search
Amanda Borschel-Dan
Amanda Borschel-Dan
Amanda Borschel-Dan is The Times of Israel's Jewish World and Archaeology editor.
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
Violinist Vanessa-Mae performs at Tel Aviv's Heichal Menora on October 28, 2019. (Chai Shalom)
October 29, 2019, 2:26 pm
Violinist rock star Vanessa-Mae is hooked on classics in Tel Aviv show
Former classical prodigy burns up stages — and ski slopes — while maintaining a comfortable foothold in mainstream music charts
By Amanda Borschel-Dan
Jewish Agency Chairman Isaac Herzog welcomes members of the Falashmura community as they arrive at the Immigration offices at Ben Gurion Airport on February 4, 2019. (Tomer Neuberg/Flash90)
October 27, 2019, 6:04 am
At 90, Jewish Agency for Israel to rebrand as hub for entire Jewish world
Ahead of annual board meeting, agency announces new strategic plan that includes emphasis on connecting between Diaspora communities and increased education against anti-Semitism
By Amanda Borschel-Dan
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
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
Skin removal on the proximal part of the metapodials and tendons removal in combination with skinning during the experimentation. (Dr. Ruth Blasco)
October 9, 2019, 9:14 pm
Archaeologists discover 400,000-year-old paleo snack pack in Israeli cave
Researchers find prehistoric man had technique for storing bone marrow for up to nine weeks, which they replicate in gruesome experiment
By Amanda Borschel-Dan
Aerial photographs of the Early Bronze Age excavation site near modern Harish. (Assaf Peretz, Israel Antiquities Authority)
October 6, 2019, 6:29 pm
Massive Bronze Age megalopolis to be covered over, immortalized in 3-D imaging
A portal to our 5,000-year-old past and earlier, excavations to be refilled to make way for modern interchange serving Israel’s newest city. Here’s why archaeologists are on board
By Amanda Borschel-Dan
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
Some of the studied tin ingots from the sea off the coast of Israel (approx. 1300-1200 BCE). (Credit: Ehud Galili)
September 16, 2019, 7:48 pm
Groundbreaking study: Ancient tin ingots found in Israel were mined in England
Enigma of origins of Bronze Age Levant’s tin supply solved through isotope and chemical composition analysis that shows 13th–12th century BCE tin bars likely came from Cornwall
By Amanda Borschel-Dan
Tiny 500,000-year-old flake from Revadim site: reconstruction of hand-grip during use. (Dr. Flavia Venditti and Prof. Ran Barkai/Tel Aviv University)
September 11, 2019, 6:42 pm
Dainty 500,000-year-old blades show man used finesse to chow down on elephants
Tel Aviv University team shows early man intentionally upcycled flint byproducts of stone knapping to efficiently butcher elephants and suck the marrow out of life
By Amanda Borschel-Dan
Load More
Join us!
A message from the Editor of Times of Israel
David Horovitz

The Times of Israel covers one of the most complicated, and contentious, parts of the world. Determined to keep readers fully informed and enable them to form and flesh out their own opinions, The Times of Israel has gradually established itself as the leading source of independent and fair-minded journalism on Israel, the region and the Jewish world.

We've achieved this by investing ever-greater resources in our journalism while keeping all of the content on our site free.

Unlike many other news sites, we have not put up a paywall. But we would like to invite readers who can afford to do so, and for whom The Times of Israel has become important, to help support our journalism by joining The Times of Israel Community. Join now and for as little as $6 a month you can both help ensure our ongoing investment in quality journalism, and enjoy special status and benefits as a Times of Israel Community member.

Become a member of The Times of Israel Community