Israel Antiquities Authority Archeology

Illustration of the rock-hewn rooms discovered in the City of David. Illustration: Shalom Kevlar, City of David

New research suggests: A special building in Jerusalem was used for worship when the Temple stood, during the First Temple period

In the unique structure, which was uncovered by the Israel Antiquities Authority on the eastern slope of the City of David, in the Jerusalem Walls National Park, eight rooms carved into the rock were discovered, including an altar, a tombstone, a winepress, and a winepress for wine production.
Dr. Elena Kogan-Zahavi from the Antiquities Authority, who uncovered one of the graves about 30 years ago, in the graves after their preservation

Spectacularly beautiful wall paintings from the Roman period that were discovered in Ashkelon are being revealed for the first time and will be accessible to the public

The paintings, which decorate ancient tombs of wealthy people, were discovered decades ago but few got to see them. Now, they are preserved by the conservation experts of the Antiquities Authority near the marina, funded by the municipality of Ashkelon.
A ring with an engraving of the goddess Athena that was discovered in Carmel Photo by Emil Algam Israel Antiquities Authority

An approximately 1,800-year-old ring, with the goddess of war engraved on it, was discovered by a boy in Carmel

The boy Yair Whitson from Haifa discovered during a trip a bronze ring with the goddess Athena engraved on it * The impressive ring was handed over to the State Treasures * Yair and his family came on a tour of the new National Archaeological Museum of
Archaeologist Shahar Crispin holds the hoard of coins after finding it. Photo by Yuli Schwartz

In Lod, evidence of the last revolt of the Jews of the Land of Israel under the Roman rule, about 1650 years ago, was uncovered

In the excavation of the site, conducted by the Antiquities Authority with funding from the municipality of Lod, the remains of an ancient Jewish public building that was destroyed were discovered. A cache of 94 coins was hidden on the floor of the building, but no one returned to its collection until it was discovered now
A ship model discovered in the excavation of Rahat. Photo: Yuli Schwartz, Antiquities Authority

Ships in the heart of the desert: the remains of an ancient church, on the walls of which ships were carved about 1500 years ago, were discovered in the excavations of the Antiquities Authority in the north of the Negev

The excavations were conducted as part of the expansion of a neighborhood in the city of Rahat, at the initiative of the Authority for the Development and Regulation of Bedouin Settlements in the Negev.
The site of Ovadia near the Sea of ​​Galilee, a million and a half years ago. The image was prepared using DALEE and is not a scientific image

Once there was a paradise here with giraffes, tigers, hippos and elephants

The world-important prehistoric site, the Ovadia National Park in Emek Yardam, which is the oldest in Israel (about 1.6 million years ago) and one of the oldest in the world outside of Africa, was inaugurated. * There was a meeting between
A cave of concealment during the Bar Kochva rebellion that was discovered in Hukok near the Sea of ​​Galilee. Photo: Emil Eljam, Israel Antiquities Authority.

An impressive underground hiding system from the days of the Bar Kochba revolt has been uncovered near the Sea of ​​Galilee

A ring discovered in a cave in Khokuk that was used by Bar Kochba soldiers to hide from the Romans. Photo: Dafna Gazit, Israel Antiquities Authority
A proposal for the reconstruction of the Hekhara. Illustration_ Shalom Kevler, from the book _Ir al Tila_ in English - The City of David_ The Story of Ancient Jerusalem

The earliest roof tiles in Israel were uncovered in the City of David - and the one who brought them to Israel was Antiochus IV

Archaeological excavations by the Antiquities Authority and Tel Aviv University in the City of David in the National Park around the walls of Jerusalem have discovered the earliest ceramic roof tiles in the Land of Israel * To date very little evidence has been discovered
The ancient sling stones: the earliest evidence of warfare in the region. Photo by Emil Elgem, Antiquities Authority

Research: already 7,200 years ago there was mass and planned production of weapons of war in Israel

A study by the Antiquities Authority, recently published in the journal Atiqot 111, reveals the earliest evidence of organized fighting and arming in the Land of Israel in particular and the southern Levant in general
The rare sight. Photo by Emil Eljam, Antiquities Authority

Has a tomb of an "escort woman" (the Taira) from 2,300 years ago been discovered in Jerusalem?

