Archaeological discoveries announced in 2025

I've been negligent in recent years when it comes to mentioning archaeological discoveries. It will take too long to reproduce the articles, so this post just includes headlines and links (sometimes more than one article per item). For those interested in biblical archaeology, I recommend the blogs theoarch and Ferrell's Travel Blog.

Byzantine monastery with mosaic inscription from Deuteronomy discovered near Kiryat Gat (January 6, 2025)

Israeli archaeologists solve mystery of missing cave art in the Levant (January 8, 2025)

Ritual Complex Dating to First Temple Period Discovered in Jerusalem’s City of David also Ancient Jewish private ritual bath is unearthed in Jerusalem's City of David (January 27, 2025)

Researchers Uncover Ancient Worship Site Near First Temple in Jerusalem (January 16, 2025)

Roman Boundary Stone Found in Israel Links Talmudic Accounts to Diocletian’s Lost Villages (January 28, 2025)

Ancient Aramaic inscription finally deciphered reveals Jewish name in the heartland of Judea (January 31, 2025)

Archaeological Proof of King David: The Ancient Stone That Confirms His Dynasty (February 3, 2025)

Israeli archaeologists continue search for Pool of Siloam in ancient City of David (February 12, 2025)

American tourist discovers rare ancient Jewish coin from Hasmonean period in Shiloh, Samaria (February 27, 2025)

Archeologists find evidence of Josiah, the last king of Judah (March 12, 2025)

Scientists: “Evidence suggests that the Genesis flood story might have a basis in reality” (March 13, 2025)

Exciting new discovery in Judean Desert from time of Maccabees mystifies archaeologists (March 25, 2025) also Mysterious Pyramid Discovered in Judean Desert Unveils Hellenistic Era Secrets (March 25, 2025)

Excavations under Church of the Holy Sepulchre reveal evidence of ancient garden, supporting Gospel of John (March 25, 2025)

Ancient and Unique Clay Jug Featuring Camel Decorations Unearthed in Yatir Forest Excavations (March 30, 2025)

Archaeologists Confirm Biblical Armageddon Site at Megiddo in Northern Israel (March 31, 2025)

Little girl discovers 3,800-year-old Canaanite seal on family trip near Beit Shemesh, Israel (April 1, 2025) also Israeli preschooler stumbles on 3,800-year-old artifact near Beit Shemesh; Israeli Toddler Uncovers 3,800-Year-Old Scarab at Biblical Site (April 2, 2025); 3-Yr-Old Girl Finds Canaanite Scarab Where David Faced Goliath (April 2, 2025)

Dyeing for royalty: Ancient tools reveal economic power behind biblical Israel (April 17, 2025) also Archaeologists Discover Ancient Facility that May Have Produced Scarlet and Blue Dyes Used in Temples (April 27, 2025); Israeli scholars find ancient manufacturing site of purple dye near Haifa (May 3, 2025)

Historic Stone Capital with Menorah Set for Exhibit Ahead of Independence Day (April 29, 2025) also 1,500-Year-Old Stone Column Element with Menorah Design Unveiled for First Time (April 29, 2025); Rare menorah-carved capital found near Jerusalem is unveiled for Israel's Independence Day (April 30, 2025)

New Israeli Study Shows Ancient Names Reflect Cosmopolitan Biblical Israel (May 13, 2025)

Rare 1,500-Year-Old African Figurines Discovered in the Negev Desert (May 14, 2025) also Archaeological discovery hints at African Christian community in ancient Israel (May 14, 2025)

Tiny treasure discovered in Jerusalem's City of David: Second gold ring found in less than a year (May 21, 2025)

The buried truth: Unearthing Jewish history on the Temple Mount in Jerusalem (May 22, 2025)

From Battleground to Holy Ground: How Archaeology Proves Israel’s Ancient Heritage (May 29, 2025)

Treasured 14th-century Shem Tov Bible finds its way home to Jerusalem (May 30, 2025) also World’s Oldest Known Complete Tanach Returns to Israel (June 3, 2025)

1,700-Year-Old Roman Sarcophagus Depicting Pagan Drinking Contest Discovered in Caesarea also Roman Sarcophagus Discovered in Caesarea Provides Clue to Size of the Ancient City (June 9, 2025)

New evidence for why King Josiah went to meet Pharaoh Necho in Megiddo (June 9, 2025)

New technology gives earlier dates for Dead Sea Scrolls, challenging doubts about book of Daniel (June 27, 2025)

Can the Bible be trusted? A fresh look at the word 'Ebenezer' through the lens of modern research (June 28, 2025) also The dawn of settlement: Uncovering the secrets of ancient Israelite Izbet Sartah and Earliest Hebrew alphabet found at Izbet Sartah reveals surprising Israelite literacy in the Iron Age (July 7, 2025)



1,900-year-old lion-headed bronze discs discovered in Israel likely used in pagan burial rituals (June 29, 2025) also Roman-Era Burial Discs Discovered in Israel Shed Light on Ancient Funeral Customs (June 30, 2025)

Discoveries at Shiloh that back up the Bible: A conversation with archaeologist, Scott Stripling (July 1, 2025) also Excavating Biblical History: New Discoveries at Shiloh and the Search for the Ark’s Gateway (July 25, 2025); Shiloh’s Tabernacle mystery: What the Bible and archaeology reveal (July 26, 2025)

Unearthing the Truth of Salome’s Tomb: New Research Reframes Centuries-Old Christian Tradition (July 7, 2025)

Rare 15th-century Biblical manuscripts shed light on Ethiopian Jewish heritage (July 9, 2025) also 15th Century Manuscripts Reveal Insights into Ethiopian Jewish Traditions (July 15, 2025)

Lost Christian site discovered in Jordan using ancient map of the Holy Land (July 19, 2025)

