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Archaeology and palaeontology

Archaeology and palaeontology
The latest news, analysis and opinion on Archaeology and palaeontology. In-depth analysis, industry insights and expert opinion.
An artist’s rendering of the Norellraptor after an “exquisitely preserved” fossil with a complete skeleton and parts of its plumage was unearthed in Liaoning province. Image: Zhao Chuang
Science

4-winged fossil found in Liaoning challenges single origin of dinosaur flight

While both birds and some winged dinosaurs could fly, they built their ‘flying kit’ in a different order.

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Science

Is China’s fabled Empress Dowager Huayang buried near an airport? A study says yes

2026 Xi-Trump summits

US hands over 64 artefacts to China in diplomatic push before summit

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Science

T. rex was warm-blooded and had body temperature close to ours, study finds

Scientists used chemicals in fossilised teeth to help pin down how warm the iconic dinosaur was.

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A child looks into the mouth of a Tyrannosaurus rex model at an exhibition in Jena, Germany, in June 2006. Photo: AP
Science

Denisovan fossils in China reveal ancient ‘hunting paradise’

Discoveries in southwest China’s Yunnan fill a geographic gap, uncovering how Denisovans lived as expert hunters of animals such as deer.

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Science

China sends archaeologists to South America to trace ancestral links

Joint project with Peru will start with field surveys in the Caral zone, which is home to the oldest known urban centre in the Americas.

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China-Latin America relations

Chinese archaeologists head to Peru for joint project to explore ancient sites

The partnership – part of a wider effort to expand cultural ties – will explore sites associated with the 5,000-year-old Caral civilisation.

The project will explore major sites such as Caral. Photo: Shutterstock
Science

Why were there no teeny-tiny dinosaurs like we have with mammals and birds?

New research investigates why there were never any dinosaurs the size of, say, a mouse, and it seems like mammals could be to blame.

Africa

Footprints in Kenya shed light on prehistoric human cousin Paranthropus

Researchers attribute the tracks to the Paranthropus boisei species based on foot shape and gait, and say they were probably left by adult males.

China-South Korea relations

South Korea returns looted Qing dynasty lions to China in cultural diplomacy win

Experts believe the marble sculptures guarded an imperial residence before they were taken by Japanese invaders in the early 20th century.

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These Qing Dynasty lions, which stood outside a Seoul museum for more than 80 years, have been returned to China. Photo: Xinhua
United States

‘Gus’ the T. rex fetches record US$50.1 million at US auction

The skeleton – one of the most complete of its kind in the world – was sold after a 10-minute bidding war between seven potential buyers.

A videographer documents “Gus”, a mounted Tyrannosaurus Rex skeleton, in New York on July 1. Photo: AFP
Africa

Switzerland returns 18 historic Benin Bronzes to Nigeria

The repatriation marks the latest victory in Africa’s push to reclaim priceless artefacts looted by British colonial forces.

Greece

Greece unveils Parthenon’s facade whole for first time in 220 years

Restoration of the western gable of the Parthenon on the Acropolis in Athens has been completed.

Science

Our ancient enemy: scientists discover oldest-known plague outbreak

Ancient DNA from Siberian burials reveals prehistoric outbreaks struck hunter-gatherers long before the Black Death.

Yersinia pestis, the bacteria responsible for the plague. New DNA analysis reveals the pathogen was causing deadly outbreaks 5,500 years ago. Photo: Shutterstock
European travel

What’s under Notre-Dame? History unearthed from 1,700 years ago

Roman artefacts, medieval houses, old latrines – history is being uncovered as the front of Notre-Dame Cathedral gets a revamp.

Camille Colonna, the archaeologist leading the dig, stands in front of Notre-Dame Cathedral during excavations in Paris in 2026. Beneath Notre-Dame, archaeologists are uncovering millennia of Parisian history. Photo: AP
France

Bag made from ‘T. rex leather’ fails to sell at Paris auction

Bids for the one-of-a-kind piece fall well short of the US$500,000 estimate despite its prehistoric origins.

Science

Scientists find woolly mammoth DNA while digging through squirrel poo

A treasure trove of ancient genetic material was stashed away by the rodents before being ‘frozen in time’ by permafrost.

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Trending in China

Recent analysis shows Neanderthals may have been first dentists in recorded history

60,000-year-old dental procedure blurs line between humans and Neanderthals.

A life-size reproduction of a Neanderthal family and their dwelling, set 50,000 years ago, is now on exhibit at the Field Museum of Natural History in Chicago, Illinois. These are the first authoritative lifelike representations of early humans. Photo: Getty Images
Trending in China

Chinese scientists suggest harsh environments foster early human creativity

The research unveils a more intricate narrative of innovation, intelligence, and human evolution in East Asia.

Science

Can China team’s Greek dig unveil an untold truth in ancient world history?

A joint archaeological project between Greece’s culture ministry and a Chinese team of researchers is breaking new ground.

Italy

Archaeologists use AI to reconstruct Pompeii victim’s face and final moments

AI-generated image shows a man ducking for cover, with a flaming Mount Vesuvius in the background.

The AI-generated image shows a man ducking ​for cover while holding a large bowl over his head. Image: Pompeii Archaeological Park
Jewellery

King Tut’s 3,200-year-old legacy inspires a new era of Egyptian jewellery

The opening of Giza’s Grand Egyptian Museum is sparking renewed interest in ancient motifs from brands like Azza Fahmy and Bibi van der Velden.

Azza Fahmy The Tutankhamun necklace. Photo: Handout
Women and gender

The palaeontologist making her mark in what was a ‘gentleman’s science’

Art

From Jurassic Park kid to dinosaur expert in what was ‘a gentleman’s science’

Natalia Jagielska, dinosaur researcher, illustrator and scientific consultant, explains how women are under-represented in her field.

Trending in China

Celestial craftsmanship: secrets of meteorite axe from China Sanxingdui unveiled

Artefact was made of a particular blend of metal that would have been extremely difficult for the ancient people to create on Earth.

Various meteoric iron artefacts have been discovered in China, with the latest finding revealing how the inhabitants of Sanxingdui forged an axelike tool from a meteorite. Photo: SCMP composite/Archaeological Research in Asia/Shutterstock
Trending in China

Unearthing peace: ancient China gravesite reveals significance of broken weapons

The bronze daggers and knives were intentionally damaged during burial as offerings to ensure deceased’s peaceful passage into afterlife.

Archaeologists uncovered a grave near Xian containing broken weapons, reflecting a peace ritual from the Western Zhou dynasty, emphasising the philosophy that “stopping war is true valour.” Photo: SCMP composite/Xinhua/people.com.cn
The Netherlands

Lost remains of French musketeer d’Artagnan may have been found in Dutch church

DNA testing is under way to verify ⁠the skeleton. D’Artagnan, fictionalised in Alexandre ⁠Dumas’ novel The ⁠Three Musketeers, died in 1673.

Trending in China

How climate change led to demise of an advanced Chinese civilisation 4,500 years ago

New research paints a picture of a culture that struggled to navigate a significant increase in rainfall and slowly disappeared from history.

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