Archaeologists in Israel have unearthed a rare and richly carved Roman-era marble sarcophagus in Caesarea, depicting a unique scene of a drinking contest between the Greek gods Dionysus and Heracles. Dating to the 2nd–3rd centuries CE and likely imported from northwestern Turkey, the artifact was probably commissioned by a wealthy pagan family. Found outside the ancient city walls, the sarcophagus was later part of a … Continue reading Archaeologists find unique 1,700-year-old sarcophagus

Researchers using AI and improved radiocarbon dating techniques suggest many Dead Sea Scrolls may be older than previously thought, with some biblical texts possibly dating from the time of their original authors. By removing contamination from earlier tests and analyzing handwriting styles, the team found that different scripts coexisted longer than believed, and certain texts, like parts of Daniel and Ecclesiastes, align more closely with … Continue reading Many of Dead Sea scrolls may be older than thought, experts say

A striking Roman stone relief of the winged goddess of Victory was discovered near Hadrian’s Wall at the Vindolanda fort by long-time volunteers Dilys and Jim Quinlan. The 47cm-tall carving, identified by archaeologist Rob Collins, likely symbolized military triumph and was part of a larger ornamental arch over the fort’s infantry barracks. The discovery was made while clearing rubble at the site, where volunteers have … Continue reading Amateur archaeologists unearth winged goddess at Hadrian’s Wall

A 6th-century Byzantine bucket unearthed at Sutton Hoo, Suffolk, is believed to have been a cremation vessel, archaeologists revealed. Originally discovered in 1986, with additional fragments found in 2012 and last year, the bucket contained cremated human and animal bones, suggesting it held the remains of a prominent figure. The copper alloy bucket, adorned with a hunting scene, predates the famous Sutton Hoo ship burial. … Continue reading Sutton Hoo bucket believed to be cremation vessel

The U.S. has returned 25 rare Egyptian artifacts, including sarcophagus lids, a Greco-Roman portrait, and temple fragments believed to belong to Queen Hatshepsut, after a three-year recovery effort. The items, spanning over 5,500 years of history, were seized in multiple investigations and held at Egypt’s New York consulate before being sent to Cairo. Egypt has recovered nearly 30,000 artifacts over the past decade, many looted … Continue reading U.S. returns parts of queen’s temple, ancient gold coin and other rare smuggled artifacts to Egypt

Recent archaeological excavations at Jerusalem’s Church of the Holy Sepulchre have uncovered evidence aligning with the biblical description of Jesus’ tomb, including ancient gardens with olive trees and grapevines. Led by Prof. Francesca Romana Stasolla from Sapienza University of Rome, the team discovered layers beneath the church dating back to the Iron Age, used as a quarry, burial ground, and later agricultural land. Findings include … Continue reading Jesus tomb ‘discovered’ by archaeologists in ‘unbelievable’ find

Near the village of Crnobuki in North Macedonia, archaeologists have uncovered what may be the lost capital of the ancient Kingdom of Lyncestis, a city called Gradishte that predates the Roman Empire by centuries. Once thought to be a Roman outpost, new findings—including an acropolis, ancient coin, and rare clay theater ticket—suggest it was a major city possibly dating back to the Bronze Age. Researchers … Continue reading Lost city linked to Alexander the Great discovered in North Macedonia

A limestone capital decorated with menorahs, dating from a time when Jews were banned from Jerusalem by the Romans, will be displayed for the first time on Israel’s Independence Day. Discovered in 2020 during excavations in Jerusalem’s Motza neighborhood, the artifact was found upside down in a Byzantine structure dating to the 6th or 7th centuries CE. Experts believe the capital, which likely originated in … Continue reading Mysterious capital depicting menorahs found in 1,500-year-old Roman site in Jerusalem

