SandeeOster
@sandeeoster.bsky.social
I am an archaeologist who loves pondering the enigmas of bygone eras and sharing brand-new archaeological discoveries
Reposted by SandeeOster
Scientists discovered the world's first fossilized buttock-drag mark & it was made by a dassie (rock hyrax) 126,000 years ago in South Africa. The 95cm groove in ancient sand dunes also contains what may be fossilized dung, making it one of ichnology's most unusual finds.
medium.com/teatime-hist...
medium.com/teatime-hist...
Scientists Just Found the World’s First Fossilized Buttock-Drag Mark
New Study Identifies First Ever Dassie Trace Fossils Including the First Ever Buttock-Drag Mark Fossil
medium.com
October 17, 2025 at 3:53 PM
Scientists discovered the world's first fossilized buttock-drag mark & it was made by a dassie (rock hyrax) 126,000 years ago in South Africa. The 95cm groove in ancient sand dunes also contains what may be fossilized dung, making it one of ichnology's most unusual finds.
medium.com/teatime-hist...
medium.com/teatime-hist...
Reposted by SandeeOster
A new study of 189 ancient Patagonian hunter-gatherers reveals that even the severely injured were cared for, not abandoned. 💔❤️
3,000 years ago, survival wasn’t just of the fittest, it was of the kindest.
medium.com/the-academic...
3,000 years ago, survival wasn’t just of the fittest, it was of the kindest.
medium.com/the-academic...
Survival of the Kindest: First Study of its Kind to Analyze Hunter-Gatherer Trauma in Patagonia
A recent study conducted the first population-level analysis of trauma, finding that survival was not always based on being the ‘fittest’.
medium.com
October 17, 2025 at 4:32 AM
A new study of 189 ancient Patagonian hunter-gatherers reveals that even the severely injured were cared for, not abandoned. 💔❤️
3,000 years ago, survival wasn’t just of the fittest, it was of the kindest.
medium.com/the-academic...
3,000 years ago, survival wasn’t just of the fittest, it was of the kindest.
medium.com/the-academic...
Reposted by SandeeOster
New study finds that "juvenile T. rex" fossils actually belong to a separate species called Nanotyrannus, settling a decades-long debate in paleontology. This discovery completely rewrites what we thought we knew about T. rex development and behavior.
medium.com/fossils-et-a...
medium.com/fossils-et-a...
Dueling Dinosaurs: The Fossil That Proves We’ve Been Wrong About T. Rex for Decades
Recent study reveals ‘juvenile T. rex’ fossils belong to separate species
medium.com
November 6, 2025 at 4:41 AM
New study finds that "juvenile T. rex" fossils actually belong to a separate species called Nanotyrannus, settling a decades-long debate in paleontology. This discovery completely rewrites what we thought we knew about T. rex development and behavior.
medium.com/fossils-et-a...
medium.com/fossils-et-a...
Roman soldiers kept Indian macaques as exotic pets in ancient Egypt. These monkeys were status symbols imported across the Indian Ocean and buried with elaborate grave goods. Sadly, most died young from poor nutrition: fed bread and dates instead of their natural diet.
medium.com/the-academic...
medium.com/the-academic...
Roman Soldiers Likely Kept Indian Macaques as Pets in Egypt
New study reveals that Roman soldiers kept Indian macaques as pets, marking the first archaeological evidence of primate imports from…
medium.com
December 23, 2025 at 5:40 AM
Roman soldiers kept Indian macaques as exotic pets in ancient Egypt. These monkeys were status symbols imported across the Indian Ocean and buried with elaborate grave goods. Sadly, most died young from poor nutrition: fed bread and dates instead of their natural diet.
medium.com/the-academic...
medium.com/the-academic...
The Chinchorro people created the world's oldest mummies over 7000 years ago, possibly as art therapy to cope with infant loss from arsenic-poisoned water. Grieving parents may have transformed deceased children into elaborate works of art as a form of ritual healing.
medium.com/teatime-hist...
medium.com/teatime-hist...
