The past is hidden under our feet and in our genes. And every new discovery made in the past decades (or past millennia)—whether in tools, created treasures, or DNA in our buried remains—reveals how far humans have advanced over the ages and how far they have traded and traveled.

A Kentucky man found more than 700 Civil War coins

The year 2023 was a turning point for archaeological discoveries. It’s no surprise that our most popular story on this channel is a bright and sparkling discovery: a Kentucky man who unearthed a large pile of Civil War coins in his cornfield, and it’s all been auctioned off anyway. It’s interesting to read about a gold hoard, but I think these stories also give us a glimmer of hope that we might find the hidden treasure.

How accurate are facial reconstructions?

Facial reconstructions also fascinated readers. One of the most impressive was the reconstruction of a Bronze Age woman whose remains were found crouching in a 4,200-year-old grave in Scotland. Reconstructions can help bring the past to life, and in this case, forensic artist Oskar Nilsson created a sculpture of a woman’s face facing museum visitors rather than looking off into the distance.

So how accurate are these reconstructions? Our recent research has shown that they are only as good as the data they are based on; These can include everything from skeletons, clothing and DNA traces to educated guesses. These reconstructions also have a subjective element, especially if they are based on facial expressions or incomplete information. I know that some scientists want the field of reconstruction to disappear because they are partially or even completely wrong. But I appreciate these past photos as long as the caveats are clearly stated; for example, this Bronze Age woman’s DNA could not be recovered, so the artist had to estimate her ethnic heritage, including her skin, eyes, and hair. colour.

The grave of a possible prostitute of Alexander the Great has been excavated

Other finds that resonated with readers in 2023 include the burial of a Greek prostitute who may have accompanied Alexander the Great’s army. I completely understand the appeal of Alexander the Great; I took a semester course at university about the Macedonian king. Everything from Alexander’s rise to power and series of conquests, to the paranoia that drove him to murder his allies, and even his eventual illness and death, was fascinating. We are still learning about Alexander and his contemporaries, as evidenced by this prostitute buried with a bronze mirror on the road to Jerusalem 2,300 years ago.