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The years 2014 and 2015 were pivotal for archaeologists and historians, with significant findings shedding light on our ancient history. Here are 10 groundbreaking scientific and historical discoveries that have brought forth intriguing new insights about the past.
10. Sunken Byzantine Church Discovered in Turkey
While conducting a regular aerial survey of historical and cultural sites, the Bursa Metropolitan Municipality discovered a submerged structure just 2 meters (7 feet) underwater, located 20 meters (70 feet) from the shore of Lake Iznik, near the ancient Roman and Byzantine city of Nicaea. Professor Mustafa Sahin, head of Uludag University’s archaeology department, was taken aback by this remarkable find, questioning how such a structure had remained undetected until now.
The layout of the structure resembled the architectural design of the nearby Hagia Sophia church (not to be confused with the Hagia Sophia in Istanbul), featuring three naves. After thorough examination, archaeologists confirmed that the remains were from a fifth-century basilica dedicated to Christian Saint Neophytos. It is believed to have collapsed during a powerful earthquake in AD 740. Saint Neophytos, who was martyred by Roman soldiers under Emperors Diocletian and Galerius, died at the age of 16, ten years prior to the Edict of Milan, which legalized Christianity in the Roman Empire. The saint gained widespread reverence, particularly among the local Christian Orthodox community during the Middle Ages. Interestingly, the discovery of the basilica coincided with the Orthodox Church’s annual feasts on January 21 to honor Saint Neophytos.
Declared one of the top 10 discoveries of 2014 by the Archaeological Institute of America, the basilica is now planned to become an underwater museum. It holds the potential to reveal valuable insights into the religious and historical importance of Nicaea, as well as the role of Christianity during the Byzantine Empire.
9. Moscow's Oldest Road Unearthed
Details about early Moscow history are scarce, so the discovery of the oldest road ever found in the city was a monumental achievement. This ancient road was uncovered in September 2015 in the Zaryadie district, an area on the banks of the Moskva River in downtown Moscow, close to UNESCO World Heritage sites like the Kremlin and Red Square. Zaryadie is considered the oldest part of Moscow, though much of the district was demolished in the 1930s and 1940s to make room for various Soviet construction projects, many of which were never finished. Excavations only began after the demolition of the massive Hotel Russia in 2006.
Recent excavations have revealed several layers of wooden pavement. The uppermost layers are believed to date from the 15th and 17th centuries, while the deepest layers are thought to originate from the 12th century, around the time the Kremlin was first established. Leonid Belyayev, a department head at the Russian Academy of Sciences Archaeology Institute, suggests that the road may have connected the ancient Kremlin to a wharf along the Moscow River. Though not listed on historic city maps, the road is referenced in city chronicles under the name "Velikaya," meaning "The Large One."
This discovery is particularly significant for Moscow, a city now home to nearly 12 million people, as it was first mentioned in Russian chronicles from 1147. According to the chronicles, Prince Yury Dolgoruky, Grand Duke of Kiev, planned to establish a frontier town where the Neglina and Moskva Rivers meet. However, the landowner, a boyar named Kuchka, refused to relinquish the land. Enraged, Prince Yury killed the boyar and took control of the land. The town was later renamed Muscovy (Moskva in Russian), after the local river.
8. New Dinosaur Species Discovered in Alaska
For a long time, it was believed that dinosaurs only inhabited tropical and jungle environments, making the discovery of a new dinosaur species in northern Alaska a startling find for paleontologists. The remains were uncovered in September 2015 at the Prince Creek Formation excavation site in the Colville River area of northern Alaska.
Paleontologists revealed that the exceptionally well-preserved fossils belong to a previously unknown species of herbivorous dinosaur known as hadrosaurs. These duck-billed dinosaurs roamed the North Slope of Alaska in herds and were capable of surviving the dark winter months, possibly even experiencing snow. Named Ugrunaaluk kuukpikensis (meaning "ancient grazer" in the Inupiaq language of the local Alaskan natives), the hadrosaur grew to 9 meters (30 feet) long, roughly the length of two cars parked end-to-end. It was an excellent chewer, with hundreds of teeth suited for consuming coarse vegetation.
