Israel Antiquities Authority

Israel uncovers Second Temple-period mikveh beneath Western Wall

The ritual bath was found sealed beneath a layer of destruction dated to 70 CE, in which researchers found burned ash and numerous artifacts that offer a snapshot of life just before the city fell.

THE RITUAL purification bath (mikveh) from the Second Temple period.
Drone imagery of an archaeological site.

Israeli AI, drone imagery revolutionizing mapping of archaeological sites

AN ANCIENT menorah pendant from the Byzantine period, found in Jerusalem.

Ancient lead menorah pendant sheds light on Jewish presence in Byzantine Jerusalem

Archaeologist Amit Re'em and Eilat Lieber, director of the Tower of David Jerusalem Museum stand atop the recently uncovered section of the Hasmonean wall.

Hasmonean era 'first wall' section revealed at Tower of David museum excavation - interview


Benyamin Storchan: An archaeologist who really digs Israel

While fully employed at the IAA, he earned a master’s degree at Bar-Ilan University and is now a doctoral candidate at Ben-Gurion University. 

 Benyamin Storchan is seen uncovering an ancient olive press in Pisgat Ze'ev, Jerusalem.

Archaeologists discovered a unique structure in the City of David

The team believes that the structure was in use until the 8th century BCE, the middle of the period when the Kings of Judah ruled.

 A scarab seal from the 8th century BCE uncovered during the excavation.

Israeli researchers unearth unique Byzantine-era monastery near Kiryat Gat

"The mosaic discovered in Kiryat Gat is one of the most unique ever found in Israel," said Mark Avrahami, Head of Artistic Conservation at the Israel Antiquities Authority.

 Byzantine era monastery uncovered near Kiryat Gat

Ten-year-old boy finds 100-year-old golden cross medallion in Jerusalem

“This cross medallion is not considered an antiquity by law as it is ‘only’ 100-200 hundred years old or so, but it is a unique object," said Dr Re'em of IAA.

 Cross medallion inset with glass and tiny precious stones.

A Ming mystery: Earliest known Chinese inscription in Israel discovered in Jerusalem

While ancient Chinese porcelain has been found in Israel before, this is the first discovery featuring actual Chinese inscription.

 The fragment of the colorful bowl originating in China.

Girl finds 3,500-year-old Egyptian scarab amulet during family trip in Hod Hasharon

After looking online, the family realized the importance of the object and contacted the Israel Antiquities Authority.

 The scorpionis also the symbol of the Egyptian goddess Serket.

Anatolia's gladiators: Ancient stelae offer new insights into their complex lives

Grave stelae found in the provinces of Anatolia are a main source of information about Roman gladiators.

Artwork showing gladiators riding on elephants and horses in a a Roman amphitheatre. A print by Professor Wagner.

Recent excavations reveal King Sennacherib's military impact on the economy of the Kingdom of Judah

Excavations in Jerusalem revealed that Sennacherib’s 701 BCE military campaign impacted Judah's economy, uncovering administrative changes under King Hezekiah.

 The Judahite stamp impressions are being displayed to the public for the first time at at the Jay and Jeanie Schottenstein National Campus for the Archaeology of Israel.

Gods and monsters: Ancient Greek wall paintings in Ashkelon to be made accessible to public

The paintings depict Greek mythological characters such as Demeter, Medusa, and nymphs and include floral decorations and images relating to nature. 

Demeter,  Greek mythology goddess, appears on the ceiling of the vaulted structure.

Newly discovered biblical moat in Jerusalem reveals city's ancient fortifications

A 3,500-year-old trench found in Jerusalem's City of David reveals the city's northern fortification, resolving a 150-year-old debate.

 Prof. Yuval Gadot of the Tel Aviv University next to the northern side of the moat which protected Jerusalem, and alongside him carved bedrock channels.