Israeli archaeologists have uncovered a 1,500-year-old synagogue in the Golan Heights at the Yehudiya Nature Reserve, after decades of surveying the site. The basilica-style building, roughly 13 by 17 meters, features two rows of columns, benches along the walls, and architectural elements including a tabula ansata and stones engraved with a menorah. Many items from the synagogue had previously been reused in houses across the … Continue reading Archaeologists unearth 1,500-year-old synagogue

A large, well-preserved silver hoard from the early Middle Ages was discovered in Sweden and reported to the Stockholm County Administrative Board, which immediately began an archaeological excavation. Experts estimate the treasure could contain up to 20,000 coins, mostly dating to the 12th century, including rare “bishop’s coins” and coins minted under King Knut Eriksson. The hoard was buried in a copper cauldron, likely during … Continue reading Massive medieval silver hoard of up to 20,000 coins and jewelry unearthed near Stockholm

Archaeologists led by a University of Missouri professor have uncovered a 2,200-year-old Roman water basin on the outskirts of Rome in the Archaeological Area of Gabii. The massive stone-lined structure, partly carved into bedrock with terrace-like steps, may have served as a monumental pool at the center of the city’s forum, providing insight into early Roman city planning. Used for roughly 300 years before its … Continue reading Missouri archaeologists unearth ‘massive’ 2,200-year-old ruins in Italy

Archaeologists in Poland have uncovered a 1,000-year-old cemetery containing human skeletons near the remains of a fortified medieval settlement in the village of Borkowo. The graves date to the era of Poland’s conversion from paganism to Christianity, and researchers describe the individuals as among the region’s “first Christians.” Despite their faith transition, the deceased were buried with grave goods such as arrowheads, a battle ax, … Continue reading 1,000-year-old burials of ‘first Christians’ in Poland discovered near medieval settlement

Archaeologists have uncovered the remains of three Iron Age shipwrecks and their cargoes in the ancient harbor of Dor on Israel’s Carmel Coast, marking the first such finds in Israeli waters. Dating from the 11th, 9th, and 7th/6th centuries BCE, the shipwrecks provide rare insights into trade during the First Temple Period, challenging assumptions that little commerce occurred under the biblical kingdoms. The discoveries, made … Continue reading Three shipwrecks from biblical times uncovered off the coast of Israel

Egypt has reopened the tomb of Pharaoh Amenhotep III in Luxor after more than two decades of Japanese-led restoration. The tomb, located in the Valley of the Kings, features a 36-meter-long passage, a main burial chamber, and two chambers for his wives, with wall paintings depicting the pharaoh alongside ancient Egyptian gods. Amenhotep III’s mummy was moved long ago to the tomb of his grandfather, … Continue reading Egypt reopens Amenhotep III’s tomb after over 20 years of renovation

Salvage company 1715 Fleet-Queens Jewels LLC recovered more than 1,000 silver coins and five gold coins worth around $1 million from a 1715 Spanish shipwreck off Florida’s Treasure Coast. The coins, known as “reales” and “escudos,” were retrieved by Captain Levin Shavers and the crew of the M/V Just Right. The shipwreck was part of the 1715 Treasure Fleet, which was transporting wealth from the New … Continue reading $1M worth of gold, silver coins recovered from 1715 Spanish shipwreck

Israeli researchers at Tel Aviv University have developed a muon-based detection system that can “X-ray” the ground, revealing hidden underground spaces at archaeological sites without excavation. Tested at Jerusalem’s City of David, the technology uses cosmic-ray muons, which penetrate deep into the earth, to map cavities and tunnels. The detectors confirmed known underground structures and discovered previously unknown ones, the Times of Israel has reported. … Continue reading In first, archaeologists ‘X-ray’ Jerusalem’s hidden layers

Researchers from the University of Haifa uncovered a rare Byzantine hoard at the ancient city of Hippos near the Sea of Galilee, including nearly 100 gold coins and dozens of jewelry fragments. Likely hidden by a wealthy resident—possibly a goldsmith—around the early 7th century as the Sassanid army advanced, the treasure remained undisturbed for roughly 1,400 years. The coins span about a century, from Emperor … Continue reading Hoard of ancient gold coins, jewelry discovered during excavations in

