Coca leaves were chewed by people living in northwestern Peru 8,000 years ago, according to Tom Dillehay of Vanderbilt University. That’s 3,000 years earlier than previously thought. Calcium-rich rocks that had been burned were uncovered along with the leaves. The resulting lime would have boosted the medicinal effects of the coca leaves. Here’s more information […]

Heavy rains triggered the collapse of two ancient walls at Pompeii this morning. Archaeologists are still looking for evidence of cannibalism among the travelers of the infamous Donner Party. The Donner Party was traveling west when snow storms trapped them at the base of the Sierra Nevada Mountains in 1846.   Here’s more information on the […]