Mummies as Art: The Ancient Chinchorro Artists Who Turned Grief Into Art
Study examines how the ancient Chinchorro may have created the world’s oldest mummies as expressions of grief and loss.
medium.com
December 22, 2025 at 4:52 AM
The Chinchorro people created the world's oldest mummies over 7000 years ago, possibly as art therapy to cope with infant loss from arsenic-poisoned water. Grieving parents may have transformed deceased children into elaborate works of art as a form of ritual healing.
medium.com/teatime-hist...
medium.com/teatime-hist...
Scientists just confirmed an 11-meter mosasaur lived in freshwater rivers during the Late Cretaceous, not the ocean like we thought. Multiple isotope analyses of a tooth from North Dakota's Hell Creek Formation proved this apex predator adapted to river life.
medium.com/fossils-et-a...
medium.com/fossils-et-a...
Freshwater Mosasaur: The Ocean’s Apex Predator That Became King of the Riverside
Study finds 11-meter mosasaur lived in freshwater rivers during Late Cretaceous, challenging long-held beliefs about marine-only habitats
medium.com
December 20, 2025 at 10:12 AM
Scientists just confirmed an 11-meter mosasaur lived in freshwater rivers during the Late Cretaceous, not the ocean like we thought. Multiple isotope analyses of a tooth from North Dakota's Hell Creek Formation proved this apex predator adapted to river life.
medium.com/fossils-et-a...
medium.com/fossils-et-a...
Recent study reveals how China's Jiahu settlement survived the 8.2k climate catastrophe while neighboring communities collapsed. The population actually grew through immigration, developed labor specialization, and accelerated agricultural innovation during the crisis
medium.com/science-spec...
medium.com/science-spec...
Climate Catastrophe Doesn’t Always Mean Collapse: The Jiahu Settlement’s Response to the 8.2k Event
Recent Study Applies Baseline Resilience Indicators to Assess Adaptive Responses at Jiahu During the 8.2k Event
medium.com
December 16, 2025 at 5:20 AM
Recent study reveals how China's Jiahu settlement survived the 8.2k climate catastrophe while neighboring communities collapsed. The population actually grew through immigration, developed labor specialization, and accelerated agricultural innovation during the crisis
medium.com/science-spec...
medium.com/science-spec...
Maya children got their ears pierced before they could walk or wear clothes. Recent research shows ear ornaments were tied to the soul (ik'/life breath) and were one of the earliest rites of passage for Maya kids, often by 3-4 months old.
medium.com/the-academic...
medium.com/the-academic...
The Maya Ritual That Came Before Walking, Talking, or Getting Dressed
Recent study reveals ear ornaments were a crucial rite of passage for Maya children, often before walking or wearing clothes
medium.com
December 15, 2025 at 7:02 AM
Maya children got their ears pierced before they could walk or wear clothes. Recent research shows ear ornaments were tied to the soul (ik'/life breath) and were one of the earliest rites of passage for Maya kids, often by 3-4 months old.
medium.com/the-academic...
medium.com/the-academic...
Reposted by SandeeOster
Scientists traced DNA from China's mysterious hanging coffins to confirm the modern Bo people are direct descendants of ancient cliff-burial practitioners. The tradition began 3,400+ ya on China's SE coast before spreading inland, with coffins placed on sheer cliffs.
medium.com/the-academic...
medium.com/the-academic...
Subjugators of the Sky: Ancient DNA Reveals the Origins of China’s Hanging Coffin Tradition
Recent study uses ancient DNA to trace the origins of China’s Hanging Coffin tradition and confirms genetic continuity with modern Bo…
medium.com
December 8, 2025 at 4:54 AM
Scientists traced DNA from China's mysterious hanging coffins to confirm the modern Bo people are direct descendants of ancient cliff-burial practitioners. The tradition began 3,400+ ya on China's SE coast before spreading inland, with coffins placed on sheer cliffs.
medium.com/the-academic...
medium.com/the-academic...
Archaeologists discovered a buried cache of 60 pristine Aboriginal stone tools in Queensland, Australia, only the second such find ever. The tools were likely meant for trade along ancient routes but were abandoned when colonial violence made retrieval too dangerous.
medium.com/teatime-hist...
medium.com/teatime-hist...
