Religion
The Secret Rituals of Greco-Roman Mystery Cults
Greco-Roman mystery religions required strict secrecy and offered initiates emotionally impressive rituals based on the death and rebirth of a divinity.
News
Fresh finds from the world we cover: archaeology of religion, folklore, the occult, and the dead. Short, sourced notes on new discoveries, each linked to where it came from.
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Ethnobotany
The Ritual Use of Hemp in Global Shamanic Traditions
Hempfood.com reports that various cultures have utilized hemp for thousands of years in shamanic rituals, divination, and burial ceremonies to mediate between visible and invisible worlds.
Ethnobotany
The Botanical History and Domestication of Kava in the Pacific
Researchers report that kava was domesticated from a wild relative in Melanesia approximately 3,000 years ago, driven by human preference for its specific psychoactive properties.
Ethnobotany
The Life and Work of Ethnobotanist Edmund Wade Davis
Edmund Wade Davis is a Canadian ethnobotanist and anthropologist known for his 1985 bestselling book investigating the phenomenon of Haitian zombies.
Bagicz, Polanddeath
Scientists Resolve the Dating Mystery of an Ancient Oak Coffin
Researchers have resolved a dating discrepancy for a young woman from the ancient Wielbark culture whose oak log coffin fell from a Polish cliff in 1898.
Folklore
New Manual Classifies Italian Magico-Religious Amulets and Talismans
The Centro Studio Misteri Italiani has published a new operational manual for cataloging and interpreting Italy's magico-religious amulets and folk traditions.
Toledo, USAFolklore
Ancient Magic Exhibition at the Toledo Museum of Art
The Toledo Museum of Art hosted an exhibition exploring ancient magic practices across Mesopotamia, Egypt, Greece, and Rome from 2000 BCE to 300 CE.
Sozopol, BulgariaArchaeology
Medieval Vampire Burials Discovered Near the Black Sea Town of Sozopol
Archaeologists near the Bulgarian town of Sozopol have unearthed two medieval skeletons pierced through the chest with iron rods to prevent them from rising as vampires.
Isle of Arran, ScotlandReligion
Hidden Ritual Circle Discovered Under Peat on Isle of Arran
Archaeologists using geophysical survey technology have discovered a hidden ring of pit anomalies beneath the peat at Machrie Moor on the Isle of Arran.
Sirolo, ItalyArchaeology
6th-Century BC Picene Princely Tomb and Chariot Discovered in Italy
Archaeologists uncovered a 6th-century BC Picene funerary complex near Sirolo, featuring a princely chariot burial and a noblewoman's grave with preserved organic materials.
Archaeology
The Living Dead and Ghost Sickness in Medieval Icelandic Sagas
A 2014 study explores how medieval Icelandic sagas depict corporeal revenants causing a blend of physical and mental illnesses among the living.
Haughey's Fort, United KingdomReligion
Haughey's Fort Revealed as a Major Late Bronze Age Ritual Center
Researchers have identified a massive enclosure at Haughey's Fort, revealing a ceremonial avenue and ritual pool dating to the Late Bronze Age.
Suizhou, ChinaArchaeology
Ritual Deactivation of Bronze Bells Discovered in 2,600-Year-Old Chinese Tomb
Archaeologists have discovered a scattered heap of bronze bells in a 2,600-year-old Chinese tomb, suggesting the family deliberately deactivated the ritual objects during burial.
Eleusis, GreeceReligion
Researchers Demonstrate Feasibility of Ergot in the Eleusinian Kykeon
A February 2026 study reveals that ancient people could have processed toxic ergot into a psychoactive ritual drink using simple lye solutions.
Dijon, FranceArchaeology
Seated Gallic Skeletons Uncovered at a School Site in Dijon
Excavations at a Dijon school have revealed Iron Age Gallic burials featuring skeletons arranged in a seated position without grave offerings.
Glenrothes, United KingdomEthnobotany
Re-evaluating Henbane in Scottish Neolithic Grooved Ware Pottery at Balfarg
A 1999 re-analysis of organic residues from Neolithic pottery at the Balfarg ceremonial complex found no evidence of black henbane or other poisonous plants.
Colchester, United Kingdomdeath
Rare Pagan Roman Lead Coffin Displayed in Colchester
The Colchester Archaeological Trust has excavated the decorated lead coffin of a high-status pagan Roman woman, revealing traces of exotic resins and ritual burial practices.
