage areas.

Archaeologists also found human skeletal remains — believed to belong to monks — along with wall paintings and architectural features.

"Architectural studies show the use of various roofing systems, including vaults and domes constructed from mudbrick," the officials noted.

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"The walls were coated with a layer of white plaster and decorated with wall paintings featuring crosses, palm trees and various plant and geometric motifs."

Excavators also unearthed several inscriptions bearing the names of monks who lived there, along with "religious texts invoking mercy and forgiveness."

"These contribute to dating the building and documenting the daily lives of its inhabitants," the release said.

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Sherif Fathy, minister of tourism and antiquities, said the find "represents a significant addition to our understanding of the origins of monasticism in Egypt, which began on Egyptian soil before spreading worldwide."

Fathy also emphasized the "ministry’s commitment to integrating Coptic heritage sites into comprehensive tourism offerings … to enrich the tourist experience and highlight Egypt’s rich heritage."

Mohamed Taman, head of the central administration for Lower Egypt and Sinai Antiquities, said the discovery "adds a new dimension to understanding the layout of early monasteries, particularly with the presence of internal burial spaces reflecting monastic life."

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The discovery comes soon after archaeologists uncovered a similar monastic complex in the Beheira Governorate.

The Christian monastic site, which officials announced on March 23, featured a guesthouse with 13 rooms, as well as wall paintings.

Earlier in January, Egyptian officials announced that another monastery had been found in the village of Al-Duwair in the Sohag Governorate.

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At the site, archaeologists found the remains of "a fully integrated residential complex for monks dating back to the Byzantine period," the statement said.

Student 'accidentally' finds 'extremely rare' Crusader-era sword after chasing off suspected thieves

Tue, 07 Apr 2026 06:00:36 -0400

A student in Israel recently made a chance discovery tied to one of history's most violent eras: the Crusades.

The University of Haifa recently said in a release that one of its students "accidentally" discovered a Crusader-era sword off the coast of Dor, an ancient port in northern Israel.

The sword, which dates to the 12th century, measures over three feet long.

LOOTERS' ARREST UNCOVERS 2,000-YEAR-OLD WORKSHOP NEAR JERUSALEM BIBLICAL PILGRIMAGE PATH

University of Haifa student Shlomi Katzin was swimming near Dor when he "noticed a group of divers with metal detectors," per the translated release.

Katzin, who studies maritime civilizations, suspected the group were antiquities thieves.

"Shlomi managed to drive them away from the area, and later during his swim, he spotted the sword protruding from the seabed and acted quickly," the release said.

TOURISTS WALK PILGRIMAGE ROAD FROM JESUS' ERA FOR FIRST TIME IN 2,000 YEARS: 'DEEPLY SIGNIFICANT'

"He informed Prof. Debbie Cvikel from the Department of Maritime Civilizations at the University of Haifa, who contacted the Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA)."

Once the IAA approved the sword's removal, it was sent to Elisha Medical Center for a CT scan.

Pictures of the artifact show it was heavily encrusted with shells over the centuries, though it still retains the unmistakable shape of a sword.

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Debbie Cvikel, a professor at the University of Haifa, called the artifact an "extremely rare find that sheds light on the Crusader presence along the country’s coastline."

She added, "Only a handful of similar swords from the Crusader period are known in the Land of Israel, and this discovery greatly contributes to our understanding of the use of maritime anchorages and the lives of warriors during this time," according to the release.

Eyal Berkowitz, imaging sciences expert at the University of Haifa, noted that his team's imaging techniques were non-invasive and kept the artifact intact.

"Using CT, we were able to see what the human eye cannot — the internal structure of the sword and its precise physical condition — all through a non-invasive examination that preserved the integrity of this rare artifact for future generations," he said.

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Researchers said the sword also carried symbolic significance.

In the release, Sarah Lantus from the Department of Maritime Civilizations at the University of Haifa noted that swords were symbols of "knights and chivalry, as well as of the Christian faith."

"It was also one of the most common weapons used by Crusader knights, and their lives depended on them," said Lantus.

"Swords were valuable objects — and therefore were carefully maintained and preserved."

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The Crusades were a series of wars between Christian and Muslim forces between the 11th and 13th centuries.

They began when Pope Urban II called to reclaim the Holy Land in 1095, with the First Crusade resulting in the siege of Jerusalem in 1099.