Archaeologists in Barcelona have uncovered the remains of a large medieval boat, believed to have sunk 500-600 years ago, while excavating the site of a former fish market. The vessel, found 5 meters below sea level, measures 10 meters long and 3 meters wide, with more than 30 curved wooden ribs. The boat likely sank during a storm in the 15th or 16th century, when … Continue reading Archaeologists find wreck of large medieval boat in Barcelona

For the first time, Israeli archaeologists have uncovered 7th-century BCE Egyptian pottery at Megiddo — the biblical site of Armageddon — potentially confirming the battle between Judah’s King Josiah and Pharaoh Necho as described in 2 Kings and 2 Chronicles. The artifacts, along with Greek pottery, suggest Egyptian forces and possibly Greek mercenaries were present around 609 BCE, the time of Josiah’s death. Researchers say … Continue reading Archaeologists find first evidence of epic biblical battle at ‘Armageddon’

The Israel Defense Forces will permit a group of Israelis to visit “Solomon’s Pools,” an ancient site near Bethlehem in the West Bank’s Area A, which is typically off-limits to Israeli citizens without military approval. The tour, organized by the Kfar Etzion Field School, will take place during Passover and include bulletproof buses and IDF security. Though named after King Solomon, the pools were actually … Continue reading IDF to allow rare visit to ‘Solomon’s Pools’ archaeological site in West Bank

A recently resurfaced declassified CIA document claims that remote viewing—ESP-based intelligence gathering—confirmed the existence of the Ark of the Covenant, allegedly guarded by powerful “entities.” In a 1988 session, an unnamed remote viewer described a hidden Middle Eastern location containing a gold and silver container resembling a coffin, adorned with seraphim, and protected underground. They warned that unauthorized attempts to open it would be met … Continue reading CIA confirmed Ark of the Covenant’s existence using remote viewing, declassified docs claim

The mysterious mummy known as “Bashiri” has intrigued Egyptologists for over a century, yet its true identity remains unknown. Discovered by Howard Carter in 1919 in the Valley of the Kings, this mummy—dubbed the “Untouchable”—features a unique embalming technique never seen before. The intricate wrappings on its face resemble pyramid architecture, hinting at the high status of the individual. Believed to date back to the … Continue reading The Bashiri mystery: A 2,300-year-old Egyptian mummy that no archaeologist dares to open

Archaeologists in Shaoxing, Zhejiang Province, have uncovered a 2,500-year-old settlement from the Yue State, dating to the early Warring States period. The discovery, made during construction work in June 2024, reveals well-preserved wooden structures, including stilted houses and elevated constructions, demonstrating advanced building techniques. The site, known as Baicaoyuan, was an economic hub near the Yue capital. Artifacts such as pottery, bronze tools, and evidence … Continue reading 2,000-year-old large wooden houses uncovered in Zhejiang, revealing secrets of the Yue Kingdom

Archaeologists in Ostia Antica, an ancient Roman port near Rome, have discovered what may be Europe’s oldest mikvah, a Jewish ritual bath, dating to the late 4th or early 5th century C.E. Found in a private residence, the underground pool was fed by groundwater and decorated with black and white tiles. A menorah-adorned oil lamp found at the site supports its identification as a mikvah, … Continue reading Archaeologists Unearth 1,600-Year-Old Jewish Ritual Bath—the Oldest Ever Found in Europe

Archaeologists have discovered the oldest human ancestor fossil in western Europe, found in northern Spain in 2022. The partial skull, dating back 1.1 to 1.4 million years, includes a section of the left cheekbone and upper jaw. This marks the first significant remains older than 1 million years in the region. The fossil, resembling Homo erectus, suggests early human ancestors were exploring Europe, though it’s … Continue reading Archaeologists uncover the oldest known partial face fossil of a human ancestor in western Europe