‘I saw a yellow color’: Volunteer uncovers 2,000-year-old Galilee treasure (July 24, 2025)

Golden Treasures from Jesus’ Time: Discoveries at Sussita Illuminate Biblical History (July 27, 2025)

First ever: 5,500-Year-Old Blade Workshop Found Near Goliath Battleground (July 28, 2025) also Discovery of early Bronze Age workshop sheds light on Canaanite industry (July 28, 2025); Sophisticated 5,500-year-old flint blade workshop unearthed near Kiryat Gat, Israel (July 31, 2025)

Israeli researcher claims finding 'this is from Moses' written in ancient Egyptian mine (July 30, 2025)

Rare First Temple-era seal impression found in Jerusalem (July 30, 2025) also Ancient clay seal with biblical name found near Temple Mount in Jerusalem (August 1, 2025); First Temple Clay Seal Validates Biblical History: May Reference King Josiah’s Servant (August 15, 2025)

Rare first century coin declaring 'For the Redemption of Zion' discovered in Jerusalem (July 31, 2025) also “For the Redemption of Zion” – a rare coin from Year Four of the Great Revolt discovered in Jerusalem (July 31, 2025); Coin minted during the Jewish Revolt uncovered near the Temple Mount (July 31, 2025)



Unearthing Shiloh: Inside the ongoing search for the biblical Tabernacle (August 2, 2025) also Ancient Structure at Shiloh May Have Housed the Ark of the Covenant, Archaeologists Say (August 12, 2025)

Ancient Jewish Sages Were Key Players in Mediterranean Wine Industry, New Study Shows (August 6, 2025)

'Extremely rare' ancient Aramaic inscription discovered in Dead Sea cave (August 10, 2025)

Archaeologists Find Earliest Evidence of Bronze-Making in Land of Israel (August 10, 2025) also New study reveals evidence of 3,000-year-old bronze production site in Samaria (August 15, 2025)

Israeli Archaeologists Uncover World’s Oldest Known Nursing Home (August 18, 2025) also Christian Nursing Home Found in Northern Israel: Uncovering the Earliest Byzantine Elder-Care Institution (August 19, 2025)

New Analysis Suggests 3,800-Year-Old Egyptian Inscription Mentions Moses (August 19, 2025)

Rare Hellenistic Weight Inscribed with Name of Official Seized in Jerusalem (August 20, 2025) also Ancient lead weight of fair-trade official found by Israel's antiquities theft unit (August 20, 2025)

Rare Gold Coin of Egyptian Queen Berenice II Unearthed in the City of David (August 20, 2025) also Ancient gold coin discovered in Jerusalem, shedding light on Second Temple period (August 20, 2025); Small but significant: Ancient Egyptian coin reshapes view of Jerusalem between Temple periods (August 21, 2025)



STUDY: Silver Was Currency in the Land of Israel Long Before Coins Appeared (August 24, 2025)

Ancient Dam Uncovered in the City of David Linked to Kings of Judah (August 26, 2025) also New dating of dam discovered in City of David opens floodgate of questions about Jerusalem’s history (August 26, 2025); Archaeologists Unearth Israel’s Largest Ancient Dam in City of David (August 27, 2025)

Ancient Baptisery, Cathedral Found While Renovating French Shopping Hall (August 28, 2025)

Israeli archaeologists discover 2,000-year-old Hebrew inscription in City of David (August 28, 2025) also Discovered in City of David: A 2,000-Year-Old Receipt Reveals Daily Commerce in Second Temple Jerusalem (August 29, 2025)



Inside Israel’s vast archaeological world (August 30, 2025)



4,000-Year-Old Lamp Wicks Unearthed in Yehud Among Oldest in the World (August 31, 2025) also 4,000-year-old lamp wicks shed light on ancient burial rituals; Israeli archaeologists unearth well-preserved 4,000-year-old lamp wicks (September 2, 2025)



Bethsaida discovery? Israeli archaeologists believe they found Peter’s hometown by Sea of Galilee (August 31, 2025)

Ancient Samaritan Estate With Colorful Mosaics Unearthed in Kafr Qasim (September 2, 2025) also 1,600-year-old Samaritan estate unearthed in central Israel (September 2, 2025); A Glimpse into a Lavish Samaritan Agricultural Estate at Kafr Qasim (September 2, 2025); Archaeologists uncover 'magnificent' Samaritan agricultural estate in central Israel (September 3, 2025)



Israel unveils digital archaeological database with millions of ancient records (September 9, 2025) also Israel Unveils One of the World’s Largest Digital Archaeological Databases (September 12, 2025); Israeli researchers develop computer tool to study Dead Sea Scrolls (September 17, 2025); Vast collection of antiquities now online as Israel launches new archaeological database (September 21, 2025)



New discovery in the City of David changes what we knew about the Pool of Siloam (September 17, 2025)

Rare coin hoard unearthed in Galilee reveals hidden chapter of Jewish revolt against Rome (September 18, 2025) also Ancient coin stash used by Jewish rebels in fight against Rome discovered (September 18, 2025); Hidden Galilee Complex Yields Coins from Last Jewish Revolt Under Rome (September 18, 2025); Ancient Coin Hoard Reveals Last Chapter of Jewish Resistance in Roman Judea and Samaria (September 19, 2025)

Hoard of Gold Coins and Jewelry Discovered During Excavations at Hippos (September 25, 2025) also Trove of ancient gold coins discovered on Golan Heights (September 25, 2025); Archaeologists discover 'one of the largest hoards' of Byzantine era coins found in Israel during Galilee dig (September 25, 2025)

Evidence for the biblical Temple of Solomon: Ancient beams and modern discoveries (September 19, 2025) also A small but unique discovery: Phoenician presence and Solomon’s Temple (September 27, 2025) and Was King Solomon real? Archaeological clues to Israel’s golden age (October 18, 2025)