The discovery is the latest in a string of notable archaeological finds in the region.

In March, archaeologists announced that they had found a 2,100-year-old sling bullet with a sarcastic message aimed at enemy forces.

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Also, last month, officials announced the discovery of a mysterious Christian artifact near the Sea of Galilee, not far from Jesus' ministry.

Construction crew unearths surprising 300-year-old cannon while digging in historic city

Mon, 06 Apr 2026 06:00:25 -0400

Construction workers in the United Kingdom recently unearthed a 300-year-old cannon during a routine day on the job.

The find was made during work in Kingston upon Hull, a city in East Yorkshire, according to an announcement earlier this year from the Hull City Council.

After the cannon was found, archaeologists from Humber Field Archaeology, a unit of Hull City Council, examined it.

WORLD'S LARGEST MEDIEVAL CARGO SHIP EMERGES FROM ITS UNDERWATER GRAVE OFF ONE COUNTRY'S COAST

The cast-iron cannon likely dates to the late 17th century or early 18th century.

The artifact measures nearly nine feet long and weighs over a ton, officials said.

"Initial observations indicate the cannon had been decommissioned, with the nozzle deliberately capped," the announcement said.

"Archaeologists believe it was likely repurposed as a mooring post, a common practice in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, before being pushed into the dock area prior to it being infilled in the 1930s," the council noted.

Pictures show the iron cannon heavily encrusted with dirt and corrosion after being unearthed at the site.

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The discovery was "very unexpected," said Peter Connelly, archaeology manager for Humber Field Archaeology.

Connelly told Fox News Digital the contractors "certainly weren’t expecting a cannon to turn up" — and didn't even realize it was a cannon at first.

"The archaeologists weren't expecting it because they knew that the deposit being dug into was dock backfill," he said.

He observed, "This discovery just goes to show that people will deposit anything in a conveniently large hole in the ground when it is being backfilled."

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While such finds are not unheard of, Connelly described the find as "definitely very rare."

Hull archaeologists previously found a Henry VIII-era cannon in the late 1990s, as well as a fragment of a cannon from just before the English Civil War.

"This new cannon discovery is only the third of its kind in 30 years," said Connelly.

Archaeologists were instead expecting typical 20th-century "domestic refuse," he added, as well as the "occasional accidental loss."

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"For example, a complete late 19th century glass decanter was recovered from the dock backfill — somebody was probably quite upset when they lost this," Connelly recalled.

The archaeologist said the cannon showed clear signs of being deliberately decommissioned before being reused.

"After the dock fell out of use, and as it was being backfilled and converted to a garden, this mooring post no longer had a function and the cannon was tipped with the backfill," he said.

Researchers will analyze the cannon to see whether it was made in Hull, as the city had its own cannon makers in the late 18th century.

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"Further work is still to be carried out on the cannon to focus on when exactly it was cast, where it was made and hopefully find out who made it," Connelly said.

Archaeologists uncover mysterious Christian artifact near waters tied to Jesus' ministry: 'No known parallel'

Sun, 05 Apr 2026 10:00:42 -0400

Archaeologists have uncovered a one-of-a-kind artifact near the Sea of Galilee that may reveal new details about how early Christians practiced baptism.

The 1,400-year-old artifact was recently found in the ancient city of Hippos, a prominent bishop's seat during the Byzantine era, according to a March 30 press release shared with Fox News Digital.

The city was once the only Christian city around the Sea of Galilee, controlling territory associated with Jesus' ministry.

LEGENDARY CAPTAIN WHO INSPIRED 'THE THREE MUSKETEERS' MAY HAVE BEEN FOUND UNDER CHURCH ALTAR

The marble block was found in a hall of baptism called a photisterion. It may shed light on "a stage of the early Christian baptismal rite that has until now gone unrecorded," officials said.

Hippos' cathedral had two baptismal halls: one for adults, and another for infants and children, which is where the new object was found.

The smaller hall was constructed after 591 A.D. and was destroyed by an earthquake in 749 A.D. — meaning the object is roughly 1,400 years old.

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Officials described the artifact as "a rectangular block bearing three hemispheric cavities, found beside a baptismal font in a newly revealed ceremonial hall."

Researchers believe the block may have held three different oils used during a threefold baptismal immersion ceremony.

Pictures of the object show the weathered marble block with three bowl-shaped basins, suggesting it was designed to hold liquids side by side.

