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Archaeology

Kibbutz Rescues Second Temple-period Mikveh From Builders

During groundworks to build an intersection a rare Galilean ritual bath was found, sawed out of the bedrock and moved in an extraordinary collaboration

Western Wall May Shed Stones but Don't Worry, Says Geologist Western Wall May Shed Stones but Will Stand for Thousands of Years, Archaeologists Reassure

Were There Jewish Temples on Temple Mount? Yes

Latest Headlines

Jesus' Tomb Opened for First Time in 500 Years Resurrection Reconstructed: Jesus' Tomb Opened for First Time in 500 Years

Uncovered Jerusalem City Wall Tells Story of Roman Invasion Uncovered Ancient City Wall in Jerusalem Tells Story of Great Jewish Revolt

Israel's Lays Hands on 'Afghan Genizah' From Afghan Cave to Jerusalem, a Treasure Trove of Silk Road Jews Reaches Israelis

Israeli Archaeologists Dodge the Law to Study Human Remains

4000-y-old Statue of Egyptian Official Found in Israel 4,000-year-old Statue of Egyptian Official Found in Israel

12-year-old Girl Unearths Ancient Egyptian Amulet in Jerusalem

Uncovering Temple Mount Secrets Uncovering Jerusalem's History in the Rubble of Temple Mount

In J'lem, Even a Pool Is Cause for Controversy In Jerusalem, Even a Temporary Pool Is Cause for Controversy

More Stories

Second Temple-era catacombs for Jewish leaders, carved out of the soft bedrock at Beit She'arim.

Beit She'arim Catacombs Join UNESCO Heritage List Second Temple-era Catacomb Beit She'arim Declared UNESCO World Heritage Site

People watch the burning of the 'Effigy, Adam & Eve' exhibit during the Midburn festival at southern Israel May 22, 2015.

Midburn Festival Damages Archaeological Site 'Israel's Burning Man' Festival Damages Archaeological Site

The grafitti on Har Meron.

Ancient Synagogue Desecrated With Rabbi Nachman Graffiti Roman-era Synagogue Desecrated With Rabbi Nachman Graffiti

Treasure includes at least 2,000 gold coins from the Fatimid period, approximately 1,000 years ago.

Divers Who Found Gold Coins in Caesarea Honored Druze Salute Divers Who Found Gold Coins on Caesarea Seabed

Diego Barkan, director of the excavation for the Israel Antiquities Authority, shows fragments of ancient basins unearthed at an archaeological dig in a future construction site in Tel Aviv.

Egyptians Loved TA Beer – 5,000 Years Ago Egyptians Loved Their Tel Aviv Beer – 5,000 Years Ago

The courtyard of the royal palace at the archaeological site of Hatra in northwest Iraq between Mosul and Samarra, where the Hellenistic and Roman architecture blend with eastern decorative features.

Why Is ISIS Destroying Relics? Why Is ISIS Destroying Iraq's Historical Heritage?

Two temples stand over 1,750 years after the Sassanian empire razed the Mesopotamian city of Hatra.

ISIS Militants Destroy Ancient Iraqi City of Hatra ISIS Militants Destroy Ancient Iraqi City of Hatra, Iraq Government Says

An ISIS militant uses a power tool to destroy a winged-bull Assyrian protective deity at the Ninevah Museum in Mosul, Iraq, Feb. 26. 2015.

ISIS Militants Bulldoze Iraq's Biblical City of Nimrud

The stone found in Turkey. The oldest-known tool made by man ever found in the country, dating back about 1.2 million years.

Tool Rewrites Migration of Man Geologists Stumble Upon 1.2-million-year-old Stone Tool That Rewrites Migration of Man

Israeli archaeology: Often controversial, always fascinating. Shown above: Excavating the City of David, Jerusalem.

Most Intriguing Archaeological Discoveries, 2014 The Most Intriguing Archaeological Discoveries in 2014

A view of Aleppo's historical citadel, which has been extensively damaged.

'Catastrophic' Damage to Syria's Ancient Sites Syrian Civil War Causing 'Catastrophic' Damage to Archaeological Sites

An antiquities inspector outside the cave in which the suspects were digging.

6 Charged With Illegal Antiquities Digging Six Palestinians Charged With Illegal Antiquities Dig in Judean Desert

Noah's ark, reconceptualized as a float for a contest (of floats) on the Sea of Galilee, August 14, 2009.

Noah: Flood Myth or Biblical Fact? Flood Myth or Biblical Fact: Should Believers Swallow the Noah Story?

Bible Lands Museum director Amanda Weiss holds an ancient Siddur, or Jewish prayer book, as she puts it on display at the museum in Jerusalem September 18, 2014.

Ancient Prayer Book Unveiled 1,200-year-old Jewish Prayer Book Unveiled in Israeli Museum

Excavation of two victims of violence, featured in the Early Egypt room at the British Museum. The pencils point to weapon fragments mixed with the bones.

Fossils Offer Grim Proof of Earliest War Archaeologists Find Grim Proof of Man's Earliest War

This uncovered herbivore jaw illustrates the principle: Crud found on the teeth can tell tales about diet (illustration).

