Top 30 Greatest Archaeological Discoveries Ever

Top 30 Greatest Archaeological Discoveries Ever

Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we’re counting down our picks for the greatest archaeological finds in modern human history. Call Indiana Jones: these discoveries belong in a museum.

#30: Suontaka Grave
In 1968, a construction crew from Suontaka Vesitorninmäki in Finland was working on water pipes when they stumbled upon an archeological marvel. They found a warrior’s grave dating back almost a thousand years. There were numerous artifacts buried with the warrior, including a sword and women’s jewelry. The body was laid on a blanket of feathers, wearing women’s clothes. For decades, it was assumed that it was the grave of a warrior woman. Recent DNA tests have revealed something much more nuanced. The Suontaka warrior had Klinefelter syndrome, meaning they had both an extra x chromosome and a y chromosome. This warrior was likely non-binary and was clearly an honored member of their community.

#29: Staffordshire Hoard
Metal detector enthusiasts around the world received a glowing endorsement for their hobby in 2009. Terry Herbert was exploring a field in Staffordshire, England when he stumbled upon the largest hoard of Anglo-Saxon gold and silver metalwork ever found. Over 3,500 items were discovered, primarily military artifacts such as sword fittings, helmet fragments, and jewelry. This one discovery brought historians more than 60% of Anglo-Saxon artifacts currently in existence today. Its discovery completely reshaped our current understanding of Anglo-Saxon culture, both in terms of early Christianity and Anglo-Saxon armies. The sheer quantity of items, primarily martial in nature, suggested a previously underestimated level of wealth and status among the Anglo-Saxon elite.

#28: The Gold Mask at Sanxingdui
The Gold Mask of Sanxingdui was discovered in 2021 during the excavation of two sacrificial pits in Sichuan, China. This incredible artifact, dating back to around 1200 BCE, is estimated to be over 80% pure gold. It was likely used either as a facial covering during ritual sacrifice or as a burial mask. Scientifically, the mask provides insights into the advanced metallurgical techniques and cultural practices of the ancient Shu Han kingdom. Historically, it underscores the complexity and diversity of early Chinese civilizations, challenging established narratives and expanding our understanding of ancient cultural development in the region.

#27: The Benin Bronzes
The Benin Bronzes weren’t so much discovered as they were plundered. During an 1897 punitive expedition to the Kingdom of Benin, the British Army stole over 5,000 figurines, tablets, carved tusks, and ancient sculptures. Some artifacts date as far back as the 13th century. They represent centuries’ worth of the cultural, religious, and history of modern-day Nigeria. The bronzes spent a century shuffling around European collections. The metallurgical techniques were impressive and as records of Benin's sophisticated civilization, the bronzes are priceless. Ongoing efforts persist to return these culturally significant artifacts to Nigeria from British and other Western institutions. Today, the Benin bronzes are the face of a broader movement to address historical injustices and restore cultural heritage to former colonies.

#26: Neolithic City of Shimao
The city of Shimao was initially discovered in 1976 in Shaanxi, China. At first, it was mistaken for a small settlement, potentially even a segment of the Great Wall. Thirty-five years later, excavations revealed the ruins of a vast and ancient city dating back to around 2300-1800 BCE. Covering four square kilometers, Shimao has a shockingly complex layout for the period as well as impressive stone wall fortifications. Thousands of artifacts have been discovered in the ruins, as has a 230-foot high pyramid, the former home of Shimao’s ruling caste. Shimao’s discovery has revolutionized our understanding of the development of early Chinese civilization. Its advanced architecture, evident social complexity, and artistic achievements provide crucial insights into the urbanization of subsequent civilizations in the region.

#25: Homo Naledi in Rising Star Cave
A team of scientists led by famed paleoanthropologist Lee Berger entered Rising Star Cave in South Africa in 2013. When they exited, they brought a major find with them, out into the light of day for the first time in hundreds of thousands of years. In a remote chamber, scientists found a horde of hominin fossils that challenged their understanding of human evolution. The fossils, dating to about 335,000-236,000 years ago, were of a previously unknown species with a mix of primitive and modern traits. Deemed Homo naledi, this new species indicated the coexistence of multiple hominin species. The find has profound implications for the study of human ancestry. This ‘distant cousin’ of modern humans also lived alongside our ancient ancestors.

#24: Derinkuyu
The discovery of the world’s largest underground city, Derinkuyu, happened by complete accident. In 1963, a Turkish citizen in Anatolia discovered a hidden room behind his basement wall after his chickens kept vanishing. Subsequent explorations revealed an extensive multi-level complex, extending over 85 meters deep, capable of housing thousands of people. Dating back to at least 8th century BCE, Derinkuyu features ventilation shafts, storage rooms, chapels, and living quarters. The complex’s main purpose appears to have been a shelter for citizens during raids. Its discovery shed light on ancient engineering and urban planning. Its ancient citizens clearly developed sophisticated emergency management plans for surviving disasters. Derinkuyu offered invaluable insights into the daily life, culture, and defensive strategies of early Turkish civilizations.

