Antiquities

Israel damaged heritage sites during ops. against Hezbollah, Lebanese culture minister says

Israel's security zone in southern Lebanon includes the medieval Beaufort Castle as well as centuries-old villages that were home to Christians, Shi'ite Muslims, and Sunni Muslims.

A piece of metal lies at of Al‑Bass Roman ruins, a UNESCO World Heritage site hit by an Israeli airstrike in Tyre, southern Lebanon, June 25, 2026.
Korean-Egyptian archaeological mission find blocks belonging to the Ramesseum's First Pylon during restoration work in Egypt, May 21, 2026.

Korean, Egyptian archaeologists find ancient temple gate blocks during restoration work in Luxor

View of the ancient archeological site of Sebastia, near the West Bank city of Nablus, May 12, 2025.

Gov’t approves 250m. NIS plan to preserve West Bank heritage sites ahead of Six-Day War anniversary

INEXTG CEO Esti Shrieber, tapped to be the next director of the Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA).

Heritage Minister taps INEXTG CEO Esther Shreiber for next IAA director, first woman in role


Undercover officers pose as buyers in €200K deal, arresting 63-year-old abbot in Greek monastery

Hellenic Police say two undercover officers posed as buyers in a 3-month sting, leading to arrests of an assistant, a pawnbroker and his wife, and two intermediaries for antiquities trafficking.

The goods that were being trafficked.

New digital archive gives global access to Israel’s archaeological treasures

The Israel Antiquities Authority has launched a new database holding over three million historically significant records.

An intricately decorated 1,700-year-old ceramic oil lamp adorned with symbols linked to the Jewish Temple and discovered on Jerusalem's Mount of Olives, displayed in Jerusalem on Dec. 26, 2024

‘Good fortunes’: 1,600-year-old Samaritan estate with mosaics unearthed in Kafr Qasim, Israel

Archaeologists uncover a vast Byzantine-era agricultural villa with intricate mosaics, oil press, and ritual bath in central Israel.

Eye-catching mosaics illustrate the Samaritan community’s wealth and prosperity.

Egyptian doctor's elaborate smuggling scheme unraveled at JFK airport

Ashraf Omar El-Darir sentenced to six months in jail for smuggling 600+ antiquities worth $82,000, including golden amulets and Roman artifacts dating to 1900 BCE.

Some of the artefacts smuggled.

1 of 20 found: Extremely rare 2,200-year-old gold coin found in Jerusalem

A rare gold coin of the Egyptian Queen Berenice II, dating back approximately 2,200 years, was discovered during archaeological excavations in the City of David.

1 of 20 found: Extremely rare 2,200-year-old gold coin found in Jerusalem.

2,000-year-old Greek artifact seized in Jerusalem antique shop raid

A lead weight from 147 BCE—marked by a powerful market official—may tie to a major political dynasty in Edom’s ancient capital.

The weight of one Mina, equivalent to 100 Greek drachmas.

When the future decodes the past: How artificial intelligence helps solve the "giant puzzle"

A new AI model helps historians accurately reconstruct ancient Latin inscriptions, reviving lost texts, instructions, and untranslated languages - bringing the past vividly back to life.

Artificial Intelligence – Illustrative Image

Turkey hands over Babylonian and Akkadian clay tablets to Iraq

The Iraqi government has launched what has come to be known as "recovery diplomacy" as part of its efforts to recover looted artifacts.

 Clay tablets inscribed with cuneiform script on display in Iraq.

Cypro-Minoan script on Tel Dor lagoon anchor reveals 11th-century trade routes

Antiquity study links Israel’s Carmel Coast to Cyprus and Egypt through inscribed anchor and jars bearing Egyptian numerals.

 Ruins of an ancient port Dor, Israel.

Egyptian archaeologists discover three ancient tombs at Qubbat al-Hawa necropolis

The discovery provides new insights into the transitional period between the Old Kingdom and the First Intermediate Period, shedding light on burial customs and architecture during these key periods.

 archaeologists discover three ancient tombs at Qubbat al-Hawa necropolis.