A 2,000-year-old bone box, or ossuary, inscribed with the name “James, son of Joseph, brother of Jesus” has been displayed in the U.S. at Pullman Yards in Atlanta. The limestone box, discovered in Israel in 1976, is believed by many to have held the remains of James the Just, Jesus’ brother and the first leader of early Christianity in Jerusalem. Although its authenticity was questioned … Continue reading Bone box of Jesus’ brother discovered; ‘Most significant item from time of Christ’

New research reveals that a violent attack in early Bronze Age England, around 4,000 years ago, likely involved the systematic dismemberment and cannibalism of at least 37 people. Excavated bones from Charterhouse Warren, south of Bristol, showed extensive violence, with victims killed by head blows and then dismembered. Researchers suggest this massacre was part of a cycle of revenge within or between communities, driven by … Continue reading Bronze Age Britons were cannibalized after an ‘exceptionally violent’ attack

Archaeologists in Turkey have uncovered a sarcophagus that may belong to Saint Nicholas, the 4th-century bishop who inspired Santa Claus. Found in a 7th-century church built in his honor in Myra (modern-day Antalya), the limestone sarcophagus is about 6 feet long and 5 feet deep, buried 6 feet underground. Researchers hope to find an inscription to confirm its contents and dating. Saint Nicholas was originally … Continue reading Sarcophagus of ‘Santa Claus’ possibly discovered in Turkish church: report

A metal detectorist recently uncovered a bent bronze sword, dating back 2,500 years to the late Bronze Age, in a bog near Veksø, Denmark. The sword, along with other artifacts like axes, ankle rings, and a fragment of a needle, is believed to have been part of a ritual sacrifice. The sword’s unusual S-shape suggests it was bent as part of the ritual, and it … Continue reading Ritually bent Bronze Age sword unearthed in Danish bog is ‘very rare find’

Archaeologists in Italy have uncovered a macabre discovery of at least 15 human skulls and 400 bone fragments at a Neolithic site in Puglia. Dating from 5618 to 5335 B.C., the remains were found in a mound at Masseria Candelaro, a prehistoric village. Despite many skulls being cracked, experts believe they were part of an ancestral ritual rather than victims of violence. The skulls were … Continue reading Discovery of Bizarre Stone Age Skulls Baffles Archaeologists

Axel von Berg, the state archaeologist for Rhineland-Palatinate in Germany, is under investigation for allegedly falsifying the age of numerous artefacts, including 21 skulls and bone fragments from a site in Koblenz. He is also accused of falsely claiming to have discovered a Neanderthal skull, which experts say actually dates from the medieval period. Authorities have launched disciplinary proceedings following tips from colleagues. Von Berg, … Continue reading Star archaeologist ‘falsified’ finds as prehistoric

Archaeologists in Crimea have discovered an early-medieval burial ground on the Mangup plateau, revealing gold and silver jewelry once owned by noble women. The Almalyk-dere necropolis, dating from the 4th to 6th centuries, is the largest of its kind in the region. The unearthed items include brooches, gold earrings, belt accessories, and shoe buckles, with remarkable preservation, including earrings with precious stone inserts. One crypt … Continue reading Archaeologists Find Burials Filled With Gold Jewelry in Crimea

The Israeli army has destroyed or severely damaged 206 archaeological and heritage sites in Gaza, according to Palestinian official Ismail Thawabteh. The sites, which include ancient landmarks like the Great Omari Mosque, Byzantine Church in Jabalia, and the Al-Saqqa House, span from the Phoenician and Roman eras to more recent ones, some over 400 years old. Thawabteh claims this destruction is part of a systematic … Continue reading 206 priceless archaeological, heritage sites destroyed by Israel in Gaza: Palestinian official

Archaeologists in Turkey discovered a 5th-century amulet depicting King Solomon defeating a demon, referencing the apocryphal Testament of Solomon, a text excluded from the Bible for its themes of dark magic. Found in the ruins of a Roman-era military structure in Paphlagonia, the amulet shows Solomon on horseback with a spear and bears the inscription, “Our Lord who defeated the devil.” The reverse side features the … Continue reading Newly discovered ancient amulet references tale of King Solomon fighting demons

Italian authorities have recovered valuable 3rd century B.C. Etruscan artefacts worth at least 8 million euros ($8.5 million) from a looted necropolis in Umbria. The items, including urns, sarcophagi, and beauty accessories, were discovered by two amateur tomb raiders on their land in Citta della Pieve. The artefacts, which feature Greek mythology scenes and gold-painted jewels, were posted online by the suspects in an attempt … Continue reading Italy recovers Etruscan artifacts dug up by ‘amateurish’ tomb raiders

Archaeologists in England have uncovered a rare 2,000-year-old Roman knife handle shaped like a gladiator, showcasing the widespread popularity of gladiatorial combat across the Roman Empire. The copper alloy handle depicts a secutor gladiator, known for his heavily armored style. The figurine is left-handed, possibly indicating it represents a specific fighter. Gladiators, often slaves or criminals, were famous and sometimes became celebrities despite their status. … Continue reading Rare gladiator-shaped knife handle discovered by Hadrian’s Wall

Archaeologists have uncovered a well-preserved section of an ancient Roman road, Wating Street, beneath Old Kent Road in London. Built after the Roman invasion of Britain in AD 43, this discovery provides the first clear evidence of the road’s exact route. The road, 5.8 meters wide, was constructed with gravel, chalk layers, and compacted sand. The finding, made during excavations for a low carbon heating … Continue reading 2,000-year-old Roman road discovered by archaeologists in London