The mystery of how these dinosaurs thrived in the cold, barren environment of the Alaskan Alps has intrigued scientists. Pat Druckenmiller, Earth sciences curator, notes that three dinosaur species have been identified from the North Slope, but Ugrunaaluk stands out as the most complete specimen found in the Arctic or any polar region. Gregory Erickson, a professor at Florida State University, suggests that this discovery upends much of what we thought about dinosaur physiology. It lends support to the idea of Arctic-adapted dinosaurs surviving 69 million years ago in temperatures far colder than the warm, tropical climates most people associate with these creatures.
Despite the bitter cold and challenging accessibility, excavation efforts continue at the site. Paleontologists believe at least 13 distinct dinosaur species are represented by the remains, along with fossils of birds, small mammals, and fish. Ongoing work at the site may soon provide insights into how these ancient creatures managed to survive in an environment that was once thought to be inhospitable for dinosaurs.
7. Oldest and Longest Ancient Leather Manuscript Discovered in Egypt
Discovering ancient leather manuscripts is a rare feat, and when the oldest and longest Egyptian leather manuscript was uncovered in September 2015, archaeologists were astounded. After being forgotten for over 70 years in the Egyptian Museum in Cairo, the manuscript was “rediscovered” by Wael Sherbiny, a Belgium-based Egyptologist. This over 4,000-year-old scroll, measuring 2.5 meters (8 feet) in length, dates back to the late Old Kingdom and early Middle Kingdom (2300–2000 BC). Sherbiny explains that the manuscript was bought by the French Institute for Oriental Archaeology from a local antiquities dealer and later donated to the museum before World War II broke out. He believes the manuscript was overlooked due to the deaths of those who handled it after its initial discovery, either during or shortly after the war.
Ancient leather manuscripts are incredibly rare due to their tendency to deteriorate over time, especially in the arid conditions of the region, which makes this discovery all the more remarkable. Historians note that this particular roll is one of only seven known manuscripts of its kind to have survived. Unlike the others, which are made of papyrus, this one is crafted from leather. Although Sherbiny had to carefully reconstruct the manuscript’s fragments, piecing it together like a puzzle, it remains in excellent condition. Ancient Egyptian priests would store these leather rolls in temple libraries, while creating copies on cheaper materials like papyrus for the public. The priests would recite the sacred texts during religious ceremonies. Adding to its significance, this manuscript contains texts, illustrations, religious spells, and invocations of divine and supernatural beings, some of which predate the iconic images found in the Book of the Dead manuscripts, which were written centuries later.
6. ‘Flying Spider’ Species Found in Peru and Panama
Though spiders are not known for their ability to fly, researchers have discovered a species that seems to defy this expectation. These spiders can’t truly fly, but they possess the ability to glide through the air, similar to the way skydivers control their descent.
A study published in the Journal of the Royal Society Interface revealed that this “flying” spider was discovered on Barro Colorado Island in Panama. Known as Selenops banksi, or “flatties” because of their uniquely flat bodies, which measure around 5 centimeters (2 inches) in diameter, the spiders glide through the air by manipulating their extended forelegs. Stephen Yanoviak, lead author of the study and associate professor of biology at the University of Louisville, described this discovery as an extraordinary evolutionary milestone in the animal conquest of the air—a fascinating phenomenon.
Before drawing their conclusions, scientists conducted “drop tests” to observe the spider's behavior. They dropped 59 Selenops spiders from heights of 20–25 meters (66–82 feet) above the ground, either from tree crowns or canopy platforms. Remarkably, 93 percent of the spiders did not hit the ground; instead, they glided back toward the tree trunk from which they had been released. This confirmed that they could control their fall, righting themselves within milliseconds and directing their bodies downward to glide. Researchers believe this behavior evolved as a strategy for avoiding predators or preventing fatal collisions with the forest floor.
Researching how these “flatties” control their descent could offer valuable insights into the early development of animal flight and might even inspire the design of advanced gliding robots.