#23: Aztec Calendar Stone
The Piedra del Sol, or Aztec Sun Stone, was discovered in 1790 during repairs on the Mexico City Cathedral. This massive monolithic sculpture, dating to the late 15th century, acted both as a calendar and a cosmological map. Both served as central pillars of Aztec culture. Its intricate carvings stone depict the sun god Tonatiuh, surrounded by symbols representing cosmic cycles and deities. The Sun Stone's discovery provided crucial insights into Aztec astronomy, religious beliefs, and timekeeping. It has become an iconic representation of Mesoamerican civilization. It is the epitome of the Aztecs' advanced knowledge and the centrality of the sun in their religious practices.

#22: Neanderthal Genome in Vindija Cave
The Neanderthal genome was essentially discovered thanks to the discovery of 38,000-year-old remains found in Vindija, Croatia. Analysis of the bones began in 1997 when scientists first extracted DNA. It marked the first successful recovery of Neanderthal genetic material ever. As technology advanced, so did our understanding of genetics. By 2010, the entire genome of Neanderthal DNA was sequenced. This groundbreaking work revealed that Neanderthals interbred with early modern humans, contributing 1-4% of non-African human DNA today. The discovery significantly advanced our understanding of human evolution. The sequencing shed light on our shared ancestry, genetic diversity, and the adaptive traits humans have inherited from Neanderthals. Those traits still influence modern human biology and health today.

#21: Easter Island Moai
The Moai are a collection of over 1,000 massive stone statues located on Easter Island far off the coast of Chile. They were first recorded by European explorers in 1722 when Dutch navigator Jacob Roggeveen arrived. Subsequent visits by explorers, including English Captain James Cook, sparked international interest. The statues were carved and placed by the Rapa Nui people between 1400 and 1650. They are believed to be physical representations of their ancestors, holding spiritual significance. They are an engineering wonder, averaging 14 tons apiece. Their discovery highlighted the complexities of isolated human societies and the impacts of environmental challenges on human civilization. Preserving the statues has become an international project as Easter Island is under grave threat from climate change.

#20: Göbekli Tepe
While this site was first noted in 1963, its importance wasn’t recognized until decades later. In the mid-90s, German archaeologist Klaus Schmidt realized that the stone slabs in the area were the tops of prehistoric megaliths and began excavating. What he unearthed was a site of massive circular structures on stone pillars dating all the way back to the Neolithic period. The megaliths at Göbekli Tepe are the world’s oldest, erected as early as 9500 BCE. No one really knows what the site was used for, but the carved reliefs provide glimpses into prehistoric religious practices. What we do know is that Göbekli Tepe is one of the world’s oldest human settlements, marking the transition from nomadic lifestyles to permanent habitation.

#19: The Oldest Footprints in North America
In 2018, human footprints were found in British Columbia, Canada, that dated back about 13,000 years. At the time, these were the oldest footprints discovered in North America. But just a few years later in 2021, that record was shattered. Archaeologists working in New Mexico’s White Sands national park unearthed tracks that are between 21,000 and 23,000 years old. Not only does this almost double the record for “oldest footprint in North America,” but it completely restructures our understanding of early North American settlement. Prior to this game-changing discovery, most experts dated the continent’s earliest habitation to between 11,000 and 13,000 years ago.

#18: Richard III’s Grave
This controversial figure ruled as King of England and Lord of Ireland until 1485 when he died in the Battle of Bosworth Field. With his death, the Wars of the Roses came to an end, and with it, the Middle Ages in England. His reign was later immortalized in Shakespeare’s eponymous play. Following Richard III’s death, his corpse was quickly buried and lost to time … until 2012. That year, researchers discovered the foundations of a Medieval church underneath a modern parking lot, and it was there that they found the skeleton of Richard III. After more than five centuries, we had finally found one of England’s most notorious rulers.

#17: Madaba Map
In the late 19th century, construction began on a new Greek Orthodox church in Jordan’s capital city of Madaba. While building the new structure, workers unearthed an ancient mosaic on the floor of the existing church. This mosaic is now known as the Madaba Map, and it shows parts of the Middle East. Dating to the sixth century, the map contains the oldest known depiction of both Jerusalem and the Holy Land. Not only that, but it was used extensively to locate sites mentioned in the Bible, and it is currently the oldest geographic floor mosaic in the world.

