Biblical archaeology

Days before Tisha B'Av: Charred wooden beams from First Temple’s destruction unearthed in Jerusalem

The First Temple, built by the biblical King Solomon, was destroyed in 586 BCE at the hands of Nebuchadnezzar II, the second king of the Neo-Babylonian Empire. 

The burnt wooden beams discovered in the City of David, July 20, 2026.
A cave in the Qumran area of the Dead Sea region.

Inside the tragic, decades-long mystery of Qumran's lost Second Temple incense

A fragment of a 2,000-year-old Psalms Scroll from the Dead Sea Scrolls collection; illustrative.

One of the Dead Sea Scrolls' greatest mysteries may have finally been solved by Israeli researcher

Samson carrying the gates of Gaza on his shoulders, the original mosaic from Huqoq is on display in the exhibition at the Yigal Allon Center, July 9, 2026.

Secrets of Huqoq: New Galilee exhibit premieres mosaics, coins found at ancient Jewish settlement


Israel unearths ancient Roman swords, javelin stolen by Jewish rebels

The weapons cache was most likely hidden by Jewish rebels some 1,900 years ago after being seized from Roman forces.

 Four ancient swords found preserved in Israel's Ein Gedi Nature Reserve

Were the limestone spheroids of 'Ubeidiya intentionally designed?

Spheroids are either handmade or naturally shaped stones chosen and transported to places where they are used, making them one of the longest-used technologies on record.

Study of spheres provided by HU Prof. Leore Grosman and colleagues A. Muller, D.Barsky, R. Sala-Ramos, G. Sharon, S. Titton, and J.M. Vergès.

Israeli archaeologists unearth building destroyed during Babylonian siege of Jerusalem

The building, dubbed 'Building 100', had once belong to an elite member of Jerusalem's society, until it was destroyed by fire in 586 BCE.

Representational image of fire raging during the Babylonian destruction of Jerusalem.

UNESCO to rule on ancient Jericho as Palestinian World Heritage site

Jericho prides itself on being the oldest most continuously inhabited city in the world, dating back over 10,000 years and for being at the lowest point below sea level of any municipality.

 An image of the ancient Jericho archaeological site.

James Ossuary, alleged relic of Jesus's brother, to be shown in Dallas

While the 2,000-year-old ossuary is seemingly genuine, the underlying issue is whether its paleo-Hebrew inscription is the real deal.

 The Sea of Galilee exhibition

Rebel Jewish coin dating to anti-Roman revolt discovered in Israel

A rare half-shekel coin dug up in the Ein Gedi nature reserve was inscribed with the words “The Holy Jerusalem” in Hebrew.

 The silver coin, as found, showing the obverse face with the chalice in the center, and above it the letter “Aleph” marking Year 1 of the outbreak of the  revolt, and the inscription “half-shekel”, the value of the coin.

New tech reveals ancient Israelis were 'highly capable' and resourceful

Very capable early humans in the Hula Valley systematically sought raw materials hundreds of thousands of years ago – much earlier than previously assumed.

 Handaxes from Gesher Benot Ya'aqov tested geochemically. Arrows indicate the striking of flakes sampled

Archaeological discoveries shed light on early urbanization in the Kingdom of Judah

The findings have revealed fortified cities and common urban pattern characterized by casemate walls, houses abutting the walls and peripheral roads.

 Aerial view of the casemate city wall of Khirbet Qeiyafa

Mosaics of biblical Samson uncovered in Galilee archaeological dig

Over the course of the decade-long Huqoq excavation project, the team made a series of discoveries including depictions of Noah’s Ark, the parting of the Red Sea, a Helios-zodiac cycle, and more.

 Dead philistine soldier, detail from the Samson carrying the gate of Gaza mosaic, Huqoq synagogue, June 2023.

Archaeologists discover at least 50 ancient skeletons in Negev

Archaeologists have found a burial site in the Negev containing ancient skeletons that may have belonged to trafficked women.

 Avdat ruins in the Negev Desert