Author: ancient origins

New research led by Tulane University archaeologists reveals that the ancient Maya civilization was far more populous than previously thought — supporting as many as 16 million people across parts

In south-east Asia, betel nut chewing has been practiced since antiquity. The plants contain compounds that enhance the consumer’s alertness, energy, euphoria, and relaxation. Although the practice is becoming less

What if I told you that the core principles driving blockchain technology were actually explored over 5,000 years ago? Not in Silicon Valley boardrooms, but in the dusty archives of

Anna K. Behrensmeyer, Kevin Hatala & Purity Kiura/The Conversation Human footprints stir the imagination. They invite you to follow, to guess what someone was doing and where they were going.

Once again Ancient Origins has been blocked by Facebook for posting content deemed not fit for general consumption. This is becoming an almost monthly occurrence, with the site being put

Claire Holleran/The Conversation Ridley Scott’s Gladiator II features a scene in which a senator, seated at a pavement cafe in Rome, reads a printed newspaper. The moment has caused history

By Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona A study led by researchers from the UAB and the University La Sapienza in Rome indicates that during the Late Neolithic, between 7000 and 5000

 John Pearce/The Conversation In the amphitheatre of Gladiator II, Ridley Scott trains his lens on fighters and emperors – but no account of ancient gladiators is complete without including its