Heritage

Portugal returns stolen Mayan, Zapotec artifacts to Mexico in first-ever archaeological restitution

INAH specialists were sent photographs of the finds and conducted a preliminary review of the three, confirming that they indeed “form part of Mexico’s archaeological heritage.”

|ByMIRIAM SELA-EITAM
Portugal returns three stolen artifacts to Mexico in handover ceremony at the Mexican Embassy in Lisbon, February 17, 2026.
Newly discovered limestone shards and vessels on display in the new "Criminal Past" exhibit at the Jay and Jeanie Schottenstein National Campus for the Archaeology of Israel, February 16, 2026.

Second Temple workshop found on Israel's Mount Scopus during investigation into antiquities thieves

The workshop was discovered at the Ras Tamim archaeological site on the eastern slope of Mount Scopus. 

|ByMIRIAM SELA-EITAM
Divers carrying amphorae from the fourth century AD Roman shipwreck discovered off the coast of Gallipoli, southern Italy in June 2025.

Authorities reveal discovery of fourth century Roman shipwreck off Italy’s southern coast

According to the ministry, the site has been under constant monitoring by Italy’s financial police to “protect the site from possible looting and to preserve its enormous scientific value.”

|ByMIRIAM SELA-EITAM
The Knesset Education, Culture and Sports Committee approved the advancement of a controversial bill to establish an authority to oversee antiquities and heritage sites in the West Bank, February 5, 2026.

Israel advances bill for authority over West Bank heritage, archaeology sites

Seven MKs voted in favor of the bill, and five MKs opposed it. It will need to pass three readings in the Knesset’s plenum to become a law.

|ByMIRIAM SELA-EITAM

A Guide to UNESCO World Heritage sites in India

Among India's UNESCO World Heritage Sites, several stand out for their historical and architectural grandeur.

JANUARY 6, 2025ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF
Virupaksha temple with scenic Hampi landscape and cityscape at sunset at Karnataka India.