A genetic study has concluded that wild asses in Northeast Africa are the ancestors of modern donkeys, indicating that the first domesticated donkeys traveled out of Africa with their human companions. Donkeys are important because they mark the human shift from agrarian society to a more trade-oriented society, explains Albano Beja-Pereira of Université Joseph Fourier.

An amendment to a bill before the Israeli parliament proposes to privatize the country’s national parks, including many archaeological sites. More than 150 archaeologists have signed a petition against the move. “We demand that the government not change the laws… and instead strengthens academic freedom and heritage without sectarian preference,” it reads.

Tunnel construction in London has uncovered the bones of prehistoric animals that may have been butchered by people.

Police divers recovered a 200-year-old cannon from the Detroit River and turned it over to the Detroit Historical Society.

This entry was posted by Jessica E. Saraceni on Thursday, October 6, 2011. Discussion of this blog entry is now closed.

Comments posted here do not represent the views or policies of the Archaeological Institute of America.