Archaeology

Ancient Scythian burial site from Siberia reveals earliest known use of cannabis as an intoxicant

The site predates the oldest previous evidence from the first millennium BCE for mind-altering use of cannabis such as evidence of implements from the Middle East and the Asia.

Researcher Gino Caspari with a wild cannabis plant growing in the Altai Mountains in Siberia, Russia in this handout image released on November 5, 2026.
Israeli conservationists work to preserve the Beit Alfa mosaic in northern Israel, November 6, 2026.

Preserving an ancient mosaic: Israeli specialists gather to conserve 1,500-year-old synagogue floor

The brass lock, discovered as part of the Ann Francis treasure hoard, has remained firmly locked since the ship was wrecked off the Welsh coast in 1583.

Welsh researchers solve 400-year-old combination lock recovered from Ann Francis’ shipwreck

Multispectral imaging and carbon dating digitally reconstruct Codex H, revealing ancient scribal habits and early biblical structures, April 30, 2026.

New LED technology helps archaeologists uncover details invisible to the naked eye


Czech Republic's 6,500-year-old sanctuary found to predate Stonehenge by 1,000 years

The circular enclosure measures 230 meters in diameter, featuring a ditch over 2.5 meters deep and 12 irregularly spaced entrances that align with key solar and lunar cycles.

Section of the prehistoric sanctuary discovered near Chelby in the Czech Republic, September 25, 2026.

Massive newly-unearthed complex may shed light on how Jewish pilgrims prepared to enter the Temple

The discovery was made during five seasons of excavations, directed by Prof. Uzi Leibner and Prof. Orit Peleg-Barkat of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem’s Institute of Archaeology.

The Ophel archaeological site where a monumental complex housing several Second Temple-era mikvaot were uncovered by the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, September 23, 2026.

Egyptian-Chinese mission unearths wine press at temple to ancient warrior goddess

Additionally, the mission found the remains of a mudbrick residential complex in the area surrounding the temple, along with a series of stone blocks and statue fragments.

Ancient pottery vessels found at the Temple of Sekhmet near Mit Rahina in Egypt, September 23, 2026.

Archaeologists unearth tomb shared by ancient Egyptian judge and his scribe father

While the tomb itself had been previously known, discovered by French archaeologist Auguste Mariette in the nineteenth century, the chapels found within it were not.

Entrance to tomb found at Mariette Cemetery site located north of the village of Saqqara, Egypt, September 18, 2026.

France loans Mexico rare Aztec manuscript as nations celebrate 200 years of diplomatic ties

The codex will be on display until December. As part of the exchange, Mexico will loan France another important historical document, the Codex Boturini.

The Azcatitlan Codex, an ancient Aztec pictorial manuscript on loan from France, is displayed at the National Museum of Anthropology in Mexico City on September 17, 2026

Rare Christian amulet holding bible scrap, ancient stone seal unearthed at Turkish site - report

“Inside a copper box, we found an extremely thin gold sheet, only 0.1 millimeters thick, most likely carrying a passage from the Bible,” said Michele Ruzgar Massa of Bilkent University.

A close-up shows the exterior of the copper amulet container uncovered at Turkmen Karahoyuk in Konya, Turkey, July 26, 2026.

How to move an ancient mikvah? Inside the IAA's operation to conserve a Second Temple ritual bath

Discovering the mikvah, as well as stone measuring vessels, provides direct evidence of the existence of a Jewish settlement in the area at the time. 

Lifting the Second Temple-era mikveh found in the Carmei Gat neighborhood in Kiryat Gat, September 17, 2026.

Hebron’s Jewish community finishes restoring tomb belonging to ancestors of biblical King David

The work was spearheaded by the community’s international spokesperson, Yishai Fleisher, a member of National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir's Otzma Yehudit party.

Newly restored Tomb of Yishai and Ruth atop Tel Hebron in the West Bank, September 15, 2026.

Greece denies German museum's bid for Parthenon Sculptures amid British Museum ownership fight

The sculptures are slated to go on display in November as part of Liebieghaus’s upcoming exhibition titled “Athena, the Stage is Yours: The Parthenon Puzzle.” 

The Parthenon Sculptures, British Museum, London, United Kingdom on December 10, 2024.

Turkey unearths rare statues of Roman Emperor Hadrian, Empress Sabina in ancient Mediterranean city

Hadrian’s statue is depicted wearing military garb, with the features of a lion and eagle carved into the emperor’s armor. 

Statues of Roman Emperor Hadrian and his wife, Sabina, found in Kibyra, Turkey, September 11, 2026.