As populations expanded in Medieval England, key changes occurred in the uses of cattle and sheep to produce food and materials, according to a study published September 2, 2026 in the open access journal PLOS One by Matilda Holmes of the University of Leicester, UK, David Orton of the University of York, UK, and colleagues.

Researchers and archeologists from Aarhus University and the Moesgaard museum have developed a low-cost multispectral LED imaging system that can reveal subtle differences between archaeological layers and materials that are difficult to see with the naked eye. Tested at the Iron Age site Sorte Muld on Bornholm, the system could help archaeologists document complex deposits and choose where to sample before excavation removes the evidence for good.

A recent study published in the National Science Review reveals that the tradition of wrapping grains in leaves may date back as far as 2,200 years ago. Leaf-wrapped plant bundles unearthed at the Wuwangdun Site—believed to have served as funerary offerings—are now considered an early precursor to zongzi, the iconic traditional Chinese food enjoyed during the Dragon Boat Festival.

Cacao may have been consumed at feasts in the 12th century by Mississippian people in the city of Etowah, in the modern state of Georgia

Edo-period “Ogame” (“large jars”) became increasingly standardized over time, developing distinct shapes for everyday and burial use, reports a new archeological study from Institute of Science Tokyo, Japan. Using AI-assisted techniques and geometric morphometrics, the researcher analyzed 243 historic vessels to quantitatively track these changes. The findings provide the first quantitative evidence that major Edo-period historical events influenced not only expensive porcelains production but also everyday ceramics, offering new insights into early modern Japanese society.

Qurayyah Painted Ware, 3200-yr-old ceramics, painted with distinctive black-and-red geometric designs, stylized animals and human figures, may have been an early example of an ancient "brand"

Researchers from University College Dublin have found that animal bones discovered at Ferriter’s Cove in County Kerry, previously believed to be the earliest evidence of domesticated cattle in Ireland and Britain, actually belonged to bear and wild boar. The discovery challenges a long-standing interpretation of the site and raises questions about the evidence for early contact between Ireland’s Mesolithic hunter-gatherers and Neolithic farming communities in Europe.

Ancient Egyptians routinely reopened, reused, and transformed burial spaces. But how does this show in tombs? Researchers have examined how repeated use of a chamber in a Theban tomb is reflected by the mummies in it. They found a switch from individualized burial units inside coffins to collective interment, alongside changes in the positioning of limbs and funerary objects. During later phases of the chamber’s use, mummies were stacked one above another – but this doesn’t mean chaos reigned or that certain burial practices were discontinued. Instead, it shows a process of reuse that could help develop a better understanding of the social behaviors behind funerary practices.

A 4,000-year-old painted stone plaque discovered on a remote Indonesian island is the first known example of portable art belonging to the Austronesian Painting Tradition (APT).