Bad Dürrenberg, GermanyEthnobotany
Anatomical Anomalies Found in a 9,000-Year-Old Shaman Skull
Researchers have identified skull anomalies in a 9,000-year-old woman from Germany, suggesting physical conditions may have caused behaviors interpreted as spiritual power.
Samothrace, GreeceReligion
The Mystery Cult of the Great Gods at Samothrace
The Sanctuary of the Great Gods on Samothrace hosted an inclusive mystery cult promising initiates protection at sea, moral improvement, and the hope of immortality.
Veliky Novgorod, RussiaFolklore
Rare Metal-Mounted Boar Tusk Amulet Discovered in Veliky Novgorod
Archaeologists in Veliky Novgorod have discovered a rare metal-mounted boar tusk amulet dating to the twelfth or early thirteenth century.
Tula de Allende, MexicoArchaeology
Toltec Reliefs and Ritual Burials Uncovered in Tula de Allende
Researchers in Mexico have uncovered a Toltec-era structure containing carved reliefs of deities, child offerings, and evidence of ritual skinning near the Tula Archaeological Zone.
Casas Grandes, MexicoEthnobotany
Prehispanic Ethnobotany of Paquimé Reveals Complex Sociopolitical Structures
A 2020 book by Paul E. Minnis and Michael E. Whalen explores how plant use and farming at Paquimé supported complex sociopolitical structures and communal feasting.
Ethnobotany
Matthew Clark Explores Soma and Haoma as Ayahuasca Analogues
Matthew Clark investigates the ancient ritual drinks soma and haoma, proposing they were psychoactive plant mixtures similar to ayahuasca.
death
Genetic Analysis of Medici Remains Reveals Malaria and Disproves Poisoning
Researchers have identified novel malaria strains in the skeletal remains of two Medici family members, providing scientific evidence that counters historical speculation of a poisoning.
death
Evidence of Sharp-Force Trauma and Deliberate Burial in Qafzeh-25
A recent study reveals that the Qafzeh-25 individual survived a severe sharp-force injury to the jaw and was later deliberately buried.
Tel Arad, IsraelEthnobotany
Cannabis and Frankincense Discovered on Altars at Judahite Shrine
Researchers have identified residues of cannabis and frankincense on two limestone altars from a Judahite shrine at Tel Arad, revealing ancient ritual practices.
Folklore
Lokrian Ajax Temple Unearthed as a Hero Sanctuary in Greece
Archaeologists have unearthed the Lokrian Ajax Temple near the coastal boundaries of Lokris, identifying it as a unique hero sanctuary without a traditional Olympian cult statue.
Coatepec, MexicoReligion
Ancient Mexican Monolith Depicts Elite Figures Receiving Divine Liquid
Archaeologists in Mexico have uncovered a 1,400-year-old monolith depicting a ritual where elite figures receive a fluid from a divine entity.
Amazon, BrazilEthnobotany
Secret Amazonian Plants Yield Precursor to Ibogaine
Researchers have identified four secret Amazonian plant species that produce voacangine, a chemical precursor to ibogaine, offering a sustainable alternative to traditional African harvesting.
death
Red Ocher and Human Remains Found in Qafzeh Cave
Researchers have identified red ocher and stained stone tools near the remains of fifteen early modern humans in Israel, suggesting ritual practices dating back 100,000 years.
Ethnobotany
Anthropologist Jeremy Narby Releases The Book of Cannabis
Anthropologist Jeremy Narby has authored a new 336-page volume titled The Book of Cannabis: The History and Future of the Plant and the Drug.
Yalvaç, TurkeyReligion
'Little Temple' in Isparta Identified as a Sanctuary of Hecate
Researchers have identified a structure in the Men Sanctuary of Isparta, previously thought to be dedicated to Demeter, as Anatolia's second known temple of Hecate.
death
New Podcast Episode Explores Northern European Bog Bodies
A recent podcast episode from History Hit examines naturally mummified bog bodies in northern Europe, exploring their preservation and potential connections to prehistoric ritual sacrifice.
Ethnobotany
New Book Explores the Folklore of Mind-Altering Plants
Sandra Lawrence and the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, have published a new 208-page book detailing the history of mind-altering plants in folklore and superstition.
Valdepeñas, SpainArchaeology
Iron Age "Bad Death" Ritual Uncovered Outside a Spanish City Wall
Archaeologists in central Spain have discovered the remains of two violently killed men accompanied by red deer antlers, interpreting the deposit as a "bad death" ritual.
Kyushu, Japandeath
Symbolic Agents Discovered in Late Kofun Decorated Tombs of Kyushu
A new study suggests that anthropomorphic figures in Kyushu decorated tombs from the Late Kofun period represented a collective identity rather than individual portraits of the deceased.
