https://thepotsherd.com/2026-08-20https://thepotsherd.com/share-home.svg https://thepotsherd.com/news/dinosaurs-missing-miniature-counterparts-cb93e3dc/2026-08-20https://thepotsherd.com/share-dinosaurs-missing-miniature-counterparts-cb93e3dc.svgDinosaurs' Missing Miniature CounterpartsNew research suggests that dinosaurs may have been prevented from evolving into tiny animals due to competition with early mammals. (Source: sciencedaily.com) https://thepotsherd.com/news/tzi-iceman-microbiome-ancient-7a14b7ed/2026-08-20https://thepotsherd.com/share-tzi-iceman-microbiome-ancient-7a14b7ed.svgÖtzi the Iceman's Microbiome Reveals Ancient and Modern Life After 5,300 YearsResearchers uncover a mix of ancient gut bacteria and cold-adapted yeasts on Ötzi's mummy, suggesting continuous microbial activity since his death. The findings offer insights into early human... https://thepotsherd.com/news/humans-dogs-evolved-together-03b2e0a3/2026-08-20https://thepotsherd.com/share-humans-dogs-evolved-together-03b2e0a3.svgHumans and Dogs Evolved Together for 15,000 YearsA new book by archaeologist Professor Peter Mitchell explores the history of dog domestication and how humans and dogs have been changing each other for 15,000 years. (Source: sciencedaily.com) https://thepotsherd.com/news/million-year-old-reptile-fe79b1b1/2026-08-20https://thepotsherd.com/share-million-year-old-reptile-fe79b1b1.svg240-million-year-old reptile fossil reveals a lost chapter before dinosaurs and crocodilesA 240-million-year-old reptile discovered in Brazil is revealing what evolution looked like just before the rise of dinosaurs and crocodiles. (Source: sciencedaily.com) https://thepotsherd.com/news/giant-crocodylian-predator-dominated/2026-08-19https://thepotsherd.com/share-giant-crocodylian-predator-dominated.svgGiant Crocodylian Predator Dominated Miocene South AmericaA new study reveals that the massive crocodylian *Purussaurus neivensis*, reaching up to 23 feet in length, was a dominant predator in South America's Miocene ecosystem, playing a key role in... https://thepotsherd.com/news/ancient-manuscripts-reveal-hidden/2026-08-19https://thepotsherd.com/share-ancient-manuscripts-reveal-hidden.svgAncient Manuscripts Reveal Hidden Genetic Secrets Without DamageResearchers have developed a non-destructive method to extract DNA from centuries-old parchment manuscripts, unlocking new insights into ancient trade, livestock history, and manuscript origins... https://thepotsherd.com/news/ancient-egyptian-tomb-evolving/2026-08-19https://thepotsherd.com/share-ancient-egyptian-tomb-evolving.svgAncient Egyptian tomb reveals evolving burial traditions through organized mummies and a mummified...A study of tomb TT 209 in Egypt’s Theban Necropolis uncovers a structured evolution of burial practices over centuries, from individual coffins to stacked mummies, including a mummified dog... https://thepotsherd.com/news/earliest-brass-production-found/2026-08-19https://thepotsherd.com/share-earliest-brass-production-found.svgEarliest Brass Production Found in Ancient Chinese WorkshopChinese archaeologists have uncovered the oldest known evidence of brass production in East Asia, dating back to the ninth and tenth centuries, at a metal workshop in Guangzhou. The discovery... https://thepotsherd.com/news/centuries-old-runestone-discovered/2026-08-19https://thepotsherd.com/share-centuries-old-runestone-discovered.svgCenturies-Old Runestone Discovered in Faroe Islands ChapelArchaeologists uncover a rare runestone embedded in the floor of a medieval Faroese chapel, shedding light on early Christian-Norse traditions. https://thepotsherd.com/news/ancient-skeletons-challenge-assumptions-5aa1c64d/2026-08-18https://thepotsherd.com/share-ancient-skeletons-challenge-assumptions-5aa1c64d.svgAncient Skeletons Challenge Assumptions About Syphilis OriginsA new study suggests that congenital transmission of treponemal diseases may not be exclusive to venereal syphilis, challenging a long-held assumption in the field of archaeology. https://thepotsherd.com/news/scientists-discover-evidence-two-1868e67a/2026-08-18https://thepotsherd.com/share-scientists-discover-evidence-two-1868e67a.svgScientists Discover Evidence of Two Origins of Life on EarthA recent study suggests that the first free-living cells may have emerged independently twice, with life sharing one ancient genetic code but undergoing two separate transitions into free-living... https://thepotsherd.com/news/lost-papal-letter-suggests-334c29a2/2026-08-18https://thepotsherd.com/share-lost-papal-letter-suggests-334c29a2.svgLost Papal Letter Suggests England Backed Wrong Pope in 1066New research from the University of East Anglia suggests that a lost papal letter could change how historians understand the events of 1066 and the Norman Conquest. England may have backed the