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ISRAEL AT WAR - DAY 567

ancient Near East

Composite image showing some of the ancient clay cylinders, thought to be engraved with what researchers say is the earliest known form of alphabetic writing. (courtesy John Hopkins University)
December 17, 2024, 4:46 am
A claim that the earliest alphabet was found in Syria sparks a media maelstrom – finally
A Johns Hopkins archaeologist recycles a 20-year-old hypothesis that small clay cylinders found in an ancient tomb reset the genesis of letters by 500 years. Why are people listening now?
By Gavriel Fiske
Ancient Mesopotamian tablets recently deciphered by Assyriologist Andrew George. (Cuneiform Digital Library Initiative)
August 24, 2024, 5:44 pm
Ancient Babylonians thought solar eclipses predicted disasters
Deciphering four Mesopotamian tablets, team led by Assyriologist Andrew George shows Babylonians understood celestial events as messages from the gods
By ToI Staff
From 'The Feast,' at the Israel Museum, on exhibit through December 2023 (Courtesy Dor Kedmi)
July 1, 2023, 7:03 am
Culinary history, taste and design exhibits whet the appetite in Jerusalem and Holon
Israel Museum features anthropological display of banquets; Design Museum Holon rethinks look and feel of food
By Jessica Steinberg
Digital drawing of the proposed reading, end of line 31 of the Mesha Stele inscription. (© West Semitic Research/Michael Langlois)
May 3, 2019, 6:41 am
High-tech study of ancient stone suggests new proof of King David’s dynasty
After reading of 9th century BCE Mesha Stele replaces biblical king with Moabite figure, scholar says 3-D imaging proves ‘House of David’ is more likely, just as many thought
By Amanda Borschel-Dan
Potkin Azarmehr
March 15, 2017, 2:45 pm
Potkin Azarmehr
Purim made simple for Netanyahu
Using the megillah to demonize the Islamic Republic of Iran was silly, and worse, insulted Bibi’s would-be Iranian allies
The cuneiform tablets used by Gilgamesh, and introduced by writer Shirley Graetz in her chapter book series (Courtesy Uriel Zohar)
January 26, 2017, 6:10 pm
Readers get headstart on book about Gilgamesh
Jerusalem author Shirley Graetz turns to crowdsourcing to fund young reader series
By Jessica Steinberg
A First Temple-era, 2,700-year-old papyrus bearing the oldest known mention of Jerusalem in Hebrew. (IAA)
October 28, 2016, 9:46 pm
Archaeologists question ‘oldest’ Hebrew mention of Jerusalem
After Antiquities Authority unveils papyrus from 7th century BCE, several experts warn it is far from certain artifact is authentic
By AFP and ToI Staff
Aaron Koller
October 27, 2016, 12:33 pm
Aaron Koller
‘Jerusalem’ papyrus doesn’t prove much
Archeology and politics are a bad mix, and this recent find doesn’t even disprove the (lunatic) UNESCO vote
A First Temple-era, 2,700-year-old papyrus bearing the oldest known mention of Jerusalem in Hebrew. (IAA)
October 26, 2016, 12:03 pm
Oldest Hebrew mention of Jerusalem found on rare papyrus from 7th century BCE
Reference to consignment of wineskins ‘to Jerusalem’ appears on 2,700-year-old First Temple-era scrap believed plundered from Judean Desert cave
By Ilan Ben Zion
A view of Tema, as it was known in the Bible, in northwestern Saudi Arabia (Courtesy Madain Saleh/Wikimedia Commons)
August 4, 2016, 12:53 am
In Saudi Arabia, Jewish sites with ancient resonance beckon
For now, Israelis are not allowed into the kingdom, and Jews are at best grudgingly admitted. But with ties just possibly warming, a Jewish history dating back millennia might soon be more accessible
By Jessica Steinberg
Small fragments of raw Judaean glass as they were found at a Roman-era site in northern Israel in 2015. (Shmuel Magal, courtesy of Israel Antiquities Authority)
April 11, 2016, 5:04 pm
Ancient glass kilns clear view into industry’s even older history
Archaeologists find 4th century glassworks that proves Judaea was major manufacturer of raw material in Roman Empire
By Ilan Ben Zion
A bronze statue of Roman Emperor Hadrian from Tel Shalem, in northern Israel, at an Israel Museum exhibit opening December 22, 2015. (Moti Tufeld)
December 22, 2015, 7:57 am
Three surviving bronzes of Hadrian united in stunning Israel Museum exhibit
Unique collaboration with Louvre, British Museum also sees monumental Jerusalem inscription in emperor’s honor rejoined after 1,700 years
By Ilan Ben Zion
Remains of a Roman street from Legio, a military camp from the 2nd and 3rd centuries CE, next to Megiddo (courtesy)
July 7, 2015, 11:39 am
In first, imperial Roman legionary camp uncovered near Megiddo
Archaeologists unearth remains of 2,000-year-old Galilee garrison of Sixth Legion Ferrata, where 5,000 men kept order at time of Bar Kochba Revolt — the only permanent Roman military camp ever discovered in region
By Ilan Ben Zion
A clay tablet from 572 BCE, the earliest known text documenting the Judean exile in Babylonia, now on display at the Bible Lands Museum (photo credit: Ardon Bar-Hama courtesy of The Bible Lands Museum)
February 1, 2015, 5:48 pm
‘By the rivers of Babylon’ exhibit breathes life into Judean exile
Never-before-showcased clay tablets documenting the first diaspora go on display at Jerusalem’s Bible Lands Museum
By Ilan Ben Zion
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