Prehistoric Humans and Healthy Teeth? Prehistoric Humans Knew the Secret of Healthy Teeth, Say Scientists

The Jehoash Tablet

Owner Regains Jehoash Tablet 'Jehoash Tablet' Returns to Owner

Archaeological excavations near the Western Wall in Jerusalem, 2012. The findings indicate that work on the new Roman city predated the Bar Kochba revolt.

The Building Work That Launched a Revolt The Construction Work That Triggered the Bar Kokhba Revolt

This Neanderthal skull may look alien, seen against a human one in the background. But we share genes for skin and hair, and other things too, it seems.

How Humans Bested Neanderthals What Made Humans Better Than Neanderthals? Not Mutation, Say Scientists

A human (left) and Neanderthal skull.

Study Shows Primitive Interbreeding New Study Proves Hanky-panky Between Neanderthals and Humans

Illustration: IDF soldiers during a tour of The City of David in East Jerusalem.

J'lem Okays Controversial Mega-center Jerusalem Panel Approves Controversial City of David Visitors’ Center

The prehistoric pit near Ramle.

Israeli Quarry Yields Prehistoric Site Rare Paleolithic Site Filled With Animal Bones Uncovered at Israeli Quarry

The letter pi, and its number, is represented in this mosaic outside the maths building at the Technische Universität Berlin.

Could King Solomon Calculate Pi?

The arrival of the camel opened up new economic possibilities.

Hump Stump Solved Hump Stump Solved: Camels Arrived in Region Much Later Than Biblical Reference

The ruins of an 11th-12th century house in Itil, a Silk Road city that served as the Khazar capital, in July 2005.

Swiss Jail Israeli Antiquities Dealer Swiss Jail Israeli Antiquities Dealer Over Russian Smuggling Charges

Hebron, July 2013.

State Funding Dig at Hebron Israeli Government Funding Dig in Palestinian Hebron, Near Jewish Enclave

Text from the Cairo geniza.

Oxbridge Buying Jewish Archive Oxbridge to Jointly Purchase Ancient Jewish Archive

3000-year-old Assyrian tablet, returned to Germany after 70 years, Nov. 14, 2013.

Museum Retrieves Relic Taken in WWII Relic Taken in Holocaust Returned to German Museum

The mummy King Tutankhamun at the Egyptian Museum near Tahrir Square in Cairo, Egypt, Oct. 30, 2013.

Egypt's Artifacts Pay the Cost of Turmoil Egypt's Artifacts Pay the Price of Political Havoc

The Hasmoneans Village.

Tourist Tip #389 / Maccabees' Graves The 'Real' Graves of the Maccabees?

A German Dolphin submarine.

Nazi Sub Found Off Indonesia's Coast Wreckage of Nazi Submarine Found Off Indonesia's Coast

"Aged Angel" by Odilon Redon (c.1903).

Turning to the Angels to Save Jewish Mythology

The 3,200 year of gold tablet.

Museum to Survivor: Return 3,200y-old Relic Berlin Museum Battles Holocaust Survivor's Family for $10m Gold Relic

A model of Herod's mausoleum on Herodium. Luxurious enough for a king?

Herod's Tomb? No It Isn't, Say Archaeologists Archaeological Stunner: Not Herod's Tomb After All?

Photo of the Madaba Map, Jordan, depicting the Cardo in Jerusalem.

This Day in Jewish History |

1905: An Excavator of Jerusalem Is Born 1905: A Father of Biblical Archaeology in Israel Is Born

Yigal and Yotam Tepper on the rock-hewn steps.

Road to J'lem: Work of Romans, or Jews? The Ancient Road to Jerusalem: The Work of Romans, or Jewish Pilgrims?

The gold Medallion.

Stunning Jewish Archaeological Discovery? Nah A Breathtaking Jewish Archaeological Discovery? Give Me a Break

Amud Stream

Israel to Restore 20 Ancient Galilee Mills Israel to Restore More Than 20 Ancient Mills in Galilee Riverbed

The Israel Nature and Parks Authority maintains sites such as the Gan Hashlosha National Park.

Springing to Life in the Beit She’an Valley Spring-hopping in Israel's Beit She’an Valley

Marc Antony and Cleopatra, as viewed by ancient Greek sculptors.

Eternal Love on an Ancient Coin Found in Israel The Ancient Coin of Cleopatra: There Could Have Been Pyramids in Paris

The ostracon found at Mesad Hashavyahu, bearing a plaint in ancient Hebrew writing.

Why Hebrew Should Be Called Jewish In the Beginning: The Origins of the Hebrew Alphabet

King David's Tomb after it was vandalized.

Who Is 'Judaizing' King David's Tomb?

Philip's Spring near Jerusalem.

Tourist Tip #302 / Philip’s Spring Near J'lem Tourist Tip #302 / Philip’s Spring Near Jerusalem

WOTD

Word of the Day / Sha'on Word of the Day / Sha'on: How Diaspora in Ancient Babylon Brought Meaning to Time

Hikers at the Ein Gedi desert reserve refresh themselves at the Nahal David waterfall.