Early Christian baptisms more commonly involved two anointings before and after the rite — which makes the three-part design particularly unusual.

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"The collapse buried the marble and bronze artifacts beneath the rubble, preserving them until their recent discovery," the release noted.

Officials added, "After extensive examination and comparison, the scholars concluded that no known parallels to the artifact exist."

Michael Eisenberg, a University of Haifa archaeologist who recently published the results in the journal PEQ, along with colleague Arleta Kowalewska, said the object was found among a variety of "remarkable liturgical objects," including a bronze candelabrum used to hold candles.

"Only after careful research did we realize how unique they are for understanding Christian ritual practices in the cradle of Christianity by the Sea of Galilee," he said.

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The object was "nothing special at first glance," to the excavations, Eisenberg told Fox News Digital.

"But here is exactly where the archaeological and liturgical studies came into play."

"Realizing that it is a one-of-a-kind artifact that may fill unknown regional and perhaps wider lacunae in one of the most ancient and sacred Christian ceremonies was a complete surprise."

Eisenberg said the findings may "open a portal" to the development of baptism rituals in the early Christian world.

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"In different regions, distinct liturgical traditions developed, many of which are not documented in written sources," the archaeologist said.

"This find offers a rare glimpse into how the baptismal rite was shaped and practiced in the Byzantine Christian community of Hippos."

The find joins a long list of significant archaeological discoveries found at Hippos in recent years.

Last year, excavators in Hippos found a 1,600-year-old Christian care facility for the elderly, which is possibly the world's oldest nursing home.

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Last July, metal detectorists found a trove of ancient jewelry and gold coins near ruins in Hippos.

Archaeologists find 2,100-year-old bullet that sent 'sarcastic' message to enemy forces

Sat, 04 Apr 2026 18:10:39 -0400

Archaeologists have uncovered a 2,100-year-old sling bullet in Israel inscribed with a pointed message aimed at enemy forces.

The scientists found the bullet in a necropolis area along an ancient road at Hippos, once a prominent bishop's seat during the Byzantine era. The city was known as Susita during the Hellenistic period, which lasted from 323 B.C. to about 31 B.C.

The projectile, which officials date to the second century B.C., was carved with the Greek word "Learn," according to a press release obtained by Fox News Digital.

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A picture of the ancient, oval-shaped lead sling bullet shows faint traces of the Greek script.

Michael Eisenberg, a University of Haifa archaeologist who recently published his findings in the journal PEQ along with colleague Arleta Kowalewska, believes the phrase was a "sarcastic" taunt, he said.

"At Hippos alone, 69 such projectiles have been identified so far, but this is the first in the world to bear the inscription 'Learn,'" Eisenberg said, per the March release.

"This represents local sarcastic humor on the part of the city's defenders, who wished to teach their enemies a lesson with a wink: ‘Learn your lesson!’"

The artifact is roughly 3.2 centimeters long and 1.95 centimeters wide, weighing 38 grams.

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Excavators observed signs of impact damage on the projectile and believe it once weighed 45 grams.

The projectile was likely "fired by the city’s defenders from the city walls toward the enemy advancing to besiege the city," officials said.

Lead bullets were considered a cheap but lethal form of ammunition at the time.

"Sling bullets were produced by casting lead in stone molds in a relatively simple process that could be carried out even during a military campaign," the release noted.

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Officials said that "many projectiles were decorated with the name of a military commander, the name of a city, sarcastic humor similar to ‘Catch!' or symbols intended to imbue them with power, such as a trident, lightning bolt or scorpion."

The artifact represents an unusual and unprecedented find, said Eisenberg.

"To find a sling bullet with an inscription is very rare; to find this Greek word on a sling bullet is the first time in the world," Eisenberg told Fox News Digital.

"We know of similar mocking or sarcastic humor directed at the enemy, but this specific example was unknown and reveals the humorous local trend among the Hellenistic defenders of Hippos."

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He also noted the significance of where it was found, which strongly suggests it was fired during a siege.

"The bullet's location near the ancient main road below the city's fortifications, in addition to the impact mark on the bullet, supplies a colorful reconstruction of the defenders shooting the bullet toward the besieging forces advancing towards the city," Eisenberg said.

The discovery adds to a growing list of major archaeological finds at Hippos.

Excavations unearthed a 1,600-year-old Christian care center for the elderly at Hippos last year, possibly the world's oldest nursing home.