A grave where the remains of a woman were discovered with a rare mirror next to her opens an extraordinary window into customs that were 'imported' to Israel with the Hellenistic occupation * It seems that the person buried was a young woman of Greek origin, who accompanied an army officer or
A woman-like figurine. Photograph of the Antiquities Authority.

Magicians in the mountains of Eilat

Objects that appear to have been used by folk sorcerers were discovered along the ancient road that led from Egypt to Mecca about 400 years ago
Taking the swords out of the closet where they were hidden. Photo: Emil Eljam, Antiquities Authority

Researchers went to photograph an inscription in a cave near Ein Gedi and also found there a weapon cache from the time of the Bar Kochba rebellion

In Selik, four swords and a bayonet head were found that are approximately 1900 years old, preserved in wooden and leather cases, in excellent condition * "This is chilling evidence of a moment in time," say the researchers from the Antiquities Authority and Ariel University * Article
The works in the ancient canal. Photo by Emil Eljam, Antiquities Authority

A mystery in Jerusalem: What were the mysterious canal facilities from the days of Kings Jehoash and Amaziah that were uncovered in the City of David National Park used for?

The canal facilities, the likes of which have not yet been discovered in Israel, were in use about 2,800 years ago - during the time of the First Temple; According to the researchers from the Antiquities Authority and Tel Aviv University, "it is possible that the canals were used to soak some product. the location
Uncovering the ancient aqueduct. Photo: Emil Eljam, Antiquities Authority

The longest section of the upper aqueduct to Jerusalem was revealed in archaeological excavations at Givat HaMatus

The length of the arm section is about 300 meters, and it was uncovered in the excavations of the Antiquities Authority before the expansion of the neighborhood, funded by the "Arim" company for urban development and in the framework of the establishment of schools on the site at the initiative of the Jerusalem Municipality * among other things,
The gate looking at. Photo by Emil Algam, Antiquities Authority.

In Kiryat Gat, the oldest gate in Israel was discovered

In an excavation by the Antiquities Authority prior to the construction of a Mekorot company water line in the Kiryat Gat area, an ancient gate was discovered, approximately 5,500 years old * This gate was part of the fortification system of one of the hills
Hathor figurine found on the beach. Photo by Yuli Schwartz, Antiquities Authority

A woman walking on Palmahim beach found an ancient figurine more than 3,000 years old, identified with the Egyptian goddess Hathor

She handed it over to the State Treasury and received a certificate of appreciation from the Antiquities Authority for demonstrating good citizenship
Excavations 2023 at Tel Shekmona. Photo by Prof. Golan Shloy.

The Scarlet Factory in Shekmona shows the flourishing of the Kingdom of Israel in the middle of the 8th-9th century BCE

Tel Shekmona was the largest crimson factory in the area during the Iron Age, under the control of the Kingdom of Israel and the one that apparently supplied the prestigious crimson color to the Temple in the neighboring Kingdom of Judah
Demonstration of using a replica of the whistle. Photo by Lauren Dewin-

For the first time: 12,000-year-old tiny flutes have been discovered that imitate the sounds of predators

A new study published today (Fri) in the prestigious scientific magazine Nature Scientific Report suggests that tiny flutes made from the wing bones of waterfowl were used to produce sounds imitating the sounds of birds of prey
To the right of the compass. On the left is a pomegranate seed. Photo: Yuli Schwartz, Antiquities Authority

A compass belonging to one of the soldiers of the Jewish People was discovered at the top of the battle hill in the Judean plains

The compass, as well as Bren type machine gun pods, were uncovered in an archaeological study by Dr. Rafi Lewis from Ashkelon Academic College and Haifa University and Il Marco from the Antiquities Authority * According to the researchers, the compass belonged to the commander of the department
The copper hook is 6000 years old. Photo by Emil Eljam, Antiquities Authority

In rescue excavations in Ashkelon, a 6,000-year-old copper fishing hook was discovered, one of the oldest known in the world

