8 Astonishing Discoveries of Anthropology

1. Lucy - Australopithecus afarensis

This 1974 discovery of a homininid fragmentary skeleton filled in some of the evolutionary gaps between ape-like predecessors and early humans. Lucy still had some ape-like traits, but her petite stature and erect stance revealed that she moved on two legs.

2. Lascaux cave paintings

These Paleolithic paintings are among the oldest instances of human art, having been created between 15,000 and 17,000 years ago. The cave paintings shed light on early human beliefs and culture by showing individuals, animals, and abstract symbols.

3. The Rosetta Stone

The secret to understanding ancient Egyptian hieroglyphs was found in this stone slab, which was engraved with the same inscription in three distinct scripts: Demotic, Ancient Greek, and Hieroglyphic. We were able to learn a great deal about the history and culture of ancient Egypt as a result.

4. The Dead Sea Scrolls

These historic Hebrew and Aramaic texts were found in the Qumran Caves during the 1940s and 1950s. They date from around the second century BCE to the first century CE. The texts offer insights into the religious and social lives of Jews throughout the Second Temple era, as well as the evolution of Judaism and Christianity.

5. Ötzi the Iceman

This naturally mummified body was found in the Alps in 1991 and dates to approximately 3300 BCE. As the oldest naturally preserved human mummy yet discovered, his remains and possessions reveal a great deal about life during the Chalcolithic era.

6. The Venus of Willendorf

Known to have been created between 28,000 and 25,000 BCE, this diminutive female figurine is among the most well-known specimens of Paleolithic artwork. Its stylized shape provides insight on how prehistoric individuals perceived both their surroundings and themselves. It is believed to be a fertility emblem.

7. Angkor Wat

Constructed between the 12th and 13th centuries CE, this immense temple complex located in Cambodia is the worlds largest religious monument. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that sheds light on the sophistication and power of the Khmer Empire.

8. Tutankhamun's tomb

The only nearly entire tomb in the Valley of the Kings was this one, which was uncovered in 1922. It was filled with many valuables, including as the golden sarcophagus, burial goods, and Tutankhamuns mummy. The discovery provided insight into the pharaohs life and demise in ancient Egypt.