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


Greek sling bullet from Hellenistic Period discovered in Israel

Bullet engraved with message: "Victory of Heracles and Hauronas" • Projectile may have been used during war against Hasmoneans

 The word "Victory" on one side of the sling bullet, and the names of the gods Heracles and Hauronas on the reverse side.

Rare coin from Hanukkah story villain era found in theft suspect’s home

Antiochus IV, referred to as "Evil Antiochus" in Jewish lore, is remembered as a major villain and persecutor in Jewish history, particularly the story of Hanukkah.

 The Antiochus IV coin discovered in the Antiquities Authority said of the illegal artifacts digger.

Israeli universities find oldest instance of fire use to cook food

Before the findings, which detail a 780,000-year-old discovery, the earliest evidence of fire being used to cook food was from 200,000 years ago.

 Prehistoric peoples preparing a fish over a bonfire (illustrative).

Ancient inscription from City of David may mention king Hezekiah

The tunnel once brought water from the spring outside the city as a safety measure against sieges or other dangerous situations. 

KING HEZEKIAH in a 17th century painting by unknown artist, in the choir of Sankta Maria Kyrka in Ahus, Sweden.

Israeli archeologists discover 'once-in-a-lifetime find' of ancient pottery under beach

The burial cave in Israel from the Late Bronze Age, the time of Pharaoh Ramses II – possibly from the story of the Exodus from Egypt - contained dozens of intact objects.

 The vessels from 3,300 years ago discovered at Palmachim Beach.

Ancient Hebrew letter from First Temple period returned to Israel - watch

The letter written in ancient Hebrew, originally found in the Judean Desert caves, ended up in Montana and was then returned to Israel.

 Ishmael Papyrus, a rare document from the First Temple period.

Israeli, German archeologists reconstruct Hasmonean destruction of Greek city

The year and exact season of the destruction of the Greek town Tel Iẓṭabba occurred has been determined by Israeli/German researchers.

 View of Tell Iẓṭabba from the north

Biblical Hannah's final resting place possibly found in 1,500-year-old convent

The convent was first discovered by Dr. Uzi Dahari and Dr. Yehiel Zelinger of the Israel Antiquities Authority in the early 2000s, but it was eventually re-buried for its own protection.

 The soldiers and the staff of the Israel Antiquities Authority carrying out the excavation and the conservation.

Statues of Roman goddesses returned to rightful place of honor at Tel Ashkelon

The remains of five marble statues have been rescued from anonymity and placed standing using a special frame between the southern portion of the basilica and the odeon, a small covered theater.

 Five spectacular marble statues of Roman godesses and gods have been raised up from a pit where they were languishing and put on display using a special metal frame at Tel Ashkelon National Park.

First Roman military amphitheater in Southern Levant revealed at excavations near Megiddo

Less lavish than amphitheaters for the civilian population, the military amphitheaters were used for training and entertainment by the troops.

 A gold coin of Roman Emperor Diocletian from the Legion excavations.