Archeology

Naturally mummified cheetahs discovered in Saudi Arabian caves

Naturally mummified cheetahs discovered in Saudi Arabian caves

14:35, 18 January 2026

Chinese, Uzbek archaeologists discover ancient city walls in Uzbekistan Source: XinhuaEditor: huaxia2026-01-10 16:12:00 This file photo taken on June 24, 2025 shows members of the Luoyang-Fergana Sino-Uzbekistan joint archaeological team posing for a group photo at the Kuva Site in the Fergana Valley, eastern Uzbekistan. (Xinhua) ZHENGZHOU, Jan. 10 (Xinhua) -- Chinese and Uzbek archaeologists have found early city walls constructed and modified between the 3rd century BC and the 10th century AD at the ancient city of Kuva in Uzbekistan, shedding new light on the history of a key Silk Road settlement. Located in the Fergana Valley in eastern Uzbekistan, the Kuva site, now spanning about 110,000 square meters, used to be a very important hub on the ancient Silk Road. Its historical connection to China dates back over two millennia, as it is believed to have been part of the ancient state of Dayuan, recorded by Chinese envoy Zhang Qian during the Han Dynasty (202 BC-220 AD). A joint team from the Luoyang Institute of Archaeology in central China's Henan Province and Uzbekistan's Fergana State University has been conducting fieldwork at the Kuva site since 2023. Liu Bin, leader of the Chinese team, said remains of a palace, city gates, walls, house foundations, streets and workshops have been identified. In 2025, the team focused on excavating the northern gate and the adjacent moat area. The team determined that the walls had undergone multiple modifications in terms of layout and function, using both adobes and mud bricks as building materials, which confirms the continuous use of these walls from around the 3rd century BC to the 10th century AD. The long-term use and repeated modifications of the walls reveal the enduring vitality, adaptability and complex functions of this key Silk Road hub, Liu said, while adding that the evolution of construction techniques provides crucial material useful for studying architectural crafts, material choices and potential cultural influences of different eras. The team has also conducted a systematic survey and exploration of the eastern part of the palace complex, discovering features such as wall foundation trenches and a surrounding moat. These findings provide crucial information for reconstructing the city's overall layout. "This year, we plan systematic excavations in the palace area to further clarify the complete layout and functional zones of the ancient city," Liu noted.

Chinese, Uzbek archaeologists discover ancient city walls in Uzbekistan

09:37, 12 January 2026

Kazakh students showcase robotics innovations for archaeology

Kazakh students showcase robotics innovations for archaeology

10:38, 11 January 2026

State Counselor Erlan Karin

Kazakhstan systematizes protection of archaeological sites — Erlan Karin

16:55, 26 December 2025

Archaeological discoveries made in 2025 shed light on human history, heritage

Archaeological discoveries made in 2025 shed light on human history, heritage

07:39, 25 December 2025

Neolithic Turkish site of Karahantepe named among top 10 archaeological discoveries of 2025

Neolithic Turkish site of Karahantepe named among top 10 archaeological discoveries of 2025

