antiquities

Most ancient synagogue in the world uncovered

Historical findings discovered in the ancient city of Phanagoria include an ark, a podium for reading the Torah, and seven-branched candlesticks.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Trump to return Israeli antiquities kept at Mar-a-Lago

Former President says he intends to send back to Israel antiquities that had been found at his Florida estate.

Israel trying to retrieve antiquities from Mar-a-Lago

Ancient clay lamps whose return to Israel was delayed by COVID pandemic found at former President Trump's resort.

10th century nearly complete Bible sells for $38.1 million

Oldest nearly complete Bible bought by Jewish museum in record auction.

US patron of Israeli archaeology targeted by NY authorities

Shelby White, widow of Wall Street legend and patron of Jewish museums, is the latest target of NY's antiquities trafficking unit.

Jewish megadonor barred for life from collecting antiquities

In deal to avoid prosecution, Michael Steinhardt is barred for life from collecting antiquities.

Civil Administration returns artifacts stolen by Arabs

Civil Administration returns ancient archeological artifacts stolen by robbers in the Bethlehem area.

Antiquities thieves operate with impunity during COVID-19 crisis

Grave robbers, treasure hunters take advantage of reduced enforcement to plunder archaeological sites in Judea and Samaria.

Smuggling of antique coins from Gaza foiled

Security inspectors at Gaza crossing discover ancient coins in truck with textile imports.

Arabs loot ancient Hasmonean fortress

Hasmonean fortress that overlooked ancient Samaria road has become a favorite target for Arab antiquity thieves.

Biblical city from time of King David discovered

3000-year-old Biblical town of Ziklag, where David hid from King Saul, discovered in southern Israel.

Rare find: Coin with image of emperor who abolished Sanhedrin

Students find a 1,600-year-old coin with the likeness of Byzantine Emperor Theodosius II, a first of its kind to be discovered in Israel.

Rare millennia-old stone mask unearthed in Judea

Stone Age mask discovered intact in Hevron Hills in Judea.

Arabs destroy ancient Jewish village

Arab antiquities robbers caught red-handed destroying ancient Jewish village in northern Israel with a bulldozer. 'The sights are shocking.'

Arab antiquities thieves sentenced to prison

Prison and probation for Arabs caught stealing Samarian antiquities.

1,800-year-old mosaic found in Israeli park

Well-preserved Byzantine-era mosaic discovered in national park in Caesarea.

Ancient art seized from philanthropist Michael Steinhardt

Authorities seize ancient art from home, office of philanthropist Michael Steinhardt.

Ancient coin discovered in Halamish

9-year-old girl finds coin from time of Temple with inscription 'Holy Jerusalem.'

Stolen Second Temple period antiquities recovered in Samaria

Arab resident of Samarian village of Hawara arrested after stolen coins, jewelry, figurines and other ancient artifacts found in his home.

ISIS jihadists damage Roman monument in Palmyra

ISIS jihadists have severely damaged a major Roman monument ancient Syrian city, says antiquities official.

US claims antiquities looted by ISIS to block their resale

The US cracks down on the resale of antiquities looted by ISIS.

'Revolutionary' court victory against antiquity thieves

High Court rejects motion by antiquities dealers, who will now be forced to register their whole inventory.

ISIS to Temple Mount - 'Barbaric' Islamist War on Antiquities

At annual Jerusalem conference, world experts lament ISIS funding war via illegal antiquities trade, Waqf barbaric Temple Mount destruction.

Bible Museum in Washington Inks Israel Antiquities Deal

Museum of the Bible signs multi-year deal with Israel Antiquities Authority to display ancient artifacts unearthed in Israel.

US Returns Hundreds of Iraqi Artifacts After Raid on ISIS

ISIS's top financier caught with artifacts raided from Assyrian-era historical sites; they were likely to be sold on the black market.

Palestinian Drafts Kids to Rob Antiquities Because of 'Demon'

Issawiya resident tells children a 'demon' hid 'treasure' in important Second Temple-era cave, is caught by IAA.