5. Medieval Burial Found Beneath a Fallen Tree in Ireland
While humans don’t typically grow on trees, in this case, it appears one did. In 2015, a massive beech tree, aged 215 years, was uprooted by a powerful storm in Collooney, a coastal town in northwest Ireland, revealing the upper portion of a human skeleton. It appears that as the tree fell, it broke the skeleton in two. Intriguingly, the grave was located at least 0.3 meters (1 foot) beneath the surface, suggesting that the individual who planted the tree around the late 18th century was unaware of the grave below.
Local archaeologists determined that the remains belonged to a young man who lived during the early medieval period, somewhere between 1030 and 1200. The man was notably taller than the average person of his time, standing over 177 centimeters (5’10”) tall, which points to a well-nourished upbringing and possibly a higher social standing. However, signs of mild spinal joint disease indicate that he likely engaged in physical labor from an early age.
According to archaeologist Marion Dowd of Sligo-Leitrim Archaeological Services, the burial was a formal Christian one. The body was positioned on its back, with the arms by the sides in the customary east-west alignment. Although historical records show that a church and graveyard once existed nearby, no additional remains or burial markers were found near the tree. The skeleton also displayed evidence of two stab wounds—one to the chest and the other to the left hand—suggesting that the young man had been trying to defend himself against an attacker. The motive for his murder remains a mystery. Once the investigation concludes, the remains will be sent to the National Museum of Ireland in Dublin for further study.
4. Discovery of Ancient ‘Biblical’ City in Jordan
Every archaeological discovery tied to the Bible or any sacred text tends to spark great controversy, and this one is no different. In the fall of 2015, under a mound of earth known as Tall el-Hammam in Jordan’s Kikkar region, a team of archaeologists from Trinity Southwest University, led by Professor Steven Collins, uncovered the ruins of a wealthy and powerful Bronze Age city-state that they believe is the biblical city of Sodom. Collins suggests that Tall el-Hammam aligns perfectly with every known biblical description of Sodom. His team uncovered a wealth of monumental structures and artifacts that they believe correlate with biblical texts describing Sodom and Gomorrah. These cities are mentioned not only in the Bible but also in other religious texts, including the Quran and the Torah, which adds significant religious importance to the find. The Book of Genesis describes Sodom as being situated on the fertile banks of the Jordan River, north of the Dead Sea, and one of the largest and most politically influential of the Kikkars (biblical “well-watered plains”). It was ultimately destroyed by God due to the sins of its wicked inhabitants (sexual immorality, perversion, mob violence, gang rape, and extreme inhospitality).
Collins views the discovery of the city as a monumental historical breakthrough that “will profoundly change our understanding of the history of the southern Jordan Valley, particularly during the Bronze Age.” However, his excavation has stirred up significant debate among scholars, many of whom argue that the evidence found at the site is not enough to definitively confirm that this is Sodom. Some scholars also challenge the use of the Bible as a credible historical source. The excavation is still in its early stages and has yet to provide any conclusive evidence that identifies the city with certainty. Collins’ theory remains a hypothesis rather than an established fact.
The evidence from the excavation shows that the ancient city was suddenly abandoned at the end of the Middle Bronze Age and stayed empty for 700 years. The reasons for this sudden desertion remain an unsolved mystery.
3. Fossilized Human Teeth Discovered in China
According to traditional scientific theory, modern humans are believed to have originated in Africa roughly 200,000 years ago, with their first successful migration spreading across the world around 60,000 years ago, reaching South Asia about 45,000 years ago. However, recently discovered fossilized human teeth have not only challenged this established theory, but also the entire timeline of human migration.
During recent excavations in a massive limestone cave system in China’s Hunan province, a set of 47 fossilized human teeth was uncovered. By analyzing nearby mineral samples, animal fossils, and the characteristics of the teeth (small, thin roots, and flat crowns), researchers concluded that the teeth belonged to Homo sapiens. The dating of the teeth suggests our species was present in South Asia as far back as 80,000 to 120,000 years ago—20,000 years earlier than previously believed and up to 70,000 years before humans reached Europe and the eastern Mediterranean! This also points to the idea that humans migrated from Africa in multiple waves, not just one.
