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 breadcrumbs for archaeologists to follow. New sites and artifacts are found all the time, revealing forgotten secrets of the past.

Here are some of the latest discoveries:

Routine excavation' takes a turn when 'rare' ancient Roman artifact emerges

In Leuven, Belgium, archaeologists unearthed a 1,700-year-old wooden water pipe during a routine excavation, marking a first-of-its-kind find for the area. The pipe, preserved in the marshy soil, highlights the historical significance of Leuven as a Roman settlement with a water supply system. | Published May 9 | Read More |

Ancient stonemason tools -- some never seen before -- unearthed in Romanian forest

In Romania, a villager stumbled upon a 2,000-year-old set of Dacian stonemason tools near the Măgura Călanului limestone quarry. The toolkit, containing 15 iron implements, is considered "one of the most varied and complete" from European antiquity. | Published May 9 | Read More |

1,300-year-old gold -- hidden under Buddha monument -- found in Thailand. See it

In Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand, workers discovered a collection of gold, silver and bronze items hidden beneath a reclining Buddha statue at Wat Dhammachak Semaram temple. The find includes 33 items, such as gold rings and silver earrings, dating back 1,300 years. | Published May 12 | Read More |

MrBeast's video on ancient temples draws criticism from Mexican officials

In Mexico, YouTuber MrBeast faced criticism from local heritage officials for a video about ancient Maya temples, which they said distorted information. Despite following legal guidelines, the video was accused of misrepresenting events and using replicas instead of authentic artifacts. | Published May 13 | Read More |

Secret to treating HIV came thousands of years before virus ever appeared. How?

Researchers traced a genetic mutation that provides resistance to HIV back to a single individual near the Black Sea 6,700 to 9,000 years ago. This mutation, found in 18-25% of Denmark's population, has been key in developing HIV treatments. | Published May 13 | Read More |