Greens Howl at Ein Gedi Reservoir Plan Ein Gedi Project Will Mar Masada Tourism Experience, Greens Charge

Israeli archaeologists and volunteers attempting to reproduce communication by fire, July 22, 2013.

The Tribe Has Spoken |

'Talking by Fire' Like Ancients? Not Exactly Israeli Archaeologists Try to Reproduce Ancient Communication by Fire - With Less Than Blazing Success

The ostracon found at Mesad Hashavyahu, bearing a plaint in ancient Hebrew writing.

Voice From 2,600 Years Ago: The Reaper's Plaint Ancient Email: Letter on Pottery Fragment Dates Back 2,600 Years

This jar fragment from the time of Kings David and Solomon is the earliest alphabetical written text discovered in Jerusalem.

Artifact From Time of King David Discovered Israeli Archaeologists Dig Up Artifact From Time of Kings David and Solomon

A bronze artifact symbolizing the universe, used by Hittite priests more than 4,000 years ago.

Reasons to Learn Ancient Hittite Found in Translation: Why Would You Learn to Read Ancient Hittite?

The Sphinx fragment.

Part of Sphinx Found in Tel Hazor Fragment of Ancient Egyptian Sphinx Discovered in Northern Israel

A 2,500-year-old lion’s head unearthed in archaeological digs at the park.

Indiana Jones and the Lost Ashkelon Treasures Indiana Jones and the Lost Treasures of Ashkelon

The sign pointing to Elijah's Cave.

Tourist Tip #281 / Elijah's Cave in Haifa

Workers uncover a pipe that was part of the 6th Roman Legion's base in the Galilee.

Ancient Roman Legion Base Found in Megiddo Israeli Archaeologists Uncover Base of 6th Roman Legion in Galilee

Girl holds flowers at memorial for fallen IDF in Latrun.

Flowers on Graves: 10,000-yr Old Habit Flowers at Funerals Are an Ancient Tradition, Israeli Archaeologists Find

The Mamilla pool, a view from the inside.

Tourist Tip #276 / Mamilla Pool in Jerusalem Tourist Tip #276 / Mamilla Pool, an Eerie, Crumbling Treasure in the Heart of Jerusalem

The coins.

Two Sides of Jewish Life Through the Ages Ancient Coins on Display in Jerusalem Show Two Sides of Jewish Life Through the Ages

The Israeli delegation to the 1949 Armistice Agreements talks. Left to right: Commanders Yehoshafat Harkabi, Aryeh Simon, Yigael Yadin, and Yitzhak Rabin.

This Day in Jewish History |

1984: Israel's Beloved Archaeologist Dies 1984: An Archaeologist Who Brought Israel's History to Life, Dies

The Roman road uncovered by archeologists.

Ancient Roman Road Unearthed in East J'lem Archaeologists Unearth Part of Ancient Roman Road in East Jerusalem

The sebil with inscription found in Jaffa

Unearthed Inscription Exhumes Jaffa Mosque Ancient Arabic Inscription Discovered in Jaffa Hints at Unknown Grand Mosque

Connecticut state archaeologist Nicholas Bellantoni (left) and Miller.

Ancient U.S. Mikveh Makes Waves Discovery of Ancient Ritual Bath Makes Waves Among U.S. Jews

The Sobibor train station in Poland.

At Sobibor Death Camp, Escape Tunnel Found Archaeologists Find Escape Tunnel at Sobibor Death Camp

Working on a Scroll fragment.

Google Revisits Dead Sea Scrolls Scholars Owe New Dead Sea Scrolls Reading to Google

Robinson's Arch.

Blurring the Sanctity of the Wall Sharansky's Solution for the Wall Will Ruin the Country's Archaeological Treasure, Israeli Scholars Fear

Ein Karem. A fragile biblical landscape under threat.

Saving Biblical Ein Karem From Developers The Battle to Save the Biblical Landscape of Jerusalem's Ein Karem

Herodion-info

Israeli Scraps Plan to Rebuild Herod’s Tomb Israeli Plan to Rebuild Herod’s Tomb Scrapped Due to Experts' Criticism

Lake Kinneret (Sea of Galilee).

Mystery Engulfs 6,000-year-old Kinneret Relic 6,000-year-old Monument Swims in Mystery at Bottom of Lake Kinneret

Bird at Mamshit.

Israel's Multifaceted Mosaics Israel's Top 10 Ancient Mosaic Discoveries

ICYMI

No Israeli Criminal Probe Into Al Jazeera Reporter’s Death

How Israel Destroyed Old Tiberias How Israel Destroyed One of the World's Most Beautiful Ancient Cities

Republicans Slam 'anti-Israel' White House Press Secretary Over AIPAC Boycott Republicans Slam New White House Press Secretary as 'anti-Israel' Over Support for AIPAC Boycott

Israeli Police Violence at Al Jazeera Journalist's Funeral Reveals a Deeper Problem

What Binds American White Supremacists and Israel's Assault on Palestinians What Binds American White Supremacists and Israel's Brutal Assault on Palestinians

Generation XXX: Israeli Teens Open Up About Virginity, Sadism and Porn