The World Before Us

The reconstructed prehistoric ritual site at Pömmelte, Central Germany, attracts 40,000 visitors...

Henge your bets on site similarity in pre-history

Stonehenge is one of the most mysterious of monuments. It has puzzled visitors for centuries and has a prominent place in folklore. To this day, it attracts thousands to celebrate the summer solstice.

Shroud sacred or sham?

A visitor’s silhouette at the inauguration of the virtual "Holy Shroud" for the Feast of the...

Shroud sacred or sham?

The Shroud of Turin has been described as "the world’s most studied archaeological artefact".

Bones could well be St John the Baptist’s

This small marble box contained six human bones that might be those of John the Baptist. IMAGE:...

Bones could well be St John the Baptist’s

The island of Sveti Ivan lies just 350km north of Istanbul, formerly Constantinople.

Cold shoulder tells story of people’s past

A reconstruction of the burial of Princess Ukok. PHOTO: GETTY IMAGES

Cold shoulder tells story of people’s past

One of my most memorable cruises as a guest speaker took us to Kerch, where today Putin’s infamous bridge links Russia to the Ukraine.

Solar bursts shine light on history

A reconstruction of Anse aux Meadows, on the northern tip of Newfoundland. IMAGE: RUSS HEINL /...

Solar bursts shine light on history

Not many people have had their name adopted into the English language.

Field of a soldier’s dreams

On this field, in the shadow of Mount Olympus, Alexander the Great reviewed his army before...

Field of a soldier’s dreams

In 334BC, Alexander the Great reviewed his army and made sacrifices to Zeus at Dion, in the shadow of Mount Olympus.

Archaeological nirvana found in chance stop

During our visit to Greece, we found an archaeological nirvana, deep gullies from which...

Archaeological nirvana found in chance stop

We are staying in our Greek whānau’s villa on the shore of the Aegean.

Salt mine has long history

A staircase built 3133 years ago, and the shoe of one of the miners who would have climbed it. ...

Salt mine has long history

I have always wanted to visit Hallstatt, a prehistoric site that his given its name to the early Iron Age in Europe.

Back from oblivion

Archaeology can be both deadly dull and, if you are fortunate, incredibly exciting.

Sooty fingerprints of sister species

Ludovic Slimac looks on at the excavation of the Grotte de Mandrin. Photo: Gregoire Bernadi

Sooty fingerprints of sister species

In 1957, my brother Richard and I travelled on our 59cc NSU mopeds from our home in Wimbledon to central France to spend our summer digging in the cave of Arcy-sur-Cure.

Cave of Denis, bounty of archaeological discovery

Michael Shunkov (front left) and Maxim Kozlikin (back right) — the main excavators at Denisova...

Cave of Denis, bounty of archaeological discovery

The first issue of the journal Nature was published on November 4, 1869, costing fourpence.

History’s marching papers

The oldest known fragment of paper, over 2000 years old, shows part of a map. It is just 5cm wide...

History’s marching papers

As digital communication takes over, so letters are now few and far between.

Art from the ashes

This painted scene from Akrotiri reveals life in a Minoan trading port 3500 years ago. Photo:...

Art from the ashes

A few years ago while cruising the Aegean, we sailed into the massive crater, now an arm of the sea, that formed when Santorini erupted.

Scans unravel the mystery of scrolls

Unread for 2000 years, this scroll from Herculaneum has been virtually unwrapped and the ink...

Scans unravel the mystery of scrolls

The eruption of Mt Vesuvius in 79AD is one of the best-known human catastrophes and Pompeii is regularly thronged with visitors who can walk down the Roman streets.

Finding our first settlers

A couple of kiore (Polynesian/Pacific rats) feasting. Photo: supplied

Finding our first settlers

On one of my cruises as a guest speaker, my wife and I found ourselves on a bus heading for the Kemp House at the Kerikeri Mission station in the Bay of Islands.

Last meal reveals diet

The last meal of this woman, who lived about 4000 years ago, can be seen in her pelvis. Photo:...

Last meal reveals diet

In 1983, my Thai colleagues in Bangkok told me about a newly discovered prehistoric site just an hour’s drive away.

Them thar hills

In 1863, Gabriel’s Gully was a sea of tents as the miners dug into their allotted holdings. Photo...

Them thar hills

There have been several reports recently of plans to set up the Chinese settlement at Lawrence for visitors to view and appreciate this chapter in the history of the Otago goldfields.

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The World Before Us