Articles by Sandee Oster
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.
Phys.org / Mysterious boat burial practices on the desert's edge: Study sheds light on ancient Xiaohe funerary rites
The Bronze Age Xiaohe culture (ca. 1950–1400 BCE) is renowned for its distinctive funerary practices and exceptional organic preservation, largely due to its location in a hyperarid environment. Burials feature boat-shaped ...
Phys.org / Lead isotope analysis debunks legend of Dutch basin made entirely from Spanish treasure fleet silver
A study by Dr. Joosje van Bennekom and her colleagues aimed to determine the provenance of the famed silver basin supposedly made of Spanish treasure fleet silver captured by the Dutch West India Company (WIC) in 1628. The ...
Phys.org / New study uncovers brutal punishment and public display of medieval woman on Thames foreshore
In 1991, the remains of a woman were discovered on the early medieval foreshore of the Thames River. The skeletal remains were moved to the London Museum, where they were curated. However, the analysis of the remains and ...
Phys.org / Ancient Maya burial study challenges human sacrifice theory, points to acts of placemaking
A recent study by Dr. Angelina Locker published in the Journal of Anthropological Archaeology implemented bioarchaeological methods to determine if the secondary burial remains found within a non-elite Late Preclassic (300 ...
Phys.org / Mysterious Syrian artifacts reidentified as ancient baby rattles
A recent study by Dr. Georges Mouamar and his colleagues investigated the largest assemblage of securely identified rattles in the Near East. The findings are published in the journal Childhood in the Past.
Phys.org / Study provides new insights into medieval sex workers and childcare
In 1998, excavations were conducted in advance of the construction of the Oude Vismarkt square in Aalst, Belgium. During excavations, archaeologists uncovered a 14th-century brothel. Unusual for the time, they also discovered ...
Phys.org / Ancient Patagonian fossil sperm whale may have been active predator, reanalysis indicates
A recent study, published in Papers in Palaeontology, discusses the reanalysis of the only known Idiorophus patagonicus specimen.
Phys.org / Ancient Maya tattooing tools identified for the first time in Belize cave
From ethnographic accounts and ancient Mayan imagery, we know that the Maya engaged in various forms of body modification, including piercing, body painting, scarification, and tattooing. However, no Mayan remains with tattoos ...
Phys.org / Paleontologists identify 12 new dinosaur teeth in China's Nenjiang Formation
A recent study by Keifeng Yu and his colleagues, published in Acta Geologica Sinica, describes the discovery and identification of 12 new dinosaur teeth from the Upper Cretaceous Nenjiang Formation. The Cretaceous dinosaurs ...
