Israeli researchers have used a precise method to establish a detailed chronology of the First Temple period (1200BC to the Babylonian destruction in 586BC). Working with archaeological evidence at the City of David National Park in Jerusalem, the team reconstructed an accurate history of the city …
Dating the Period of the Kings Using Rigorous Research Methods Read More »
Israeli archaeologists have uncovered a 300-metre-long section of what is known as the Upper-Level Aqueduct that supplied water to Jerusalem in the late Second Temple period (about 2000 years ago), the Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA) reports.1
Jerusalem’s Ancient Aqueduct Discovered Read More »
A half-shekel silver coin dated to AD66/67 has been discovered in the Judean Desert. The rare coin minted in Jerusalem by the Jewish rebels[1] was found in the area of the Ein Gedi nature reserve. It has the words “The Holy Jerusalem” in ancient Hebrew on the coin’s face, and was issued in the first year of the Jewish Revolt against the Romans.
Coin from the First Year of the Jewish Revolt Against the Romans Discovered in Israel[1] Read More »
Sometimes, otherwise insignificant objects discovered in archaeological excavations have a greater value when closely studied. Objects may also be laid aside because the technology to interpret them is lacking. Two inscriptions discovered in Israel illustrate this point.
Ancient Inscriptions Read More »
Evidence of the earliest use of silver as currency has been discovered by Israeli archaeologists. The silver hoards, dating back over 3600 years, were found during excavations in Shiloh, Megiddo, Gezer and Tel el-‘Ajjul in the Gaza Strip.
The Earliest Use of Silver as Currency(1) Read More »
The discovery of a collection of ivory plaques from the First Temple period in Jerusalem are the first to be unearthed in the city.[1] Ivory objects are among the rarest archaeological finds. Archaeologists believe that the decorated ivory objects are approximately 2700 years old.
The disco…
Recent Discoveries in Jerusalem Read More »
A team of archaeologists working at Lachish has reconstructed how the Assyrian army may have built a huge siege ramp used to conquer the city in 701BC.1 Led by Professor Yosef Garfinkel and Dr Madeleine Mumcuoglu of the Institute of Archaeology at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, and Professors J…
Piecing Together the Assyrian Siege Ramp at Lachish Read More »
Excavating under Jerusalem’s Old City, Israel Antiquities Authority archaeologists have discovered what they think may have been a 2000-year-old city council building.1 Director of the excavation Dr Shlomit Weksler-Bdolach described the structure as one of the most magnificent public buildings fr…
More Discoveries Under Jerusalem’s Old City Read More »
Three fragments of cloth dyed with purple, the most precious dye of the ancient world, have been discovered in the Timna Valley near Eilat.1 The textiles have been dated to 1000BC, the period of David and Solomon. Also known as “true” or “Tyrian purple”,2 the vibrant purple colour of the p…
Ancient Cloth with Purple Dye Found in South of Israel Read More »
A two-shekel weight made of limestone was discovered during wet sifting of excavated earth from beneath Wilson’s Arch at the Temple Mount in Jerusalem.1
The weight has been dated to the era of the Temple of Solomon, known as the First Temple Period, and is a standard of measure known to have be…
Two-shekel Stone Weight Discovered in Jerusalem Read More »