The hook, which appears to have been used for hunting sharks, was uncovered in the excavations of the Antiquities Authority before the establishment of the Agamim neighborhood in Ashkelon * The unique find will be presented for the first time at the 48th Archaeological Congress, in the organization of the Antiquities Authority, the Society for Land Exploration
Dervish address. Photo: Shai Halevi, Antiquities Authority

Fadiha on Purim around the alleged inscription bearing the name of the Persian king Darius I, the father of Ahasuerus

The 2500-year-old pottery on which the inscription was engraved in Aramaic script was discovered by travelers by chance, in the Tel Lakish National Park * It seems that this is a "note" to confirm the delivery or receipt of goods * The rare ostracon was studied
The hand carved in the wall of the moat. Photo by Yuli Schwartz, Antiquities Authority

A huge 1,000-year-old moat and a mysterious handprint carved into the rock were uncovered in front of the walls of Jerusalem

The new parts of the defense system on the walls of Old Jerusalem against Crusader attacks were discovered during archaeological excavations by the Antiquities Authority on Sultan Suleiman Street, prior to the laying of infrastructure at the initiative of the Jerusalem Municipality through the Moriah company
Findings in Nahal Omer in the Arava indicating extensive international trade in the seventh and eighth centuries AD. Photo: excavation team

Has the Israeli Silk Road been discovered?

Cotton fabrics and silk fabrics originating in India and China from about 1,300 years ago found in the Arabah testify to ancient trade from the Far East, through the Land of Israel and Europe
A silver coin of Anatolian origin that testifies to continuous trade between the north and south of the Levant about 3,600 years ago. Photo: Antiquities Authority

The use of silver coins as a means of payment began in the southern Levant as early as 3,600 years ago

This is the first evidence that there was a continuous and long-term trade of metals from the Levant region to Anatolia already in the 17th century BC, about 500 years before the Iron Age when the use of silver coins became
The front of the burial cave that was revealed in the excavations. Unlike the hewn caves, the courtyard was built of limestone, which indicates its importance and splendor. Photo by Emil Eljam, Antiquities Authority

A 2,000-year-old tomb complex, one of the most luxurious seen in Israel, was uncovered in the Saloma Cave in the Lachish Forest

The courtyard was uncovered as part of the 'Road of the Kings of Judah' project led by the Antiquities Authority, the Jerusalem and Heritage Ministry, and the Kimat Israel Fund * Evidence of the sanctification of the place over hundreds of years was uncovered at the site, indicating the burial of
The coin cache. Photo: Shai Halevi, Antiquities Authority

For the first time: evidence of the Maccabean rebellion against the Greeks was uncovered in the Judean desert

In an excavation in a cave in the Nahal Darga Reserve, a rare treasure was discovered - a wooden box containing 15 silver coins from the time of King Antiochus IV *It seems that the person who buried the box in the cave ran away to it, hoping to collect the
The half shekel coin of the third year of the Great Revolt (Photo: Tal Rogovsky)

A rare half shekel silver coin from the days of the Great Revolt was discovered in the Ofel excavations in Jerusalem

This is the third coin of this type to be discovered in excavations in Jerusalem and one of the few ever discovered in archaeological excavations.
Pechiots and pechiots from the ring base family that were placed on the dead body. Tel Aviv University tests found traces of opium in these vessels. Photo: Assaf Peretz, Antiquities Authority

The earliest evidence known in the world for the use of the hallucinogen opium from the Canaanite period

The remains of the opium were found in pottery excavated at Tel Yehud, in an excavation conducted by Ariola Yakoel on behalf of the Antiquities Authority. The pots that contained the opium date back to the 14th century BC, and they were found in the graves of Canaanites and were used as
The treasure of gold discovered in Banias. Photo: Dafna Gazit, Antiquities Authority

A cache of 44 gold coins that are about 1,400 years old was discovered in the excavation of the Antiquities Authority in the Nahal Hermon Nature Reserve

