Tag Archive for archaeology

| October 11, 2013
No comments

Israeli scientists say proto-men recycled, half a million years ago

Tel Aviv University archaeologist says evidence shows that not only humans, but Neanderthals & Homo erectus, used broken flint & bone tools to create new utensils.

By  

 

If you thought recycling was just a modern phenomenon championed by environmentalists— think again. There is mounting evidence that hundreds of thousands of years ago, our prehistoric ancestors recycled objects they used in their daily lives, say researchers gathered at an international conference in Israel.

A stone age recycling site cave next to Zichron Yaakov.

A Stone Age recycling site cave next to Zichron Yaakov. – Photo by AP

“For the first time we are revealing the extent of this phenomenon, both in terms of the amount of recycling that went on and the different methods used,” said Ran Barkai, an archaeologist and one of the organizers of the four-day gathering at Tel Aviv University that ended Thursday. Continue Reading »

Category: Innovations & Discoveries | Tags: ,
| September 18, 2013
No comments

“Going up to the foot” of ancient Israelite kings

 

The controversy over the Israelite nation’s birth stems partially from sparse archaeological discoveries & artifacts, but archaeologist Adam Zertal’s discoveries are changing that.

By Dror Eydar

 

 

The call went out among the hill tribes: Go back to Gilgal to hold another coronation ceremony for the new king. The people were not accustomed to having a king or institutions of government when the first king, Saul son of Kish, was crowned. Many of them doubted his ability to rule. During the first ceremony, the tribe of Benjamin was chosen by lot to provide the first king. Within the tribe, the family of the Matrites was chosen, and among that family, the lot fell upon Saul son of Kish, as if Heaven and the people had chosen him to rule over Israel (as told in 1 Samuel 10).

Continue Reading »
Category: Innovations & Discoveries | Tags:
| September 17, 2013
No comments

Did Israeli Archaeologists discover God’s wife?

Although, Israel is touted as the birthplace of monotheism, there exists evidence suggesting the Israelites & later the Judahites, much like their neighbors – worshiped a pantheon.

By

 

“You shall not plant any tree as an Asherah beside the altar of the Lord your God that you shall make.” Deuteronomy 16:21.

 

The Old Testament is rife with the admonishment of errant kings and queens worshiping ‘false gods’, with the much of the blame falling on the Kingdom of Israel and that of Ahab and his infamous queen Jezebel.

Neolithic female figurine, Yarmukian Culture.

Female worship goes back millennia: A female figurine from Neolithic times, about 9,000 years ago, found in the present-day Golan Heights.

Continue Reading »
Category: Innovations & Discoveries | Tags:
| September 11, 2013
No comments

Israeli Archaeologist says on Historic Moment: ‘I was Paralyzed’

Third generation archaeologist Dr. Eilat Mazar talks about the moment of awe when she first uncovered the huge golden menorah medallion.

By Adam Ross

 

Archaeologist Dr. Eilat Mazar, who unearthed what is widely considered one of Israel’s greatest historical finds, has been speaking to Arutz Sheva about the emotional moment of the discovery.

In summer excavations at the foot of the Temple Mount, Mazar unearthed two bundles of treasure containing thirty-six gold coins, gold and silver jewelry as well as a gold medallion with the menorah (Temple candelabrum) symbol etched into it. Also etched into the 10-cm. medallion are a shofar (ram’s horn) and the image of a Torah scroll.  

Continue Reading »
Category: Innovations & Discoveries | Tags:
| September 10, 2013
No comments

7th century coins & jewelry discovered at foot of Temple Mount

36 gold coins, silver & gold jewelry, and a gold medallion, etched with the Temple menorah, shofar & Torah scroll were among the discoveries.

The gold medallion was likely was a Torah scroll ornament.

By JTA

 

JERUSALEM — Gold and silver coins and jewelry dated from the seventh century were discovered at an excavation at the foot of the Temple Mount, Hebrew University researchers said.

7th century AD dated Gold medallion bearing a Temple menorah, shofar and Torah scroll found at Temple Mount, Jerusalem.

The discovery of the two bundles of treasure at the Temple Mount’s southern wall, at the Ophel excavation site, was announced Monday by the researchers.

The artifacts can be dated to the late Byzantine period, or early seventh century CE.

Continue Reading »
Category: Innovations & Discoveries, Israel News | Tags: ,
| August 18, 2013
No comments

First Temple Era Pottery Found in City of David

The archaeologists who discovered the pottery shards with writing dating back 2,700 years say the find sheds more light on life in Jerusalem during the period of the First Temple.

By Shlomo Pyutrokovski

 

Archaeologists working in the Mayan Gihon area in the City of David in Jerusalem have discovered many ancient artifacts, including pottery shards, clay candle holders, and figurines dating back to the times of the First and Second Temples.

The pottery shard – Courtesy of Israel Antiquities Authority

One recently discovered item has aroused particular interest: a pottery shard dating back to the First Temple period that includes part of a phrase etched into its rim. Continue Reading »

Category: Innovations & Discoveries | Tags: , ,
| August 16, 2013
No comments

Rare, Preserved 8th Century BCE Fortifications Found at Ashdod Harbor

An amazing find by the Institute of Archaeology at Tel Aviv University  uncovered a system of fortifications during this summer’s excavation.

By Kochava Rozenbaum

 

Rare and unique discoveries were found this summer at the Tel Aviv University Institute of Archaeology excavation site in Tel Ashdod-Yam – located in the harbor city of Ashdod.

The institute uncovered a system of fortifications which date back to the 8th century BCE, the remains of buildings, as well as coins and weights from the Hellenistic period.