Archaeologists in northern Israel discovered a hoard of 22 bronze coins dating back over 1,600 years at Hukok, near Capernaum where Jesus preached. The coins, from the 4th century A.D., were hidden during the Gallus Revolt, the last Jewish uprising under Roman rule. They were found in a deep crevice at the end of a narrow tunnel, suggesting the owners hoped to reclaim them once … Continue reading Treasure hoard found near Jesus’ Galilee site tied to forgotten Jewish uprising, archaeologists say

Archaeologists in South Sinai, Egypt, have uncovered an ancient Bronze Age copper workshop at Wadi al-Nasb, a site historically linked to Serabit el-Khadim and the biblical figure Moses. The workshop contained smelting furnaces, ore-preparation tools, ceramic crucibles, ingots, and clay tuyère heads used for furnace nozzles. Several administrative buildings and watchpoints were also found, showing the area’s strategic importance due to copper and turquoise deposits. … Continue reading Archaeologists unearth ancient workshop ‘rich with secrets’ in Egyptian region tied to Moses, Exodus

A 3,000-year-old gold bracelet belonging to King Amenemope was stolen from an Egyptian museum on September 9 and melted down, authorities confirmed. The artifact, decorated with lapis lazuli beads, vanished from a conservation lab safe. Investigators traced the theft to a museum restoration specialist who sold it through a series of traders, ultimately to a gold smelter. Suspects were arrested, and the sale proceeds, valued … Continue reading Stolen 3,000-year-old pharaoh bracelet melted down for gold, Egypt says

A 3,000-year-old gold bracelet belonging to Pharaoh Amenemope of Egypt’s 21st Dynasty has gone missing from a restoration lab at Cairo’s Egyptian Museum. The bracelet, adorned with spherical lapis lazuli beads, was discovered missing during a recent inventory check. Egypt’s antiquities ministry has launched an internal investigation and alerted authorities at airports, seaports, and border crossings to prevent smuggling, CBS News has reported. The loss … Continue reading Pharaoh’s 3,000-year-old gold bracelet vanishes from museum in Egypt

Aid workers in Gaza raced against time to save thousands of priceless artifacts from a warehouse slated for demolition by the Israeli military. The building, which contained items from 25 years of excavations—including relics from a 4th-century Byzantine monastery and some of Gaza’s oldest Christian artifacts—was targeted due to alleged Hamas intelligence installations. With fuel scarce and airstrikes imminent, workers spent hours negotiating with the … Continue reading Thousands of archaeological relics rescued in Gaza ahead of IDF strike

Archaeologists at Italy’s Palazzone Necropolis in Perugia have uncovered a 2,300-year-old Etruscan urn featuring intricate Medusa carvings, floral motifs, and cursive inscriptions. Unlike typical burials, the urn contained three intact terracotta vessels—a cup and two jugs—suggesting it was used in a symbolic burial or cenotaph rather than holding human remains. Experts note that the Medusa imagery was likely ritualistic, meant to accompany the deceased into … Continue reading Archaeologists Unearth 2,300-Year-Old Medusa Urn with Rare Inscriptions

After decades of searching, researchers have discovered the wreck of the F.J. King, a “ghost ship” that sank in a storm off Wisconsin’s Door Peninsula nearly 140 years ago. The 144-foot cargo schooner, built in 1867, went down on Sept. 15, 1886, while carrying iron ore from Michigan to Chicago. Led by Brendon Baillod, the team used side-scan sonar to locate the surprisingly intact hull … Continue reading Searchers discover ‘ghost ship’ that sank in Lake Michigan almost 140 years ago

Researchers have found the world’s oldest evidence of intentional mummification: hunter-gatherers in southern China, Vietnam, and Indonesia smoke-dried their dead up to 14,000 years ago. Analysis of 54 crouching burials revealed bone charring consistent with long exposure to low heat, a method still used in parts of Papua New Guinea. The discovery predates the earliest known mummification in Chile and Egypt by thousands of years … Continue reading Oldest known evidence of human mummification discovered in Asia, scientists say

