Excavations in Jerusalem’s City of David, to the south-east of the Old City, continue to uncover some remarkable finds1. A burst sewage pipe in 2004 led to the discovery of a stairway forming part of the ascent to the Temple used by pilgrims in the time of Christ. When construction workers were se…
2000 Year Old Pilgrimage Road Discovered in Jerusalem Read More »
Seal impressions, known as “bulla”, are frequently found during archaeological excavations in Israel. They were created by pressing a seal or stamp, often set in a signet ring, into a soft piece of clay on the top of a string, which was tied around a linen bag or similar parcel. Over time, the c…
Following World War II, Jan Masaryk (1886–1948), Czechoslovakia’s foreign minister, provided help to Holocaust survivors. He worked with Gaynor Jacobson, the Prague repre-sentative of the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (AJJDC), to provide support for Haganah operations to smuggle J…
Czechoslovakia’s Crucial Role in the Birth of Israel 1 Read More »
World War II is generally viewed as the glorious victory of good over evil. Hitler’s Nazi Germany was defeated and the Jews were liberated from the concentration camps. But the reality is not so comforting. The conflict provided the opportunity to plunder the Jews and strip them of all that they o…
World War II and the Plunder of Jewish Property Read More »
A bronze ring bearing the name of Pontius Pilate was found near Bethlehem fifty years ago, during an archaeological excavation at Herodium, a fortress built by King Herod.1 It had been overlooked for decades but archaeologists discovered Greek writing when the ring was cleaned and photographed by th…
A Bronze Ring Bearing the Name of Pontius Pilate Discovered After Fifty Years Read More »
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) is widely regarded as an independent and neutral organisation, however, during the Holocaust, the ICRC failed to protect Jews and, following World War II, it worked with the Vatican to protect Nazi war criminals and collaborators.1
The ICR…
The Red Cross and the Holocaust Read More »
Like Australia, Israel is a dry country. With almost two-thirds of the country desert, water is a key issue. Israel’s principal sources of water are the Sea of Galilee and the headwaters of the Hermon River, but these are in danger of being overtaxed. Water is also at the centre of many disputes i…
Israel’s Water Revolution1 Read More »
Silver coins from the Temple Mount
Five small silver coins dated to the end of the fourth century BC were discovered in soil excavated from the Temple Mount.1 The silver coins are inscribed with the letters “YHD” (Yehud) in ancient Hebrew script, the Aramaic name for the Persian Empire’s pro…
Recent Discoveries in Israel Read More »
There is an ongoing debate in the popular archaeological media about the location of the Temple of God in Jerusalem1. While it is generally accepted by leading scholars that the Temple stood on what is known today as the Temple Mount, the City of David to the south has been suggested as an altern…
Jerusalem’s Ancient Rubbish Dump and Governor’s Seal Discovered Read More »
Adorned with magnificent edifices and palaces, including a large amphitheatre and aqueduct, Caesarea was the symbol of Roman rule and Greek culture in Judea. Remains of many of these impressive structures can still be seen today.
Caesarea was constructed by Herod the Great on the Mediterran…
Caesarea and the Secret of Roman Underwater Concrete Read More »
