The summaries below were drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All linked stories were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.

Throughout history, cultures have left behind a trail of illuminating breadcrumbs for archaeologists to follow. New sites and artifacts are found all the time, revealing forgotten secrets of the past.

Learn more about some recent discoveries:

Anglers spot something poking out of seafloor -- leading to a rare ancient find in Italy

Off the coast of Sicily, Italy, anglers discovered an ancient shipwreck, leading marine archaeologists to find 40 rare Roman jars on the seafloor. These jars, dating back 1,900 to 2,100 years, are believed to be a rare type of pottery known as Richborough 527, possibly used for transporting alum. | Published Nov. 4 | Read More |

Hiker finds strange item at melting glacier in Switzerland -- and it stumps officials

In Switzerland's Splügen Pass, a hiker stumbled upon a mysterious bamboo contraption at a melting glacier, puzzling officials and prompting a call for public help. The object, with bamboo wheels and cords, dates back to the 20th century, but its purpose remains unknown. | Published Nov. 5 | Read More |

'Phantom' coins -- believed to be destroyed after WWII -- found in warehouse in Japan

In Kyoto, Japan, a company discovered thousands of "phantom" ceramic coins from WWII, thought to have been destroyed. These rare coins, found in a warehouse, were never issued due to the war's end and are now considered an "extremely rare" find. | Published Nov. 11 | Read More |

140-year-old message in a bottle found in a Viking burial mound in Norway. Take a look

In Norway, archaeologists re-excavating the Myklebust Ship burial mound found a 140-year-old message in a bottle left by a previous archaeologist. The bottle contained papers and coins, providing a glimpse into past excavation efforts. | Published Nov. 15 | Read More |

Students digging in a German cave unearth weapons and 9,000-year-old fireplace. See them

In Germany's Blätterhöhle cave, students and archaeologists uncovered a 9,000-year-old fireplace and prehistoric weapons, including flint arrowheads and a bone harpoon hook. Archaeologists called the finds unique and exceptional. | Published Nov. 17 | Read More |