World’s Oldest Mummies May Be 12,000 Years Old, Discovered in Southeast Asia
A new study suggests smoke-dried mummification began 5,000 years earlier than previously thought. A groundbreaking study has uncovered evidence that the world’s oldest known mummies—dating back as far as 12,000 years—originated in southern China and Southeast Asia, challenging long-held beliefs that South America’s Chinchorro culture pioneered intentional mummification. Published this week in Proceedings of the
12 Ancient Human Skulls Unearthed at Sefertepe, Offering New Insights into Neolithic Rituals
Archaeologists excavating the prehistoric site of Sefertepe in southeastern Türkiye have uncovered 12 additional human skulls dating back approximately 10,500 years. The discovery, part of the landmark “Taş Tepeler” (Stone Hills) project, sheds new light on Neolithic ritual practices in the region. Sefertepe, one of the key Neolithic sites under the “Şanlıurfa Neolithic Research Project