#16: The Serapeum of Alexandria
Serving as the greatest library of its age, the Library of Alexandria attracted scholars to Egypt and served as the ancient world’s symbol of knowledge. It proved so popular that a so-called “daughter library” was later created called the Serapeum of Alexandria. The Serapeum lasted a bit longer than its famous father, and it was finally destroyed in the year 391. The site later became a Muslim cemetery. In the mid-1940s, the foundations of the Serapeum were discovered. With it, one of the greatest centers of learning in human history was unearthed.

#15: Knossos
Found on the Greek island of Crete, Knossos is often regarded as the oldest city in Europe. And that’s saying something! Featuring a massive and world-renowned palace complex, Knossos was the primary capital of the ancient Minoan civilization, which inhabited both Crete and other Aegean Islands. The civilization prospered from about 3500 BCE to 1100 BCE, but it’s believed that Knossos had been inhabited since the Neolithic period. An amateur archaeologist named Minos Kalokairinos discovered the location of Knossos in 1878, and the ancient site was unearthed by Sir Arthur Evans throughout much of the early 1900s.

#14: Ötzi
Just imagine mountaineering through the Alps when you stumble across an ancient human corpse embedded in a glacier. This is exactly what happened to German tourists Helmut and Erika Simon in September of 1991. They found what is now known as Ötzi the Iceman, a natural mummy dating to about 3230 BC. Ötzi is the oldest natural mummy in European history, having died about 5,000 years before he was found preserved in ice. Regardless, the body is in remarkable condition (considering its age), and it has provided researchers an incredible glimpse into Copper Age Europeans and their lifestyles.

#13: Mohenjo-daro
A large human settlement dating to 2500 BCE, Mohenjo-daro is one of the oldest cities in the world. Located in modern-day Pakistan, Mohenjo-daro was one of the most ambitious cities of its day, complete with street grids, a sewage system, and many other ingenious feats of engineering. It was a remarkable settlement that showcased the creativity and boundless imagination of humanity. Unfortunately, Mohenjo-daro was completely abandoned around 1900 BCE, as the local Indus civilization went into a decline. It remained lost to time until the 1920s, when an officer of the Archaeological Survey of India located the ancient city. Sixty years after its discovery, Mohenjo-daro was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

#12: Antikythera Mechanism
This mysterious object was found submerged in Grecian waters at the turn of the 20th century, located inside an ancient shipwreck. The strange device was already 2000 years old when it was found, and despite being eroded by the sea for all that time, it was still eventually identified as the world’s oldest computer. Finally, another century after its discovery, and we now know definitively what it did: it was a device used to chart the positions of celestial bodies so that the Ancient Greeks knew when eclipses would happen. It took a 3D reconstruction of the entire device in 2021 to get a better understanding of how it worked, though its purpose was suspected for decades.

#11: Troy
For centuries, historians debated not only whether the Trojan War actually happened, but also whether the lost city of Troy ever existed at all. The Trojan War is the focus of one of Ancient Greek’s most famous epic poems, Homer’s “Iliad”, and legendary Greek heroes like Achilles and Odysseus fought in it – but Troy’s location became lost knowledge. Throughout the 1800s, many researchers argued that Hisarlik, a site in western Turkey, was probably the elusive city. Finally, after decades of debate, experts came to a consensus that yes, Hisarlik is in all likelihoodTroy. Unfortunately, we’ve yet to find conclusive evidence that the Trojan horse existed - but Troy’s identification was hugely important for historians.

#10: Tutankhamun's Tomb
The Valley of the Kings is the final resting place of many Ancient Egyptian Pharaohs, but throughout its history, a number of tombs have fallen victim to grave robbers. Tutankhamun’s tomb was different; remarkably, though grave robbers did break in shortly after it was initially sealed up, most of its contents were intact when archaeologists found it in 1922. Today, Tutankhamun’s gilded mask makes him arguably the most famous and recognizable Pharaoh in history. Considering Tutankhamun only reigned for about ten years and died between the young ages of 18-19, that’s quite the legacy. Along with the mask, the tomb also contained a statue of Anubis, the God of the Dead, and a dagger made from a fallen meteor.

#9: Sutton Hoo
One of the most remarkable Medieval graves anywhere in Europe was excavated in England in 1939. The owner of an estate in Suffolk, Edith Pretty, enlisted some archaeologists to find out what was underneath the burial mounds on her property. What they uncovered was astounding, so much so that the story inspired a 2021 film, “The Dig”.The most promising mound contained an entire long ship and innumerable artifacts, including pieces of armor made of gold and other Anglo-Saxon relics. Though it’s one of the UK’s most impressive archaeological discoveries, it’s still not entirely clear whose grave it actually is. Most evidence suggests it was the final resting place of a famous, East Anglian King, Rædwald, who ruled the region around 1400 years ago.

