Antiquities Authority

During family trip:

Boy makes 1,700 year old archeological discovery

An 8-year-old boy discovered a rare 1,700-year-old statuette fragment near Ramon Crater, believed to be linked to Roman and Nabatean culture.

Mystery solved

How the prophet's lost tomb was discovered after 400 years

New archaeological study identifies the long-lost tomb of Prophet Amos near Tekoa, based on historical sources and modern findings.

Muslim doctor caught smuggling 2,000-year-old coins at checkpoint

Under the pretext of Ramadan Temple Mount prayers: Muslim hospital doctor caught at the Hizma Checkpoint attempting to smuggle rare 2,000-year-old coins engraved in ancient Hebrew script into Israel.

Sheltering with thieves:

Looters caught excavating antiquities amid missile sirens

Suspected antiquities looters were caught excavating in northern Israel and forced into shelters with officers as missile sirens sounded overhead.

While capturing thieves:

Ancient stone vessel production facility uncovered in Jerusalem

Large stone tool workshop from the Second Temple period, which produced tools for Jews some 2,000 years ago, uncovered in a cave on the eastern slopes of Mount Scopus in Jerusalem.

Temple Mount:

Antiquities Authority re-covers temple remains

The Beyadenu movement demanded that the protective coverings be returned to wooden beams, some dated as far back as King Solomon, before the onset of the winter rains.

Under Western Wall Plaza:

Mikveh from Second Temple Period discovered

Rock-hewn mikveh uncovered in Jerusalem excavations beneath a destruction layer provides evidence of the events surrounding the destruction of Jerusalem about 2,000 years ago.

In time for Hanukkah:

Section of Hasmonean-period wall unearthed at Tower of David

Hasmonean-period Jerusalem wall was completed, built in the late 2nd century BCE, and later deliberately destroyed, experts say.

In northern Israel, archaeologists discover earliest winepress

Extraordinary archaeological discoveries, including earliest winepress and evidence of Canaanite folk worship, uncovered near Tel Megiddo in Israel’s north.

First time in Jerusalem:

Assyrian inscription from the First Temple period discovered

Assyrian cuneiform inscription, estimated to be 2,700 years old, offers rare evidence of official correspondence between the Assyrian Empire and the Kingdom of Judah.

Hukok ruins:

Archaeologists discover 22 ancient coins from last Roman revolt

Rare hoard of coins from the days of the last Jewish rebellion under Roman rule discovered in a hidden system in the Galilee.

Largest dam in ancient Israel uncovered in the City of David

A massive dam uncovered in Jerusalem’s City of David has been dated to the reign of Kings Joash or Amaziah, showing how Judah’s rulers responded to climate challenges 2,800 years ago.

Rare finding in Jerusalem

Rare lead Hellenistic weight seized by Antiquities Authority

A rare lead weight inscribed with the name of an official in the Hellenistic administration was seized in an operation by the Theft Prevention Unit of the Israel Antiquities Authority.

Graffiti removed from Western Wall stones

Israel Antiquities Authority conservators remove red graffiti sprayed on Western Wall stones, condemning the act as a grave offense against a site of immense cultural and religious significance.

'For the Redemption of Zion':

Rare coin from the Great Revolt discovered in Jerusalem

Bronze coin minted by Jews in Jerusalem during final year before Second Temple's destruction in 70 CE discovered during excavations in the Jerusalem Archaeological Garden - Davidson Center.

Ancient blade manufacturing workshop uncovered in Kiryat Gat

Advanced flint industry dating back approximately 5,500 years was uncovered, providing first-ever evidence of blade production in southern Israel.

Rare bronze lion head discs found in archaeological excavation

Rare discs evidence of Roman-period burial culture and belief in the afterlife likely graced coffin-carrying handles, attest to the high status of the deceased.

Spectacular, rare Roman sarcophagus uncovered in Caesarea

Newly-uncovered 1,700-year-old marble sarcophagus bears mythological scene of Dionysus and Heracles in a drinking contest.

Yehud construction controversy

Construction firm: Remains removed under halachic supervision

Antiquities Authority files police complaint after remains removed overnight from Yehud construction site; development company says actions followed halacha under rabbinic supervision.

35 years after discovery:

Gorgeous 1,600-year-old mosaic revealed to the public

Colorful mosaic discovered about 35 years ago south of Kibbutz Urim in the Gaza border region is displayed to the public for the first time, following preservation efforts.

In less than a year:

A second gold ring was discovered in the City of David

Small gold ring, likely belonging to a child living in Jerusalem during the Second Temple period about 2,300 years ago, found in the City of David.

Rare discovery:

1,500 years-old African-style figurines found in Negev graves

Rare burial artifacts at Tel Malḥata reveal Christian-African cultural ties and ancient traditions of identity and memory.