Cosmic Rays Reveal Hidden Chambers Beneath Ancient Jerusalem (October 1, 2025)

Archaeologists uncover 1,500-year-old synagogue in Golan Heights (October 5, 2025) also Ancient synagogue discovered in the Golan, testifying to Jewish ties to the area (October 5, 2025); Ancient 1,500-Year-Old Synagogue Unearthed in the Golan Reveals Flourishing Jewish Life in Antiquity (October 6, 2025); 1,500-Year-Old Synagogue Unearthed in Golan Heights Reveals Ancient Jewish Presence (October 9, 2025); https://www.facebook.com/reel/786188881066853

For the first time in Jerusalem: an Assyrian inscription from the First Temple period was discovered (October 22, 2025) also First Temple era artifact unearthed in Jerusalem (October 22, 2025); Rare First Temple-era Assyrian inscription found in Jerusalem confirms connection with ancient Judah; Ancient Assyrian Tax Inscription Found Near Temple Mount (October 23, 2025)





Archaeologist says Jordan sites match biblical account of Sodom’s fall (October 26, 2025) also New Archaeological Evidence Points to Sodom and Gomorrah’s Location Near the Dead Sea (October 31, 2025)

Foxes in Bethsaida: Hints of Lamentations Prophecy and Harbinger of Hope for Jews and Christians in the Holy Land (November 3, 2025)

Ancient Winepress and Canaanite Ritual Artifacts Unearthed Near Tel Megiddo Reveal Early Settlement Expansion in Jezreel Valley (November 5, 2025) also ‘Smoking gun’ of ancient wine production unearthed in northern Israel (November 5, 2025); 5,000-Year-Old Winepress and Canaanite Relics Discovered in Northern Israel



New Atlas Reveals Roman Roads 50% More Extensive Than Previously Known (November 12, 2025)

Ancient Silver Goblet from Judean Hills Bears Earliest Known Image of Creation (November 16, 2025)

When Migratory Birds Filled the Carmel Plain: New Study Revives a Biblical Landscape (November 21, 2025)

New Radiocarbon Study Reopens the Door to an Exodus Timeline Rooted in the Days of Pharaoh Ahmose (November 30, 2025)

AI Unlocks 1,000 Years of Jewish History Hidden in Cairo’s Sacred Archives (November 30, 2025)

Israeli archaeologists uncover remains of dramatic mountaintop royal palace (December 4, 2025) also Ancient Fortress Excavation Reveals Hidden Jewish Royal Palace (December 5, 2025)

Ancient Hasmonean Wall Uncovered in Jerusalem: Evidence of Maccabean Power and Mysterious Destruction (December 8, 2025) also Archaeologists uncover huge Hasmonean-era wall in Jerusalem as Hanukkah approaches (December 9, 2025); City of David Excavation Reveals Massive Hasmonean Period Wall (December 9, 2025)



First material evidence of Judah Maccabee’s battlefield discovered near Jerusalem (December 10, 2025) also Hanukkah Discovery Evidence of Judah Maccabee’s 163 BCE Battle Uncovered Near Jerusalem (December 11, 2025); Hanukkah miracle: Israel discovers evidence of Judah Maccabee’s battlefield near Jerusalem (December 11, 2025)

Rare 1,400-year-old menorah pendant found near Western Wall sheds light on Byzantine Jewish life (December 15, 2025) also Ancient menorah pendant discovered under Temple Mount puzzles archaeologists (December 15, 2025); Underground Judaism: Menorah pendant discovery from Byzantine era suggests Jews still worshipped in Jerusalem despite being banned (December 15, 2025); A rare, 1,300-year-old lead pendant decorated with a menorah symbol uncovered by Temple Mount (December 18, 2025)

Rare Hasmonean-era oil lamp discovery near Jerusalem revealed on first night of Hanukkah (December 16, 2025)

2,700 year-old Hebrew clay inscription found in Jerusalem reveals first mention of Bethlehem outside the Bible (December 25, 2025)

Rare gold coins, ring discovered in Judean Wilderness point to Byzantine Christian past (December 26, 2025)

Mikveh from final days of the Second Temple discovered beneath Western Wall Plaza (December 29, 2025) also Second Temple-era mikveh discovered near the Western Wall (December 29, 2025); Road Construction Leads to the Discovery of Rare Cave System in Samaria (December 31, 2025); 2,000-year-old Jewish ritual bath discovered near Second Temple site (January 1, 2026)

1,600-year-old gold bead found in Jerusalem's City of David

The gold bead that was discovered in the excavations of the Antiquities Authority in the City of David (Photo: Kobi Harathi)

As reported by Israel365 News, February 8, 2023:

A unique gold bead dating back to at least 1,600 years ago was found by an 18-year-old Israeli volunteer as she was sifting dirt from the excavation to uncover a magnificent building on the Pilgrimage Road, the Israel Antiquities Authority announced Wednesday.

“Throughout all my years in archaeology, I have found gold perhaps once or twice, so to find gold jewelry, is something very very special,” said Dr. Amir Golani, an ancient jewelry expert at the IAA. “Whoever could afford a piece like this made from gold, was an affluent person, with means.”

The bead was crafted by affixing ten minuscule pieces of pure gold together in the shape of a ring, a technique that probably originated in Mesopotamia, where it is known to have been used already 4,500 years ago. It was likely part of a necklace.

“The most interesting aspect of the bead is its unique and complex production method,” Golani added. “A good understanding of the materials and their properties is required, as well as control over the heat, in order to on the one hand, solder the tiny balls together to create a tiny ring, while also preventing overheating which may lead all the gold to melt.”

According to the IAA experts, the bead might have been older than the structure where it was found, and it could have been brought there from outside the region.

The building where the artifact originated was at least 25 meters long.