Phetchaburi, Thailanddeath
Elite Prehistoric Burial Site With Bronze Drums Uncovered in Thailand
Archaeologists in Thailand have uncovered an elite prehistoric burial site featuring nine human skeletons, bronze drums, and unique funerary rituals involving vessels placed over skulls.
Samothrace, GreeceReligion
Clarifying the Practices of the Ancient Kabirian Mysteries
Recent reports clarify that the ancient Kabirian Mysteries involved group nightly rituals and purifications, distinct from the solitary healing incubation practiced at sanctuaries of Asclepius.
Mudukulathur, IndiaArchaeology
Three-Foot Megalithic Burial Urns Discovered Near Temple in India
Villagers excavating near a temple in the Ramanathapuram district have uncovered three-foot megalithic burial urns containing ritual vessels estimated to be 5,000 years old.
Zerzevan Castle, TürkiyeReligion
Christians Sealed Mithras Temple With Aramaic Inscription 1,700 Years Ago
A newly deciphered Aramaic inscription and a carved cross reveal that early Christians formally sealed a Roman Mithras sanctuary in southeastern Türkiye about 1,700 years ago.
Bolzano, Italydeath
Researchers Locate the Displaced Stomach of Ötzi the Iceman
Researchers at the Institute for Mummies and the Iceman have finally located Ötzi the Iceman's stomach, which had mysteriously shifted under his ribs after death.
Ethnobotany
Natural Hallucinogens Evolved as Ecological Tools Rather Than Chemical Accidents
Researchers propose that natural hallucinogens like psilocybin and DMT evolved across biological kingdoms as ecological tools for survival and cross-kingdom communication rather than as chemical accidents.
Changsha, Chinadeath
The Remarkably Preserved Mummy of Lady Dai Discovered in China
Researchers investigating the mummy of Lady Dai, who died in 168 BCE, found her skin intact and her joints still flexible during excavations in China.
Liguria, Italydeath
Palaeolithic Bear Attack Victim Reveals Ancient Ritual Burial Practices
A 2025/2026 study suggests the elaborate 27,500-year-old burial of an Italian teenager was a ritual response to a fatal bear attack.
Archaeology
Homo Naledi Teeth Lack Male Proteins at Rising Star Cave
A proteomic analysis of fossilized teeth from the Rising Star cave site found no male protein markers, raising questions about deliberate mortuary practices among Homo naledi.
Ethnobotany
Engineered Tobacco Yields Five Psychedelics From Three Kingdoms
Researchers at the Weizmann Institute of Science have genetically modified a tobacco plant to simultaneously produce five psychedelic substances originally found in plants, fungi, and animals.
Silkeborg, Denmarkdeath
The 1950 Discovery of Tollund Man in a Danish Peat Bog
On May 6, 1950, peat cutters in Denmark unearthed a remarkably preserved body that police initially mistook for a recent murder victim.
Kerdugen, RussiaArchaeology
Reconstructed Face of a 4,000-Year-Old Siberian Warrior With a Bone Shield
Scientists have reconstructed the face and gear of a 4,000-year-old Siberian warrior from the Ymyyakhtakh culture who was buried beneath a protective bone shield.
Eleusis, GreeceReligion
Experimental Study Tests Psychoactive Ergot Hypothesis for the Eleusinian Mysteries
Researchers have demonstrated that ancient methods could extract psychoactive compounds from ergot, offering experimental support for theories about the sacred kykeon drink of the Eleusinian Mysteries.
Kamphaeng Phet, ThailandArchaeology
500-Year-Old Skeleton and Coins Unearthed in Thai Rice Field
A farmer in Kamphaeng Phet discovered a severely decomposed human skeleton buried with metal artifacts and coins estimated to be at least 500 years old.
Herculaneum, ItalyManuscripts
A Stoic Text Is Read From a Carbonized Herculaneum Scroll, Still Unopened
Researchers virtually unwrapped PHerc. 1667, a Herculaneum scroll carbonized since AD 79, recovering a Stoic text without ever opening it. The Vesuvius Challenge now offers $1 million to whoever reads an entire scroll by 25 June 2027.
Bulford, United KingdomReligion
Wooden Prototype for Stonehenge Discovered Near Bulford
Archaeologists have identified a wooden prototype near Bulford that predates the stone megaliths of Stonehenge by approximately 500 years and aligns with the solstices.