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Also at Hippos, archaeologists found a trove of ancient jewelry and gold coins last year, thanks to metal detectors.

Dogs were 'loyal companions to Ice Age hunters' far earlier than believed, study finds

Sat, 04 Apr 2026 10:00:38 -0400

A new study published in the journal Nature suggests that man's best friend lived alongside humans far earlier than previously believed.

The study was detailed in a University College London (UCL) press release March 26.

The findings centered around ancient DNA found at archaeological sites in the United Kingdom and Turkey, including Gough's Cave in Somerset, England.

FIRST OF ITS KIND WAGON EVIDENCE UNCOVERED IN MASSIVE IRON AGE TREASURE TROVE

Researchers were initially unsure if the skeletons were dogs or wolves because they would have been "indistinguishable," the release said.

The team sequenced DNA from the ancient remains and compared it with more than 1,000 dogs and wolves worldwide, confirming the animals were early domestic dogs.

The DNA dates to the Late Upper Palaeolithic period and is between 14,000 and 16,000 years old.

Previous studies showed that ancient dogs lived alongside humans 10,000 years ago, but the new findings push the timeline back 5,000 years.

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"Researchers from UCL played a critical role by identifying that skeletal remains excavated from the Upper Palaeolithic site of Gough’s Cave in Somerset belonged to domesticated dogs rather than wolves," the release said.

"Similar tests found that remains at Pınarbaşı and Boncuklu in Turkey were also from dogs dating to the Upper Palaeolithic period."

Researchers also gleaned insight into what modern breeds the dogs were similar to, the release noted.

"They were more closely related to the ancestors of present-day European and Middle Eastern breeds, such as boxers and salukis, than to Arctic breeds like Siberian huskies."

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The release said that "this indicates today’s major dog genetic lineages must have been established by the Upper Palaeolithic period."

Simon Parfitt, a co-author of the study, said the DNA "confirms they were ancient domestic dogs, loyal companions to Ice Age hunters at the northern edge of the inhabited world."

"Notably, some bones show deliberate human modification, including perforations in mandibles, suggesting these dogs held symbolic significance after death as well as companionship during life," he said.

The identification of the Paleolithic dogs "represents a step-change in our understanding of the earliest dogs," said William Marsh, a postdoctoral researcher at the Natural History Museum who was part of the study.

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"These specimens allowed us to identify additional ancient dogs from sites in Germany, Italy and Switzerland, which clearly show that dogs were already widely dispersed across Europe and Türkiye by at least 14,000 years ago," said Marsh.

Researchers believe the dogs acted as hunting partners, companions and guard animals.

UCL Professor Louise Martin, a member of the international research team, noted the dogs were "given burials, with some at Boncuklu buried alongside humans."

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She added, "It highlights the special close relationship between people and dogs even at these early stages."

Cannonball 'very likely' fired in 1836 Battle of the Alamo found buried near church

Fri, 03 Apr 2026 06:00:37 -0400

Archaeologists have uncovered a historic cannonball at the Alamo — an artifact that was likely fired during the 1836 battle.

The discovery was announced by the Alamo Trust, the nonprofit organization that oversees the Alamo Mission, on March 19.

The cannonball was uncovered on March 5 — just one day before the 190th anniversary of the Battle of the Alamo.

LEGENDARY CAPTAIN WHO INSPIRED 'THE THREE MUSKETEERS' MAY HAVE BEEN FOUND UNDER CHURCH ALTAR

The clash was fought between Mexican forces and Texian rebels, and began on Feb. 23, 1836.

Texian forces — including Davy Crockett and William B. Travis — held off a much larger Mexican army during a 13-day siege before Mexican troops launched a final assault.

Nearly all the roughly 200 Texian defenders were killed as Mexican forces overran the Alamo — and the "Remember the Alamo!" cry helped fuel a decisive Texian victory weeks later at San Jacinto.

The cannonball, which was found around three feet below the ground outside the Alamo Church, weighs four pounds.

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Researchers also found four exploding shot fragments — three bronze and one iron — identified as Howitzer rounds designed to explode on impact and scatter shrapnel.

The cannonball is made of solid bronze and was "very likely" tied to the historic battle, said Tiffany Lindley, the director of archaeology at the Alamo.

