Iron Age

DNA analysis reveals ancestry of man buried in ancient Spanish tomb, shows mixed heritage - study

Due to the warm climate, researchers only managed to extract usable DNA from the remains of one of the men, estimated to have been around 45-years-old, called Menga1. 

Dolmen of Menga in Antequera, Spain, April 15, 2026.
Excavations of Raknehaugen, Norway, in 1939.

Scandinavia's largest prehistoric mound is not a tomb, but a memorial to a natural disaster - study

Excavation of the Melsonby Hoard in Yorkshire, England, April 1, 2026.

Iron Age hoard rewrites history of wagons in Britain, may have been part of royal memorial - study

Gallic skeletons found by archaeologists during excavations of the former garden of the Cordeliers Convent in Paris, France, March 30, 2026.

Archaeologists unearth at least five Gaul skeletons buried sitting upright during Paris excavations


3,000-year-old necropolis discovered in Al Ain, UAE

"The burial traditions of the Iron Age have always been a mystery to us," said Jaber Saleh Al Marri, Director of the Historical Environment Department at DCT Abu Dhabi.

 3,000-year-old necropolis discovered in Al Ain, UAE.

A rise in exotic goods: When Jeruslaem was an Assyrian Vassal

A Oxford Journal of Archaeology publication by Reli Avisar examines how vassal kingdoms, elite consumption, and imported luxury goods shaped Iron Age Lachish and Jerusalem.

 Southern wall of the Temple Mount. Archaeological Park in the old city of Jerusalem.

What a bearded faience head reveals about elite identity in Iron Age Israel

Analysis of a rare statuette from Tel Abel Beth Maacah suggests it portrayed a royal or elite figure, likely used as a cultic votive.

 What a bearded faience head reveals about elite identity in Iron Age Israel.

Iberians buried Iron-age unborn fetuses, young babies with care, intimacy

study finds infants were buried in homes as part of family rituals, reflecting intimate Iberian practices.

 New study shows Iberians buried infants under homes to honor them. The remains found.

Ornate spears found in Iron Age hoard near Melsonby, North Yorkshire

Experts say the find challenges the belief that Iron Age wealth was limited to southern Britain.

 Ornate spears found in exceptional Iron Age hoard near Melsonby, North Yorkshire.

Rare Roman-era enamelled bronze brooch found in Iron Age settlement at Scottish distillery

Researchers believe the brooch came north with Roman soldiers, possibly as a ritual offering or battle trophy.

 Rare enamelled bronze brooch found in Iron Age settlement at Scottish distillery.

Necropolis in Italian island reveals a multicultural Iron Age society

Analysis shows Greeks, Phoenicians, and Italians coexisted in ancient Ischia, forming a cosmopolitan society.

 Castello Aragonese off the coast of Italian island Ischia.

Rare 2,000-year-old strawberry-shaped Iron Age divination spoon discovered on Isle of Man

Similar ritual spoons have been found in Britain, Ireland, and France. The British Museum holds several pairs, one engraved with a cross and the other with a small hole.

 Rare 2,000-year-old Iron Age divination spoon discovered on Isle of Man.

Decapitated male skulls in Iberia are likely ‘war trophies’ used for intimidation, study finds

At Puig Castellar, isotope analysis revealed that three of the four individuals differed from the local strontium reference, suggesting they were probably not from the local community.

 Decapitated male skulls in Iberia are likely ‘war trophies’ used for intimidation, study finds

Ballymacombs More Woman: Iron Age decapitated remains found in a Northern Ireland bog

Decapitation may be part of a pattern of ritual killings during the Iron Age period.

 The Ballymacombs More Woman: Iron Age remains of decapitated young woman found in Northern Ireland bog.