Israel archeology

Discovery off Israel’s coast reveals earliest known 2,600-year-old shipment of raw iron

The discovery was made in an ancient shipwreck in the Dor Lagoon near the Carmel Coast, where archaeologists recovered nine pieces of unprocessed iron known as “blooms.”

 The Mediterranean Sea.
Workers and volunteers on an archaeological dig sift through dirt at Alexandrion/Sartaba in the Jordan Valley.

Israel digs up the West Bank – and reignites a battle over history

Israelis families display pieces of pottery found while volunteering at an excavation at Tel Maresha at the Beit Guvrin-Maresha National Park on Aug. 6, 2023.

Israeli archaeologists launch project to trace origins of ancient pottery

The dramatic mountaintop site rising 650 meters above the Jordan Valley

Israeli archaeologists uncover remains of dramatic mountaintop royal palace


Israel's museums enact war protocol to protect most precious treasures

"You really have to choose the finest or the most fragile artifacts," a museum worker said.

 The Hall of the Dead Sea Scrolls at the Israel Museum, on May 2, 2018

Israel uncovers Second Temple-era stone workshop in West Bank

During the Second Temple period, it was customary to use tools made of stone and indeed stone tools are being discovered at almost every site in the region.

Second temple site for the production of stone tools, September 2023

Artifacts used for ancient magic rituals discovered on road from Egypt to Mecca

Artifacts that may have been used for popular magic rituals about 400 years ago, were discovered along the ancient Darb al-Hajj route that led from Egypt to Mecca.

 Clay rattle fragment.

Scientists uncover evidence of tsunami in ancient Israel

Understanding how previous tsunamis affected the coastline can help us plan for future tsunamis.

 A view of the Caesarea seaside.

Israeli family discovers ancient Byzantine relic on Shabbat walk

According to a release from the Israel Antiquities Authority, the family noticed a small clay face in the ground, which appeared to be looking up at them.

The candle handle that was discovered in the Tzur Yaakov hills, the Antiquities Authority.

Ancient sarcophagus found in Samaria after attempted robbery

Security forces caught the thieves and discovered that they had uncovered thousand-year-old sarcophagi in their attempt to rob the site. 

 Israeli security forces discovered a thousand-year-old sarcophagus in a Samaria historical site after stopping an attempted robbery of the site on January 29, 2023.

Archaeologists find ancient ostrich eggs, fire pit in Israel's Negev

According to Lauren Davis, the Israel Antiquities Authority excavation director, the site "was used by the desert nomads since prehistoric times."

The ostrich eggs.

2,000-year-old candle discovered by local children in Israeli Kibbutz

The candle was discovered near a site the Antiquities Authority was already excavating, meaning the discovery will also shed new light on an existing excavation.

  Dr. Haim Mamalia of Israel's Antiquities Authority with the children who found the candle.

Earliest evidence of cotton fibers found in Jordan Valley

The cotton fibers probably arrived at Tel Tsaf from the Indus Valley region that is present-day Pakistan thousands of kilometers away.

Remnants of olives found at the dig at Tel Tsaf.

Silver coins found near Temple Mount prove Jewish history of Israel

“This is the third coin of this type found in excavations in Jerusalem, and one of the few ever found in archeological excavations,” said the researchers.

Half-shekel coin from the third year of the Great Revolt.