Hadrianopolis, TurkeyArchaeology
Roman Pithos Burial Discovered in the Ancient City of Hadrianopolis
Archaeologists in Turkey have uncovered a 1,750-year-old pithos burial containing a human skeleton and various grave goods meant for the afterlife.
Pompeii, ItalyReligion
New Frescoes of Dionysian Initiation Discovered in Pompeii
Archaeologists in Pompeii have unearthed a dining room featuring nearly life-size frescoes of female Dionysian initiation rituals dating to between 40 and 30 BC.
Tassili n'Ajjer, AlgeriaEthnobotany
Ancient Cave Murals in Algeria May Depict Early Psychoactive Mushroom Use
Cave murals at Tassili n'Ajjer in Algeria dating back 7,000 to 9,000 years may represent the oldest known depictions of psychoactive mushroom use in shamanic rituals.
death
Unlocking Ancient Secrets at the Institute for Mummy Studies
Microbiologist Frank Maixner and his team are extracting ancient human, plant, and microbial DNA from preserved mummy tissues and coprolites to decode secrets of the past.
Religion
The Dual Nature of Humanity in Orphism
According to some conceptions of Orphism, humanity possesses a dual nature consisting of a physical body and a divine soul.
Carrascosa del Campo, SpainReligion
Rare Roman Rock Shrine to Minerva Discovered in Spanish Quarry
Researchers have documented a rare Roman rock-cut shrine dedicated to the goddess Minerva within an ancient sandstone quarry in the Spanish province of Cuenca.
Amazon, South AmericaEthnobotany
Global Popularity Threatens Amazonian Ayahuasca Plants and Traditional Knowledge
The global popularity of ayahuasca is causing scarcity of its core plant ingredients in the Amazon and raising concerns about the commodification of traditional spiritual knowledge.
death
Ancient Microbes and Cold-Adapted Yeasts Found on Ötzi the Iceman
A 2026 study reveals that the 5,300-year-old mummy Ötzi the Iceman still harbors ancient gut bacteria and cold-adapted yeasts that may be metabolically active today.
Iberian Peninsula, SpainEthnobotany
Ancient DNA Traces Iberian Grapevines to Phoenician Eastern Mediterranean Cultivars
Researchers analyzed ancient grapevine seeds from the Iberian Peninsula and Sardinia, discovering that modern Iberian cultivars descend from Eastern Mediterranean vines introduced by Phoenician settlers.
Palaiochori, GreeceReligion
Vestiges of a Dionysian Ritual Traced in Greek Guliaria Performance
A recent article argues that the Guliaria, a Greek ritual last performed in 1969, preserved elements of ancient Dionysian rites through ecstatic movement and bodily transformation.
Nile Region, EgyptEthnobotany
The Sacred Blue Lotus of Ancient Egyptian Rituals and Art
Researchers report that the Blue Lotus, an aquatic lily native to the Nile region, held deep religious significance in ancient Egypt and may possess psychoactive properties.
Paola, MaltaReligion
The Ħal Saflieni Hypogeum: A Prehistoric Sanctuary Discovered in Malta
Discovered accidentally in 1902, the Ħal Saflieni Hypogeum in Paola, Malta, is an underground prehistoric burial complex that once held the remains of approximately 7,000 individuals.
Bengal, IndiaEthnobotany
Tantric Cannabis Rituals and the Ceremonial Beverage Vijaya in India
Researchers report that Hindu and Buddhist Tantric rituals in India historically utilized a cannabis beverage called vijaya as a ceremonial sense-heightener and disinhibitor.
Jiahu, ChinaEthnobotany
Ancient Chinese Vessels Reveal Early Fermented Beverages And Herbal Wines
Researchers analyzed ancient Chinese pottery and bronze vessels, discovering evidence of fermented beverages made from rice, honey, and fruit dating back to the seventh millennium B.C.
Ningxia, ChinaEthnobotany
Ancient Cereal Alcohol Discovered in a Warring States Tomb in China
Researchers unearthed a sealed bronze bottle containing over three liters of a 2,300-year-old alcoholic beverage from a tomb at the Shanjiabao cemetery in Ningxia, China.
Llullaillaco, ArgentinaReligion
Inca Child Sacrifices Linked to Political Expansion Rather Than Religion
A 2026 study suggests the Inca capacocha ritual on the Llullaillaco volcano was driven by political motives to consolidate newly conquered territories.
Gerstewitz, GermanyArchaeology
Unusual Corded Ware Burial Discovered in a Prehistoric Kiln Pit
Archaeologists in Germany have uncovered a 4,000-year-old burial of a young man placed inside a prehistoric kiln pit, prompting questions about potential ritual practices.
