Articles by Sandee Oster
Phys.org / Two new Thrissops species provide insights into early teleost evolution
A recent study by Dr. Martin Ebert in Zitelliana described two new species from the poorly known genus Thrissops. Thrissops ettlingensis sp. nov. was recently discovered in the lower marine Tithonian Plattenkalk of Ettling, ...
Phys.org / Stable isotope analysis shows shifting subsistence in ancient Andean civilization of Vichama
Dr. Luis Pezo-Lanfranco and his colleagues conducted stable isotope analysis to reconstruct the diets of 38 human individuals from the early Central Andean civilization of Vichama (1800 BCE–1300 CE).
Phys.org / Oldest known docodontan fossil found in Greenland narrows the evolutionary gap
In a recent study by Dr. Sofia Patrocínio and her colleagues, published in Papers in Palaeontology, a new specimen of Docodonta is described.
Phys.org / Wyoming archaeological site reveals Native American adornment practices in the 1700s during early European contact
Dr. Spencer Pelton and his colleagues have conducted a comprehensive analysis of the River Bend site (48NA202), Wyoming. The site, located near the North Platte River in Casper, Wyoming, was excavated in the 1970s as part ...
Phys.org / Scientists trace mineral sources for sacred Maya Blue in Late Classic pottery from Buenavista, Belize
In a recent study published in the journal Ancient Mesoamerica, Dr. Dean Arnold and his colleagues, Joseph Ball, Laure Dussubieux, and Jennifer Tachek, examined 17 samples of Maya Blue from pottery sherds dated to the Late-Terminal ...
Phys.org / Archaeologists uncover lavish Bronze Age burial of young woman in Greater Khorasan
A study by Ali Vahdati and his colleagues, Raffaele Biscone, Roberto Dan, and Marie-Claude Trémouille analyzed the remains and artifacts contained in the richest burial ever excavated from the Greater Khorasan Civilization ...
Phys.org / Study translates fragmentary ancient Sumerian myth around 4,400 years old
A recent study by Dr. Jana Matuszak, published in the academic journal Iraq, examines the mythical narrative contained in a tablet (Ni 12501) dating to the Early Dynastic IIIb period (ca. 2540–2350 BCE) from Nippur, Sumer.
Phys.org / First sperm whale tooth from 3rd millennium Iberian peninsula discovered
A team of researchers, led by Dr. Samuel Ramírez-Cruzado Aguilar-Galindo, recently provided a comprehensive, multidisciplinary study of a sperm-whale tooth found in the Copper Age mega-site of Valencina de la Concepción-Castilleja ...
Phys.org / Study reveals how ancient elk rock art transformed from realistic to warped wolf-like beasts
A recent study by Dr. Esther Jacobson-Tepfer, published in the Cambridge Archaeological Journal, explores the transformation of elk rock art in the Mongolian Altai. Her research sheds light on the possible factors that influenced ...
Phys.org / New analysis of the Skhūl I skull: One of the oldest human burials in the world
In 1931, the Skhūl I fossil was uncovered at Mugharat es-Skhūl (the Cave of the Children), also known as Skhūl Cave, Israel. It forms part of the oldest intentional human burials ever discovered, dating back to ca. 140,000 ...
Phys.org / Jurassic fish choked to death on squid-like cephalopods, fossil study reveals
A study by Dr. Martin Ebert and Dr. Martina Kölbl-Ebert examined the remains of some 4,200 Tharsis fossil specimens. They found that some of these fish, all of which were subadults, would occasionally attempt to or accidentally ...
Phys.org / First hominin fossils recovered from submerged Sundaland
The Sunda Shelf is home to a rich Pleistocene hominin fossil record, including specimens of Homo floresiensis, Homo luzonensis, Homo erectus, and archaic Homo. Much of the Sunda Shelf is submerged. At times during the Pleistocene, ...
Phys.org / How small-scale migration among early farmers shaped the Sonoran Desert during the Early Agricultural period
A recent study by Dr. James Watson and his colleagues examined changes in projectile points, mortuary practices, and bioarchaeology to provide new insights into migration patterns and the introduction of maize into the Sonoran ...
Phys.org / Investigation of ancient Tel Dan sanctuary reveals Phoenician ritual bathing traditions
A recent study by Dr. Levana Tsfania-Zias, published in the journal Levant, reveals how ancient Phoenicians may have incorporated cleansing into their religious purification rituals at the sacred precinct of Tel Dan for nearly ...
Phys.org / Rare medieval bed burials show considerable variation across Europe
A recent study by Dr. Astrid Noterman examined the rare bed burials of medieval Europe. Found predominantly in Germany, England, and Scandinavia, these burials exhibit considerable variation depending on the region.