07:12, 24 December 2025

Turgay Geoglyphs: How ancient structures mark the winter solstice

Turgay Geoglyphs: How ancient structures mark the winter solstice

19:21, 21 December 2025

Ancient Burial Sites Discovered During Geological Surveys in Mongolia

Ancient burial sites discovered during geological surveys in Mongolia

10:40, 18 December 2025

Oldest evidence of deliberate fire use found in England Humans may have made fire 350,000 years earlier than previously thought, scientists say. Excavation site of 400,000 year old pond sediments at Barnham, Suffofk, England. (Credit Jordan Mansfield/Pathways to Ancient Britain Project via AP) Researchers examine the excavation site of 400,000-year-old pond sediments at Barnham, Suffolk, England [File: Jordan Mansfield/Pathways to Ancient Britain Project via AP] By Caolán Magee Published On 10 Dec 2025 10 Dec 2025 Click here to share on social media Share Save Scientists have uncovered the oldest-known evidence of deliberate fire-making by prehistoric humans in Suffolk, Britain – revealing it happened some 350,000 years earlier than experts previously believed. The site, a former clay pit near the village of Barnham, contains a hearth made by Neanderthals about 415,000 years ago. Recommended Stories list of 4 items list 1 of 4Masked neo-Nazis march through Arkansas community list 2 of 4WATCH: Palestine prepare for historic FIFA Arab Cup clash with Saudi Arabia list 3 of 4US federal judge halts Trump’s National Guard operations in California list 4 of 4UN rights office in ‘survival mode’ amid deep funding cuts end of list Until now, the earliest known evidence of humans making fire dated to around 50,000 years ago at a site in northern France, also linked to Neanderthals. Researchers identified the remains of a repeatedly used campfire, including heated clay, flint tools shattered by intense heat and two pieces of iron pyrite – a mineral that sparks when struck against flint to ignite tinder. “We think humans brought pyrite to the site with the intention of making fire. And this has huge implications, pushing back the earliest fire-making,” said archaeologist Nick Ashton, curator of Palaeolithic Collections at the British Museum in London. While there are even older signs of humans using naturally occurring wildfires in Africa, this is the earliest proof that people knew how to start their own fires. Play Video 28:37 Now Playing 28:37 Could others follow Australia banning social media for under-16s? Could others follow Australia banning social media for under-16s? Next 02:01 US House approves bill to lift all sanctions on Syria imposed under Caesar Act US House approves bill to lift all sanctions on Syria imposed under Caesar Act 01:45 Calm returns to Benin after failed coup attempt Calm returns to Benin after failed coup attempt 01:31 US interest rate cut: The White House has pressured Powell as the economy slows US interest rate cut: The White House has pressured Powell as the economy slows 06:23 US soldiers must refuse illegal orders: Analysis US soldiers must refuse illegal orders: Analysis Fire was a crucial turning point in human evolution. Controlled flames allowed ancient hunter-gatherers to live in colder environments, cook food, and protect themselves from predators. Cooking also helped our ancestors get more energy from meat, roots and tubers, fuelling the growth of larger brains and enabling communities to support more people. Scientists say fire likely transformed social life as well. It brought people together at night to share warmth, food and conversation, possibly encouraging storytelling, language and cultural beliefs. Advertisement “The campfire becomes a social hub,” British Museum archaeologist and study co-author Rob Davis said. “We’re a species who have used fire to really shape the world around us – and now we know this is something Neanderthals were doing far earlier than we thought, just like us.” The evidence at Barnham suggests repeated fire use at temperatures above 700 degrees Celsius (1,292 degrees Fahrenheit), pointing to deliberate fire-starting rather than reliance on natural flames. The team spent four years testing the materials to confirm the hearth’s age and human origin. The finding supports the view that Neanderthals, and possibly their close relatives such as the Denisovans, were far more innovative than once assumed, sharing key survival skills long before the emergence of modern-day humans.

Oldest evidence of deliberate fire use found in England

13:41, 11 December 2025

Ancient Dinosaur Footprints Unearthed in Sichuan, China

Dinosaur footprints unearthed in China's Sichuan

09:13, 8 December 2025

Golden jewelry and ancient artifacts unearthed in Kazakhstan

Golden jewelry and ancient artifacts unearthed in Kazakhstan

09:42, 30 November 2025

1,800-year-old statue unearthed in ancient city in Türkiye

Around the World

1,800-year-old statue unearthed in ancient city in Türkiye

23:25, 28 November 2025

Neolithic structure resembling amphitheater unearthed in southeastern Türkiye

Neolithic structure resembling amphitheater unearthed in southeastern Türkiye

07:36, 27 November 2025

Foreign media on Kazakhstan

Foreign media on Kazakhstan: Armenian PM highlights Kazakhstan’s role in peace process with Azerbaijan; Bronze Age metropolis uncovered in Kazakh steppe

08:00, 23 November 2025

Kazakhstan’s Semiyarka shows signs of advanced bronze production

Kazakhstan’s Semiyarka shows signs of advanced bronze production

18:09, 19 November 2025

Jordan, Georgia sign MoU on archaeological research, heritage protection

Around the World

Jordan, Georgia sign MoU on archaeological research, heritage protection

21:48, 18 November 2025

1,500-year-old residential area discovered in Southeastern Türkiye

1,500-year-old residential area discovered in Southeastern Türkiye

13:35, 18 November 2025

Saka warrior artefacts

Karaganda archaeologists discover rare Saka warrior tomb

11:52, 10 November 2025

Relic sites dating back to Sui, Tang dynasties discovered in Xi'an

Relic sites dating back to Sui, Tang dynasties discovered in China's Xi'an

06:12, 7 November 2025

Kazakhstan to launch centralized database for archaeological works

Kazakhstan to launch centralized database for archaeological works

12:08, 29 October 2025

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Archeology is the study of the ancient and recent human past through material remains.