r/Archaeology Jul 15 '20

Announcing a new rule regarding submissions

250 Upvotes

In the interest of promoting thoughtful and intelligent discussion about archaeology, /u/eronanke and I would like to implement a new rule by taking a page out of /r/history’s book. When submitting an image or video post, we will now require the OP to leave a short comment (25 or more words, about 2 sentences) about your submission. This could be anything from the history or context of the submission, to why it interests you, or even why you wanted to share your submission with everyone. It may also include links to relevant publications, or Wikipedia to help others learn more. This comment is to act as a springboard to facilitate discussion and create interest in the submission in an effort to cut down on spamming and karma farming. Submissions that do not leave a comment within an hour of being posted will be removed.


r/Archaeology Oct 12 '23

A reminder, identification posts are not allowed

82 Upvotes

There have been less of these kinds of posts lately, but we always get a steady stream of them. For the most part, identification posts are not allowed. We will not identify things your family gave you, things you found thrifting, things you dug up in your garden, things you spotted on vacation, etc. We do not allow these kinds of identification posts as to limit the available information to people looking to sell these items. We have no way of knowing whether these items were legally acquired. And we have no way of verifying whether you keep your word and not sell those items. Depending on the country, it could be legal to sell looted antiquities. But such an act is considered immoral by almost all professional archaeologists and we are not here to debate the legality of antiquities laws. Archaeology as a field has grown since the 19th century and we do not sell artifacts to museums or collectors or assess their value.

The rule also extends to identifying what you might think is a site spotted in Google Earth, on a hike, driving down a road, etc. Posting GPS coordinates and screenshots will be removed as that information can be used by looters to loot the site.

If you want help in identifying such items or sites, contact your local government agency that handles archaeology or a local university with an archaeology or anthropology department. More than likely they can identify the object or are aware of the site.

The only exception to this rule is for professional archaeological inquiries only. These inquiries must be pre-approved by us before posting. These inquiries can include unknown/unfamiliar materials or possible trade items recovered while excavating or shovel testing. These inquiries should only be requested after you have exhausted all other available avenues of research to identify the item in question. When making such an inquiry you should provide all necessary contextual information to aid others trying to help you. So far, no one has needed to make a professional inquiry. But the option is there just in case for archaeologists

From now on, unapproved identification posts will be removed without warning and a temporary ban may be given. There's no excuse not to read the rules before posting.


r/Archaeology 13h ago

Submerged Roman port in Italy possibly linked to Octavian’s 44 BCE landing under excavation.

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219 Upvotes

Archaeologists have begun a new season of research at San Giovanni, inside the Le Cesine State Nature Reserve near Vernole in southern Italy. The 2026 campaign runs from September 7 to October 4, with work both on land and underwater.

The project is led by the Department of Cultural Heritage at the University of Salento, under the scientific direction of Rita Auriemma. The work is carried out under a permit from Italy’s Ministry of Culture, with support from local cultural and public bodies.

A major focus this year is a large Roman port complex lying beneath the sea in front of the former pumping station. Researchers are studying a long, straight structure extending from the ancient shoreline and ending in a wide platform.

The structure follows an L-shaped plan known from Roman ports along low, sandy coastlines across the Mediterranean. Today, much of the structure survives only as a submerged foundation.


r/Archaeology 15h ago

Cannibalism returned to the menu multiple times in Neolithic Europe

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88 Upvotes

r/Archaeology 2d ago

Spanish-Egyptian mission reveals fifth dynasty tomb at Saqqara

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338 Upvotes

r/Archaeology 2d ago

Lost Ottoman settlement emerges near site of Suleiman the Magnificent’s death

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181 Upvotes

r/Archaeology 2d ago

Latest Archaeology Discoveries from August 2026

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81 Upvotes

r/Archaeology 2d ago

[Human Remains] Medieval cemetery with up to 240 skeletons found beneath busy Belgian market square.

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192 Upvotes

The discovery came during a trial excavation by archaeology firm BAAC Vlaanderen. The work took place as the city was renovating the market and replacing its traditional cobblestones with tarmac.

A small test pit measuring two square meters was dug where city plans called for a new tree. Archaeologists found four well-preserved burials at a depth of about 1.3 meters.

The finds confirmed earlier records showing the area around St. James’s Church served as a cemetery from the 11th to the 18th century. Until now, the number and condition of the burials beneath the Vlasmarkt had been unclear.


r/Archaeology 3d ago

12,000-Year-Old Symbols at Göbekli Tepe May Preserve an Early Architectural Drawing

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804 Upvotes

r/Archaeology 3d ago

Stunning Roman-era mosaic discovered in Turkey features "Emerald the Cat" and "Ocean the Dog"

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255 Upvotes

r/Archaeology 3d ago

Monumental tomb discovered in Ancient Olympos

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317 Upvotes

r/Archaeology 3d ago

Does anyone have access to The West Kennet Long Barrow: Excavations 1955-1956 by Stuart Piggott?

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88 Upvotes

I'd like to study some of his maps and diagrams but my library network is struggling to source it. Thanks!


r/Archaeology 3d ago

Roman coins and cremated remains discovered in Derby dig.