Lindley told Fox News Digital the cannonball was found in a layer that dates back to the siege, with the Mexican Army bombarding Texian forces from an artillery battery on the northeast side of the compound.

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She emphasized that the artifact's significance lies in its status as the only solid shot — or nonexplosive cannonball — of its size found at the site.

"Due to significant utilization of the site post-battle, the looting of the site in the immediate period following the battle, and previous utility installation, many artifacts — especially those this large — were taken off site," said Lindley.

"Once an artifact is removed from its original deposition, it loses its context and, for researchers, it becomes less significant. … The context of this solid shot is what makes the find significant."

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Researchers at the site will analyze the cannonball once fieldwork wraps up, and the cannonball may be displayed in the future.

"We hope as our archaeological project progresses to find a place to display the cannonball on site – perhaps even in our future world-class Alamo Visitor Center and Museum, currently under construction and scheduled to open in 2028," said Lindley.

The cannonball joins over 250,000 artifacts found at the site, the expert added, which mostly include ceramic pieces, musket balls, adobe floor fragments and glass bottles.

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"While not every artifact will find its way to public display, they all contribute to expanding the story of the Alamo," she noted.

Coin used as bus fare turns out to be 2,000-year-old relic, its journey still a mystery

Thu, 02 Apr 2026 06:00:45 -0400

A 2,000-year-old coin was unknowingly used as bus fare in England — before officials realized it dated back to the Carthaginian empire.

The artifact, produced in what is now Cadiz, Spain, was recently donated to Leeds Museums and Galleries, according to a March statement from the City of Leeds.

Carthage, an ancient civilization based in North Africa, lasted from roughly 800 B.C. to 146 B.C. — and the coin dates to the first century B.C.

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The relic was collected in the 1950s by a Leeds City Transport employee named James Edwards, who tallied fares from bus and tram drivers at the end of each day and counted them.

Edwards would set aside coins that couldn't be cashed — including foreign or counterfeit currency — and take them home.

He gave the ancient coin to his grandson, Peter, who stored it in a wooden chest.

Now 77, Peter Edwards recently revisited the coin and researched its origins.

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"Neither of us were coin collectors, but we were fascinated by their origin and imagery — to me, they were treasure," said Peter Edwards.

He added, "The coin always fascinated me because it was hard to decipher where it came from."

Edwards donated the coin to Leeds Discovery Center's collection, a free museum that includes "coins and currency from cultures around the world spanning thousands of years of history," the city said.

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The coin may have been collected by a soldier who returned to Leeds, said a Leeds City Council spokesperson, but officials say they "will never know for sure."

Similar coins have been found previously, the official told Fox News Digital, allowing experts to cross-reference and identify this example.

The spokesperson added that a Leeds curator confirmed the coin's identity and provided additional background following Peter Edwards' donation.

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The Carthaginian coin bears the image of the god Melqart, the Phoenician counterpart of Hercules.

"At that time, some Phoenician coins carried Greek imagery to make them more appealing to traders," Leeds City Council said in a statement.

Edwards told city officials his grandfather would be "proud" to know that the coin would come back to Leeds.

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He added, "However, how it got there will always be a mystery."

Hidden NYC tunnel tied to Underground Railroad at risk of ‘significant damage,’ advocates warn

Wed, 01 Apr 2026 19:15:08 -0400

An Underground Railroad passageway in New York City was recently identified and is now under potential threat from proposed commercial development, according to advocates.

The passage, found in the Merchant's House Museum in the NoHo neighborhood of Manhattan, is believed to have been part of a secret network of routes that helped enslaved Black Americans escape to freedom.

The structure is described as "about 2 feet square and secreted beneath a built-in chest of drawers on the second floor, [and] descends 15 feet to the ground floor," according to a statement from the Merchant's House Museum.

MASSIVE INDUSTRIAL SITE UNCOVERED IN UNLIKELY LOCATION AS ARCHAEOLOGISTS CITE 'ENORMOUS' POTENTIAL

Though the home dates to 1832, it's unclear when the passageway was built.

The house, however, was built by an abolitionist, Joseph Brewster, and the hidden passage "serves no known domestic purpose," according to the museum.

The passageway was first found in the 1930s. Historians did not know until recently that Brewster was an abolitionist.

Museum officials said the analysis of the site took two years of "extensive research," and now the site is at risk. The building is on the National Register of Historic Places.

