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archaeology
Upper and lower molars from Manot cave, dated to 38,000 years before present, showing a mixture of characteristics. (Dr. Rachel Sarig)
November 5, 2019, 5:18 pm
Ancient teeth show some early humans came to Israel from Europe 40,000 years ago
New Tel Aviv University study attempts to put to rest an ongoing debate over when, and from which direction, the elusive, artistic Aurignacian culture was brought to the Levant
By Amanda Borschel-Dan
Byzantine-era church near Ramat Beit Shemesh which was dedicated to a 'glorious martyr,' October 23, 2019. (Cathy Rossi Borschel)
October 31, 2019, 12:56 pm
Tales from a crypt: Shedding light on a mysterious – female? – ‘glorious martyr’
A 1,500-year-old Christian site in the heart of ultra-Orthodox Ramat Beit Shemesh takes The Times of Israel down a rabbit hole to meet St. Thecla, a feisty 2nd-century preacher
By Amanda Borschel-Dan
Yair Amitzur, director of the Usha excavation, with the 1,400 year-old iron hammer and nails, October 2019. (Yoli Schwartz, Israel Antiquities Authority)
October 30, 2019, 1:55 pm
Nailed it: Rare 1,400-year-old iron hammer found by family at Sanhedrin site
Volunteers at excavations at Western Galilee’s Usha uncover previously unknown blacksmith industry, an addition to impressive glassworks found there
By Amanda Borschel-Dan
Children play on trees in the Kaudwane settlement outside the Kalahari Game Reserve, November 19, 2005 (AP Photo/Jerome Delay)
October 29, 2019, 1:02 pm
New study traces humanity’s ‘homeland’ to ancient Botswana
Researchers use DNA samples combined with geographic distribution, archaeological and climate change data to come up with a genomic timeline
By Patrick Galey
Researchers screen for finds at the Stelida, archaeological site in Greece in 2017. (Jason Lau/courtesy)
October 24, 2019, 9:12 pm
Upending wisdom, Stone Age pre-humans traveled Mediterranean 200,000 years ago
Findings in Greece could rewrite accepted narrative of how early humans reached Europe; study’s authors raise possibility that pre-sapien hominins used boats
By Luke Tress
Ultra-Orthodox Jews wait among other visitors to enter the Tombs of the Kings, a 2,000-year-old archaeological gem in the heart of Jerusalem owned by France, as it reopens for the public for a second time in six months, on October 24, 2019. (MENAHEM KAHANA/AFP)
October 24, 2019, 3:54 pm
France reopens disputed ancient tomb in Jerusalem to the public
After Tomb of the Kings was unbarred and quickly resealed by French authorities in June following dispute at opening, visitors allowed to tour 2,000-year-old site
By AFP and TOI staff
The Eagle, symbol of the Byzantine Empire, discovered at a Byzantine-era church complex in Ramat Beit Shemesh, October 2019. (Asaf Peretz, Israel Antiquities Authority)
October 23, 2019, 11:41 am
Opulent 1,500-year-old church to mystery ‘glorious martyr’ found at Beit Shemesh
Site yields rare intact crypt of anonymous martyr immortalized by Greek inscription; Jerusalem museum exhibit of findings showcases massive collection of delicate glass artifacts
By Amanda Borschel-Dan
An 8,000-year-old pearl found in Abu Dhabi. (Screenshot/Abu Dhabi Department of Culture and Tourism)
October 21, 2019, 12:10 am
8,000-year-old pearl, world’s oldest, found in Abu Dhabi
Artifact found in Neolithic stone structure shows objects were traded in region since ancient times
By AFP
Then-Maldives Foreign Minister Ahmed Shaheed addresses the United Nations General Assembly at the UN headquarters in New York, September 21, 2005. (AP Photo/John Marshall Mantel)
October 18, 2019, 11:53 am
LISTEN: Architect of UN’s first anti-Semitism report says it is ‘long overdue’
Episode #7: UN Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion Dr. Ahmed Shaheed discusses why anti-Semitism is a unique hatred * TOI’s Amanda Borschel-Dan dives deep into Pilgrims’ Path
By TOI staff
A Roman road known as the Pilgrim's Path being excavated at the City of David archaeological site in Jerusalem, September 24, 2019. (Luke Tress/Times of Israel)
October 17, 2019, 4:01 pm
On an ancient road to the Temple, archaeological innovation, mystery and dispute
As they excavate 2,000-year-old Stepped Street under thriving Arab neighborhood, careful to avoid collapsing the homes above, are archaeologists bending, or recreating, the rules?
By Amanda Borschel-Dan
This photo provided by the Egyptian Ministry of Antiquities shows recently discovered ancient colored coffins with inscriptions and paintings, in the southern city of Luxor, Egypt, October 15, 2019. (Egyptian Ministry of Antiquities via AP)
October 16, 2019, 6:39 pm
Archaeologists uncover 20 ancient coffins in Egypt
Egyptian Antiquities Ministry says sarcophagi discovered in Luxor are one of the ‘biggest and most important’ finds in recent years
By AP
Aerial photograph of the Early Bronze Age excavation site near modern Harish. (Assaf Peretz, Israel Antiquities Authority)
October 6, 2019, 11:32 am
‘Israel’s ancient NYC’: 5,000-year-old Canaanite megalopolis may rewrite history
Uncovered in northern Israel, Ein Esur, largest Early Bronze Age settlement ever excavated here, set to ‘change forever what we know about emergence of urbanization in entire area’
By Amanda Borschel-Dan
Archaeologist Prof. Jodi Magness at Masada, July 11, 2019. (Amanda Borschel-Dan/Times of Israel)
October 4, 2019, 1:07 pm
Maybe there was no mass suicide at Masada? Top archaeologist questions a legend
Prof. Jodi Magness busts myths and asks unanswerable questions in new book about Masada — the site of the largest Jewish wholesale self-slaughter that maybe never was
By Amanda Borschel-Dan
3-D printed reconstruction of a female Denisovan. (Maayan Harel)
September 19, 2019, 6:03 pm
Meet the Denisovans: High-tech gene analysis finally gives ancient humans a face
Breakthrough Hebrew University methodology studies ancient DNA’s expression to determine physical characteristics of our extinct prehistoric relatives
By Amanda Borschel-Dan
Excavations of ancient copper mines as part of Tel Aviv University’s Central Timna Valley Project. (E. Ben-Yosef and the Central Timna Valley Project)
September 18, 2019, 9:33 pm
Bible-era nomadic Edomite tribesmen were actually hi-tech copper mavens
Advances in copper mining in southern Israel’s Arava Valley in 11th century BCE, after infusion of Egyptian know-how, help explain emergence of Edomite kingdom, study finds
By Amanda Borschel-Dan
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