New research suggests that parts of the “Treasure of Villena,” a significant find from the European Bronze Age, may have originated from meteorites. Discovered in 1963, the treasure includes gold and silver items, but the presence of iron objects caused dating challenges, as iron typically wasn’t used until the Iron Age. However, analysis of the iron revealed it likely came from a meteorite, not terrestrial … Continue reading Part Of The Bronze Age “Treasure Of Villena” Appears To Have An Extraterrestrial Origin

Archaeologists in southern Sweden have uncovered a 5,000-year-old sacrificial site in Hammar, revealing a 160-foot stone walkway and numerous offerings. The site, dating to the Neolithic period, was located at the edge of a marshy wetland, where people left items like pottery, wood, flint tools, and animal bones. The artifacts, well-preserved due to the wet conditions, include an antler billet, fishing hook, and leatherworking stylus. … Continue reading 5,000-year-old sacrificial site stuns archaeologists in Sweden. ‘Extremely unusual’

The USS Edsall, a Navy destroyer sunk by Japanese forces during World War II, has been discovered at the bottom of the Indian Ocean, over 80 years after its sinking. The Royal Australian Navy located the wreck using advanced robotic systems. The Edsall, which had taken part in numerous naval convoys, was attacked by Japanese forces on March 1, 1942, and sank with over 200 … Continue reading Sunken World War II destroyer USS Edsall found at bottom of Indian Ocean, U.S. Navy confirms

The wreck of the HMS Hawke, a British cruiser sunk during World War I, has been discovered off the coast of Scotland, with experts confirming it was torpedoed by a German U-boat in 1914, killing over 500 crew members. The wreck, found in remarkable condition 70 miles east of Fraserburgh by volunteer divers, was identified through video, photos, and scans. On October 15, 1914, the … Continue reading Shipwreck confirmed to be U.K. cruiser sunk by torpedo during World War I

Archaeological excavations in Haldensleben, Germany, since May 2024, have uncovered significant findings from the Bronze, Iron, and Middle Ages. The site, near a 11th-century castle complex, revealed evidence of early settlement dating back to the Bronze Age (circa 2200–750 BC), including ceramics, animal bones, and an intact vessel in a well. Notable discoveries include loom remains from the 11th and 12th centuries, suggesting textile production, … Continue reading Excavations in Haldensleben, Germany Reveal A Lost Settlement

In late 2022, a significant archaeological discovery was made at the Tomio Maruyama burial mound in Nara, Japan. Among the finds were a 2.3-meter-long iron sword, the longest of its kind from the Kofun period, and a unique shield-shaped bronze mirror decorated with gods and animals. These items, dating back to the late 4th century, were unexpected and have sparked intrigue about Japan’s early rulers. … Continue reading Discovery of a giant sword in Nara offers clues into ancient Japan

Archaeologists from Egypt and the United States have discovered an ancient tomb with 11 sealed burials near Luxor, dating back to the Middle Kingdom (1938-1630 BCE). Located in the South Asasif necropolis next to the Temple of Hatshepsut, the tomb is believed to have been a family burial site used for generations during the 12th and early 13th Dynasties. While many wooden coffins and linen … Continue reading US-Egypt archaeology team unearths 4,000-year-old tomb in Luxor

The discovery of a 4,000-year-old fortified town called al-Natah in Saudi Arabia’s Khaybar oasis reveals early shifts from nomadic to urban life. Archaeologists, led by Guillaume Charloux, uncovered a 14.5-km wall surrounding the town, suggesting a structured habitat that housed up to 500 people around 2,400 BC. Abandoned around 1,000 years later for unknown reasons, al-Natah challenges previous views of Northwest Arabia as a barren … Continue reading Bronze Age town with tombs full of weapons discovered hidden in Arabian oasis

Archaeologists in Poland uncovered the remains of a woman, referred to as Zosia, in August 2022, found in a gravesite with a sickle around her neck and a triangular padlock on her foot. This 400-year-old burial, discovered in an unmarked cemetery in the village of Pien, suggests the woman was considered a vampire, and the sickle was placed to prevent her from rising from the … Continue reading Archaeologists reconstruct face of 400-year-old “vampire” buried with iron sickle across her neck

A graduate student analyzing drone data in Campeche, Mexico, discovered a vast ancient Mayan city, named “Valeriana,” hidden beneath the jungle. The site, covering an area 1.5 times the size of Washington, D.C., contains 6,674 structures, including pyramids similar to those found at Chichén Itzá and Tikal. This significant find was made using LiDAR (light detection and ranging) technology, which penetrates dense foliage to reveal … Continue reading Ancient Mayan city is found in a Mexican jungle

Restoration efforts at the Temple of Esna, an ancient Egyptian site located over 30 miles south of Luxor, are uncovering vibrant, previously hidden details in its decorations. Collaborating with the Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities, experts from the Institute of Ancient Near Eastern Studies (IANES) have been working to reveal the temple’s original colors and inscriptions, which had been obscured by soot from fires … Continue reading Archaeologists Uncover Long-Hidden Details in Ancient Egyptian Temple Art

Archaeologists have discovered the remains of an Armenian church dating back nearly 2,000 years in Artaxata, making it the oldest known structure of its kind in Armenia and one of the oldest in the world. Conducted by Germany’s University of Münster and the Armenian Academy of Sciences, the excavation is part of the Armenian-German Artaxata Project, initiated in 2018. Experts believe the church was built … Continue reading Archaeologists uncover one of the world’s oldest churches

Archaeologists have uncovered a tomb containing at least 12 human skeletons and artifacts estimated to be over 2,000 years old beneath the Khaznah, or Treasury, in Petra, Jordan. Led by Dr. Pearce Paul Creasman of the American Center of Research, the team discovered the tomb after conducting ground-penetrating radar scans that revealed similarities to previously found tombs. This excavation, filmed for Discovery Channel’s “Expedition Unknown,” … Continue reading Secret tomb found under ‘Indiana Jones’ filming location in Petra