Ancient history
A short history of games of chance in the Middle East
From ancient dice and royal game boards to modern digital platforms, the Middle East's long relationship with games of chance reveals a timeless fascination with luck, fate and uncertainty.
Frescos from famed Etruscan tomb go on display in Rome after multi-million euro purchase by Italy
A historical overview of gambling in the Middle East
Turkey places site of Alexander the Great’s first battle with Persians under historic protection
Residue from Roman vial reveals first evidence of ancient physicians' use of fecal medicine - study
The vial, also known as an unguentarium, is commonly believed to have held perfumes or cosmetic oils.
Elephant bone found at Spanish archaeological site may have marched on Rome with Hannibal - study
The finding represents the first elephant skeletal remains found to possibly confirm Hannibal’s historical march from Carthage to Italy during the Second Punic War.
Canine remains discovered in Bulgaria show dog meat may have been Iron Age delicacy - study
The Greeks, as well as the Thracians, who lived in what is now modern-day Bulgaria, are believed by researchers to have consumed dog meat.
Did giants exist? Ancient Egyptian papyrus points to proof of gargantuan Canaanite tribe, org says
The papyrus, known as Anastasi I, or “The Satirical Letter,” is believed by most to take the form of a somewhat mocking letter written between two army scribes.
Ancient tomb linked to King Midas’ family sheds new light on ancient kingdom
Discovered in 2010 and excavated since 2013, the tomb dates back to the ancient kingdom of Phrygia (1200 to 675 BCE), but is located more than 100 miles west of Gordion, the kingdom’s capital.
'Grandpa, look what we found': Huckabee family uncovers ancient coins in West Bank caves
US Ambassador Mike Huckabee and his family uncovered ancient coins and jar fragments dating to the Bar-Kochba Revolt during a tour near Na’ale in the Mateh Binyamin region.
Archaeologists find Switzerland’s oldest gold coins dating back 2,200 years
Two rare Celtic gold coins dating to the 3rd Century BCE were uncovered near Arisdorf, marking the oldest gold coins ever found in Switzerland, shedding light on ancient trade and ritual practices.
New frescoes unearthed in villa near Pompeii show 'extraordinary details and colors'
Archaeologists found a nearly complete peahen fresco, missing its head, dating to the mid-first century B.C., that may have belonged to Poppaea Sabina, the second wife of Emperor Nero.
Map reveals dozens of ancient quarries hidden beneath modern Jerusalem
Researchers chart 39 quarry sites from 117 excavations, shedding light on how “Jerusalem stone” built the city.
Israeli team uncovers 12,000-year-old myths in clay figurine of woman and goose
Excavated by Hebrew University researchers at Natufian settlement Nahal Ein Gev II, the 3.7 centimeter clay sculpture retains ochre traces and the fingerprint of its presumed young female maker.
