🧐 Ancient Beat #151: Ivory tools, painted altars, and daring sea journeys

Hi folks! Welcome to issue #151 of Ancient Beat. Here’s the latest ancient news. 👇

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🗞 Ancient News: Top 5

• Earliest Evidence Of Ivory Tool Production Discovered In Ukraine, Dating Back 400,000 Years — At the Medzhibozh A site in Ukraine, archaeologists uncovered 24 mammoth ivory fragments, 11 of which show deliberate modifications, including points and cores. Dated to approximately 400,000 years ago, these artifacts represent the earliest known use of ivory for tool-making, significantly predating previous evidence by about 280,000 years. This discovery indicates that early hominins in the region utilized mammoth ivory as a raw material for tools, showcasing advanced cognitive and technological capabilities during the Lower Paleolithic period.

  

  Image credit: Stepanchuk and Naumenko, 2025

• In Guatemala, Painted Altar Found At Tikal Adds New Context To Mysterious Maya History — Archaeologists uncovered a painted altar in Tikal, Guatemala, dating to the late 300s CE. Decorated with red, black, and yellow panels depicting a figure resembling the central Mexican "Storm God," the altar suggests influence from Teotihuacan, located approximately 630 miles (1,014 kilometers) away. This discovery provides evidence of Teotihuacan's presence in Tikal, including a coup around 378 CE where Teotihuacan replaced Tikal's king with a puppet ruler. The altar's burial indicates the complex and lasting impact of Teotihuacan on Tikal's history.

• Hunter-Gatherers' Daring Sea Journey To Malta Predates Early Farmers By 1,000 Years — Archaeological findings from the Latnija cave in northern Malta indicate that hunter-gatherers reached the island approximately 8,500 years ago, a millennium before the advent of agriculture in the region. These early seafarers navigated at least 62 miles (100 kilometers) of open sea, likely using simple dugout canoes without sails. Excavations uncovered stone tools, hearths, and a diverse array of animal remains, including red deer, tortoises, birds, seals, fish, crabs, sea urchins, and marine snails, all showing signs of cooking. The presence of both terrestrial and marine fauna suggests a varied diet and indicates that these Mesolithic communities had advanced seafaring capabilities and ecological impacts, prompting a reevaluation of their maritime skills and interactions.

• Ancient City Unearthed In North Macedonia — Excavations at Gradishte, near Crnobuki in North Macedonia, have revealed a significant ancient settlement previously thought to be a mere military outpost. The acropolis spans over seven acres and has yielded artifacts such as stone axes, coins, a clay theater ticket, pottery, game pieces, and textile tools. These findings date the city to at least 360 BCE, predating Roman influence. The site's strategic location along trade routes to Constantinople suggests it may have been the capital of the Kingdom of Lyncestis, established in the 7th century BCE. Its prominence indicates it could have been a waypoint for historical figures like Octavian and Agrippa en route to the Battle of Actium.

• A Large, Sustainable And Egalitarian Community At The Height Of The Copper Age — At Valencina de la Concepción near Seville, Spain, archaeologists have identified a vast Chalcolithic settlement dating from approximately 3300 to 2150 BCE. Covering about 1.7 square miles, the site includes a 0.77-square-mile residential area and an extensive necropolis with megalithic tombs. Despite the presence of monumental graves, evidence suggests the community maintained an egalitarian social structure, with no clear indicators of centralized authority or social stratification. The inhabitants engaged in sustainable agricultural practices and managed resources effectively, supporting a population of several thousand over a millennium. This challenges traditional views of early complex societies, demonstrating that large, organized communities could thrive without hierarchical governance.

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Until next time, thanks for joining me!

-James
Twitter: @jamesofthedrum

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🗞 Ancient News: Deep Dive