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The concern is connected to the proposed development of a nine-story mixed-use building that could possibly damage the walls and foundation of the Merchant's House Museum, according to The Associated Press.

Emily Hill-Wright, the museum's director of operations, recently told the AP that engineers have raised concerns about potential structural damage.

"What our engineers are saying is that there really is no way that a building of that size is built immediately next door to the museum without causing significant structural damage to our historic building," she said.

Museum officials also said the discovery has brought in more visitors in recent months.

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New York City's Landmarks Preservation Commission is set to make a decision on the development, but members of the community are raising concerns.

In a statement last week, Rev. Al Sharpton warned the site is at risk of "irreversible damage."

"When engineers tell me that an African American heritage site is in danger of structural compromise or any other sort of irreversible damage, I listen," Sharpton said in a statement.

A private developer, Kalodop II Park Corp., wants to replace the one-story garage it owns at 27 East 4th St. with a nine-story office building that includes ground-floor space likely to be used for a restaurant or art gallery, the New York Post reported.

The developer filed two earlier applications for construction on the lot; the most recent was approved in 2023, the Post also said. But Kalodop never began the construction and, in December, submitted new plans for a building that would have two more stories.

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Helping enslaved people would have come at a great cost to Brewster, Harlem Historical Society Director Jacob Morris told The Associated Press.

"Bounty hunters were all over the place in New York City. They made their living on catching freedom-seeking Blacks," Morris said.

"If you got caught helping Blacks escape from slavery, a mob could come and burn down your house and beat you up. And maybe even tar and feather you, or worse."

The passageway discovery is one of many recent archaeological finds involving African American history.

Last June, a South Carolina tourist found "historically significant" remains on Edisto Island, once home to a community of African American sharecroppers.

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Also, last summer, archaeologists in Williamsburg, Virginia, dug up artifacts from the oldest surviving schoolhouse for Black children.

The Associated Press contributed reporting.

First of its kind wagon evidence uncovered in massive Iron Age treasure trove

Tue, 31 Mar 2026 08:00:35 -0400

Archaeologists have discovered four-wheeled wagons — the first such discovery in Great Britain.

The researchers announced their findings in the journal Antiquity on March 17.

The vehicle remnants were unearthed at an Iron Age site near the village of Melsonby, some 35 miles south of Durham, in Yorkshire, England.

MASSIVE INDUSTRIAL SITE UNCOVERED IN UNLIKELY LOCATION AS ARCHAEOLOGISTS CITE 'ENORMOUS' POTENTIAL

Researchers conducted a metal-detecting survey in the area in 2021, leading to an excavation in 2022.

The cache was found during the excavation, though the researchers' findings were not announced until the paper was recently published.

Dating from 100 B.C. to 40 A.D., the items were discovered less than a mile from Stanwick.

Stanwick, a prominent Iron Age stronghold in northern England, is widely believed to have been a political hub of the Brigantes, a powerful Celtic confederation with a complex relationship with Rome.

The remains of the wagons were found among 950 metal objects, which also included vehicle parts and harness fittings for horses.

Archaeologists also found ceremonial vessels and weapons in the cache and — crucially — kingpins, which were used for steering the vehicles.

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The collection also included cylindrical iron bands and U-shaped brackets, which, when pieced together, appear to be hub collars from four-wheeled wagons.

In the article, researchers said the artifacts represented "one of the largest Iron Age metalwork deposits found so far in Britain."

The hoard also "represents the first potential tangible evidence" of four-wheeled wagons in Britain, the paper added.

"Among the tires was a series of broad, flat iron bars with a central U-shaped bend, described here as brackets," the paper said.

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"These items are not found on two-wheeled chariots in Britain."

The wagons would likely have been used by high-status elites in ancient Britain as symbols of wealth — similar to sports cars today.

The researchers wrote that the presence of four-wheeled wagons at Melsonby "would transform our understanding of the forms of wheeled transport and the role of such vehicles in the British Iron Age.

"At the same time, the scale of the Melsonby deposits emphasizes that communities in northern Britain had levels of material wealth comparable to their counterparts elsewhere in Europe," the paper said.

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Researchers stressed that the conservation and analysis of the parts are "still in the early stages … [F]urther work will significantly augment our understanding of this material; Melsonby is only just beginning to reveal its secrets."

The hoard is part of a growing number of Iron Age finds continuing to emerge across Britain.