Trade, Violence, and Survival in the Outback: The Aboriginal Cache That Was Never Retrieved
Recent study uncovers only the second stone tool cache ever found in Australia, revealing Aboriginal trade networks disrupted by colonial…
medium.com
December 11, 2025 at 4:53 AM
Archaeologists discovered a buried cache of 60 pristine Aboriginal stone tools in Queensland, Australia, only the second such find ever. The tools were likely meant for trade along ancient routes but were abandoned when colonial violence made retrieval too dangerous.
medium.com/teatime-hist...
medium.com/teatime-hist...
A silver bangle from El Argar (2200-1550 BC) represents the first evidence of lost-wax casting in Bronze Age Western Europe. Surface analysis revealed diagnostic features including wax-carved grooves and a preserved fingerprint impression.
medium.com/science-spec...
medium.com/science-spec...
The Silver Bangle Of El Argar: First Evidence of Silver Lost-Wax Casting In Western Europe
Recent study identifies first evidence of silver lost-wax casting in Bronze Age Western Europe and the Iberian Peninsula
medium.com
December 9, 2025 at 5:22 PM
A silver bangle from El Argar (2200-1550 BC) represents the first evidence of lost-wax casting in Bronze Age Western Europe. Surface analysis revealed diagnostic features including wax-carved grooves and a preserved fingerprint impression.
medium.com/science-spec...
medium.com/science-spec...
Scientists traced DNA from China's mysterious hanging coffins to confirm the modern Bo people are direct descendants of ancient cliff-burial practitioners. The tradition began 3,400+ ya on China's SE coast before spreading inland, with coffins placed on sheer cliffs.
medium.com/the-academic...
medium.com/the-academic...
Subjugators of the Sky: Ancient DNA Reveals the Origins of China’s Hanging Coffin Tradition
Recent study uses ancient DNA to trace the origins of China’s Hanging Coffin tradition and confirms genetic continuity with modern Bo…
medium.com
December 8, 2025 at 4:54 AM
Scientists traced DNA from China's mysterious hanging coffins to confirm the modern Bo people are direct descendants of ancient cliff-burial practitioners. The tradition began 3,400+ ya on China's SE coast before spreading inland, with coffins placed on sheer cliffs.
medium.com/the-academic...
medium.com/the-academic...
Reposted by SandeeOster
Scientists discovered that repeated tail fractures in hadrosaurids were likely caused by aggressive mating with heavier males crushing females' vertebrae. This could help paleontologists identify female duck-billed dinosaurs in the fossil record 🦕
medium.com/fossils-et-a...
medium.com/fossils-et-a...
Tail Injuries Caused by Mating Could Identify Female Dinosaurs
New Study Employs Computer Modeling and Statistical Analysis to Reveal Mating as Likely Cause of Hadrosaur Tail Injuries
medium.com
November 27, 2025 at 5:10 AM
Scientists discovered that repeated tail fractures in hadrosaurids were likely caused by aggressive mating with heavier males crushing females' vertebrae. This could help paleontologists identify female duck-billed dinosaurs in the fossil record 🦕
medium.com/fossils-et-a...
medium.com/fossils-et-a...
Reposted by SandeeOster
Archaeologists discovered a solitary 4,000ya Kerma burial in Sudan's Bayuda Desert. His grave contained beads, an upside-down bowl (possibly symbolizing death's transformation), and a jar filled with bonfire remains that reveal the region once had grasslands and forests medium.com/science-spec...
Buried Alone in the Desert: What an Ancient Skeleton Reveals About Life and Death in Old Kush
Archaeological analysis of an isolated Old Kush II burial reveals insights into Kerma funerary practices and paleoenvironmental conditions…
medium.com
November 30, 2025 at 3:47 PM
Archaeologists discovered a solitary 4,000ya Kerma burial in Sudan's Bayuda Desert. His grave contained beads, an upside-down bowl (possibly symbolizing death's transformation), and a jar filled with bonfire remains that reveal the region once had grasslands and forests medium.com/science-spec...
Reposted by SandeeOster
Archaeologists studied the only known ancient Peruvian trophy head with a cleft lip. Evidence suggests people with cleft lips held special status in ancient Peru, often becoming priests or shamans. His preserved head may have been a powerful spiritual relic
medium.com/the-academic...
medium.com/the-academic...