#8: Olduvai Gorge
This isn’t one specific archaeological location, but an entire locality housing some of the most important works relating to paleoanthropology - or, the study of early humans. Found in the northeast corner of Tanzania, Olduvai Gorge has been invaluable in our understanding of early human culture and evolution. Researchers have unearthed ancient stone tools and Hominid fossils. Occupation of the site is believed to stretch back nearly two million years, when it was inhabited by an archaic human species called Homo habilis. Without Olduvai Gorge and its riches of archaeological material, our understanding of archaic humans would be much more limited.

#7: Cave of Altamira
If you’re interested in early humanity, then you can’t go wrong with the Cave of Altamira. Archaeology has uncovered many notable caves relating to ancient humanity, including Lascaux and another in the small Spanish town of Ardales. But nothing beats Altamira. Also located in Spain, this cave houses numerous prehistoric drawings and paintings, most of which depict local animals. After the site was discovered in 1868, the suggestion that the paintings were prehistoric were met with some skepticism - not only owing to the nature of the drawings, but because no other prehistoric cave art was known to exist in Europe. But the research eventually prevailed, and it’s now believed that the paintings are around 36,000 years old.

#6: The Terracotta Army
This is one of the most significant archaeological finds of all time… and it was discovered completely by accident! The Terracotta Army was first uncovered in the Shaanxi province of Western China by a group of farmers in the 1970s. The army resides within a tomb constructed over 2200 years ago as the resting place of Qin Shi Huang, the First Emperor of China, which is why it’s so elaborate. In the parts we’ve been able to excavate, there are over 8000 soldiers made out of clay, there to guard Emperor Qin in the afterlife. But even more astonishing is the fact that the entire necropolis is believed to be almost 40 square miles in size, with most of the site hidden in vaults that aren’t yet accessible.

#5: Dead Sea Scrolls
Written mostly in Hebrew, the Dead Sea Scrolls are some of the oldest Abrahamic religious texts in existence. They were discovered in a cave in the West Bank in the mid-1940s, but in the decades since, we’ve continually found more and more scrolls ready to be translated in a handful of additional caves. The scrolls are so significant because they’ve allowed historians and theologians to chart the development of the Bible much more accurately, and provided new information about the dawn of Christianity thousands of years ago, as well as the history of Judaism and the Holy Land. They’re unquantifiably important and still have a lot to teach us.

#4: Pompeii
Among the most famous ruins in the world, Pompeii was destroyed by a devastating eruption from Mount Vesuvius in the year 79 AD. The village was left forgotten until the 16th century, over 1500 years later, because it had been completely buried underneath volcanic ash. But that ash kept Pompeii largely intact when it was finally excavated, with people frozen in place where they’d died during the disaster. Today, it’s one of Italy’s most popular tourist attractions and a tremendous source of Roman history. As tragic as this story is, Pompeii has taught us more about Roman life than many other ancient archaeology sites anywhere in the world.

#3: The Library of Ashurbanipal
Famous writer H. G. Wells once called the Library of Ashurbanipal “the most precious source of historical material in the world.” He wasn’t far off. English historian and traveler Austen Henry Layard found the ancient library in the remains of a palace in 1849. It consisted of over 30,000 clay tablets, which provided an enormous wealth of information relating to ancient civilizations of the Middle East. The tablets date to the 7th century BCE. Perhaps the greatest find within the Library of Ashurbanipal was the Epic of Gilgamesh, which is widely considered to be the oldest piece of literature in human history.

#2: Lucy
Several famous fossils have revolutionized our view of early Hominins. Discovered in 1924 in South Africa, the “Taung Child”, a skull of Australopithecus africanus, was described as the “missing link between ape and human”, although anthropologists initially resisted the idea that humans had evolved in Africa. Eclipsing the Tuang Child in renown is Lucy, the 3.2 million year old remains of an Australopithecus afarensis. Unearthed in 1974 in Ethiopia, she was named after the Beatles song “Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds”, which the research team was playing on repeat. The completeness of her remains gave us much more information on the evolution of bipedalism and brain size. In 1994, Ardi, the skeleton of an Ardipithecus ramidus thought to be 4.4 million years old, was also found in Ethiopia, becoming the most complete early hominid specimen ever discovered.

#1: The Rosetta Stone
For centuries, archaeologists had absolutely no idea how to decipher Ancient Egypt’s complex hieroglyphics. Without a starting point, they were unable to understand the inscriptions on Egyptian monuments and artifacts. But that all changed with the discovery of the long-lost Rosetta Stone in 1799, an enormous slab of stone inscribed with everything needed to start translating. The text it contained wasn’t actually all that interesting, but the same passage was written three times in different languages, and one of those languages was Ancient Greek. By using the Greek, which is still widely understood by researchers, we were able to decipher the hieroglyphs and unlock the secrets of Ancient Egyptian writing.

Are there any significant archaeological finds that we left buried to the sands of time? Let us know in the comments below!