Archaeologists from the Israel Antiquities Authority have discovered the remains of a Byzantine-era nun in Jerusalem, marking the first evidence of extreme asceticism practiced by women in the city. The nun’s body, found bound with chains and metal rings, was located beneath a church altar in a 5th to 7th-century monastery. This discovery challenges previous beliefs that extreme ascetic practices, like self-mortification, were exclusive to … Continue reading Woman Found Buried in Chains in Jerusalem was Byzantine Nun

Two Colorado residents, Roxanne McKnight, 39, and Dusty Spencer, 43, were fined, given probation, and temporarily banned from Utah’s public lands after pleading guilty to charges related to disturbing an archaeological site at Canyonlands National Park. The pair illegally entered the Cave Spring Cowboy Camp in March 2024, where they handled historic artifacts, including antique nails. McKnight received one year of probation and a one-year … Continue reading Colorado residents sentenced after incident at Canyonlands archeological site

Peruvian conservators recently uncovered a Moche throne room at the Pañamarca archaeological site, believed to have been used by a female ruler. This discovery, led by Dr. Michele Koons from the Denver Museum of Nature and Science, is one of only three known thrones in Peru suggesting a queen’s rule. The throne shows signs of use, with human hair embedded in it. The murals and … Continue reading Denver archaeologist helps discover ancient Peruvian throne room

A group of divers discovered 214 silver coins, over 300 years old, off the coast of Florida, part of the 1715 Indian Fleet shipwreck. The Spanish ship, carrying riches from the New World to Europe, sank near Vero Beach after being hit by a hurricane. The coins, known as 4 and 8 reales, were valuable in the 18th century and are now undergoing preservation after … Continue reading American treasure hunters are shocked to discover a shipwreck over 300 years old

Egyptian officials have announced the discovery of the long-lost tomb of King Thutmose II, the final royal tomb from ancient Egypt’s Eighteenth Dynasty. The tomb, found by British and Egyptian teams near Luxor, was initially uncovered in 2022, with further excavations confirming it belonged to Thutmose II. Artifacts, including alabaster vases inscribed with his name, support this identification. The tomb, though damaged by floods, features … Continue reading 3,500-Year-Old Tomb of King Thutmose II Discovered

Italian archaeologists have uncovered a “monumental necropolis” in Trento, northern Italy, dating back to the early Iron Age (9th to 6th centuries BCE). The site, containing at least 200 tombs, was discovered during restoration work on a historic building. The graves include “grave goods” like metal weapons, amber, and glass objects, suggesting the tombs honored an elite class. The necropolis is well-preserved, likely due to … Continue reading “Monumental necropolis” of 200 ancient tombs unearthed by archaeologists in Italy

A 1930s office building in London was set to be demolished until archaeologists discovered remnants of the city’s first Roman basilica in its basement. Built around 80 AD, the basilica was part of Londinium’s forum and served as a key site for political and commercial decisions. The discovery, located at 85 Gracechurch Street, is one of Britain’s most significant Roman finds. Archaeologists uncovered well-preserved walls, … Continue reading Archaeologists discover London’s first Roman basilica under office building

Researchers have achieved a major breakthrough in deciphering the ancient Herculaneum scrolls, which were charred by Mount Vesuvius in A.D. 79. Using AI and advanced X-ray scans, a team has digitally unrolled and begun reading a scroll stored at Oxford’s Bodleian Libraries. This marks the first time an entire scroll may be readable. The breakthrough was aided by a synchrotron X-ray machine, revealing extensive Greek … Continue reading Scientists digitally “unroll” 2,000-year-old scroll scorched by Mount Vesuvius

A study by Dr. Jan-Willem de Kort uncovered a rare early medieval cult site in Hezingen, Netherlands, which offers insight into pre-Christian rituals in the region. Excavated in 2020-2021 after metal detectorists found coins, the site featured a circular arrangement of wooden posts around an unusual building, possibly a magnate’s residence. Artifacts, including gold and silver coins, suggest it was used by local elites for … Continue reading Archaeologists uncover gold and silver ritual offerings at a 7th century cult site