🧐 Ancient Beat #127: Hundreds of Nazca geoglyphs, early interregional conflict, and something resembling cheese

Hi folks! Welcome to issue #127 of Ancient Beat. 😀

I want to give a quick shoutout to Andie from Ancestral Habits today because she does great work and I think you’ll like it. She puts out consistently fascinating, well-sourced content about how humans once lived and, more to the point, how we’re designed to live. For example, here’s a recent post about our nomadic nature — worth checking out!

And of course, here’s the latest ancient news. 👇

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🗞 Ancient News: Top 5

• Archaeologists Use AI To Find Hundreds Of Geoglyphs In Peru's Nazca Desert — A team of archaeologists and AI researchers used an artificial intelligence model to identify 303 new geoglyphs in the Nazca Desert, Peru. The geoglyphs, created by the Nasca culture between 200 BCE and 700 CE, include depictions of humans, animals, and abstract shapes, such as a killer whale holding what appears to be a knife. Yeah, some of these are pretty odd. Prior to this study, 430 geoglyphs had been discovered, but locating new ones has become increasingly difficult due to their faint appearance. The AI model was trained on images of previously known geoglyphs and successfully analyzed aerial photos from drones to detect faint patterns on the desert floor. The geoglyphs were confirmed through site visits by archaeologists. A little over a year ago, I covered another discovery of new geoglyphs, also via AI.

Image credit: Masato Sakai

• The Oldest Cheese: 3,600-Year-Old Kefir Cheese Found With Ancient Mummies In China — A 3,600-year-old cheese, the oldest ever discovered, was discovered alongside mummies in the Tarim Basin of northwestern China. DNA analysis revealed the cheese to be kefir, a fermented dairy product made from cow and goat milk, preserved through a natural process. The discovery challenges previous beliefs about kefir's origins, suggesting it may have first been produced in China rather than the North Caucasus. The cheese contained Lactobacillus kefiranofaciens, a bacterium still used in modern kefir fermentation. The cheese's presence in burial sites suggests it may have had cultural or ritualistic significance, possibly linked to beliefs about the afterlife. Advances in DNA technology were crucial in identifying the cheese, shedding new light on the evolution of probiotic cultures and ancient food preservation.

• Enigmatic Archaeological Site in Madagascar Was Built by Early Settlers — New research suggests that an enigmatic site in northern Madagascar, known for its large stone walls and terraces, was likely built by early settlers around 1,200 years ago. The settlement, located in the central highlands, reflects advanced architectural techniques and may have served as a fortification or religious site. Artifacts discovered at the site include pottery fragments and stone tools, indicating long-term occupation. The site's purpose remains debated, but its construction hints at complex social organization and interaction between early Malagasy communities.

• Previously Unknown Neolithic Culture Uncovered In Morocco — Archaeologists in Morocco have uncovered evidence of a previously unknown Neolithic culture in the country’s northern region. The site, located near the city of Tangier, dates back to around 5,000 BCE. Excavations revealed distinctive stone tools, pottery, and burial practices, suggesting a unique culture different from other known Neolithic groups in North Africa. The pottery is decorated with geometric patterns, and burial mounds indicate ritualistic practices. Additionally, the artifacts indicate a society with strong agricultural traditions, using domesticated plants and animals.

• Archaeologists Identify Earliest Interregional Battlefield In Europe — A battlefield site dating back to around 1250 BCE has been identified in Lower Saxony, Germany, and it’s Europe’s earliest known interregional conflict. Archaeologists found hundreds of artifacts, including bronze weapons, wooden shields, and skeletal remains. Evidence suggests that warriors from different regions, identified by their weaponry and burial customs, fought at this site. Arrowheads embedded in bones indicate many were shot from a distance, suggesting organized groups of archers. The battle likely involved thousands of people, revealing the scale of warfare during this period. The battlefield’s discovery provides significant insight into early European warfare and political alliances during the Late Bronze Age.

That’s it for the free Top 5! If you’re a free subscriber, sign up for the paid plan for another 16 discoveries and 7 recommended pieces of content covering Jade craft, underwater temples, messages in bottles, horseback riding, and the “Dorset Stonehenge”.

Until next time, thanks for joining me!

-James
Twitter: @jamesofthedrum

P.S. If you want access but it’s a little too steep for you right now, just email me — I want this to be accessible.

P.P.S. Paid members, read on!

🗞 Ancient News: Deep Dive