Archaeology

Ancient wildfires in the Levant may have inspired Neolithic pottery-making, Israeli study suggests

Pottery appeared in the region during roughly the same broad period in which fires, erosion and clay deposition reached their peak. 

A Yarmukian juglet found in a cave in Samaria.
Obsidian convergent scraper found in Ararat-1 cave, Armenia, in 2019.

Israeli researchers use ancient stone tools to trace hunter-gatherer migrations

Ararat-1 Cave, Armenia.

Prehistoric hunter-gatherers stayed connected across 200 kilometers, Israeli study finds

‘Macbeth’ (see Sunday).

Jerusalem highlights: October 23-29


‘We’re all in the same boat,’ Noah's Ark researcher tells ‘Post’ at Turkey’s Durupinar site

The radar team had come from the US, Atila said, but due to heavy rain and other constraints, only had seven days to work on the site. He noted that the team is expected to return in 2027.

The Durupinar site in in Dogubayazit, eastern Turkey, October 22, 2026.

Backyard find: Egyptian farmer unearths statue fragments believed to depict Ramesses II

Alongside the statue fragments, a pink granite block bearing several hieroglyphic inscriptions, including two of Ramesses’ titles: “Nesu-Bity,” meaning “King of Upper and Lower Egypt,” and "Sa Ra."

Head of Ramesses II statue fragment found at Behbeit El Hagar, Egypt, October 20, 2026.

Israel returns 22 artifacts to Greece in first antiquities repatriation between Jerusalem, Athens

The antiquities had been seized during an operation conducted by the IAA's Theft Prevention Unit, before being identified as those belonging to Greece.

Greek Culture Minister Lina Mendoni (L) and Israeli Ambassador to Greece Pninat Yanay (R) viewing the returned antiquities at the National Archaeological Museum in Athens, October 13, 2026.

Archaeologists unearth medieval convent’s heating system during renovations in Switzerland

Gnadental convent was built outside Basel's city wall for Franciscans around 1231, later becoming a temporary home for several orders.

Inside the medieval heating system found in Basel, Switzerland, October 9, 2026.

Israel unearths 2,000-year-old section of Jerusalem aqueduct that brought water to Temple Mount

The aqueduct was part of a sophisticated ancient water system that carried spring water from the Gush Etzion area to the Temple Mount in Jerusalem through Solomon’s Pools. 

Aerial view of the Jerusalem Lower Aqueduct uncovered near Ramat Rachel, October 11, 2026.

WWII air-raid shelter buried beneath German playground rediscovered during construction work

During the time of the German Democratic Republic (GDR), the shelter was partially back-filled through the ventilation shafts, before a playground was built over it and the structure below forgotten.

Inside the WWII-era air-raid shelter discovered in Saxony-Anhalt, October 9, 2026.

Archaeologists discover lost temple to war god near abandoned Roman military fort in Germany

Alongside the temple’s remains, archaeologists found inscribed two votive stones, a statuette of the goddess Victoria, and additional statue fragments, at the site. 

Excavations near Kapersburg in Germany, October 9, 2026.

Multi-million Herod’s Pools renovation project begins amid gov’t push to promote West Bank tourism

Sukkot, echoing Smotrich’s words, calling the neglect of Herod’s Pools “an injustice,” noting that he is pleased with Smotrich’s and the Settlement Administration’s “swift response.”

Israelis hang out at the ancient archaeological site known as Herod's Pool on July 31, 2026.

Ancient Greek elegy dedicated to judge found in ancient Egyptian tomb sealed with protection spells

Its 19-lines of ancient Greek text is written in red ink, dedicated to a person named "Pesikhtis," who, according to preliminary study, may have held the position of judge.

Egyptian funerary stele written in ancient Greek recently found during excavations at the Dakhla Oasis, Egypt, October 2, 2026.

Excavations near ancient Turkish port may have found Alexander the Great’s soldiers tombs - report

According to AA, an initial survey of the necropolis identified at least 30 rock-cut tombs and chest-type graves scattered across the site. As of now, only 10 have been fully uncovered.

Mosaic showing Alexander the Great on a horse, June 25, 2026.