2026 in archaeology

This page lists significant events in 2026 in archaeology.

Finds

January

• 3 – Discovery of a pristine medieval gold ring adorned with intricate filigree was announced in Tønsberg, Norway. ^[1]
• 4 – Traces of human modification beneath dense tropical forest canopy in the Andean Chocó region of eastern Panama was revealed by using LIDAR technology. ^[2]
• 6
  • Byzantine-era monastic residential complex was unearthed in Al-Qarya bi-Al-Duweir, Sohag, Upper Egypt, revealing organised early Christian monastic life through well-planned mudbrick buildings, a central church, and Coptic-inscribed artefacts. ^[3]
  • Late Roman mosaic floor featuring a central Solomon's knot motif was discovered in the ancient city of Smyrna, located beneath the modern city of İzmir, Turkey. ^[4]
• 7– Norfolk Carnyx Hoard: Discovery of a near-complete bronze carnyx (war trumpet) together with a metal boar's head flag standard among a 2,000 year-old Iron Age hoard in West Norfolk, England in summer 2025 was announced. ^{[5] [6]}
• 9 – Discovery of a rare 5th-century BC stylus crafted from animal bone was announced during excavations at the ancient Greek site of Gela in Sicily, Italy. ^[7]
• 11 – A rare 3,300-year-old faience funerary mask from the Dilmun civilisation was discovered at Al-Hillah site in southern Bahrain. ^[8]
• 15
  • Identification of Early Roman marching camps in Germania, providing evidence of Roman military advances into the region during the 3rd century CE. ^{[9] [10]}
  • Archaeologists announced the discovery of submerged remains at the El Huarco archaeological complex on Peru’s central coast, indicating the site’s ancient occupation and complex ritual landscape. ^[11]
• 16 – New evidence for the intentional use of geothermal resources during the Neolithic period at Bagno dei Frati within the thermal complex of Terme di Sorano, Italy. ^[12]
• 17 – Roman Republican-era tombs including inhumations accompanied by grave goods such as pottery, personal items and animal offerings were uncovered in Rome, Italy. ^[13]
• 18 – Researchers from Sevastopol State University announced the discovery of medieval fortress site Isar near the village of Rodnoye in southwestern Crimea. ^[14]
• 19
  • Ancient rock paintings on a sheltered rock face depicting geometric patterns, animal figures and abstract motifs were found near Kayseri, Turkey. ^{[15] [16]}
  • Remains of a Roman basilica dated to the late 1st century BC were unearthed during rescue excavations beneath Piazza Andrea Costa in the city of Fano, Italy. ^[17]

• 20 – 5,000-year-old human skull bearing evidence of intentional cranial surgery was found at the prehistoric site of İkiztepe Höyüğü, Turkey. ^[18]

See also

• List of years in archaeology

References

1. Milligan, Mark (2026-01-03). "Pristine medieval gold ring discovered in Tønsberg". HeritageDaily - Archaeology News. Retrieved 2026-01-06.
2. Milligan, Mark (2026-01-04). "LiDAR reveals lost ancient landscape in Andean Chocó". HeritageDaily - Archaeology News. Retrieved 2026-01-06.
3. "Byzantine monastic complex unearthed in Sohag". Ahram Online. 6 January 2026.
4. "'Solomon's knot' mosaic unearthed in Türkiye's ancient Smyrna". Daily Sabah. 6 January 2026.
5. Kolirin, Lianne (2026-01-07). "'Extraordinary' Iron Age war trumpet uncovered in England". CNN. Retrieved 2026-01-10.
6. "Thetford dig unearths Iron Age war trumpet and boar standard". www.bbc.com. 2026-01-07. Retrieved 2026-01-10.
7. Carvajal, Guillermo (2026-01-09). "An exceptional ceramic stylus from the 5th century BC discovered intact in the ancient Greek city of Gela in Sicily". LBV Magazine English Edition. Retrieved 2026-01-17.
8. "3,300-year-old 'fayence mask' discovered at Al-Hillah site". News of Bahrain. 11 January 2026.
9. Carvajal, Guillermo (2026-01-15). "Roman marching camps discovered farthest to the northwest in Germany, confirming the empire's military advances in the 3rd century AD". LBV Magazine English Edition. Retrieved 2026-01-17.
10. "First Roman marching camps discovered in Saxony-Anhalt prove Roman advances in the 3rd century AD". nachrichten.idw-online.de (in German). Archived from the original on 2026-01-17. Retrieved 2026-01-17.
11. Milligan, Mark (2026-01-15). "Submerged remains found at El Huarco Archaeological Complex". HeritageDaily - Archaeology News. Retrieved 2026-01-17.
12. Milligan, Mark (2026-01-16). "New evidence indicates use of geothermal resources during Neolithic period". HeritageDaily - Archaeology News. Retrieved 2026-01-17.
13. Milligan, Mark (2026-01-17). "Republican tombs found in Rome suburb". HeritageDaily - Archaeology News. Retrieved 2026-01-20.
14. Milligan, Mark (2026-01-18). "Medieval fortress discovered in Southwestern Crimea". HeritageDaily - Archaeology News. Retrieved 2026-01-20.
15. Milligan, Mark (2026-01-19). "Hiker stumbles across ancient rock paintings in Kayseri". HeritageDaily - Archaeology News. Retrieved 2026-01-20.
16. "Hiker stumbles across ancient rock paintings in Kayseri". The Archaeologist. 2026-01-20. Retrieved 2026-01-20.
17. Milligan, Mark (2026-01-20). "Roman Basilica designed by Vitruvius found in central Italy". HeritageDaily - Archaeology News. Retrieved 2026-01-21.
18. Altuntas, Leman; Buyukyildirim, Oguz (2026-01-19). "5,000-Year-Old Skull from İkiztepe Reveals Early Cranial Surgery in Anatolia". Arkeonews. Retrieved 2026-01-21.