Earliest Form of Writing, a Secret Visual Code, May Have Been Found in Israel
The images in the 6,000-year-old copper hoard from Nahal Mishmar are a code used by Chalcolithic metal workers, one scholar claims. Many colleagues are skeptical
Ariel David
Ariel David is an editor at Haaretz English, and a Tel Aviv-based foreign correspondent for Italian and English-language publications. He worked for five years as AP's correspondent in Rome, covering Italy and the Vatican.
Goliath’s True Hometown Found? Lost 3,000-year-old Philistine City Emerges Beneath Gath
Massive fortifications hidden beneath previously excavated settlement in southern Israel may have inspired biblical traditions about Goliath and other hulks
Modern Humans Reached Europe 150,000 Years Before We Thought, Oldest Homo Sapiens Skull Found Out of Africa Shows
Skull of modern human was found near a much younger Neanderthal skull in the same cave – proving that our ancestors were roaming outside Africa much earlier than had been thought
Ancient DNA Solves Age-old Mystery of Philistine Origin
Analysis of skeletons in the Philistine city of Ashkelon answers the elusive question of just where the Israelites’ biblical archenemies came from
Opinion ‘Defend Our Christian Identity!’ Meet the Far Right 'Anti-globalist' Who Could Lead Italy
'Italy's Marie Le Pen' is in Matteo Salvini's shadow for now – but 42-year old Giorgia Meloni, who rails against 'international finance' and winks at the Mussolini fans in her base, is slowly but surely building support at home and abroad
Lechaim! Israeli Archaeologists Resurrect 5,000-year-old Yeast and Make Beer From It
Scientists found microbes that survived for thousands of years inside pores in the clay of ancient pottery used to make and store beer and wine
Opinion Black Is Back: How Fascism Is Fashionable in Italy (Again)
Neo-fascism and a populist glorification of Mussolini's WWII regime is contaminating Italy's culture and politics, from street gangs to intellectual salons to the highest levels of government. And weak, divided liberal democrats are struggling to respond
Biblical King, Starts With a B: 3,000 Year-old Riddle May Have Been Solved
New research on the Mesha Stele suggests that King Balak, the Moabite leader who according to the Bible tried to curse the Israelites, may have been a historical figure
For You Were (Not) Slaves in Egypt: The Ancient Memories Behind the Exodus Myth
From the expulsion of the Hyksos to Armageddon, the epic Passover saga does not reflect a specific event, but seems to contain distant memories that may give us clues to the real history of the ancient Israelites
Move Over, Moses: A Pharaoh May Have Created the Ancient Kingdom of Israel
New archaeological evidence and biblical scholarship suggest Shishak wanted to make Egypt great again – but may have inadvertently steered the Israelites into creating a great nation of their own
Seal With Biblical Name Found in Jerusalem House Destroyed by Babylonians 2,600 Years Ago
The seal bears the name of Nathan-Melech, apparently an officer of the Judahite King Josiah, and was found in First Temple-period ruins
Meet the Real King David, the One the Bible Didn’t Want You to Know About
Apparently there was a United Monarchy after all, posits biblical archaeologist Israel Finkelstein – just not under the kings Saul, David or Solomon, but centuries later under Jeroboam II
Useless but Shiny: Israeli Archaeologists Find 300,000-year-old Trove of Pretty Pebbles
Prehistoric hominins had a sense of beauty, going by mysterious collection of colorful pebbles found in Qesem cave that had no obvious function
1,200-year-old Islamic-period Town Found in Israel, but You Will Never See It
Nebi Zechariah once housed Christians and Muslims living together, and now it's going to house a logistics center. Here’s why Israeli salvage digs almost always end in development
Ancient Civilization in Iran Recognized Transgender People 3,000 Years Ago, Study Suggests
Analysis of funerary artifacts in Iron Age burials at Hasanlu, Iran indicates there were three different sets of offerings: for males, females and a 'third gender'
How a Nazi Sympathizer Helped Found One of Sweden's Most Powerful Parties
The Sweden Democrats did well in the recent elections and have deadlocked the country’s politics. Now, a trio of researchers has traced just how deep the party’s Nazi roots run
Communist, Separatist, Nationalist: What You Need to Know About Italian Strongman Matteo Salvini
Here are some must-know facts about Rome's anti-immigrant deputy PM, the latest populist leader to be hosted by Israel
Hanukkah Gelt 900-year-old Cache of Gold Coins Found in Ancient Israeli City of Caesarea
Treasure was likely hidden before Crusaders seized the city from Muslim Caliphate in 1101. Owner may have been a local trader killed in the massacre of Caesarea’s population by conquering Christians
Canaanites Performed Primitive Brain Surgery 3,500 Years Ago in Northern Israel
Skeletons of severely malformed brothers who survived their maladies (if not the trephination) found in Megiddo show the ancient Canaanites cared for the disabled
Archaeologists Recover Rare 9,000-year-old Mask Found by West Bank Settler
The Neolithic-era stone mask could have been a local way to stake a claim to land in the transition from hunting and gathering to farming, archaeologists suggest
Stunning Fresco of 'Leda and the Swan' Sex Scene Found in Pompeii
Discoverers say this 1st century image of mythological bestiality is ‘exceptional and unique’ for its sensual and explicit portrayal of the episode that ultimately set in motion the Trojan war
Stan Lee May Be Gone, but His super-Jewy Superheroes Live On
For nearly 80 years, the legendary comic-book writer created characters who reflected the hopes, ideas and foibles of modern American Jewry
Analysis After U.S. Midterms, the Next Clash Between Democracy and Populism Will Be in Europe
Pushed by strong results in national votes and backed by the likes of Steve Bannon, far-right forces are set for big gains in EU parliamentary elections – an outcome likely welcomed by Washington and Israel
World’s Earliest Figurative Art Wasn’t in Europe, Archaeologists Reveal
Prehistoric people in Southeast Asia were decorating their caves with cattle drawings and hand stencils in Borneo as early as 52,000 years ago, thousands of years before the rock artists of Europe
Dead Sea Scroll Fakes Abound, and Scholars Admit They Share the Blame
By authenticating artifacts of unknown origin, researchers have unintentionally abetted their dissemination around the world, including to the Bible Museum in Washington
'Shame on You' Soros Comments to Haaretz Get Italy's State Media Chief Sued in Political Storm
Marcello Foa, the new head of the country’s public broadcaster, repeated a claim that EU lawmakers for Italy’s Democratic Party were paid by the billionaire Jewish philanthropist
Archaeologists Seek Signs of Joshua's Conquest in Last Unexplored Biblical City
Scrambling to save the last unexcavated biblical town from dirt bikers, archaeologists have found layers going back more than 4,000 years, since before Joshua's time
'Don't Be Scared of Europe's New Populists,' Italy's Media Czar and Bannon Connection Tells Haaretz
Marcello Foa, a leading voice in Italy's populist movement, says attacks on George Soros are not anti-Semitic, Bannon doesn't understand Europe and international institutions and migration are the real threats
Religion, Science Clash as Archaeologists Restore Ancient Jewish Catacomb in Rome
New finds in the 2,000-year-old underground cemetery include the first Hebrew inscription at the site, as well as signs that Christians and Jews may have shared the burial space
Oldest Jewish Community in Switzerland Is Disappearing, but Not Without a Fight
For three centuries, the Jews of Switzerland were only allowed to live in two villages. This is their unique story of resistance and survival in the face of persecution