In Scotland, construction workers recently found the remains of Iron Age roundhouses while working on a sewer project.

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Archaeologists also discovered a Celtic battle trumpet in Norfolk, possibly tied to the tribe of the legendary Queen Boudica.

Archaeologists unearth 1,600-year-old Christian monastic site with paintings, mysterious inscription

Sat, 28 Mar 2026 10:31:04 -0400

Egyptian archaeologists recently unearthed the remnants of a Christian monastic site from the 5th century, some 400 years after the time of Jesus Christ.

The Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities wrote in a translated statement March 23 that a building was recently found in the Qallaya area in Egypt's Beheira Governorate.

The structure, likely a guesthouse used to host visitors, is a remnant of the "early beginnings of Coptic monasticism," the release said.

ARCHAEOLOGISTS UNCOVER GOLD-LADEN TOMB FILLED WITH ELITE BURIAL TREASURES FROM OVER 1,000 YEARS AGO

Previous buildings have also been found at the site, and the newly discovered structure had 13 multipurpose rooms used for "hospitality and teaching … in addition to service facilities such as a kitchen and storage areas," officials said.

The area is considered one of Egypt's significant early monastic centers.

Coptic monasticism was one of the oldest forms of organized Christian monasticism, laying the groundwork for traditions that endure to this day.

DOG WALKERS TRIGGER ARCHAEOLOGICAL RACE TO PRESERVE 2,000-YEAR-OLD FOOTPRINTS IN SHIFTING SANDS

Pictures from the site show ancient structures in remarkable condition, with walls and other architectural features still intact.

The tourism ministry also shared photographs of art recently found at the site, including paintings and an inscription in early Greek.

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Officials believe the Greek inscription may say, "Abba Kir, son of Shenouda," suggesting it was a tombstone.

"Excavations also revealed several architectural elements added to the building during later historical phases, reflecting the evolution of its use over successive periods," the statement said.

In addition to the paintings, officials noted a "complete marble column" was found, along with "a large number of pottery shards."

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"Some of these bear plant and geometric decorations, while others include Coptic letters. … Some are undecorated," the statement said.

Hisham El-Leithy, secretary-general of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, said the decorations and wall paintings are "among the most significant sources for studying early Coptic art in Egypt," according to the translated release.

The discovery also highlights "the development of ascetic, simple monastic architecture, showing a functional progression from individual cells to semi-communal housing," the statement added.

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Archaeologists also found bird and animal bones and "several oyster shells" inside one of the rooms, all pointing to everyday dietary practices.

Excavations in Egypt continue to yield many fascinating remnants of ancient Christianity, and the Qallaya discovery is one of many recent finds.

In January, archaeologists unearthed another ancient Christian monastic complex in the village of Al-Duwair, located in the Sohag Governorate.

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At Kharga Oasis, excavators found two 1,500-year-old churches and an ancient mural of Jesus.

Legendary captain who inspired 'The Three Musketeers' may have been found under church altar

Fri, 27 Mar 2026 14:15:16 -0400

Archaeologists may have uncovered the remains of Charles de Batz de Castelmore d'Artagnan, the legendary French musketeer who inspired Alexandre Dumas' "The Three Musketeers."

The skeleton was found in front of an altar at St. Peter and Paul Church in Maastricht, the Netherlands, local officials said Wednesday.

Workers found the human remains in February after the floor caved in, Reuters reported.

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Researchers are now testing DNA from the jawbone to see if it lines up with d'Artagnan's descendants.

The church has long been considered a possible burial site for d'Artagnan, according to officials.

Speaking to Reuters, archaeologist Wim Dijkman said the excavation has become a "top-level investigation."

He added, "We want to be absolutely certain — or as certain as possible — whether it is the famous musketeer, who was killed here near Maastricht."

Fox News Digital reached out to Dijkman for further comment.

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Born in 1611, d'Artagnan served under King Louis XIV — known as the "Sun King" — and rose to captain of the Musketeers of the Guard, an elite military unit.

He was killed on June 25, 1673, near Maastricht, after being shot in the throat during a French siege.

It's believed that d'Artagnan was buried nearby, as it would have been impractical to transport his body back to France in the summer heat.

Jos Valke, a deacon of the church, told Reuters that additional clues also pointed to d'Artagnan.

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These included a coin from 1660 and a fragment of a lead bullet near the burial.