Archaeologists in Albania have uncovered a Roman burial chamber dating from the third to fourth century AD, marking the first discovery of its kind in the Balkan country. The tomb was found on a plateau near the North Macedonia border after locals noticed unusual stones, prompting excavation by the Institute of Archaeology beginning in early August. The underground structure features large limestone slabs with Greek … Continue reading Archaeologists discover ancient Roman tomb in Albania

Archaeologists in Peru have uncovered a 4,000-year-old, multicoloured, three-dimensional mural at the Huaca Yolanda site in the Tanguche valley, offering new insights into early civilizations in the Americas. The 3×6 metre mural features a large bird of prey, high-relief friezes, and depictions of fish, mythological beings, and stars, highlighting social hierarchies and spiritual practices of the time. Lead archaeologist Ana Cecilia Mauricio explained that shamans … Continue reading Archaeologists in Peru discover 3D mural that could date back 4,000 years

Egypt has revealed parts of a 2,000-year-old sunken city off Alexandria, including buildings, statues, and a 125-meter dock, likely linked to the ancient city of Canopus. Submerged over time by earthquakes and rising seas, the site also yielded royal statues, sphinxes, reservoirs, and a merchant ship from the Ptolemaic and Roman eras. Authorities say only select artifacts are being recovered, leaving much of the site … Continue reading Remnants of 2,000-year-old sunken city lifted out of the sea off Alexandria

Archaeologists from the University of Haifa have uncovered a 1,600-year-old mosaic in Sussita (Hippos) National Park near the Sea of Galilee, featuring a Greek inscription reading “Peace on the elders,” which may be the earliest evidence of a dedicated institution for the elderly. Dating to the late fourth or early fifth century CE, the mosaic was found at the entrance of a public building and … Continue reading Archaeologists uncover ‘oldest nursing home’ in Israel

Researchers in El Mirador Cave, northern Spain, have uncovered evidence of Neolithic cannibalism dating back 5,700 years. Skeletal remains of 11 individuals, including children, show cut marks, cooking, and human bite marks, suggesting the bodies were deliberately consumed after a violent conflict. Experts believe this was war cannibalism aimed at erasing enemies physically and spiritually, rather than survival cannibalism, Euro News has reported. The findings … Continue reading Spanish archaeologists find signs of war cannibalism from 5,700 years ago

Archaeologists in Sardinia, Italy, have uncovered three prehistoric rock-cut tombs known as domus de janas, or “fairy houses,” at the Necropolis of Saint Andrea Priu. These newly discovered tombs — labeled Tombs XVIII, XIX, and XX — were carved over 5,000 years ago and had gone unnoticed for nearly 200 years of excavation. The structures vary in size and complexity, with Tomb XX containing seven chambers … Continue reading Ancient ‘fairy houses’ still filled with treasures found in Italy

Utility workers in Lima, Peru uncovered two pre-Incan tombs while expanding underground gas lines, one of which contained 1,000-year-old human remains, clay vessels, and artifacts linked to the Chancay culture. Archaeologist José Aliaga noted the burial style and artifacts suggest a pre-Inca origin. Lima, home to over 400 archaeological sites, frequently reveals ancient remains during civil works. The gas company Cálidda has made over 2,200 … Continue reading Utility workers in Peru unearth pre-Incan tomb with 1,000-year-old remains

High-resolution imaging of a 2,500-year-old Siberian “ice mummy” has revealed highly intricate tattoos that modern tattooists would find difficult to replicate. The tattoos—featuring leopards, a stag, a rooster, and a mythical griffin—were found on a woman from the Pazyryk culture, a nomadic warrior people of the Eurasian steppe. Using near-infrared scans, researchers discovered crisp, detailed designs likely created with animal bone or horn tools and … Continue reading 2,500-year-old Siberian ‘ice mummy’ had intricate tattoos, imaging reveals