Archaeologists in Israel have uncovered a remarkably preserved 2,000-year-old Jewish ritual bath, known as a mikveh, in Kiryat Gat, southwest of Jerusalem. The 25-ton structure dates to the Second Temple period, around the time of Jesus, and provides evidence of a previously unknown Jewish settlement in the area. Researchers also discovered stone measuring vessels associated with Jewish religious practices during that era. To protect the … Continue reading 2,000-Year-Old Jewish Ritual Bath Dating Back to Time of Jesus Unearthed in Israel

A new study details how Syrian archaeologists rescued about 30,000 priceless artifacts from the Deir ez-Zor Museum as ISIS advanced on the city in 2014.  The collection included ancient statues, jewelry and cuneiform tablets, including artifacts from the important Mesopotamian city of Mari.  The operation was part of a much larger effort that relocated roughly 300,000 museum objects from locations across Syria threatened by war … Continue reading 30,000 ancient treasures saved from ISIS in daring archaeological rescue

Palestinian archaeologists are racing to recover and preserve Gaza’s cultural heritage after extensive damage to historic sites and museums during the war.  The UNESCO-based figures cited by Al Jazeera say at least 164 cultural sites have been damaged, including the Great Omari Mosque, Hamam al-Sammara, Qasr al-Basha and the al-Qarara Cultural Museum.  A local group called “Guardians of Heritage” has recovered more than 1,700 historical objects from four museum collections, cataloguing … Continue reading Palestinian archaeologists race against time to save Gaza’s heritage

Archaeologists have discovered a 1,700-year-old pyramid-shaped tomb in Egypt’s Western Desert containing rare Greek poetry and Egyptian religious inscriptions. The tomb belonged to an influential man named Bisichthes, who was likely a judge living during the late third or early fourth century AD. A 19-line Greek mourning poem praises Bisichthes for his wisdom, with his son Sarapion addressing him and asking him to accept offerings … Continue reading Ancient tomb with 1,700-year-old Greek poem unearthed in Egypt

A powerful nor’easter exposed wooden remains of a shipwreck on Nantucket’s southern coast. The wreckage is believed to belong to the Warren Sawyer, a three-masted schooner that ran aground near Nantucket in December 1884.  The ship was traveling from New Orleans to Boston carrying cotton and scrap metal when severe weather drove it ashore. All members of the crew survived after rescuers helped them reach safety, … Continue reading Nor’easter unearths fragments of 19th century shipwreck on Nantucket

An amateur archaeologist in western Germany discovered 934 Roman silver coins after his metal detector signaled repeatedly in a field near Wesseling. The hoard weighs 3.1 kilograms and is the largest coin treasure found in Germany dating to the time of Roman Emperor Hadrian. Most of the coins date to the Flavian emperors, while the oldest was minted in 148 B.C., and experts believe the … Continue reading Man’s metal detector leads to record-breaking trove of ancient Roman coins

Archaeologists have uncovered an ancient Roman military camp near Šurany, Slovakia, dating to the reign of Emperor Marcus Aurelius from 161 to 180 AD. The camp was likely used during the Marcomannic Wars, when Roman forces fought Germanic tribes along the empire’s northern frontier. Excavations uncovered numerous human remains, along with weapons, armor, coins, spears, helmets and Roman military sandals. The site also contains an … Continue reading Archaeologists discover soldiers’ remains, weapons connected to legendary Roman emperor’s reign

Archaeologists in Egypt have discovered the exceptionally well-preserved tomb of an ancient judge and his father. The tomb is more than 4,000 years old and contains colorful paintings that have remarkably retained their original colors. The discovery provides new information about the lives and traditions of people who lived during ancient Egypt’s Old Kingdom. Researchers are studying the inscriptions and artwork to learn more about … Continue reading 4,300-year-old tomb of judge and his father discovered in Egypt

Archaeologists have uncovered a spectacular Roman-era mosaic inside a wealthy villa at the ancient city of Adramytteion on Turkey’s Aegean coast, dating to roughly the late second or third century A.D.  The 16.4-by-11.8-foot mosaic contains 15 colorful panels showing birds, fish, cats and other animals, along with mythological figures including a gorgon believed to be Medusa and a winged horse possibly representing Pegasus. Two of … Continue reading Stunning Roman-era mosaic discovered in Turkey

Archaeologists have uncovered new details about “Zosia,” a teenage girl whose 400-year-old remains were discovered in Poland in a grave designed to prevent her from returning from the dead. Zosia was between 17 and 19 years old when she died in the mid-1600s, and researchers found no evidence that she died from violence or disease.  Her burial included a padlock attached to her toe and … Continue reading ‘Vampire’ so feared she was locked in booby-trapped grave was teen girl

Archaeologists in Israel have uncovered a 1,300-year-old industrial and commercial complex in Ramat Gan near Tel Aviv. The site includes pottery kilns, warehouses, shops and organized streets, suggesting it was a planned center for manufacturing and trade. Researchers say the complex was located along an important ancient route connecting Jaffa, Ramla and Jerusalem. The discovery was made during excavations ahead of construction of a new … Continue reading Unexpected ancient complex emerges near biblical city linked to Jonah and St Peter

Italian archaeologists say they may have identified the burial site of Jesus beneath Jerusalem’s Church of the Holy Sepulchre. Excavations uncovered an ancient landscape with a quarry, rock-cut tombs, cultivated land and a garden that closely matches descriptions in the Bible. Researchers also found evidence of olive trees and grapevines dating to around the time Jesus is believed to have died. The site appears to … Continue reading ‘True tomb’ of Jesus Christ found after 2,000 years