“The wealth of the building’s occupants is evidenced by additional finds that were discovered in it, like imported clay vessels and a decorated mosaic floor,” said Shlomo Greenberg and Ari Levy, Excavation Directors on behalf of the IAA.

Archaeologists have been working on uncovering the impressive “Pilgrimage Road” – which connected the pool of Siloam to the Temple Mount – for about a decade. The site is part of the City of David’s archaeological park. The dirt removed from the site is brought to the nearby Emek Tzurim National Park to be sifted, mostly by volunteers.

“I saw something shiny in the corner of the sieve, different, that I don’t normally see,” said Hallel Feidman, the 18-year-old volunteer who found the bead. “I immediately approached the archaeologist and he confirmed that I found a gold bead. Everyone here was very excited.”

As reported by All Israel News, February 9, 2023:

...“Whoever could afford a piece like this made from gold, was an affluent person, with means,” he said. “A good understanding of the materials and their properties is required, as well as control over the heat, in order to, on the one hand, solder the tiny balls together to create a tiny ring, while also preventing overheating which may lead all the gold to melt.”

“Only a professional craftsman could produce such a bead, which is another reason that this find holds great value,” Golani said.

The crafting technique was probably Mesopotamian and is known to have existed about 4,500 years ago. The combination of a foreign crafting technique and the use of gold indicates the wealth of the owner. While it is possible the bead was crafted in another region and brought to the City of David through trade, it my also have been part of a family heirloom, passed down from generation to generation...

...Similar beads, crafted from silver, were discovered in the Ketef Hinnom caves southwest of the City of David, during excavations led by Professor Gabriel Barkay. Those beads were dated to the end of the First Temple period. However, only a few dozen golden beads have been found in Israel so far.

Part of the magnificent Roman structure inside which the bead was discovered (Photo: Kobi Harathi)

Archaeology and biblical history items, September 2022-January 2023

Here are more items related to archaeology and biblical history that I've been too negligent to post. I don't feel like posting entire items, but the reader may find the full articles by clicking on the links below.

Dropping water levels reveal new archaeological sites, artefacts in Euphrates, Tigris rivers (September 8, 2022) (also here)

Rare First Temple-period papyrus found in Montana, returned to Israel (September 8, 2022) (also here)

Extremely rare Judean quarter-shekel coin repatriated to Israel from the U.S. (September 13, 2022) (also here)

Tomb from time of Pharaoh containing ancient finds, discovered on beach in Israel (September 18, 2022)

The ‘most beautiful’ Byzantine-area mosaic floors discovered in Gaza uncovered by local farmer (September 19, 2022)

Ancient burial cave with dozens of unique artifacts found in central Israel (September 27, 2022)

40 pure gold coins found stashed in a wall during excavations in northern Israel (October 3, 2022)

Greek monastery manuscripts tell new story of Ottoman rule (October 21, 2022) (also here)

Research by Israeli universities confirms truth of biblical accounts of Egyptian, Aramean, Assyrian and Babylonian military campaigns against Israel and Judah (October 25, 2022) (also here)

U.S. archivists find oldest-known star map in Egypt beneath ancient Christian Syriac manuscript (October 28, 2022) (also here)

Ancient Christian monastery discovered in Middle East predates emergence of Islam (November 4, 2022)

Canaanite inscription lamenting a plague of lice unearthed in biblical Lachish (November 9, 2022)

Newly discovered mosaics in Galilee’s “Burnt Church” shed light on early Christianity (November 22, 2022) (also here)

3,000-year-old Canaanite scarab found by Israeli schoolchildren during field trip near Tel Aviv (November 30, 2022) (also here)

Ancient Roman Road discovered in Galilee (December 5, 2022)

2,200 year old Greek “Hercules” sling bullet discovered in central Israel (December 8, 2022) (also here)

Rare Antiochus IV coin discovered in suspected thief's house in northern Israel (December 9, 2022)

2,200-year-old coins found in Judean Desert support historical account of the Maccabees, say archaeologists (December 13, 2022) (also here)

Rare 2,000-year-old ‘Temple tax’ silver coin found near Temple Mount (December 14, 2022)

Roman-era cemetery discovered in Gaza (December 17, 2022)

Israeli archaeologists find earliest evidence of use of cotton in the Middle East (December 18, 2022)

Inscriptions confirm biblical account of King Hezekiah (December 19, 2022)

2,000-year-old tomb associated with Jesus’ midwife Salome uncovered in Judean lowlands (December 20, 2022) (also here)

Israeli children find 2,000-year-old oil lamp in northern Israel (December 21, 2022)

Twenty ancient tombs, full of tiles and amulets, found in city of Damietta in the Nile Delta in Egypt (December 22, 2022)

Scientists use new technology to recreate face of Pharaoh who may have ruled over the Exodus (December 26, 2022)

Biblical Siloam Pool next to Temple Mount to be fully excavated (December 27, 2022)

People in biblical Levant paid in silver 3,600 years ago, study shows (January 8, 2023)

What’s new in the ancient City of David? (January 9, 2023)

Israeli archaeologists uncover 6th-century Church with unique mosaics near Jericho (January 12, 2023)

4,000-year-old ostrich eggs eaten in prehistoric Israel uncovered in the Negev (January 12, 2023)

Archaeologists discover 18th dynasty tomb in Egypt (January 18, 2023)

Mesha Stele Mystery solved: King David was real, researchers say (January 17, 2023)

1,300-year-old luxurious fabrics found in the Arava offer proof of ‘Israeli Silk Road’ (January 19, 2023)

1,000-year-old Jerusalem Old City moat, mysterious carved handprint discovered (January 25, 2023) (also here)

Excavations underneath Western Wall may eventually connect to City of David (January 25, 2023)

1,200-year-old rural estate discovered in Israel's Negev Desert

As reported by Israel365 News, August 23, 2022 (photos in original, link inserted by blogger):

A 1,200-year-old luxurious rural estate, the first of its kind in the Negev, was exposed in the archaeological excavations carried out by the Israel Antiquities Authority and funded by the government through the Authority for the Development and Settlement of the Bedouin, prior to the expansion of the town of Rahat. A surprise awaited the archaeologists in the building courtyard: a unique vaulted complex overlying a three-meter-deep rock-hewn water cistern.

