'Very exciting': Volunteer uncovers rare ancient gold bead during Jerusalem sifting project
The artifact is one of only a few made from pure gold ever uncovered in Israel and dates to at least 1,600 years ago.
Archaeology
Archaeologists baffled by ancient handprint in Jerusalem
Imprint discovered along with a deep 1,000-year-old rock-hewn moat near the walls of Jerusalem’s Old City. "The archaeological finds enable us to visualize the dramatic events and the upheavals that the city underwent," Israel Antiquities Authority Director Eli Escuzido says.
Ancient ostrich eggs found in Israel shed light on early humans
The eggs were found at a campsite in the Negev that was used by desert nomads since prehistoric times.
In time for Hanukkah: 2,200-year-old coins first evidence of Maccabean revolt
The latest coin in the hoard dates to 170 BCE, the year it was hidden and the year the Maccabean rebellion began.
Israeli researchers find oldest evidence yet of cooked food
Fish remains discovered at the Gesher Benot Yaakov archaeological site indicate that humans were cooking their food much earlier than previously estimated.
Oldest inscription in Canaanite language found in Israel
The item, an ivory comb, was found in southern Israel and bears the inscription "May this tusk root out the lice of the hair and the beard."
Israeli researchers use geomagnetic data to support biblical accounts
Magnetic field reconstruction matched battle sites to Egyptian, Aramean, Assyrian and Babylonian military campaigns recounted in the Bible against the kingdoms of Israel and Judah.
1,400-year-old gold coins discovered in northern Israel
The items were inside a cache uncovered hidden in a wall during an archaeological excavation at the site of the ancient city of Banias.
Israel to get rare coin minted by Jews 'as show of independence' against Rome
The quarter-shekel piece with palm branches and a wreath is dated to the Great Revolt that culminated with the destruction of the Second Temple.
Israel repatriates rare papyrus script from First Temple period
The script is composed of four torn lines that begin with the words "To Ishmael send...," which indicates that it's a fragment of a letter containing instructions to the recipient. "It joins only two other documents from this period in the Israel Antiquities Authority Dead Sea Scrolls collection," one official says.