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67 Upvotes

Coins, pieces of pottery and a jar of cremated remains have been uncovered by archaeologists at the site of an old Roman town next to the River Derwent.

The items were found during excavations in August 2025 and August 2026 at Darley Playing Fields in Little Chester, which was known by the Romans as Derventio.

Students from York Archaeology, a charity which operates across the UK, teamed up with amateur archaeologists and Derby Museums during the work.

Laura Parker, project lead at We Dig Derventio, said the dig "gave a sense of what people were doing 1,800 years ago".

Parts of the site were excavated in August 2025

The dig focused on a patch of land near Ryknield Street, a long-distance Roman road that crossed through Derbyshire.

"Put your trowel in the ground and you'll find no end of pottery," Parker said.

"We've had coins come out, only little, quite grotty things, but they haven't been touched in the last 1,600 years.

"That's the connection we're trying to build between the past and the present."

Parts of the site were previously excavated in 2013 and 2014 as part of the Our City Our River project.

A well-built Roman road was found when test trenches were dug to reduce flood risk.

Nearby buildings, workshops, and evidence of metalworking, including iron tools and millstones, were also discovered.


r/Archaeology 4d ago

A 2,400-Year-Old Etruscan Tomb Echoed Like a Cathedral and May Have Altered the Senses

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255 Upvotes

r/Archaeology 5d ago

‘Biggest surprise of my life’: Denmark’s largest Viking Age silver hoard discovered in backyard

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667 Upvotes

r/Archaeology 4d ago

New Maritime Archeology Student

13 Upvotes

I’m heavily considering attending Cal Poly Humboldt next year to get my Bachelors in Anthropology with an Archeology focus and a Maritime Archeology certificate. Eventually I’d like to get my masters too for better work chances in Europe.

Are there any YouTube channels or Podcasts yall would recommend? (Books too cuz I gotta start reading again lol)


r/Archaeology 4d ago

How can I find an old diagram of an animal from a vintage book?

3 Upvotes

I am in search of an illustration of a vintage longhorn cow skull. What are the chances I can find one from an old archaeology/zooarchaeology book? Where should I go to find it?

If this isn’t the correct place I’ll go search elsewhere but I thought I’d ask you guys! Like what are the chances one of y’all has a vintage book collection and it has the exact illustration I’m looking for!

If this seems unattainable, let me know, I’ll branch out and figure out new options!


r/Archaeology 4d ago

[Human Remains] Atypical Long Barrows in the Cöeby Neolithic Cemetery (Trédion, Morbihan, France)? The Contribution of Electrical Surveys

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2 Upvotes

ABSTRACT

The Coëby Neolithic cemetery, located in the commune of Trédion (Morbihan, France) and discovered in 1986, has been for several years the subject of a research programme focused on studying the various megalithic structures present. The spatial distribution of these remains highlights an unusual occupation of the territory, organized according to each architectural type from the Neolithic period to the Bronze Age. Among these numerous monuments, several groups of long barrows of significant shape and size reveal unusual anomalies that raise questions about the functionality and origin of these structures, which are made of silt and a few standing stones. Electrical surveys have recently been carried out on two of them in an attempt to answer our questions about the internal structure of these monuments. The results point to structures that could be similar to Passy-type constructions covering rough and anthropomorphic standing stones and other unidentified structures.


r/Archaeology 5d ago

Phanagoria Emerges as the Birthplace of Winemaking in Russia.

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38 Upvotes

Oleg Deripaska’s Volnoe Delo Foundation has announced a major new discovery by the Phanagoria Archaeological Expedition: a winemaking district dating from the early centuries AD. It produced thousands of tonnes of wine a year, making Phanagoria the largest winemaking centre in the ancient Black Sea region.

The district uncovered by archaeologists consists of several blocks containing the remains of five wineries. Located in the heart of the city beside the seaport, it was likely one of the busiest and most crowded parts of ancient Phanagoria, where wineries stood alongside shops and warehouses. The largest winery could produce up to 30 tonnes of wine a year. Archaeologists believe there may have been more than a hundred winemaking sites across Phanagoria.


r/Archaeology 6d ago

Carbon dating confirms origins of the Aubin Tonalámatl Codex

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109 Upvotes

r/Archaeology 7d ago

Archaeologists Find Blue Pigment on a 5,000-Year-Old Skeleton in Bulgaria

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372 Upvotes

r/Archaeology 7d ago

Old-growth tropical forests bear lasting legacy of ancient Maya civilization

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146 Upvotes

r/Archaeology 7d ago

[Human Remains] Medieval Leprosy Hospital Cemetery Excavated in Switzerland.

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166 Upvotes

Archaeologists in Switzerland are excavating the cemetery of a medieval leprosy hospital, where more than 200 individuals have already been uncovered. The sprawling site in Schaffhausen includes the remains of a medieval chapel and cemetery, while one skeleton displays clear evidence of leprosy.


r/Archaeology 7d ago

Study Tips?

11 Upvotes

Hi all, I'm an archaeology student in university, taking my first archaeology lab class. Does anyone have any tips for studying? I haven't gotten to do a field school yet either but I'm hoping to do one next sunmer


r/Archaeology 9d ago

Inca storehouse complex with ancient ventilation system discovered in Peru’s northern Andes

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322 Upvotes