Valke noted that d'Artagnan was supposedly buried in consecrated ground, according to a contemporary letter.

"Well, ⁠under an altar — it couldn't be much holier than that," he said.

Valke added, "When you add it all up, then, it seems plausible to us. But of course, nothing is certain yet."

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Dumas published "The Three Musketeers" in serial form beginning in May 1844, immortalizing d'Artagnan in fiction.

Published in book form later that year, it has since been widely read and adapted into films, plays and TV shows.

The discovery is one of many significant archaeological finds in the Netherlands in recent years.

Last summer, officials showcased a medieval sword with rare symbols that was found in a river by Dutch construction workers.

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In 2024, archaeologists in North Holland found a creepy, centuries-old floor made of animal bones in a red-light district.

Reuters contributed reporting.

Temple from time of Christ reveals powerful society lost to history, archaeologists say

Tue, 17 Mar 2026 05:00:53 -0400

Archaeologists have uncovered a 2,000-year-old temple in Denmark — offering a glimpse into the mysterious, once-powerful society that built it.

The Museum of Central Jutland (Museum Midtjylland) unveiled the discovery of the temple at Hedegård, an ancient site that contains Scandinavia's "largest and richest burial site," according to its website. The latest excavation began last August.

Hedegård, located near Ejstrupholm north of the Skjern River, has been identified as Denmark's largest settlement from the time "around the birth of Christ," the museum said.

ARCHAEOLOGISTS UNCOVER GOLD-LADEN TOMB FILLED WITH ELITE BURIAL TREASURES FROM OVER 1,000 YEARS AGO

Working with researchers from Museum Horsens and Moesgaard Museum, archaeologists found evidence of a vast fortified settlement that once served as a regional power center during the Iron Age.

The settlement has yielded luxury goods, weapons from Celtic tribes and "prestige" items from Roman workshops.

Evidence shows the settlement "flourished in the period leading up to the birth of Christ."

The museum said that "this is when we see the rich graves and numerous weapon graves in the cemetery north of the village."

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But the crown jewel of the excavation was the temple — which measured roughly 49 by 53 feet.

The structure had once burned down. Beneath the burn layer, excavators found traces of "two temple phases" that offer insight into its history.

"At the exact center was a [6 x 6 foot] raised clay platform," officials said.

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"In the younger phase, an ornamented hearth was built here, partially covering the earlier hearth. The younger temple was shifted about [30 inches] north compared to the older one, but was otherwise nearly identical. The older hearth remained untouched — the new one was simply built over it."

Archaeologists also found plaster fragments that suggest the temple's walls were once painted white.

"Preliminary results suggest the temple functioned in the decades around the birth of Christ," the site stated.

"The structure likely appeared as a tall, almost square, tower-like building with an outer colonnade. The hearth dominated the interior space."

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The museum also said, "The temple was carefully cleared before being deliberately burned, leaving few finds. However, two exceptional glass beads were discovered — likely produced in the Middle East or Egypt."

The site has been the subject of scholarly interest since Danish archaeologists found an unusual number of richly-adorned graves in the late 1980s.

"It remains unique in Northern European archaeology — an early and unparalleled display of military, economic, and religious power," the museum's statement said.

Since the site was discovered over three decades ago, archaeologists have known that the site was "something completely different," said Martin Winther Olesen, an archaeology curator.

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"When our geophysical surveys revealed a fortification in the village it was clear that this was something out of the ordinary," he noted.

Olesen identified the temple as a pagan structure, which was built between 50 B.C. and 50 A.D.

"Christianity did not reach Scandinavia until almost 1,000 years later," he said — adding that Hedegård had "extensive foreign relations" including knowledge of Celtic and Roman architectural traditions.

Evidence appears to suggest that Hedegård was only in use for three generations before it disappeared.

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All the evidence proves Hedegård had "everything it takes to be an early Iron Age power center," said Olesen — and he said that he could talk about the site "for two hours straight."

"The site is strategically located and controls the most important road up through Jutland," the expert said. "There is clear militarization in the form of weapons, but also in the construction of the fortification."

He added, "There is a political elite, monumental construction, there are crafts and trade and — of course — it is also a center for the practice of the cult."

The official noted the discovery was only made possible thanks to "super talented archaeologists and researchers from Denmark and abroad."

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"It is an exquisite privilege to be allowed to work with a find that has an international dimension," said Olesen.