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Excavations

News and updates about Excavations

Rare 1,700-year-old oil lamp discovered in Jerusalem

A rare ceramic oil lamp from the Late Roman period, decorated with depictions of the Temple menorah, incense shovel and lulav (date palm branch used in Jewish ritual), discovered during an Israel Antiquities Authority excavation.

Rare 1,700-year-old oil lamp discovered in Jerusalem

Ancient city discovered in excavations near Beit Shemesh

Newly-discovered 5,000-year-old site - one of the earliest ever found in Israel - played a central role in the Judean Lowlands Early Bronze Age settlement network.

Ancient city discovered in excavations near Beit Shemesh

New evidence shows how Sennacherib impacted Judean economy

For the first time: Evidence how Sennacherib’s military campaign impacted the economy in the Kingdom of Judah discovered near Jerusalem.

New evidence shows how Sennacherib impacted Judean economy

After years of excavations:

Work begins on accessibility elevator for Western Wall

The excavation of the tunnel for the Western Wall elevator has begun. Herzl Ben-Ari, CEO of the Company for the Development and Renovation of the Jewish Quarter: “We are not just building an elevator, but also bridging two thousand years of history.”

Work begins on accessibility elevator for Western Wall

Stone seal from the First Temple period discovered in Jerusalem

Seal bearing the name of Yehoʼezer ben Hoshʼayahu, 'one of the most beautiful ever discovered,' found near Southern Wall of the Temple Mount.

Stone seal from the First Temple period discovered in Jerusalem

Ashkelon:

Stunning Roman-period wall paintings to be revealed to public

Ancient paintings decorating ancient tombs of wealthy people were discovered decades ago in Ashkelon, but few people ever saw them. Now preserved, the city's archaeological gems will be visible to all.

Stunning Roman-period wall paintings to be revealed to public

After 2,000 years:

New finds from the drainage channel in Jerusalem

New finds from the 2000-year-old drainage channel in Jerusalem tells the city’s story in the days of the Second Temple from its prosperity until its decay and destruction.

New finds from the drainage channel in Jerusalem

Huge quarry from Second Temple period uncovered in Jerusalem

A huge Second Temple period quarry, one of the largest ever found in Jerusalem, is uncovered during an excavation in the Har Hotzvim industrial area.

Huge quarry  from Second Temple period uncovered in Jerusalem

Vilna:

Excavations reveal intensity of Great Synagogue's destruction

Archaeological excavations of the Great Synagogue of Vilna reveal the floor of the main prayer hall and evidence of the intensity of destruction of the synagogue, destroyed by the Nazis and the Soviet authorities.

Excavations reveal intensity of Great Synagogue's destruction

Rare 6,000-year-old ivory vessel discovered in southern Israel

Ivory vessel made of elephant tusk, dated to the Chalcolithic period, uncovered in Israel Antiquities Authority excavation near Be'er Sheva.

Rare 6,000-year-old ivory vessel discovered in southern Israel

Discovered in nature reserve:

Rare coin from Bar Kohba Revolt

Rare coin from the time of the Bar Kokhba Revolt, engraved with the name of 'Eleazar the Priest' in ancient Hebrew script, discovered in the Judean Desert; three additional Revolt coins bearing the name Simeon, were also found.

Rare coin from Bar Kohba Revolt

In the City of David:

2,000-year-old rare stone box discovered

Rare enigmatic stone box from the Second Temple period discovered during City of David excavations was used for commercial activity, then burnt – evidence of the destruction of Jerusalem about 2,000 years ago.

2,000-year-old rare stone box discovered

Discovered at Tel Megiddo:

1,800-year-old ‘Iron Legion’ Roman legionary base

Architectural remains of the 1,800-year-old Roman VIth ‘Ferrata’ Iron Legion military base uncovered in a recent excavation in northern Israel.

1,800-year-old ‘Iron Legion’ Roman legionary base

Rare 2,550-year-old silver coin discovered in Judea

Rare coin, among the earliest evidence for the use of coins in the country, discovered in Judean Hills; sheqel weight found in nearby building dates to Kingdom of Judah.

Rare 2,550-year-old silver coin discovered in Judea

Greetings from King Antiochus:

Researchers find rooftiles from Hanukkah period

The most ancient rooftiles found in Israel were brought during the period Greek Seleucid king Antiochus IV & uncovered in the City of David.

Researchers find rooftiles from Hanukkah period

Archeology in Israel:

5500-year-old city gate uncovered

Excavation carried out at Tel Arani in preparation for laying new water pipe reveals ancient 5,500-year-old gate.

5500-year-old city gate uncovered

Mirror, mirror, on the wall:

Youth leader uncovers 'magical mirror' at archaeological site

Youth leader Aviv Weizman discovers an ancient 'magical mirror' in an archaeological excavation in northern Israel.

Youth leader uncovers 'magical mirror' at archaeological site

Soldiers re-uncover 1,500-year-old convent in military zone

A 1500-year-old convent with a mosaic floor and inscriptions is uncovered for a second time, in a military zone near Shoham, Israel.