Aerial view of the rural estate uncovered in Rahat, with the vaulted complex in the centre. The estate is the first of its kind discovered in the Negev. Aerial photographs: Emil Aladjem Israel Antiquities Authority

The building, dated to the Early Islamic period (8th-9th centuries CE), was constructed around a central courtyard, and it comprised four wings with rooms to serve the needs of the residents. In one wing, there was a hall paved with a marble and stone floor and walls decorated with frescoes (wall paintings on damp plaster). The extant small fresco fragments were finely colored in red, yellow, blue and black. Other rooms in the building had plaster floors, and in other rooms, very large ovens—probably for cooking—were uncovered. Amongst the small finds were fragments of delicate decorated glass serving dishes.

The hall paved with marble and stone floor. Photograph: Emil Aladjem, Israel Antiquities Authority

According to Oren Shmueli, Dr. Elena Kogan-Zehavi and Dr. Noé D. Michael, the directors of the Israel Antiquities Authority excavations: “This is a unique discovery unknown until today. We were surprised to discover a complex of stone-built vaults at a depth of 5.5 m below the courtyard, standing to a height of 2.5 m. The vaults were carefully constructed, and they probably led into additional underground complexes that have not yet been uncovered. Our biggest surprise was the discovery of an opening below the vaulted rooms, that led into a deep rock-hewn cistern. It seems that the stone-built underground vaults were built as storerooms to store foodstuffs at fairly cool temperatures, and the supporting vaulted structures enabled the residents to move around underground safely and comfortably, to protect themselves from the scorching summer heat, and to drink cool water from the adjacent cistern. The clay oil lamp sherds retrieved on the vault floors were used for lighting the dark rooms, providing evidence for the residents’ activity here.

The underground vaults. Photograph: Oren Shmueli, Israel Antiquities Authority

The water cistern. Photograph: Emil Aladjem, Israel Antiquities Authority

Fragments of luxurious decorated delicate glass vessels are evidence for the wealth of the estate owners. Photograph: Yoli Schwartz, Israel Antiquities Authority

“The luxurious estate and the unique impressive underground vaults are evidence of the owners’ means. Their high status and wealth allowed them to build a luxurious mansion that served as a residence and for entertaining; we can study the construction methods and architectural styles, as well as learn about daily life in the Negev at the beginning of Islamic rule”, say the excavation directors.

According to Eli Eskosido, Director of the Israel Antiquities Authority, “ The excavation in Rahat is the result of close cooperation between the Israel Antiquities Authority and the Authority for the Development and Settlement of the Bedouin. In the excavation, the luxurious estate was uncovered in an area located between two ancient mosques, perhaps among the earliest ever discovered. By good chance, and much to the local population’s interest and excitement, the Islamic building remains have been discovered in the area planned for expanding the town of Rahat. The Israel Antiquities Authority and the Authority for the Development and Settlement of the Bedouin are planning together to conserve and exhibit the finds to the general public.”

On Thursday, 25/8/2022 the Israel Antiquities Authority and the Authority for the Development and Settlement of the Bedouin are opening the site to the public for free tours of the site, and for family digging and sieving activities. For details and registration, see the Israel Antiquities Authority Facebook Page.

Second Temple-era fortified village discovered in southern Samaria

As reported by All Israel News, August 20, 2022 (bold, photo, in original, link inserted by blogger):

Ruins of the Khirbet el-Qutt village (Photo: Screenshot)

The Land of Israel Studies and Archaeology department at Bar-Ilan University has turned its focus to uncovering a fortified village believed to have existed at the time of the Bar Kokhba Revolt in 132-135 A.D.

Ruins of the Khirbet el-Qutt village can be seen near the “Lebonah Ascent” in southern Samaria, overlooking the route to Jerusalem from Samaria and Shechem (where the modern Arab town of Nablus sits). The Lebonah Ascent is surrounded by steep slopes, except where it connected to hilltops toward the south.

The village has been called “Kfar Lakitia,” named after one of the three Roman garrisons Emperor Hadrian stationed at the end of the revolt. Khirbet el-Qutt features a subterranean wine cellar that was converted into a hiding place, according to BibleWalks.com.

Dr. Dvir Raviv is leading the current excavation of Khirbet el-Qutt, whose area extends across about five acres. The late Professor Zecharia Kallai of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem’s Institute of Archaeology first surveyed the site at the end of the 1960s. Kallai reported finding remains of walls, cisterns, caves and pottery from the Early Bronze Age, as well as Iron Age II, and the Roman and Byzantine periods.

A late-1990s survey by the archaeology department of the Civil Administration in Judea and Samaria unearthed a miqveh, or Jewish ritual bath, 500 meters south-southeast of the ruins.

Another survey in late 2014 recorded a second miqveh, along with the remains of buildings, cisterns, caves, quarries, agricultural installations and burial caves.

The Ritual Miqveh

Raviv’s latest survey uncovered the remains of three ritual baths, though one miqveh was exposed recently during illegal looting of the area. The miqveh features an entrance-way with six steps leading to the small, oval-shaped immersion chamber. The walls are lined with gray plaster, typical for the Early Roman period.

The Hiding Complex

A small double-chamber subterranean complex, strewn with sherds of storage and cooking vessels – dating back to the period between the Great Revolt against the Romans and the Bar-Kokhba Revolt – indicate the former wine cellar had been used for hiding.

