Archaeology

First Temple-era figurine mold unearthed in Jerusalem's 'most significant excavation' in decades

Tower of David Museum Chief Curator Eilat Lieber said that "the discovery of the first mold for producing figurines dating to the First Temple period has generated tremendous excitement."

A rare Judean Pillar Figurine mold dating to the First Temple period found in the Tower of David, July 27, 2026.
The ancient Cypriot silver coin dating to the mid-5th century BCE found on Ashdod's shore, July 26, 2026.

Ancient Cypriot silver coin found on Ashdod's shore offers new insight into 2,500-year-old trade

Previously undiscovered tomb of an individual named "Paser," found at the ancient Theban necropolis, July 24, 2026.

Previously undiscovered ancient Egyptian tomb found at Theban necropolis on Nile's west bank

French President Emmanuel Macron and Syrian President Ahmed Al-Sharaa presided over the official handover ceremony of the artifacts, which took place at the People's Palace in Damascus, July 7, 2026.

France returns 23 artifacts to Syria after 15 year-long loan amid Macron’s historic Damascus visit


Ancient water reservoirs discovered at Red Sea's Port of Aydhab site near Egypt-Sudan border

Archaeological surveys of the site also revealed the foundations of residential buildings, watchtowers, and service facilities located nearby. 

Water reservoir found at the ancient Red Sea port site of Aydhab in Egypt, June 9, 2026.

Collection of ancient Egyptian, Greek, Roman-era artifacts discovered at Egypt’s Heracleopolis

The finds include the ruins of a Roman basilica and Doric temple, the head of a marble statue of the Greek goddess Aphrodite, several cartouches, and molds used to mint coins in the Roman period.

Marble head belonging to a statue of the Greek goddess Aphrodite and an ancient Egyptian cartouche discovered at Egypt's Heracleopolis, June 5, 2026.

First near-complete ancient Egyptian funerary set discovered at Heliopolis necropolis site

In antiquity, Heliopolis served as a primary religious center for the worship of Ra - indicated by the Al-Masalla obelisk of the Temple of Ra-Atum.

Cache of ancient Egyptian artifacts discovered at Heliopolis necropolis site in Egypt, June 4, 2026.

WATCH: Norway recovers Chinese porcelain, European-made goods from 18th-century shipwreck

The ship, coined "The Porcelain Wreck," is believed to have sunk around the mid-1700s, and was found at a depth of some 600 meters, the museum said. 

Chinese porcelain discovered in 18th century shipwreck in Norway, June 3, 2026.

Rare gemstone discovered by 12-year-old boy during archaeological dig in ancient Jewish village

Dig director Dr. Achia Kohn-Tavorn from Ariel University identified the stone as a Nicolo, a type of agate stone often used in jewelry and signet rings by the Romans as a symbol of wealth.

Twelve-year-old Alon Horwitz who discovered an ancient gemstone at Korazim National Park in the Galilee, June 1, 2026.

What is Beaufort Castle, the historic Crusader fortress Israel now holds in Lebanon? - explainer

Aside from a smaller fortification present at the site of the current Beaufort Castle, little else is known about the site prior to its capture by the Crusader forces.

An Israeli flag flies over the medieval Beaufort Castle, known locally as Qalaat al-Shaqif or Shaqif Arnoun, as seen from the Marjayoun area of southern Lebanon on May 31, 2026.

Neanderthals' ancient toolkit included hammers, blades made from rhino teeth, study finds

Dental microwear analysis, which allows for the microscopic study of surface textures, confirmed that the marks were made after the animals' deaths, ruling out chewing or dietary wear and tear.

Rupert van Der Werff from Summers Place Auctions with a rare skeleton of a long-extinct woolly rhinoceros in Billingshurst, England, March 5, 2019; file photo.

Evidence of ancient Native American life uncovered near Cape Canaveral Space Force Station

Researchers were working at the site as part of UCF’s Cape Canaveral Archaeological Mitigation Project (CCAMP).

University of Central Florida researchers sifting through finds from site near Cape Canaveral Space Force Station

Rare, intact ancient Roman burial unearthed during excavations in eastern Croatia - report

Previously, a total of 44 other Roman graves were discovered during excavations for the project, however the most recent find is the first to be fully undisturbed. 

Roman-era burial discovered in eastern Croatia, May 29, 2026.

United States returns 13th missing piece of famed 'Gypsy Girl' mosaic to Turkey

The mosaic was first discovered nearly 30 years ago by Turkish archaeologists during excavations in the ancient city of Zeugma.

Screengrab of 13th missing piece of the famed Turkish "Gypsy Girl" mosaic returned to Turkey by the United States, May 29, 2026.