Soldiers re-uncover 1,500-year-old convent in military zone

Ritual bath used by elite uncovered near Temple Mount

Archaeological excavations near Temple Mount unearth pool built by soldiers from Rome’s 10th Legion, inscribed Byzantine lamp.

Ritual bath used by elite uncovered near Temple Mount

In first, remains of Sanhedrin-era building discovered in Yavne

Remains of a building dating from the time of the Sanhedrin are uncovered in Yavne, along with 'impressive' cemetery.

In first, remains of Sanhedrin-era building discovered in Yavne

11-year-old girl finds rare coin from 2,000 years ago

Coin made from pure silver is uncovered in dirt from City of David. 'Coin is one of the only items we have today from Temple times.'

11-year-old girl finds rare coin from 2,000 years ago

Spectacular ancient gold ring unearthed in Yavne

Winery and spectacular ancient gold ring with inlay of semi-precious stones unearthed in excavation.

Spectacular ancient gold ring unearthed in Yavne

Rare Byzantine-era gold coin unearthed in central Israel

Evidence of agricultural and industrial activity from 1,500 years ago discovered in Ramat Hasharon.

Rare Byzantine-era gold coin unearthed in central Israel

Watch: Part of street collapses due to illegal Arab excavations

Part of Jerusalem's Old City streets coilapses after Arabs conduct illegal excavations under Al Aqsa Mosque.

Watch: Part of street collapses due to illegal Arab excavations

Prehistoric migration route from Africa passed through Dimona

Evidence of the path of modern humans leaving Africa 100,000 years ago discovered in Dimona.

Prehistoric migration route from Africa passed through Dimona

Seeing the destruction and the hope

If the rocks and ashes, found in excavations at the Kotel and dating to the Temple's destruction, could talk, what would they say?

Seeing the destruction and the hope

1,300-year-old church uncovered in northern Israel

Newly-uncovered church hints at importance of Byzantine Christian village, archaeologists say.

1,300-year-old church uncovered in northern Israel

Archaeologists may have uncovered a 2,000-year-old market

Archaeologists find rare measuring table in what may have been the location of Jerusalem's 2,000-year-old market.

Archaeologists may have uncovered a 2,000-year-old market

Family finds ancient hammer and nails in northern Israel

Family digging at excavation site uncovers 1,400-year-old iron hammer and nails.

Family finds ancient hammer and nails in northern Israel

Students preparing 'smart trail' uncover ancient oil lamp

Students prepare hiking trail as a gift to the State, uncover ancient oil lamp adorned with a symbol of a menorah.

Students preparing 'smart trail' uncover ancient oil lamp

Great-grandpa fought, great-grandson finds bullets

Samaria schoolchildren find Turkish bullets from World War I during excavation field trip.

Great-grandpa fought, great-grandson finds bullets

Ancient clay seal found under Western Wall Plaza

Excavations at Western Wall Plaza unearth unique stamped clay from the First Temple Period believed to belong to city governor.

Ancient clay seal found under Western Wall Plaza

Students unearth 1,500-year-old church and monastery

Monastery may have served as center for pilgrimages, expert says.

Students unearth 1,500-year-old church and monastery

Relatives of young Holocaust victim to hold first memorial

A girl’s pendant found at Sobibor reunites a Jewish family spread across the globe.

Relatives of young Holocaust victim to hold first memorial

Archaeologists discover lost portions of Western Wall Tunnels

Archaeologists discover ancient theater, new stone courses, in Western Wall Tunnels.

Archaeologists discover lost portions of Western Wall Tunnels

Vilna: 17th century ritual baths found near Great Synagogue

After being destroyed in the Holocaust, two pre-war mikvaot are discovered in Vilna.

Vilna: 17th century ritual baths found near Great Synagogue

Rare chalkstone vessel workshop discovered in Israel's north

Excavations in Galilee reveal 2,000 year-old stone vessel quarry and production center, vessels 'highlight pivotal role of ritual purity.'

Rare chalkstone vessel workshop discovered in Israel's north

Ancient water system found near Beit Shemesh

During excavations in preparation for road construction, Antiquities Authority finds Ottoman-era well.

Ancient water system found near Beit Shemesh

They went to find antiquities, and ended up in jail

Authorities arrest three Arabs illegally searching Lower Galilee site for archaeological finds.

They went to find antiquities, and ended up in jail

Remains of medieval Jews buried in Jewish cemetery

400-year-old Jewish remains receive Jewish burial after excavations disturb them.

Remains of medieval Jews buried in Jewish cemetery

Ancient coins discovered thanks to Route 1 expansion

Archaeologists discover 1,400-year-old ancient coins during excavations in preparation for Route 1 expansion.

Ancient coins discovered thanks to Route 1 expansion

Video: Visit to the Ritual Bath Discovered in Jerusalem

Arutz Sheva TV visits the rare find in Jerusalem: a ritual bath from the Second Temple era.

Video: Visit to the Ritual Bath Discovered in Jerusalem

Rare Second Temple Ritual Purity Pool Discovered in Jerusalem

A rare find in Jerusalem: archaeologists have uncovered a ritual pool from the Second Temple era near a highway construction site.

Rare Second Temple Ritual Purity Pool Discovered in Jerusalem