It is difficult to identify this complex as a hiding place due to the absence of tunnels, except for the presence of the ceramic remains. It is possible that the hardness of the surrounding stone prevented tunnels and additional rooms from being formed.

Dozens of hiding complexes found in recent years in the northern Judean Hills indicate the nature of the stone in the area often forced masons to maximally exploit pre-existing subterranean spaces, and to create short tunnels or a small, simple passage system.

Water Cisterns

Excavators uncovered six water cisterns whose walls were covered with numerous layers of plaster – a nod toward the Early Roman period, inlaid with sherds that might date to the Byzantine period. They are quite similar to the water cisterns of the Royal Hasmonean and Herodian fortresses, built throughout the Hasmonean kingdom.

Fortress or Monastery

The remains of a monumental 900-square-meter building, built of large dressed stones, was uncovered on the eastern slopes. The building style and limited pottery found at the site suggest the remains of a monastery or fort from the Late Roman or Byzantine periods.

The Necropolis

A cemetery extends to the south, consisting of at least 18 tombs. One contains ossuary fragments and a few Early Roman sherds. The number and types of tombs suggest that the site reached its maximum size during the Second Temple period.

Site History

Close to the main road and to the fertile Lebonah valley, Khirbet el-Qutt would have drawn inhabitants throughout history. Findings show evidence of occupation almost continuously from the Iron Age I until the early Muslim period, including during the Hellenistic and Roman periods.

The present survey showed that Khirbet el-Qutt’s settlement peaked during the Early Roman period, at the end of the Second Temple period. During the Byzantine period, the village’s occupants seem to have concentrated at the top of the hill and along its eastern slope, suggesting that a monastery might have stood there.

The development of settlement at the site, and its transition into a large fortified Jewish village, appear to have occurred during the late Hellenistic period, accompanied by the invasion and conquest of the area by the Hasmoneans – also known as the Maccabees. Other excavations in the area offer proof that the Hasmonean dynasty was marked by intensive settlement activity, from about 140 B.C. to 37 A.D.

Oldest extant printed pages are Hebrew liturgical poems from the mid-15th century

As reported by Adam Eliyahu Berkowitz of Israel365 News, August 17, 2022 (link, photos in original):

Hebrew piyutim printed in 1444 (Photo courtesy of Moshe Rosenfeld)

In March 2015, a Jerusalem book merchant took apart the cover of an old book and found inside it two old printed sheets in excellent condition. According to the merchant’s testimony, while he was drying the pages, an expert in ancient books entered his house and offered a large sum of money for the pages. The merchant did not agree and decided to pass the pages to the experts of the National Library of Israel for examination. He gave the pages to Yitzhak Yudlov, Institute for Hebrew Bibliography, located at the Jewish and National University Library in Jerusalem and a recognized expert.

The Jewish and National University Library kept possession of the pages for about a month and a half for the purposes of carrying out a thorough inspection. At the end of that period of time, Yudlov called the owner, who was abroad at the time. Yudlov told him that the pages were authentic and an especially rare find. The merchant arrived at the Jewish and National University Library, and Yitzhak Yudlov informed him that he thought these were sheets printed in Avignon, France in 1444-6, when an attempt was made to print a Hebrew book there. According to Yudlov, there are two documents located in the district archives in Avignon that relate details of this attempt at printing a Hebrew book.

On one of the sheets, a watermark depicting three hills inside two circles can be found. It is a very rare watermark, identified by Yudlov and Ephraim West as a being created in the first half of the 15th century.

In April 2015, Yitzhak Yudlov wrote his scholarly attestation regarding the sheets on a letterhead of the Institute for Hebrew Bibliography. In the attestation, he referred to the endeavor of printing a Hebrew book in 1444 that predated the printing of the Gutenberg Bible in 1455.

“In our opinion, these pages are remnants of that printing,” Yudlov wrote.

The merchant thought it would be good if Dr. Benjamin Richler, the Emeritus Director of the Institute of Microfilmed Hebrew Manuscripts (IMHM) in the Jewish and National University Library, would also write his opinion and translated the words of Yitzhak Yudlov. Yudlov had shown him the pages and even consulted with him on the matter. Dr. Benjamin Richler agreed to attach his description in English. Below is Dr. Richler’s letter:

(Photo courtesy Moshe Rosenfeld)

(Photo courtesy Moshe Rosenfeld)

It is worth noting that Prof. Malachi Beit Aryeh was also one of the people with whom Yudlov consulted. Prof. Malachi, who was a former director of the Jewish and National University Library, recommended performing a beta-radiography of the watermark which allows getting a picture of the watermark unobscured by the printed text. He put the merchant in touch with Mr. Hominer, the operator of the machine. The merchant paid for the service, and after the merchant took two copies of the beta-radiography of the watermarks, Prof. Malachi Beit Aryeh was given an additional copy.

Prof. Beit Aryeh also asked the merchant to leave the sheets for him for several days, and he agreed, though the professor did not return the sheets for several weeks.

Later research discovered other examples of the watermark described as “three hills in two circles” in two manuscripts in the National Library in Vienna. The Three Hills watermark was used by a family of paper makers in Fabriano Italy. The other examples of the watermark were dated to 1418 and 1439. It is important to note that no examples of this watermark have been found to have been used anywhere after 1439. Other examples were found in Perpignan in the south of France from 1418, recorded by Briquet, as well as in Palermo in Sicily. Another example of the watermark was found at the Ambrosiana Library in Milan on a manuscript dating from 1431.

On August 6, 2018, the antique book dealer, Moshe Rossenfeld published an article signed by the late Yeshayahu Vinograd, concluding that according to all of the experts, the pages were from the oldest known mechanical printing press, produced in 1444-6.

The pages were subsequently sold and the buyer, who is the current owner, tried to sell it in the United States. He encountered difficulties as some people made anonymous claims that the pages were not authentic.

