Amanda Borschel-Dan

Amanda Borschel-Dan is The Times of Israel's Jewish World and Archaeology editor.

The excavation directors sitting on the exposed section of the First Temple-era protective wall on Jerusalem's eastern perimeter. (Yaniv Berman/ Israel Antiquities Authority)

July 14, 2021, 1:19 pm

First Temple-era walls, razed in biblical account, found unbreached in Jerusalem

Missing section of 8th-7th century BCE fortification puts in question narrative of 2 Kings in which conquering Babylonians ‘tore down Jerusalem’s walls on every side’

By Amanda Borschel-Dan

The 'Jerubbaal' inscription, written in ink on a pottery vessel, discovered at Khirbet el Rai. (Dafna Gazit, Israel Antiquities Authority)

July 12, 2021, 12:31 pm

Five-letter inscription inked 3,100 years ago may be name of biblical judge

Excavations in Judean foothills uncover small jug from 1,100 BCE that could be inscribed with ‘Jerubbaal’; first evidence of a name from Book of Judges on a contemporary artifact

By Amanda Borschel-Dan

Remains of the magnificent 2000-year-old building recently excavated and due to be opened to the public as part of the Western Wall Tunnels Tour in Jerusalem's Old City. (Yaniv Berman/Israel Antiquities Authority)

July 8, 2021, 11:51 am

Opulent 2,000-year-old ‘city hall’ unearthed near Western Wall in Jerusalem

One of the most significant public buildings from the Second Temple period ever uncovered; new pathways in Western Wall Tunnels provide 2nd life to underground ancient Jerusalem

By Amanda Borschel-Dan

Cold and refreshing watermelon (photo credit: Abir Sultan/Flash 90)

July 5, 2021, 5:25 pm

Red origin: New study traces roots of summer fave watermelon, mentioned in Bible

In Numbers 11: 5-6, the freed Hebrews, fed on a manna-only diet, lament the rich variety of food they gave up in leaving Egypt — including watermelon

By Amanda Borschel-Dan

Prehistorian Dr. Omry Barzilai with a flint tool from 50,000-year-old Boker Tachtit. (Israel Antiquities Authority)

June 14, 2021, 10:37 pm

Prehistoric man lived with and loved Neanderthals in the Negev 50,000 years ago

Using precision carbon dating and secure archaeological contexts, researchers have proof for the first time of when the two cultures overlapped — and where

By Amanda Borschel-Dan

Tel Tsaf rounded silos. (Boaz Garfinkel/Hebrew University)

June 10, 2021, 8:45 pm

7,000-year-old seal impression marks prehistoric site as early trade hub

A twice-stamped little ancient blob of clay discovered in Tel Tsaf — alongside other evidence — leads researchers to deduce a millennia-old complex mercantile exchange

By Amanda Borschel-Dan

Archaeologist Dr. Eilat Mazar and several of her prominent finds. (Hebrew University/Ouria Tadmor)

May 26, 2021, 8:22 pm

Fearless pioneering biblical archaeologist Eilat Mazar dies at 64

Hebrew University scholar who unearthed ‘King David’s palace’ leaves a lasting contribution to the understanding of the archaeology and history of ancient Israel and Jerusalem

By Amanda Borschel-Dan

Sharks swimming in the shark aquarium in the southern Israeli city of Eilat. October 7, 2014. (FLASH90/File)

May 25, 2021, 7:00 am

Bad Judeans? Despite biblical ban, non-kosher fish were eaten in ancient Israel

Unlike prohibition on pork, ban on scaleless, finless fish – found twice in the Torah – was apparently not observed. New project looks at origins of Judaism as a religious practice

By Amanda Borschel-Dan

Sieving finds at the entrance to Muraba‘at Cave. (Yoli Schwartz, Israel Antiquities Authority)

March 16, 2021, 5:26 pm

Dead Sea scroll discovery brings tantalizing prospect of more yet to be found

With another 20 promising caves to be excavated — and 25% more of the Judean Desert still to be surveyed — stunning finds in Cave of Horror unlikely to be the last

By Amanda Borschel-Dan

Archaeologists Hagay Hamer and Oriah Amichai sieving finds at the entrance to the Cave of Horror. (Eitan Klein, Israel Antiquities Authority)

March 16, 2021, 9:00 am

Bible scroll fragments among dazzling artifacts found in Dead Sea Cave of Horror

Parts of books of Nahum and Zechariah, world’s oldest woven basket, 6,000-year-old mummified child, Bar Kochba Revolt coins among stunning finds from daring Judean Desert rescue op

By Amanda Borschel-Dan

Destruction to a low stone early Iron Age wall at the Mount Ebal archaeological site, January 31, 2021. (Courtesy, Shomrim Al Hanetzach)

February 22, 2021, 12:11 pm

Settlers take on West Bank archaeology as ancient ‘Joshua’ wall tumbles down

Destruction of barrier at Iron Age Israelite cultic site deep in PA-controlled Area B creates media maelstrom, as right-wing campaign claims Palestinians destroying heritage sites

By Amanda Borschel-Dan

Fragment of the rare purple fabric from 1,000 BCE excavated in the Timna Valley. (Dafna Gazit, Israel Antiquities Authority)

January 28, 2021, 9:42 pm

Ancient cloth with Bible’s purple dye found in Israel, dated to King David’s era

3 scraps from 1,000 BCE, earliest such finds in region, point to Edomite kingdom described in Bible; vibrant and lasting ‘royal’ dye, mark of the elite, comes from murex sea snails

By Amanda Borschel-Dan

Swedish composer Jacob Mühlrad. (Andre Garcia)

January 25, 2021, 3:43 pm

29-year-old composer releases ‘Kaddish’ for survivor grandfather on top label

In new a cappella choral work, Swedish art music composer Jacob Mühlrad holds a dialogue with his deceased grandfather, using his harrowing testimony and texts by Elie Wiesel

By Amanda Borschel-Dan

A late 5th century CE Greek inscription, 'Christ born of Mary,' recently found in the village of et-Taiyiba (Taibe) in the Jezreel Valley. (Tzachi Lang/Israel Antiquities Authority)

January 20, 2021, 2:35 pm

‘Christ born of Mary’: 1st proof of early Christianity found in Galilee village

Greek inscription provides evidence of a hitherto-unknown 5th century Byzantine-era church; the find ‘closes a circle’ on Christian settlement in small Jezreel Valley village Taibe

By Amanda Borschel-Dan

Father Francesco Patton, the Custos of the Holy Land, leads mass on the feast of the Baptism of the Lord, at St John the Baptist Chapel on the banks of the Jordan River, January 10, 2021. (COGAT Spokeperson's Office)

January 10, 2021, 10:21 pm

With landmines cleared, church on Jordan River holds 1st mass in 54 years

Baptism of the Lord on January 10 celebrated with 50 priests, guests, and soldiers, at the Franciscan St. John the Baptist Chapel

By Amanda Borschel-Dan