The treasure is evidence of a dramatic moment in the country's history - the conquest of the Byzantine Empire by the Umayyad House. Archaeologist of the Israel Antiquities Authority, Dr. Yoav Lerer: "Whoever buried the coins inside a wall must have had a miracle on his life
The gold ring as found in the water in one of the two shipwrecks that were uncovered in Caesarea. Photo: Antiquities Authority

Two shipwrecks were uncovered in Caesarea

A maritime archaeological survey by the Antiquities Authority in Caesarea revealed a treasure of two ancient shipwrecks, including hundreds of silver coins, gold and silver rings, rare decorated gems, an eagle statuette, bells, and ship parts.
An urn that was uncovered in the excavations of the building from the days of the Sanhedrin. Photo by Emil Eljam, Antiquities Authority

For the first time: the remains of a building from the days of the Sanhedrin were uncovered in Yavne

*The discovery was made in the huge excavation of the Yavneh Antiquities Authority, funded by the Israel Lands Authority and in cooperation with the Yavneh Municipality on the occasion of the expansion of the city. Fragments of stone vessels made of Kirton were discovered in the building, indicating a Jewish presence
Works in the citadel - aerial view. Photo by Emil Eljam, Antiquities Authority

A fortified structure from the Hellenistic period, which the Hasmoneans destroyed and burned, was uncovered in excavations in the Lachish forest

"The destruction of the building is probably related to the conquest of the area by the Hasmonean Yochanan Hyrcanus, around the year 112 BC," say archaeologists of the Antiquities Authority, who conducted the excavation with funding from the Landmarks Project of the Jerusalem Ministry
Nir Distelfeld from the Antiquities Authority with the sword. Photo by Anastasia Shapiro Antiquities Authority

Snorkeled in the Carmel beach area and discovered a knight's sword, about 900 years old

The director of the excavation in Yavne, Liat Nadav-Ziv. The highlight of the gitots are shell-shaped cells - an ornament that indicates the wealth of the owners of the factory

A huge and impressive wine factory was uncovered in Yavne, the largest known in the world from the Byzantine period

Archaeologists: "About 2 million liters of wine were produced here every year." The huge 1500-year-old industrial area was revealed in archaeological excavations by the Antiquities Authority before the expansion of the city, initiated by the Israel Lands Authority
The excavation of the Great Synagogue of Vilna showing the floor of the platform next to the pillar of the building.

The remains of the Ark of the Covenant and the platform of the Great Synagogue in Vilnius from the 18th century have been fully exposed

The synagogue was destroyed during the Nazi rule in the Holocaust, but the Soviets are the ones who completed the demolition * The independent Lithuanian government in cooperation with Israel is restoring the building. The exhibits will likely be displayed in a permanent exhibition
The gold coin that was uncovered in the excavation and has an engraving on it to indicate ownership. Photo by Amir Gorzalzani, Antiquities Authority

Evidence of agricultural and industrial activity was uncovered in Ramat Hasharon as early as 1500 years ago

Ramat Hasharon will soon celebrate its 100th year, but it turns out that it is much older than we thought. Archaeological excavations by the Antiquities Authority, which are taking place in preparation for the establishment of a new neighborhood initiated by the Sharon Municipality, have revealed
Remains of vessels shattered in the earthquake. Photography - Eliyahu Yanai - City of David

Archaeological evidence of an earthquake mentioned in the Bible

The famous earthquake, which occurred in Israel about 2800 years ago and appears in the Bible, was previously uncovered in several locations throughout Israel, but the researchers believe that for the first time they were able to identify remains of destruction that indicate that the earthquake
The managers of the excavation near the wall - photo by Kobi Harathi City of David

The missing section of the walls of Jerusalem that destroyed the city on Tisha B'av, 2600 years ago, has been revealed

According to the researchers, this find connects additional sections of the wall, which were uncovered decades ago, and for the first time sequentially outlines the eastern defense line of the city on the eve of the Babylonian destruction. Jug handles were discovered near the wall
Yerubael address, photo: Dafna Gazit, Antiquities Authority.