Disability, Status, and Trophy Heads: New Study Analyzes the Only Known Cleft Lip Trophy Head
Archaeological and ethnographic evidence for the social status of cleft lip individuals in ancient Peru
medium.com
December 3, 2025 at 6:01 AM
Archaeologists studied the only known ancient Peruvian trophy head with a cleft lip. Evidence suggests people with cleft lips held special status in ancient Peru, often becoming priests or shamans. His preserved head may have been a powerful spiritual relic
medium.com/the-academic...
medium.com/the-academic...
Archaeologists studied the only known ancient Peruvian trophy head with a cleft lip. Evidence suggests people with cleft lips held special status in ancient Peru, often becoming priests or shamans. His preserved head may have been a powerful spiritual relic
medium.com/the-academic...
medium.com/the-academic...
Disability, Status, and Trophy Heads: New Study Analyzes the Only Known Cleft Lip Trophy Head
Archaeological and ethnographic evidence for the social status of cleft lip individuals in ancient Peru
medium.com
December 3, 2025 at 6:01 AM
Archaeologists studied the only known ancient Peruvian trophy head with a cleft lip. Evidence suggests people with cleft lips held special status in ancient Peru, often becoming priests or shamans. His preserved head may have been a powerful spiritual relic
medium.com/the-academic...
medium.com/the-academic...
Archaeologists discovered a solitary 4,000ya Kerma burial in Sudan's Bayuda Desert. His grave contained beads, an upside-down bowl (possibly symbolizing death's transformation), and a jar filled with bonfire remains that reveal the region once had grasslands and forests medium.com/science-spec...
Buried Alone in the Desert: What an Ancient Skeleton Reveals About Life and Death in Old Kush
Archaeological analysis of an isolated Old Kush II burial reveals insights into Kerma funerary practices and paleoenvironmental conditions…
medium.com
November 30, 2025 at 3:47 PM
Archaeologists discovered a solitary 4,000ya Kerma burial in Sudan's Bayuda Desert. His grave contained beads, an upside-down bowl (possibly symbolizing death's transformation), and a jar filled with bonfire remains that reveal the region once had grasslands and forests medium.com/science-spec...
Reposted by SandeeOster
Scientists have confirmed that sticky brown substances in Egyptian alabaster vessels were opium. Only a handful of vessels are known, including in King Tut's tomb. These were gifted to Persian elites & prized enough to take into the grave, where the opium was often looted
medium.com/the-academic...
medium.com/the-academic...
From King Tut to Xerxes: New Study Reveals Ancient Egyptian Alabaster Vessels Contained Opium
Organic Residue Analysis Reveals Mysterious Brown Substance in Ancient Egyptian Alabaster Vessels to be Opium
medium.com
November 20, 2025 at 4:28 AM
Scientists have confirmed that sticky brown substances in Egyptian alabaster vessels were opium. Only a handful of vessels are known, including in King Tut's tomb. These were gifted to Persian elites & prized enough to take into the grave, where the opium was often looted
medium.com/the-academic...
medium.com/the-academic...
Reposted by SandeeOster
🐟Scientists discovered the only fossils of their kind: decapitated fish heads from 150 million years ago with their digestive tracts still attached. These Aspidorhynchus predators were violently beheaded by larger hunters, preserving their last meals frozen in time. medium.com/fossils-et-a...
The Decapitated Hunters: How Jurassic Predators Became Prey
Recent study examines isolated fish skulls with intact gastrointestinal tracts from the Solnhofen Archipelago
medium.com
November 19, 2025 at 4:16 AM
🐟Scientists discovered the only fossils of their kind: decapitated fish heads from 150 million years ago with their digestive tracts still attached. These Aspidorhynchus predators were violently beheaded by larger hunters, preserving their last meals frozen in time. medium.com/fossils-et-a...
Scientists discovered that repeated tail fractures in hadrosaurids were likely caused by aggressive mating with heavier males crushing females' vertebrae. This could help paleontologists identify female duck-billed dinosaurs in the fossil record 🦕
medium.com/fossils-et-a...
medium.com/fossils-et-a...
Tail Injuries Caused by Mating Could Identify Female Dinosaurs
New Study Employs Computer Modeling and Statistical Analysis to Reveal Mating as Likely Cause of Hadrosaur Tail Injuries
medium.com
November 27, 2025 at 5:10 AM
Scientists discovered that repeated tail fractures in hadrosaurids were likely caused by aggressive mating with heavier males crushing females' vertebrae. This could help paleontologists identify female duck-billed dinosaurs in the fossil record 🦕
medium.com/fossils-et-a...
medium.com/fossils-et-a...