wrong... https://thepotsherd.com/news/ceremonial-poles-returned-canadian-f300f491/2026-08-18https://thepotsherd.com/share-ceremonial-poles-returned-canadian-f300f491.svgCeremonial Poles Returned to Canadian Village SiteMonumental cedar poles carved by the Haida people have been returned to their ancestral village in Canada's Pacific Northwest. (Source: Archaeology Magazine (Archaeological Institute of America)) https://thepotsherd.com/news/ice-age-species-uncovered/2026-08-18https://thepotsherd.com/share-ice-age-species-uncovered.svgNew Ice Age Species Uncovered in La Brea Tar Pits FossilsScientists at the La Brea Tar Pits have discovered a previously unknown amphibian species, Spea labreae, which lived in Ice Age Los Angeles. The find is exceptionally rare, with only one other... https://thepotsherd.com/news/tiny-billion-year-old/2026-08-18https://thepotsherd.com/share-tiny-billion-year-old.svgTiny 1.7-billion-year-old fossils could reveal how complex life beganScientists are searching for tiny fossils in some of Earth's oldest rocks to understand how simple microbial life made the leap towards complex organisms. This knowledge could also help determine... https://thepotsherd.com/news/possible-bronze-age-grave/2026-08-18https://thepotsherd.com/share-possible-bronze-age-grave.svgPossible Bronze Age Grave Unearthed Beneath Viking Ship BurialArchaeologists in western Norway have begun excavating a burial mound that may contain a previously unknown Bronze Age grave, buried beneath a Viking ship burial. https://thepotsherd.com/news/year-old-alcoholic-beverage/2026-08-18https://thepotsherd.com/share-year-old-alcoholic-beverage.svg2,300-Year-Old Alcoholic Beverage Found in Ancient Chinese CemeteryArchaeologists in China have discovered a well-preserved alcoholic beverage in a bronze vessel from a cemetery near the Great Wall, dating back to the Warring States Period. The drink, made primarily... https://thepotsherd.com/news/connecticut-teenager-david-maltbie/2026-08-17https://thepotsherd.com/share-connecticut-teenager-david-maltbie.svgConnecticut Teenager David Maltbie: The Forgotten Spy Who Outlived Nathan HaleNewly uncovered documents reveal the story of David Maltbie, a 17-year-old Connecticut teenager who successfully spied on the British during the American Revolution in 1776, narrowly avoiding... https://thepotsherd.com/news/fourth-century-graves-found-83ea93/2026-08-17https://thepotsherd.com/share-fourth-century-graves-found-83ea93.svgFourth-Century B.C. Graves Found at HattushaArchaeologists have discovered three ancient tombs at the Hittite capital city of Hattusha in central Turkey. The graves date back around 2,300 years and are distinguished by their circular stone... https://thepotsherd.com/news/colonial-era-hospital-church-b3f52a/2026-08-17https://thepotsherd.com/share-colonial-era-hospital-church-b3f52a.svgColonial-Era Hospital and Church Excavated in LimaArchaeologists have uncovered the remains of a 16th-century hospital and church in Lima's historic district. (Source: Archaeology Magazine (Archaeological Institute of America)) https://thepotsherd.com/news/possible-ancient-wrestler-tomb-ef1aae/2026-08-17https://thepotsherd.com/share-possible-ancient-wrestler-tomb-ef1aae.svgPossible Ancient Wrestler's Tomb Found in TurkeyArchaeologists in Turkey have uncovered a 2,400-year-old grave lined with stones at the site of Aspendos, a Pamphylian city on the country's southern coast. The tomb contains locally minted coins... https://thepotsherd.com/news/uncovering-story-world-war-b33771/2026-08-17https://thepotsherd.com/share-uncovering-story-world-war-b33771.svgUncovering the Story of a World War II Soldier Through His Love LettersA collection of over 300 love letters written by a World War II soldier has been discovered, but the identity of the soldier and his wife remained a mystery until recently. With the help of an... https://thepotsherd.com/news/drought-exposes-roman-bridge-5ead3d/2026-08-16https://thepotsherd.com/share-drought-exposes-roman-bridge-5ead3d.svgDrought Exposes Roman Bridge in BulgariaA Roman bridge in Bulgaria has been exposed by a heat wave in Europe, revealing its foundations and providing archaeologists with an unprecedented view of the ancient structure. https://thepotsherd.com/news/ancient-roman-wine-shipwreck-ca445e/2026-08-16https://thepotsherd.com/share-ancient-roman-wine-shipwreck-ca445e.svgAncient Roman Wine Shipwreck Found Near SicilyA 2,100-year-old Roman shipwreck carrying 500 amphoras, likely used for wine transport, has been discovered off Sicily's coast. The vessel, measuring 70 feet long and 20 feet wide, rests 150 feet... https://thepotsherd.com/finds-material/2026-08-20 https://thepotsherd.com/ethics-heritage/2026-08-20 https://thepotsherd.com/about/ https://thepotsherd.com/sources-and-methods/ https://thepotsherd.com/corrections/