The pages were taken to the Forensic Institute in Jerusalem, under the management of Avner Rosengarten, a world-renowned expert in the field of forgery, and a former senior official in the Police Forensic Identification Laboratory. Rosengarten inspected the pages and determined that they were not forged.

Further research from archives dating to 1444 revealed that one Procopius Waldvogel, a silversmith by trade, arrived in Avignon at that period and borrowed money based on his invention of a mechanical printing press. His claim predates that of Johannes Gutenberg from Mainz, Germany who began printing on a mechanical press using movable type in 1450. It is widely recognized by historians that Gutenberg was not the first to do so and did not invent the process but he was, until now, believed to be the first European to do so.

According to the notarial archives in Avignon, Waldvogel and his partners produced “27 Hebrew letters from iron and steel” and also letters in Latin for the purposes of printing a Hebrew book. It is believed that the effort was unsuccessful for reasons that remain unclear but that some samples were produced. The book was to have been a collection of “piyutim”; Jewish liturgical poems sung during selichot, penitential prayers.

A document from the central archive in Avignon recorded the agreement between the partners leading to the preparation of metal moving Hebrew letters.

“This is neither a small affair nor a personal one,” Moshe Rosenfeld told Israel365. “Before us is a discovery that establishes a connection between Hebrew and the invention of the printing press.”

Agreement to print Hebrew piyutim 1444 (Photo courtesy Moshe Rosenfeld)

"Divination bones" discovered in southern Israel

As reported by Sarah Katz of Israel365 News, August 16, 2022 (link, photos in original):

Let no one be found among you who consigns his son or daughter to the fire, or who is an augur, a soothsayer, a diviner, a sorcerer,one who casts spells, or one who consults ghosts or familiar spirits, or one who inquires of the dead. Deuteronomy 18:9 (The Israel BibleTM)

The dice assemblage. Photo credit: Yoli Schwartz, Israel Antiquities Authority

A rare assemblage of “astragali”—animal knuckle bones used for gaming and divination—dating from the Hellenistic period (2300 years ago), was uncovered by Dr. Ian Stern in the Maresha-Bet Guvrin National Park in the Judean Shefelah in southern Israel. This exceptionally large assemblage, were published recently for the first time in the British archaeological journal LEVANT, was studied by Dr. Lee Perry-Gal of the Israel Antiquities Authority, Prof. Adi Erlich of the Zinman Institute of Archaeology, University of Haifa, Dr. Avner Ecker of the Department of Land of Israel Studies in University of Bar Ilan, and Dr. Ian Stern of the Nelson Glueck School of Archaeology, Hebrew Union College, Jerusalem. The assemblage was discovered several years ago, in the huge underground cave complex below the ancient city of Maresha.

The “astragali”—knuckle bones of goats, sheep and cattle—were used similarly to dice for gaming and for ritual divination, mainly by women and children. Some of the knuckle bones were shaved down, or perforated, or filled with lead, to be thrown more effectively, as dice.

The dice bear god names and game instructions. Photo credit: Roi Shafir, University of Haifa

Tens of the dice bore Greek inscriptions: some were engraved with the names of gods associated in ancient times with human wishes and desires. Aphrodite, the goddess of fertility, love and beauty, Eros, the god of love, the god Hermes, the goddess Hera, and Nike, the goddess of victory, appear amongst other gods. On other knuckle bones, game instructions and various game-roles are engraved, such as “Robber”, “Stop!”, “You are burnt”, etc.

The dice bear god names and game instructions. Photo credit: Roi Shafir, University of Haifa

According to Dr. Lee Perry-Gal, Israel Antiquities Authority zooarchaeologist and research fellow in the University of Haifa, “The assemblage of astragali from Maresha is very unique, specifically the large quantity and good quality, and the many inscriptions. The assemblage shows that in ancient times of distress, as today, people sought help from external factors, in magic and spells and in the world of the unknown. In the past, men, and especially women, struggled with an environment of uncertainty, death, childbirth, and health issues, and tried to protect themselves with the help of magic. In addition, we know that astragali were used for games. It is noteworthy that we have examples of children buried with similar gaming dice. The cubes, which were a popular gaming activity, had a role in accompanying children to the next world, to be used there”. Perry-Gal adds, “ Since the astragali symbolize good luck, it was customary to inter them under the house threshold, in the hope that they will bring good luck and prosperity.

Dr. Lee Perry-Gal holding the gaming dice. Photo credit: Yoli Schwartz, Israel Antiquities Authority.

“It is of interest that these knuckle bones are often found next to ostraca (pottery sherds with writing inscribed or written in ink), which bore Aramaic texts, such as, ‘Magical incantation’, or ‘If you do so, this will happen to you., which demonstrates their cultic role.

According to Dr. Perry-Gal, “The Hellenistic city of Maresha was one of the period’s melting-pots in the southern Levant. “Different populations and cultures lived side-by side here as neighbors, all subordinate to the Hellenistic rule. There lived here Edomites, Phoenicians, Nabateans and Jews, and the different peoples and cultures influenced each other.”

According to Eli Eskosido, Director of the Israel Antiquities Authority, “This fascinating research sheds light on the life and customs in the ancient world and reminds us that people are regular people all over the world. They dream and hope, and notwithstanding the harshness of daily life, they find time for playing and leisure.”

See video.

Giant prehistoric elephant tusk discovered in southern Israel

As reported by Michael Horovitz of The Times of Israel, August 31, 2022 (photo in original):

Archaeologists, paleontologists and conservators surround the tusk of a straight-tusked elephant, discovered at Kibbutz Revadim, southern Israel, in August 2022. (Photo credit: Yoli Schwartz/Israel Antiquities Authority)

A complete tusk from a large prehistoric elephant was uncovered near Kibbutz Revadim in southern Israel, archaeologists revealed on Wednesday.