Despite the exciting discovery, many researchers have adopted a cautious stance toward the new study. The absence of stone tools and the presence of extinct animal remains (such as hyenas and pandas) suggests the humans didn’t reside in the caves but were likely displaced there by predators. Some believe these findings imply failed migration attempts rather than actual successful migration. Additionally, Jean-Jacques Hublin, a paleoanthropologist at Germany’s Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, raised concerns about the remains, noting that some of the teeth show signs of cavities, which are rare in human teeth older than 50,000 years. Cavities didn’t become common until the advent of agriculture about 10,000 years ago.
On the other hand, this discovery raises numerous questions: If modern humans were already living in southern China more than 80,000 years ago, why didn’t they reach Europe until 45,000 years ago? Did these humans survive in the region or become extinct? Paleoanthropologist Maria Martinon-Torres of University College London, who led the study with Wu Liu and Xiu-jie Wu from the Chinese Academy of Sciences, stated that further research and analysis of the fossils is necessary to unravel the mystery of our species.
2. ‘Oldest’ Chemical Lab Discovered At The University Of Virginia
The history of laboratories is shrouded in mystery, with little information about the world’s earliest labs. So, when a hidden chemical lab from the 1820s was discovered in October 2015, it captured global attention. Matt Schiedt, the project manager overseeing the renovation of the iconic Rotunda building at the University of Virginia where the lab was found, described it as one of the last remaining 'chemical hearths' worldwide. According to a press release from the University of Virginia, the room had been sealed off on one of the Rotunda’s lower floors since the 1850s. It not only survived a destructive fire in 1895 that gutted much of the building’s interior, but also a major renovation in the 1970s—likely because no one knew it was there.
What makes the discovery even more remarkable is its association with US president Thomas Jefferson, the founder of the university. Jefferson is believed to have designed the laboratory in collaboration with John Emmet, the school’s first natural history professor. Letters between Jefferson and Emmet show that Emmet had complained about the small size of his chemistry classroom, which was insufficient for dissipating heat during experiments. In response, Jefferson allowed him to use the larger rooms in the Rotunda’s basement, where water could be accessed easily without the need for pumping it to upper floors.
Brian Hogg, the university’s senior historic preservation planner, described the lab as the oldest preserved example of early chemical education in the United States. The chemical hearth was built into a semicircular niche in the Lower East Oval Room and included two fireboxes used for heat-based chemical reactions. Ducts were installed to carry away fumes and smoke from the fireboxes, while brick tunnels provided fresh air. Students worked at five stations, carved into stone countertops. This discovery will provide valuable insights into the history of laboratories and the development of science in the United States. Once renovations are finished, the chemical hearth will be on public display for visitors.
1. Ancient City Found In Honduras
Today, archaeologists may not need to dig to uncover lost cities. Thanks to revolutionary technology, high-tech scanners, and drones, scientists can now discover hidden treasures and ancient civilizations buried deep beneath the earth. This cutting-edge technology was behind the 2015 discovery of the ruins of an ancient civilization in the remote, untouched jungles of Honduras.
The site was initially discovered in 2012 during an aerial light-detection survey of the Mosquitia jungle, revealing signs of human-altered landscapes and the remains of an ancient settlement. In February 2015, archaeologist Chris Fisher led a ground expedition to investigate further. Fisher and his team uncovered earthworks, expansive plazas, an earthen pyramid, a collection of stone sculptures, ceremonial seats, intricately carved vessels adorned with serpents, and a remarkable 'were-jaguar' effigy that appeared untouched since the city’s abandonment. These artifacts are estimated to date back to around AD 1000–1400. Many locals in Honduras believe these relics point to the legendary Ciudad Blanca ('The White City') or the Lost City of the Monkey God, where indigenous people sought refuge during the Spanish conquest. However, Fisher argues that the evidence suggests the discovery is the remains of a unique culture and society, rather than a vanished civilization wiped out by 'European diseases.'
Although the people who lived here may share similarities with their Maya neighbors, they have never been studied before, leaving researchers uncertain even about what to call them, as stated by the National Geographic Society. Without a thorough excavation of the site and its surroundings, much remains unknown about this find. To prevent looting, the exact location of the site has not been revealed. Restoration and preservation efforts for Ciudad Blanca are set to begin in 2016.