Archaeologists discovered a unique patolli game board at a Maya site in Guatemala but unlike typical scratched boards, this one was crafted as a mosaic. The board was intentionally built into the floor during construction before being built over.
medium.com/the-academic...
medium.com/the-academic...
Work and Play: Researchers Discover One-of-a-Kind Ancient Maya Mosaic Game Board in Guatemala
Recent study analyzes mosaic-style Patolli board from Naachtun, Guatemala, revealing intentional architectural integration and Early…
medium.com
November 26, 2025 at 6:15 AM
Archaeologists discovered a unique patolli game board at a Maya site in Guatemala but unlike typical scratched boards, this one was crafted as a mosaic. The board was intentionally built into the floor during construction before being built over.
medium.com/the-academic...
medium.com/the-academic...
Scientists have confirmed that sticky brown substances in Egyptian alabaster vessels were opium. Only a handful of vessels are known, including in King Tut's tomb. These were gifted to Persian elites & prized enough to take into the grave, where the opium was often looted
medium.com/the-academic...
medium.com/the-academic...
From King Tut to Xerxes: New Study Reveals Ancient Egyptian Alabaster Vessels Contained Opium
Organic Residue Analysis Reveals Mysterious Brown Substance in Ancient Egyptian Alabaster Vessels to be Opium
medium.com
November 20, 2025 at 4:28 AM
Scientists have confirmed that sticky brown substances in Egyptian alabaster vessels were opium. Only a handful of vessels are known, including in King Tut's tomb. These were gifted to Persian elites & prized enough to take into the grave, where the opium was often looted
medium.com/the-academic...
medium.com/the-academic...
🐟Scientists discovered the only fossils of their kind: decapitated fish heads from 150 million years ago with their digestive tracts still attached. These Aspidorhynchus predators were violently beheaded by larger hunters, preserving their last meals frozen in time. medium.com/fossils-et-a...
The Decapitated Hunters: How Jurassic Predators Became Prey
Recent study examines isolated fish skulls with intact gastrointestinal tracts from the Solnhofen Archipelago
medium.com
November 19, 2025 at 4:16 AM
🐟Scientists discovered the only fossils of their kind: decapitated fish heads from 150 million years ago with their digestive tracts still attached. These Aspidorhynchus predators were violently beheaded by larger hunters, preserving their last meals frozen in time. medium.com/fossils-et-a...
Isotope analysis proves Andean condors once thrived on Peru's northern coast during the Wari Empire (600-1000 CE), feeding almost entirely on marine carrion. This archaeological evidence could support conservation efforts to reintroduce condors to their ancestral habitats
medium.com/the-academic...
medium.com/the-academic...
Condor Burials: Ancient Andean Condors Once Lived on Peru’s Northern Coast
Recent study conducted a multi-isotope analysis of Condor Remains from Castillo de Huarmey from the Wari Period (600–1000 CE)
medium.com
November 13, 2025 at 4:20 PM
Isotope analysis proves Andean condors once thrived on Peru's northern coast during the Wari Empire (600-1000 CE), feeding almost entirely on marine carrion. This archaeological evidence could support conservation efforts to reintroduce condors to their ancestral habitats
medium.com/the-academic...
medium.com/the-academic...
Bronze Age cultures in northwest China were brewing alcohol 4,000+ years ago using rice and Monascus mold in a fermentation method called "qu." Archaeologists found evidence in 42 pottery vessels from burial sites it seems the ancient dead got one last drink for the road. medium.com/teatime-hist...
Drink for the Dead: Study Uncovers How Bronze Age Cultures Made Alcohol Using Fungus and Rice
Residue analysis of 42 pottery vessels from the Mogou cemetery reveals qu-based fermentation methods using rice and Monascus mold
medium.com
November 13, 2025 at 11:06 AM
Bronze Age cultures in northwest China were brewing alcohol 4,000+ years ago using rice and Monascus mold in a fermentation method called "qu." Archaeologists found evidence in 42 pottery vessels from burial sites it seems the ancient dead got one last drink for the road. medium.com/teatime-hist...