The find was made earlier in August during a two-week excavation by Tel Aviv University and the Ben-Gurion University of the Negev called Operation Elephant.

The 2.5-meter-long remnant of the huge straight-tusked elephant — which is now extinct — was discovered by Dr. Eitan Mor, a biologist from Jerusalem, who organized a trip to the area out of curiosity about the elephants, according to an Israel Antiquities Authority statement.

“To my surprise, I spotted something that looked like a large animal bone peeping out of the ground. When I looked closer, I realized that it was ‘the real thing,’ so I rushed to report it to the Israel Antiquities Authority,” he said.

Scientists believe the elephant species, which would tower over their present-day descendants, arrived on Israel’s coastal plain about 800,000 years ago and died out approximately half a million years ago. According to the IAA, findings from elephants are rare and the fossil is “of great scientific interest.”

The IAA explained that past archaeological work at Revadim, where stone and flint tools and other fossilized remains have been discovered, revealed that humans had settled the area and hunted the elephants that roamed the region.

The IAA’s director, Eli Eskozido, noted that the find was of “primary importance for the academic community, but also of great public interest.”

He added that the authority plans to publicly display the tusk after conservation efforts at the IAA’s permanent exhibition hall in Jerusalem.

Prof. Israel Hershkovitz from the Dan David Center for Human Evolution and Biohistory at Tel Aviv University said that the fossil, which was said to be in very good condition, is also “extremely fragile” and efforts were made to protect it after the initial find.

“Now we are excavating it within its archaeological context, before transferring it to the Israel Antiquities Authority Conservation Laboratory, where it will be studied and conserved,” Hershkovitz said.

The discovery of the tusk leads to questions over its presence at Revadim, according to Prof. Ofer Marder of Ben-Gurion University and Dr. Ianir Milevski of the IAA’s Prehistoric Branch.

“Is the tusk the remains of a hunted elephant, or was it collected by the local prehistoric inhabitants? Did the tusk have social or spiritual significance?” the academics asked.

The IAA said the joint study aims to resolve the debates surrounding the prehistoric elephant hunters and their culture.

Israeli researchers discover evidence of Roman Army's power at the time of the destruction of the Second Temple

As reported by Israel365 News, August 8, 2022 (photos in original):

On the Fast of 9th Av, the Israel Antiquities Authority presented the results of a new research project that sheds light on the power of the Roman army, and the spots of their attack on Jerusalem in the battle that led to the destruction of the Second Temple.

“The Fast of the 9th Av commemorates the day of the destruction of the Second Temple,” says Israel Antiquities Authority researcher Kfir Arbiv. “The Temple was destroyed in 70 CE, after a four-month siege and an intensive battle led by the Roman general Titus in order to conquer the city and suppress the revolt initiated by the Jews four years earlier. The Romans had a well-trained massive army, equipped with the best military innovations of their day. It was a ruthless war machine.”

Arbiv systematically recorded Roman military equipment retrieved in excavations in Jerusalem, many of which were found in the excavations that he directed, together with Dr. Rina Avner, in the Russian Compound, adjacent to the Jerusalem Municipality building. The Roman Arsenal exposed to date includes hundreds of different-sized ballista stones that were launched from sophisticated bolt-throwing machines to a distance of 100–400 m, small slingstones used by trained infantry, and catapult machines that launched spearheads for a distance of 150–200 m. Spears, swords and arrowheads, including heavy arrowheads that could penetrate armor.

Spearhead from the battle against the Roman army. Photograph: Clara Amit, Israel Antiquities Authority

“We know from the historical sources that the Roman army employed massive siege rams to batter the fortification walls, and siege towers that reached the height of the walls, but these have not yet been found in Jerusalem,” says Amit Reem, director of Israel Antiquities Authority Jerusalem Region.

Arbiv’s research focused on the hundreds of ballista stones, and his analysis defined different sizes and weights. Some, directed against people, were launched against the walls to prevent the Jewish rebels from emerging above the walls, and other heavier ones were launched fiercely against the walls to penetrate them.

The ballista stones, the physical evidence of the battle that took place 2000 years ago, are visible on the floor. Photograph: Yoli Schwartz, Israel Antiquities Authority

Ballista stone balls of different dimensions. Photograph: Kfir Arbiv, Israel Antiquities Authority

According to Arbiv, “With the help of the computer, I located all the ballista exactly where they were found. I took into account the local topography and the location of the Second Temple-period city fortification walls, and I made ballistic calculations, including the launching angle, and the throwing distance of the stones. All the data was compared to the renown Jewish historian Josephus’ contemporary detailed descriptions of the battle, and the conquest and destruction of Jerusalem, in his book, ‘The History of the Jewish War against the Romans’.”

According to the research, some of the Roman army artillery machines were located in the center of the modern city of Jerusalem, in the Nahalat Hashiva area, nicknamed ‘Cats’ Square’.

The research also shows for the first time, the probable pots where the Roman army penetrated the city. The Russian Compound excavations exposed part of the Third Wall, the third line of defense that surrounded the city. An exceptionally large concentration of ballista stones was found at one point, some broken after use. It was evident that the Roman army concentrated their efforts here, and hundreds, if not thousands of ballista stones, were directed to this spot. “This is not surprising,” says Arbiv, “as whoever controls this spot, dominates the whole area and the fate of the city. This aligns with Josephus’ account that Titus commanded to penetrate the city from the northwestern side of the city wall.”

According to Eli Eskosido, Director of the Israel Antiquities Authority: “The physical evidence of the huge resources employed by the Roman army in Jerusalem, reflect the extremely harsh battles that eventually led to the destruction of the Second Temple. Notwithstanding the internal factions and the impossible odds, a small group of Jewish defenders withheld the Romans for a few moths until the tragic destruction of the city. The use of up-to-date research methods reveal more and more on the fascinating history of Jerusalem.”