ANTHROPOLOGY

The Tollense Valley battle site contains hundreds of victims.

10 Prehistoric Battle Sites Around the World

We sometimes think human prehistory was much more peaceful than today. But archaeological evidence suggests otherwise.

Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site in Illinois was the location of the largest Mississippian Culture city before European contact.

11 Ancient Native American Earthworks You Can Visit

Hundreds—even thousands—of years ago, Native American peoples built complex and mysterious earthworks. Here are 11 you can visit for a glimpse into prehistory.

A replica of the Laetoli footprints discovered in Laetoli, Tanzania; The original footprints were dated to 3.6 million years ago.

9 Fascinating Discoveries that Changed Our Understanding of Human Evolution

Scientists have uncovered ancient fossils, prehistoric artwork, and other clues to human evolution. Here are nine of the most revealing discoveries that have changed our understanding of our early ancestors—and ourselves.

The Staffordshire Hoard contains the one of the richest collections of Anglo-Saxon gold ever found.

20 Amazing Historical Discoveries in the Last 20 Years

Scientists and historians have made incredible finds—from the oldest human-made art to long-lost shipwrecks—in the 20 years since Mental Floss began.

Researcher samples cave sediments for DNA.

Humans First Arrived in North America 30,000 Years Ago, New Studies Suggest

New archeological evidence pushes back the arrival of the first North Americans 15,000 years and suggests they occupied the Americas during the Last Glacial Maximum, 26,000 to 19,000 years ago.

9 Ancient Objects That Have Had DNA Tests

From fossilized feces to antediluvian rodent nests, ancient objects are getting their DNA analyzed for clues about the past.

From left to right: Kaa-xoo-auxc (Garfield George), Jisgang (Nika Collison), Megan Humchitt, Haa’yuups (Ron Hamilton), and Chief Wigviłba Wákas (Harvey Humchitt) performing traditional ceremony before the move of the Great Canoe at the American Museum of Natural History in New York.

The American Museum of Natural History Moves Its Great Canoe—for the First Time in 60 Years—to Its Revitalized Northwest Coast Hall

For its planned multimillion-dollar redesign of its iconic Northwest Coast Hall, the American Museum of Natural History is collaborating with Indigenous leaders on an ambitious new conservation project.