Rare find:

The mystery of the stone capital with a menorah decoration

A one-of-a-kind stone capital decorated with an eight-branched lamp over 1,500 years old, will be revealed to the public for the first time at the National Campus for the Archaeology of Israel in Jerusalem.

Dimona:

Suspect who stole ancient artifacts arrested

Police searched the home of a suspected illegal antiquities dealer and found hundreds of ancient coins, arrowheads, pottery, and other artifacts from periods ranging from the Iron Age until the Muslim period.

3-year-old finds 3,800-year-old Canaanite seal on family trip

While walking with her family on a trip to Tel Azeka, near Beit Shemesh, 3.5-year-old Ziv Nitzan picked up a stone that turned out to be an ancient seal amulet from the Middle Bronze Age.

In Yatir Forest excavations:

Ancient, unique clay jug featuring camel decorations unearthed

Ancient clay jug featuring red camel decorations and estimated to be around 1,200 years old discovered in excavations in the Yatir Forest. 'Depiction of camels on the vessel highlights the importance of the animal.'

Surprising discoveries revealed in new Judean Desert excavation

A mysterious pyramid-shaped structure dating from when the Ptolemies and Seleucids ruled Israel, papyrus documents, 2,200-year-old weapons, and fabrics are among the things unearthed in the dig north of Nahal Zohar.

2,500 years old

Ancient arrowheads from Yemen uncovered in Israel's Negev

Antiquities Authority excavation in southern Israel uncovers ancient grave containing remains of a merchant caravan; researchers believe the caravans traded frankincense and myrrh and possibly women as well.

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.

Jerusalem:

Earliest known Chinese inscription in Israel found on Mt. Zion

'We will forever keep the eternal spring': Earliest known Chinese inscription in Israel, from about 500 years ago, discovered on Mount Zion in Jerusalem.

Young girl discovers 3,500-year-old Egyptian amulet

Twelve-year-old Dafna Filshteiner discovers ancient scarab during a family trip near an archaeological site in Hod Hasharon.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

On Mount Carmel:

Israeli teen finds ancient ring engraved with 'goddess of war'

Yair Whiteson, 13, discovers 1800-year-old ring engraved with the 'goddess of war' while hiking on Mount Carmel.

Groundbreaking discovery:

The earliest ship ever found in the deep seas

A 3,300-year-old ship’s cargo with hundreds of intact amphorae discovered 90 km from shore at a depth of 1.8 km on the Mediterranean Sea floor.

New study reveals:

Tefillin were not colored black 2,000 years ago

A new scientific study has found that ancient tefillin, or phylacteries, were not colored black, as is mandated by Jewish law.

Ships at sea in the northern Negev?

Church walls revealed by Israel Antiquities Authority excavations portray 1500-year-old contemporary ships.

Temple Mount sifting:

What were these ancient clay tokens used for?

Jerusalem archaeologists are still trying to understand the nature of a 2,000-year-old mysterious clay token found in dirt sifted from the Temple Mount.

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.

High school student discovers 1,600-year-old oil lamp

The lamp was used by Roman soldiers guarding a fort on the Scorpions Ascent; an identical lamp was discovered in the same spot 90 years ago.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Soldiers find 1,500-year-old oil lamp in staging grounds

Reserve soldiers wandering in staging grounds spot ceramic oil lamp in mud, turn it over to Antiquities Authority.

1st place in Nat. Geographic

International recognition for discovery of weapons hiding place

Discovery of weapons hiding place in the Judean Desert awarded 1st place on National Geographic's list of 2023's 7 Greatest Discoveries

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.

New research reveals:

Earliest mass weapons production in Southern Levant

Recent research reveals: As far back as 7,200 years ago, there was large-scale systematic production of war weapons in the country.

Following Oct. 7 massacre:

Archaeologists ID remains of at least 10 people believed missing

Israel Antiquities Authority archaeologists aid IDF in efforts identify remains in homes burnt by Hamas terrorists in October 7 massacre.

Has a 2,300-year-old tomb been discovered in Jerusalem?

A burial cave discovered on a Jerusalem road opens a window into the funerary customs imported into Israel by the Hellenistic occupation.

Muslim witchcraft artifacts found near Eilat

A series of archaeological finds indicate rituals used to banish evil spirits or release curses alongside more traditional Islam.

Sensational find:

4 Roman swords, nearly 2,000 years old, found in Judean Desert

A rare cache of weapons from the Roman period found stashed away in a cave in the Ein Gedi Nature Reserve.

Ancient Roman aqueduct collapses in Caesarea

Antiquities authorities warn that the rest of the structure could follow soon if restoration is not carried out.

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.

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.

Trump returns Israeli antiquities which were kept at Mar-a-Lago

Antiquities Authority and Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirm Trump returned artifacts which were shipped from Israel to the US in 2019.