Ancient gold treasures known as the Treasure of Villena have been stolen from a museum in the Spanish town of Villena. The collection includes 29 bracelets, 11 bowls, three bottles and other valuable pieces dating back thousands of years. The treasure was discovered in 1963 by archaeologist José María Soler inside a vessel buried in a dried-out riverbed. Thieves reportedly carried out the robbery in … Continue reading Ancient gold treasures stolen from Spanish museum

Archaeologists in Turkey believe they may have uncovered the remains of a smaller church that hosted the First Council of Nicaea in 325 A.D. The excavation took place in the ancient city of Nicaea, now İznik, where researchers found stone foundations and flooring beneath the later Church of the Holy Fathers. Excavation director Mustafa Şahin believes the earlier structure was the Church of St. Neophytos, … Continue reading Archaeologists unearth secret church tied to Council of Nicaea

A 2,100-year-old Roman shipwreck carrying about 500 ancient amphorae has been discovered three miles off the coast of Sicily. The vessel was found about 151 feet underwater near Mazara del Vallo after fishers alerted Italy’s Carabinieri cultural heritage protection squad. Most of the cargo consisted of Dressel 1A amphorae, which were commonly used to transport wine and can help archaeologists trace ancient Mediterranean trade routes. … Continue reading Roman shipwreck with 500 amphorae found off coast of Sicily

Archaeologists in Egypt have uncovered a well-preserved Byzantine-era settlement in the Dakhla Oasis, revealing new details about ancient urban life and religious practices. The fourth-century city contained residential buildings, a basilica-style church, defensive structures, coins, pottery, tools, and written fragments describing daily activities and trade. Researchers also discovered the house of Tisous, believed to have been an early house church before the basilica was built. … Continue reading Archaeologists uncover ancient Byzantine city in Egypt’s western desert

Archaeologists working at Tel Shiloh in the West Bank say they may have uncovered the remains of an ancient structure that closely matches biblical descriptions of the Tabernacle, the supposed home of the Ark of the Covenant. The team found building foundations, including a southern wall, that allow them to reconstruct a large east–west oriented structure consistent with ancient religious texts. Nearby artifacts such as … Continue reading Archaeologists may have found ruins that housed the Ark of the Covenant

Archaeologists in Egypt have uncovered a rare cache of ancient artifacts at the Panhesy tomb site in the historic city of Heliopolis, mentioned in biblical accounts. The find, announced by the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities, was discovered in a burial complex used across multiple eras, from the Late Period through Roman and Christian times. The collection includes gold-like earrings, carved scarabs, cosmetic containers, kohl … Continue reading Archaeologists unearth ancient treasure cache at biblical city connected to Genesis

Archaeologists in southern England have discovered a prehistoric structure near Stonehenge that may have served as an early “prototype” for the famous stone circle. The site, located near Bulford, is believed to predate Stonehenge by about 500 years and featured wooden posts aligned with the sun’s movements during the solstices. Excavations uncovered pottery, animal bones, and rare artifacts, suggesting it was a major ceremonial gathering … Continue reading Archaeology team unearths ‘prototype’ of world-famous Stonehenge

Archaeologists and filmmakers have discovered the first shipwrecks linked to real pirates from the “Golden Age of Piracy” in waters around Nassau in the Bahamas. The team identified six wrecks, including several dating to the early 1700s, when pirates like Blackbeard and Anne Bonny operated in the region. One wreck shows signs of being deliberately burned and stripped after capture, a common pirate tactic to … Continue reading First shipwrecks linked to real pirates of the Caribbean found in Bahamas

Archaeologists have recovered a large collection of Chinese porcelain and European-made goods from an 18th-century shipwreck discovered off Norway’s coast. The vessel, believed to have sunk in the mid-1700s, was found in the Skagerrak strait at a depth of about 600 meters. Items recovered include blue-and-white porcelain bowls, goblets, textiles, grain, and parts of chandeliers. Officials say the discovery is scientifically significant and highlights advances … Continue reading Norway recovers porcelain, chandeliers from 18th century shipwreck

Researchers in Ireland have discovered what is now believed to be the oldest surviving English poem, “Caedmon’s Hymn,” hidden within a medieval manuscript in a Roman library. The text was found inside a 9th-century copy of the Venerable Bede’s Ecclesiastical History of the English People, where the Old English poem appears within the main Latin text rather than as a marginal addition. Scholars were astonished by … Continue reading Irish researchers find oldest English-language poem in forgotten medieval book

Archaeologists working near the Sea of Galilee say they may have identified the biblical village of Bethsaida, long associated in the New Testament with Jesus’ miracles and as the hometown of apostles Peter, Andrew, and Philip. Excavations at the El-Araj site have uncovered a Byzantine-era church, Roman fishing tools, and a first-century house wall beneath later religious structures. Researchers also found a mosaic inscription referencing … Continue reading Archaeology breakthrough as lost biblical town where ‘Jesus performed miracles’ discovered

Archaeologists have recovered 22 massive stone blocks from the seafloor off Alexandria that are linked to the ancient Lighthouse of Alexandria, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. The stones, some weighing up to 80 tons, include architectural elements believed to have formed part of the lighthouse’s entrance. The structure, built in the 3rd century BCE, collapsed over centuries due to earthquakes, with … Continue reading Archaeologists Discover 80-Ton Stones Beneath the Sea from the Lighthouse of Alexandria

Archaeologists in Egypt have uncovered an ancient “sacred water installation” at Pelusium that was used from the 2nd century B.C. to the 6th century A.D. The basin was filled with water and Nile silt, likely symbolizing a ritual connection to the deity Pelusios. The structure, first partially discovered in 2019, was initially thought to be a civic building but is now believed to have served … Continue reading Ancient ritual complex unearthed at site tied to biblical city in Ezekiel