The Times of Israel

2,100-year-old mystery unearthed with dismantled Hasmonean-era wall in Jerusalem

Mon, 08 Dec 2025 13:14:29 +0000

A fortification in the heart of the capital was likely built shortly after the Hanukkah story took place. Now experts are asking why it was systematically taken apart, and by whom

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Who was buried in Salome’s cave: A disciple of Jesus, a midwife or a Jewish queen?

Sun, 06 Jul 2025 07:29:04 +0000

New research suggests that a burial site once venerated by Christian pilgrims likely belonged to a member of Herod’s dynasty rather than a New Testament figure

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Jewish rebels and earthquake rubble: New dig aims to solve a pair of historical enigmas

Thu, 06 Mar 2025 03:56:14 +0000

Sartaba/Alexandrium was built by the Hasmoneans and expanded by Herod. A team of archaeologists has launched a first excavation in 40 years to probe the final days of the fortress

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Mikvehs and monks: Vivid hues link rare Jewish and Christian finds in Judean Desert

Thu, 20 Feb 2025 12:23:47 +0000

Archaeologists from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem just concluded their second season of excavations at Hyrcania, where they found colorful Byzantine mosaics and Herodian frescoes

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Inscription found in Alexandrium fortress could shed new light on Jewish Revolt

Wed, 12 Feb 2025 09:09:38 +0000

Israeli researchers decipher an ostracon in a grand 1st-century structure in the Jordan Valley that could prove Jewish rebels used the site in their fight against Rome

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In a watery Golan cave, Herod’s great-grandson entertained in the Roman imperial style

Mon, 02 Dec 2024 07:35:15 +0000

An altar dedicated to the cult of Pan was likely converted to a banquet area by Herodian ruler Agrippa II, aligning with the account of Josephus, new research shows

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Temples, tantrums and tyranny: The peculiar legacy of Judean King Herod the Great

Sun, 31 Mar 2024 02:52:28 +0000

The 1st century BCE ruler played politics in Rome, lavishly rebuilt Judea, executed his own relatives out of paranoia, and is the subject of a new book by Prof. Martin Goodman

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Alabaster for Herod the Great’s lavish bathtubs traced to quarry in Israel

Tue, 17 May 2022 13:48:33 +0000

Daughter-father scientific study rules out Egyptian quarries and shows ancient Holy Land industry was potentially much more developed than previously thought

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Roman soldier’s ancient Masada payslip shows unfair wages go way back

Fri, 12 Feb 2021 14:50:39 +0000

1,900-year-old find shows soldier Gaius Messius was left 'effectively penniless after payday,' as entire wage of 50 denarii was nabbed to cover basic expenses

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Crowns, crusaders and murder: On Jerusalem’s ramparts, tales of love and lust

Sat, 05 Dec 2020 06:57:47 +0000

A walk atop the Old City's walls gives visitors a glimpse into the passions of past rulers, including a Christian king, a Turkish sultan, an Armenian princess, and King Herod

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Hi-tech test shatters claim ancient inscription is 1st proof of Christianity

Sun, 12 Apr 2020 09:14:02 +0000

Study indicates the marble bearing the 'Nazareth Inscription,' a mysterious 1st century text linked by some to Jesus's resurrection, was quarried in Greece, not the Holy Land

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Caesarea opens new NIS 80 million visitor center in reconstructed vaults

Thu, 30 May 2019 15:11:15 +0000

Complete reconstruction of ruins can be controversial, but adapting ancient buildings to modern uses is part of a worldwide trend to breathe more life into archaeological sites

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Misplaced 2,000-year-old ring discovered in Jerusalem’s City of David

Sun, 23 Dec 2018 19:14:42 +0000

Unearthed in excavation of the monumental Pilgrims' Path, the Second Temple-era adornment likely fell after use of a ritual bath, say archaeologists

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Palestinians jailed for trying to rob biblical archaeological site

Tue, 07 Aug 2018 17:21:09 +0000

Samaria Military Court sentences 3 men to 36 days in prison after they were caught damaging Sebastia, in northern West Bank

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In earthly Jerusalem, the legends of historical churches are a saving grace

Mon, 25 Dec 2017 00:52:25 +0000

King Herod, medieval monks, Crusaders and others play their parts in the colorful stories behind Old City holy sites open to Christmas visitors

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