Ancient Origins

Ancient #Maya opened the tombs of dead #rulers and burned their remains to mark political transition through a #dramatic ritual, as revealed in new #archaeological findings from #Guatemala.

Recent studies show the native American Xavante people have surprising genetic origins. They have a shared ancestry with Australasian populations going back 30,000 years.

Archaeologists in #Portugal have unearthed three graves, possibly linked by familial ties, and awaiting #DNA confirmation. What #secrets might these remnants of a once-thriving civilization reveal about daily life and societal structures in ancient Ossonoba, on the far western extreme of the #Roman Empire?

The #Portuguese were the first to forge a truly global empire. During the Age of #Exploration, its #sailors spread across the globe, conquering much of what they found.

The recent #uncovering of a fully preserved, 2,500-year-old #Greek-Illyrian helmet in Croatia, shines light on the #warrior cultures of old in this region.

In the depths of prehistoric #Colombia, an enormous snake once ruled the land and waters alike. #Titanoboa was a monstruous serpent which even today strikes fear into the hearts of modern-day #adventurers.

A titan amongst snakes, #fossil records from Colombia have revealed its immense size, estimated at up to 49 feet (15 meters!). Roaming the Earth during the Paleocene epoch about 60 million years ago, its remains have only been #uncovered in Colombia. Through meticulous study and #scientific ingenuity, scientists reconstructed a life-size model of Titanoboa which brought the #ancient monster to life.