Archaeology

Rare gemstone discovered by 12-year-old boy during archaeological dig in ancient Jewish village

Dig director Dr. Achia Kohn-Tavorn from Ariel University identified the stone as a Nicolo, a type of agate stone often used in jewelry and signet rings by the Romans as a symbol of wealth.

Twelve-year-old Alon Horwitz who discovered an ancient gemstone at Korazim National Park in the Galilee, June 1, 2026.
An Israeli flag flies over the medieval Beaufort Castle, known locally as Qalaat al-Shaqif or Shaqif Arnoun, as seen from the Marjayoun area of southern Lebanon on May 31, 2026.

What is Beaufort Castle, the historic Crusader fortress Israel now holds in Lebanon? - explainer

Rupert van Der Werff from Summers Place Auctions with a rare skeleton of a long-extinct woolly rhinoceros in Billingshurst, England, March 5, 2019; file photo.

Neanderthals' ancient toolkit included hammers, blades made from rhino teeth, study finds

University of Central Florida researchers sifting through finds from site near Cape Canaveral Space Force Station

Evidence of ancient Native American life uncovered near Cape Canaveral Space Force Station


Rare, intact ancient Roman burial unearthed during excavations in eastern Croatia - report

Previously, a total of 44 other Roman graves were discovered during excavations for the project, however the most recent find is the first to be fully undisturbed. 

Roman-era burial discovered in eastern Croatia, May 29, 2026.

United States returns 13th missing piece of famed 'Gypsy Girl' mosaic to Turkey

The mosaic was first discovered nearly 30 years ago by Turkish archaeologists during excavations in the ancient city of Zeugma.

Screengrab of 13th missing piece of the famed Turkish "Gypsy Girl" mosaic returned to Turkey by the United States, May 29, 2026.

Plaster-making technique attributed to Romans used at Motza some 8,000 years earlier, study shows

"The Pre-Pottery Neolithic B residents of Motza were surprisingly able to differentiate calcite and dolomite stones and used both in their plaster making," the study said.

A partial view of a settlement from the Neolithic Period (New Stone Age), discovered during archaeological excavations by the Israel Antiquities Authority near Motza Junction, about 5 km west of Jerusalem,  July 16, 2019; file photo.

British heritage charity constructs replica of 4,500-year-old prehistoric building near Stonehenge

It is expected to be completed and open to the public by summer, before becoming in September a “living-history learning space for school groups."

Kusuma Neolithic Hall, replica of prehistoric building, constructed near Stonehenge, May 26, 2026.

Greece calls for return of Parthenon Statues from British Museum at UNESCO, backed by 20 countries

Greece and Turkey argue that Lord Elgin had no firman permissing him to remove the artifacts, while the UK claims Elgin had all necessary documents and brought the Statues to Britian legally.

Visitors view the Parthenon Marbles, also known as the Elgin Marbles, at the British Museum in London on January 9, 2023.

Six previously unknown Bronze Age mines found in Spain, some 150 more remain ‘undiscovered’

The six mines may help explain the source of the metal used in Bronze Age Scandinavian artifacts. 

During an archaeological survey, researchers from the Maritime Encounters, University of Gothenburg, identified six previously unregistered Bronze Age mines in Spain, May 23, 2026.

Iraq races to restore ancient Ziggurat of Ur amid threat of climate erosion - report

In a video published in early May, Reuters revealed that the Iraqi government had announced an initial budget of $382,000 to restore the ziggurat. The work will reportedly be completed by July 2026.

Restoration of the ziggurat temple in ancient Ur

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

The Ramesseum, located in a necropolis near Luxor, serves as a religious and political record of Pharoah Ramesses II’s reign. It is the second largest temple in Egypt.

Korean-Egyptian archaeological mission find blocks belonging to the Ramesseum's First Pylon during restoration work in Egypt, May 21, 2026.

‘Lexden Lady,’ wealthy Roman woman buried in lead coffin, goes on display in UK

Her exact burial date is unclear, according to the Trust’s statement, but it was likely during the late Roman period - lasting from approximately the late 3rd century to early 5th century CE.

Lead coffin discovered by Colchester Archaeological Trust in 2023.

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

Additionally, a multi-year plan worth tens of millions of shekel will be put in motion to upgrade existing infrastructure and hopefully turn the sites into major tourist destinations.

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