After nearly a century of archaeological silence, the ancient stones of Sebastia are speaking again as Israeli excavators uncover remarkable evidence of the grandeur that once defined Samaria, the biblical capital of the Kingdom of Israel.
"When digging in ancient Samaria, you are touching the Bible with your hands. Living in Samaria is not just a right, it's also a duty to protect the most sacred biblical sites – the cradle of the Jewish people's homeland, the cradle of human civilization," said Yossi Dagan, the head of the Samaria Regional Council.
Tel Shiqmona, located on the coast of Haifa, was one of the important production centers for purple dye, a rare and prestigious color used by kings, nobility, and temples throughout the Levant.
The tablet, inscribed by a dissatisfied customer named Nanni, documents his anger over receiving poor-quality copper and being told to "go to hell" by the merchant – providing a remarkably relatable glimpse into ancient commerce.
A three-and-a-half-year-old girl made an extraordinary archaeological discovery during a family outing near Beit Shemesh last month, unearthing an ancient seal dating back approximately 3,800 years.
There is evidence that several items from the Second Temple brought to Rome may exist in the Vatican's vaults, but rabbis warn: "Israel doesn't need to open another front now."
According to documents declassified in 2000, in 1988 the CIA conducted an experiment as part of a secret project called "Sun Streak," in which they used people with "remote viewing" capabilities – that is, the ability to perceive information about distant places, events, or people through extra-sensory abilities.
Among the discoveries are fragments of written papyrus documents, bronze coins from the reigns of Antiochus IV and Ptolemaic kings, weapons, wooden tools, fabric scraps, and more.
Fossilized remains dating back between 1.1 and 1.4 million years, including a left cheekbone and an upper jaw, have been identified as belonging to an extinct human species classified as Homo affinis erectus. The discovery suggests the presence of at least two human species in Europe at that time and provides new insights into human evolution and the lifestyle of early humans in what was then a lush, wildlife-rich forested region.
This is the first archaeological evidence in the world of extreme asceticism among female nuns – a phenomenon previously known only from historical writings.