For the first time: a rare inscription from the days of the Judges was discovered, which refers to the Book of Judges

Who are you Yerubael? The man is mentioned in a 3,100-year-old inscription discovered near Kiryat Gat, in the excavations of the Hebrew University in Jerusalem, the Antiquities Authority and McQuarrie University in Sydney * According to the archaeologists, "Judge Gideon's nickname
A group of Neanderthals prepares to hunt. Photo: depositphotos.com

Out of Africa: In the wake of modern man and the Neanderthals he met

Scientists from the Weizmann Institute of Science and archaeologists from the Antiquities Authority returned to the archaeological site of Boker Attama in the Negev, and shed new light on a defining chapter in human evolution
Excerpts from the Teri Asherash scroll were uncovered in the Yehuda desert operation before they were preserved. Photo: Shai Halevi, Antiquities Authority

Fragments of new scrolls, the skeleton of a 6,000-year-old girl and the oldest complete basket in the world were discovered in David Yehuda

This is the first time after about 60 years that Megillah fragments from the books of the Bible have been discovered in excavations. The fragments, rewritten in Greek, include remnants from the books of the Ten Prophets, among them Zechariah and Nahum * The remains of the Megillah and other rare finds,
David dressed in crimson at the time of his anointing to the kingship by Shmuel (mosaic of the synagogue in Dora Europos, Syria, 3rd century AD. From Wikipedia

A cloth dyed in crimson was identified - the colors of royal clothing from the time of David and Solomon 3,000 years ago

In a joint study by the Antiquities Authority, Tel Aviv University, and Bar-Ilan University, archaeologists who unearthed pieces of cloth dyed in the royal crimson color from the time of Kings David and Solomon discovered that archaeologists: "The color immediately attracted the
The tag of the girl Annie Caper. On this side - the girl's name and address. Photo by Yoram Chaimi

Personal identification tags worn by four children sent to the extermination camp in Sobibor, Poland, were uncovered in an archaeological dig at the site

The children of the tags: Leah Yehudit Delpaniya, Dedi Zak, Annie Caper, the child David Yehuda. Yoram Chaimi, archaeologist of the Antiquities Authority: "I have been digging at the site for ten years, and on this day I broke down."
Antiquities Authority excavations at the Byzantine church in Geth Shemanim. Photo: Shai Halevi, Antiquities Authority

Archaeological evidence of the Second Temple period and the days of Jesus was uncovered in Gethsemane

During archaeological excavations in preparation for development, a 2000-year-old purification mikve was discovered near the well-known modern church, as well as impressive remains of a Byzantine church (from about 1500 years ago). Institute researchers are also participating in the excavation
Children from Hispin who volunteer in the excavation point to the figures blackened on the stone. Photo: Yaniv Berman, Antiquities Authority

For the first time: a fortified complex from the time of King David was discovered in the Golan

Unearthed in archaeological excavations by the Antiquities Authority prior to the expansion of the settlement of Hispin, funded by the Ministry of Construction and Housing and the Golan Regional Council *According to the archaeologists, "it is likely that the Goshurites, who ruled the Golan and maintained diplomatic and family ties with
A barbell worth 2 shekels from the First Temple period. Photo by Shai Halevi, Antiquities Authority (5)

An ancient weight of two shekels from the First Temple period was discovered at the Western Wall

According to Dr. Barak Monikandam-Givaon and Thila Lieberman, the dig managers on behalf of the Antiquities Authority: "The barbell is made in the shape of a dome with a flat base. At the top of the weight is carved a sign that resembles the letter E, an Egyptian sign that represents an abbreviation of
The second title excavation uncovered. Photo: Yuli Schwartz, Antiquities Authority

Has the 'Commissioner's Palace' from the First Temple period been revealed?

Magnificent and rare remains of a royal building from the time of the kings of Judah were discovered in an excavation by the Antiquities Authority on the famous Jerusalem Promenade
Photos of the cache as found in the field. Photo: Yuli Schwartz, Antiquities Authority

A cache of 425 coins made of pure gold from about 1,100 years ago was discovered

The treasure was uncovered by apprentices of a year of service in the excavation of the Antiquities Authority in the center of the country