UNESCO Condemns ISIS Destruction of Palmyra Antiquities

UN’s cultural body condemns destruction by ISIS of antiquities in Syrian city.

Rare Inscription from Davidic Times Unearthed

Israel Antiquity Authority (IAA) discovers 3,000 year-old jar with mysterious name engraved: Eshba'al.

13-Year-Old Unearths Ancient Wine Press in Jerusalem

Antiquities Authority announces the discovery of a 1,400-year-old wine press in Jerusalem - unearthed by a teen.

ISIS 'Barbarians' Threaten to Destroy Ancient Syrian City

Islamic State fighters bearing down on ancient Palmyra, a world heritage site, as Syrian regime battles to keep them out.

UNESCO: ISIS Destruction of Nimrud a 'Mad', 'Horrific' Act

ISIS is 'clearly determined to wipe out all traces of the history of Iraq's people,' UNESCO head Irina Bokova states.

Report: ISIS Destroys Ancient City of Hatra

UNESCO condemns 'appalling' destruction as reports surface city has been razed; archaeologists lament loss.

Hollande Condemns ISIS's 'Barbaric' Museum Destruction

'What the terrorists want to do is destroy all of humanity,' French President Francois Hollande states in wake of museum destruction.

US Donors Give Israel Museum Rare Antiquities Collection

Art patrons Robert and Renee Belfer donated over 350 artifacts to the Israel Museum for use in its 50th anniversary celebrations.

Antiquities Robbers Caught Selling Rare Ancient Burial Chests

Some of the 11 Jewish ossuaries from Second Temple period still held bones, featured Hebrew script listing names of those interred.

Temple Mount Desecration: 'The Public Needs to Know'

Member of committee to preserve Temple Mount antiquities demands that secret report on Waqf be published - for the sake of the public.

Ancient Jewish Texts Found in Afghanistan to Debut Next Week

Texts found in Afghanistan genizah estimated to be 1000 years old, include writings of Rabbi Saadiah Gaon; unveiling will be next week.

US Gave Iran Antiquity to Resume Talks

LA Times reports that in September, US diplomats returned an ancient Iranian chalice to officials in a bid to resume talks.

'World's Oldest' Wine Cellar Uncovered in Galilee

Archaeologists have uncovered what may be the world's oldest known wine cellar in Northern Israel - more than 3,700 years old.

Leftist Organizations Against Bennett's Coin

Left-wing organizations attack Naftali Bennett for his use of ancient coin in CNN interview, claim removing it from Israel against law.

Egypt Recovers 90 Artifacts from Jerusalem Auction

Israel helps Egypt recover stolen antiquities; more efforts for recovery possibly in the future

Court Ruling Preserves Caesarea's Antiquities

A court ruled that plans for a new neighborhood in Caesarea would have to be put on hold because of important archaeological artifacts.

Report: Waqf Continues to Destroy Jewish Antiquities

The Waqf is continuing to destroy Jewish antiquities on the Temple Mount in a direct violation of a court ruling, new report finds.

Greece: Antiquities Safer in the Ground

After an antiquities theft ring was rounded up and stolen items recovered, exasperated officials are reburying treasures to keep them safe.

Antiquities Robbers Caught Red Handed

Having already vandalized three Jewish antiquities sites, a gang of Arab thieves was caught while digging.

US Egyptologist's Attempt to Smuggle Stolen Antiquities Thwarted

Israeli Antiquities Authority and Israeli customs apprehended an American citizen who tried to smuggle hundreds of stolen antiquities from Israel.

'Save those Stones' Course for World's Jews

Antiquities Authority steps up educational efforts, with a course teaching Jews from around the world how to conserve ancient buildings.

Uncovered: Heaviest Gold Coin Ever Found in Israel

Archaeologists working in Tel Kedesh in northern Israel have uncovered an extremely rare 2,200-year-old gold coin, minted by Ptolemy V.