Ethnobotany
The Linguistic Roots of the Sacred Plant Soma and Haoma
Researchers detail how the sacred plants soma and haoma share a common Proto-Indo-Iranian origin, reflecting shared religious traditions before a historical separation.
Huaca de la Luna, PeruReligion
Moche Ceramics Reveal Mythic Context of Ancient Peruvian Mountain Sacrifices
Research on Moche ceramic vessels suggests that ancient Peruvian mountain sacrifices were part of a broader foundational myth involving caves, deities, and blood offerings.
Loch Borralie, ScotlandArchaeology
Iron Age Skeleton Found With Removed Brain and Whittled Bones
A June 2026 study in Antiquity details an Iron Age Scottish burial where a woman's brain was removed and her bones were carved into tools before reassembly.
Samiko, GreeceReligion
Archaic Sanctuary of Poseidon Discovered at Samikon
Researchers have identified the long-lost sanctuary of Poseidon at Samikon, an Archaic temple mentioned in ancient geographical texts, following recent geophysical surveys and excavations.
Ethnobotany
Ancient Egyptian Pain Relief Methods Explored in New Article
A recent article by Ira Rampil published on June 15, 2026, examines how ancient Egyptian physicians utilized plant-based and mineral remedies for pain relief.
Heerlen, NetherlandsFolklore
Roman-Era Curse Tablet Discovered Beneath a Dutch Town Square
Dutch archaeologists have uncovered a second-century lead curse tablet in Heerlen, revealing ancient Greek invocations and Egyptian-style magical symbols in a former Roman military settlement.
Stonehenge, EnglandReligion
Prehistoric Solstice Alignment Discovered Near Stonehenge in Wiltshire
Archaeologists have uncovered a 5,000-year-old site near Stonehenge featuring wooden posts aligned with the solstices and pits containing ritual feasting debris.
Cambridge, EnglandArchaeology
Ninth-Century Mass Grave Near Cambridge Reveals Trepanned Giant
University of Cambridge students discovered a mass burial containing dismembered remains and an unusually tall individual who underwent ancient cranial surgery, researchers report.
Karahan Tepe, TurkeyReligion
Karahan Tepe: The Twin Sister Site of Göbekli Tepe
Researchers are excavating Karahan Tepe, a Pre-Pottery Neolithic site in Turkey featuring over 250 T-shaped pillars and bedrock ritual chambers similar to Göbekli Tepe.
PolandArchaeology
Unusual Medieval Burial With Knife Beneath Neck Found in Poland
Archaeologists from the University of Gdańsk have discovered a 14th or 15th century burial in Poland featuring an iron knife placed beneath the deceased's neck.
Bath, EnglandFolklore
The Romano-British Cult of Sulis Minerva at Bath
Researchers report that the Romano-British worshiped Sulis Minerva at the thermal spring of Bath as both a life-giving mother goddess and an agent of curses.
Michelham Priory, EnglandFolklore
Mid-17th Century Witch Bottle Found at Michelham Priory
A stoneware Bellarmine vessel containing pins and metal fragments was discovered buried beneath a doorway at Michelham Priory, offering evidence of historical protection magic.
Heidelberg, GermanyFolklore
Ancient Greek Curse Tablet Deciphered by Heidelberg Papyrology Researchers
Researchers have deciphered a second century lead curse tablet found in the Netherlands, revealing ancient Greek inscriptions and Egyptian style magical invocations.
Wawa, Ontario, CanadaFolklore
Longest Runic Inscription in North America Found in Ontario Bedrock
Researchers have identified a 19th-century runic carving of the Lord's Prayer near Wawa, Ontario, marking the longest runic inscription discovered in North America.
Termessos, TurkeyFolklore
Divination and Independence Inscriptions Discovered in Ancient Termessos
Researchers identified ancient inscriptions near a collapsed gate in Termessos, Türkiye, revealing civic declarations and a system of bone divination used for daily guidance.
Vráble, SlovakiaArchaeology
7,000-Year-Old Headless Skeletons Discovered at LBK Settlement in Slovakia
Researchers have uncovered dozens of headless skeletons at a 7,000-year-old settlement in Slovakia, suggesting complex social practices involving skull removal rather than a violent massacre.
Frankfurt, GermanyFolklore
3rd-Century Silver Amulet Deciphered in Frankfurt
Researchers have digitally unrolled a 3rd-century silver amulet from a Roman grave in Frankfurt, revealing one of the earliest material testimonies of Christianity north of the Alps.