15 of the Most Interesting Things We’ve Learned from Ancient Human Remains
If we've learned anything from writing this list, it’s that scientists and archaeologists should stop starting sentences with, “We now know.” Since new discoveries continuously pop up to refute their previous claims, “As far as we know” would be more fitting. For example, a neanderthal skull found in November 2025 completely changed what scientists “knew” about how neanderthals adapted to different climates.
As you’ll see from these ancient human remains, we’re learning more and more about our history every day. They say that roughly 97% of human history is lost, but like we said, if we all of a sudden find that we’ve been around a lot longer than we thought, that number would get bigger. Either way, it’s a staggering statistic, and we commend these fine nerds for helping us reclaim some of that lost history.
A million year-old skull in China could rewrite our history
Fudan University
In September 2025, a one million-year-old human skull found in China suggests that Homo sapiens have been around at least half a million years earlier than we thought. It also shows that we co-existed with Neanderthals for much longer than we thought. Scientists claim their analysis "totally changes" our understanding of human evolution.
The 12,000 year-old conflict in Southeast Asia
C M Stimpson/Natural History Museum
In Tràng An, Vietnam, a 12,000-year-old skeleton was found alongside a fragment of quartz that shattered a bone in the man’s neck and lodged in his body. This revealed the oldest evidence of human conflict on the southeast Asian mainland. Dr V. Manh Bui said, “This is a groundbreaking and significant discovery – not only in terms of scientific value, but also in its historical and cultural importance. It is a source of local pride and will be invaluable in fostering a deeper appreciation for the heritage of Tràng An in residents and visitors alike.”
The discovery of the Denisovans
In March 2010, the discovery of “X-Woman” found that she lived in Siberia around 40,000 years ago. It marked the first time a new type of human has been discovered through DNA testing only, and her DNA was different from Neanderthals or from modern humans. This indicated the existence of a third species named “H. Denisovans”. Scientists found that humans interbred with the Denisovans, since Australian Aborigines and the Melanesians of New Guinea share around 5 percent of their DNA with X-Woman.
Bones from what could be the first humans in Western Europe
Maria D. Guillén/IPHES-CERCA
The bone fragments discovered in Spain are from a specimen named "Pink" (by researchers who probably were fans of Pink Floyd), and have been dated to between 1.1 and 1.4 million years ago. A team led by Rosa Huguet said, “This fossil represents the earliest human face of Western Europe identified to date.” Until now, the earliest ancient human uncovered in the region was Homo antecessor (nicknamed "pioneer man"), which was about 850,000 years old.
An ancient human relative may have made tools 1.5 million years ago
Louise Leakey
In Kenya, archaeologists found 1.5 million year-old hand bones belonging to an ape-like early human relative. The shape of the bones suggest that their owner (a species called Paranthropus boisei) was capable of making stone tools. Tool use is a key milestone in the evolution of humans since, as anthropologist Carrie Mongle puts it, “It represents a turning point in our behavioural and cognitive complexity.”
Extremely rare Viking burial found in Norway
Raymond Sauvage, NTNU University Museum
Archaeologist Raymond Sauvage and crew found a 9th century Viking woman with two intricately decorated oval brooches (used to fasten Viking apron-halter dresses). But two large scallop shells placed over her mouth like a mask were something historians had never seen in a burial of this era. Sauvage said, “This is a practice completely unknown in pre-Christian graves in Norway. We don’t yet understand the symbolism, but it must have carried deep meaning for those who laid her to rest.”
Neanderthal skull reveals unexpected details about adaptation
PNAS / Constantino Buzi / IPHES-CERCA
A Neanderthal skeleton found in a limestone cave in southern Italy revealed a part of the human evolutionary story. Dated to roughly 130,000 to 172,000 years ago, evidence found in November 2025 suggests that the shape of the Neanderthal face emerged through evolutionary pressures rather than direct adaptation in the upper airways.
The ancient Celtic Prince and his chariot
The 2,500-year-old lavish tomb and chariot of an ancient Celtic prince were unearthed in France in 2015. It was filled with pottery and a gold-tipped drinking vessel that was decorated with images of a Greek god, most likely made by Greek or Etruscan artists. Dominique Garcia said the finds “are evidence of the exchanges that happened between Mediterraneans and the Celts.”
A strange thousand year-old burial tradition
Vyacheslav Baranov
Archeologists in Ukraine unearthed over a hundred skeletons with axes, swords, spears and jewelry. Interestingly enough, there were buckets on the men's feet and rings around the women's necks. Researchers say these may have been used in funeral ceremonies, and this mass grave offers scientists a deeper look at past traditions.
An Iron Age human sacrifice in Britain
In 2010, scientists in Dorset found rare evidence of a human blood sacrifice dating back thousands of years, and were shocked at the brutality inflicted upon the woman. Many experts believe that Iron Age Brits carried out human sacrifices but have found little evidence. This discovery gives scientists insight into dark customs in England’s past.
The oldest known evidence of surgical amputation
Tim Maloney/Griffith University
In 2020, a skeleton found in Indonesia had his left foot cleanly removed, and evidence suggests the person lived six to nine years after the procedure. Scientists used to believe that amputation was developed around 10,000 years ago, but this finding dates back to roughly 31,000 years ago. Whoever removed the foot had impressive technical skill and a strong insight into human anatomy. The patient must have also been provided with sufficient care.
Human remains found in Antarctica
In 1985, a skull was found in Antarctica’s South Shetland Islands. It belonged to an indigenous woman from southern Chile in her early 20s, thought to have died between 1819 and 1825. Okay, so it's not “ancient” but it's the oldest known human remains ever found in Antarctica. It was found at a camp made by sealers, but female sealers were unheard of at the time.
The Ishango Bone
Wikipedia
This prehistoric mathematical artifact was discovered in the Democratic Republic of Congo and dates to 20,000 to 25,000 years ago. It features three columns of notches etched into a large animal's fibula, which are not random. They show patterns that suggest early mathematical understanding of concepts like doubling, prime numbers, and possibly a base-12 system.
The oldest known skeleton of a human ancestor
J.H. Matternes (Artist's Rendition)
With most of the skull, teeth, pelvis, hands and feet, the “Ardi” skeleton is the most complete early homonid ever discovered. Dated to 4.4 million years ago, this creature (Ardipithecus ramidus) had a brain and body the size of a chimp, but did not knuckle-walk or swing through the trees like an ape. Instead, "Ardi" walked upright with a big, stiff foot and short, wide pelvis. An opposable big toe means she probably grasped branches and climbed to reach food, sleep in nests, and to escape predators.
A jawbone in Taiwan helps reveal the early appearance of the Denisovans
Chun-Hsiang Chang, Jay Chang/Natural History Museum
Originally discovered by fishermen in the Penghu Channel, off the coast of Taiwan, the Penghu 1 jawbone puzzled researchers for more than a decade. New research shows that it’s from a Denisovan male that lived at some point in the past 200,000 years. A human evolution expert said, “Denisovan fossils have now been discovered across an area stretching from Siberia to Taiwan, making it apparent that the Denisovans must have had a wider environmental range than the Neanderthals."