The excavations were the first of the season and were led by Dr. Alexander Fantalkin. He discovered the remains of a kind of anchorage, a massive wall made up of mud bricks which form embankments. Continue Reading »

Category: Innovations & Discoveries | Tags: , ,
| August 5, 2013
One comment

Huge 1,000 Yr-Old Hospital Discovered in Jerusalem

Impressive Crusader arched structure built by the Knights Hospitaller has a 20 ft-high ceiling and served as a sophisticated hospital.

By Gil Ronen

 

A Jerusalem structure that served as a hospital in the Crusader era has been opened to the public, after archaeological digs and research carried out by the Antiquities Authority. The structure, which is owned by the Muslim Waqf, is located in the heart of the Christian Quarter, near David Street.

Part of the ancient hospital – Photo: IAA

The building served as a bustling fruit and vegetable market until the early 2000s. The archaeological work was carried out ahead of plans to turn the structure into a restaurant.

Continue Reading »
Category: Innovations & Discoveries | Tags:
| July 24, 2013
No comments

Another Ancient Olive Press Unearthed in Jerusalem

 

Excavations by the Israel Antiquities Authority have discovered a cave housing an ancient olive press near Jerusalem College of Technology.

Researchers are still trying to ascertain the artifact’s date, saying this proves of “centrality of olive trade to Jerusalem’s agrarian economy.”

By Yori Yalon and Israel Hayom Staff

 

A cave housing an ancient olive press was recently discovered during archeological excavations at a site near the Jerusalem College of Technology, the Israel Antiquities Authority said in a statement Tuesday.

Researchers are hard-pressed to ascertain the artifact’s date. – Photo Courtesy to Israel Antiquities Authority

The Antiquities Authority said its researchers were still trying to ascertain the exact date of the artifact, adding they believed the ancient olive press was “part of a town or a farm that once existed on the premises.”

Continue Reading »
Category: Innovations & Discoveries | Tags: ,
| July 18, 2013
One comment

Archaeologists may have found King David’s Palace

Three buildings dated back to the 10th century BCE have been unearthed by archaeologists – and one of them may have been King David’s palace.

By David Lev

 

Three unique public buildings, the first of their kind ever found in the Judea area, have been unearthed by Hebrew University and Archaeology Authority archaeologists in the past year, it was revealed Thursday. The buildings date to the tenth century before the Common Era – the period in which King David reigned in Jerusalem.

An aerial view of the Khirbet Qeiyafa dig – Skyview/Archaeological Authority

 

And in fact, say Hebrew University archaeologist Yossi Garfinkel and Archaeology Authority official Saar Ganor, one of the buildings is indeed a palace used by King David himself. Continue Reading »

Category: Israel News | Tags: , , ,
| July 10, 2013
2 comments

Egyptian Sphinx Discovered in Northern Israel

Archaeologists discovered a sphinx which bears a dedication to the Egyptian ruler Mycerinus, who ruled circa 2500 BCE & built one of the 3 Pyramids at Giza.

By JTA

 

Archaeologists in northern Israel discovered an Egyptian sphinx thought to date back at least three millennia.

Sphinx, Metropolitan Museum of Art, NY - Photo courtesy to Wikimedia Commons

Sphinx, Metropolitan Museum of Art, NY – Photo courtesy to Wikimedia Commons

The sphinx was unearthed Tuesday, according to the French news agency AFP, and bears a dedication to the Egyptian ruler Mycerinus, who ruled circa 2500 BCE and built one of the three Pyramids at Giza. Researchers estimate that the sphinx arrived at its location in the town of Tel Hazor in around 1500 BCE as a gift from a later ruler. Continue Reading »

Category: Innovations & Discoveries | Tags: , ,
| July 10, 2013
No comments

FOUND: Earliest alphabetical written text ever uncovered in Jerusalem near Temple Mount

Hebrew University Archaeologist: This is the earliest alphabetical written text ever discovered anywhere in Jerusalem.

By Gil Ronen

 

Working near the Temple Mount in Jerusalem, Hebrew University of Jerusalem archaeologist Dr. Eilat Mazar has unearthed the earliest alphabetical written text ever uncovered in the city.

The shard- Courtesy of Dr. Eilat Mazar – Photo: Noga Cohen-Aloro

 

The inscription is engraved on a large pithos, a neckless ceramic jar found with six others at the Ophel excavation site. According to Dr. Mazar, the inscription, in the Canaanite language, is the only one of its kind discovered in Jerusalem and an important addition to the city’s history. Continue Reading »

Category: Israel News | Tags: , ,
| July 2, 2013
One comment

Israeli Archaeologists report to have found Shilo Tabernacle

The artifact discovered will be displayed this week at Shilo, showing the  hewn holes in which wooden beams could have been placed.

By Gil Ronen

 

Archaeologists say they have found the remains of the Biblical Israelites’ Tabernacle at site of ancient Shilo. The Tabernacle precedes the Temples and dates to the period between the conquest of the Land of Israel by Joshua and the rise of King David.

Ancient Shilo – Kobi Finkler

According to a report in Yisrael Hayom, the archaeologists will display their findings this week at the Shilo site in Samaria, in a conference that is to be held by the Shilo Organization. Continue Reading »

Category: Israel News | Tags: ,
| June 26, 2013
No comments

Ancient Roman Road Uncovered North of Jerusalem

The Beit Hanina section was part of a Roman road that ran to the coast following the same path as the modern Route 443.

By JTA

 

JERUSALEM (JTA) — A section of a 1,800-year-old ancient road from the Roman period running from Jerusalem to Jaffa was uncovered in northern Jerusalem.

Route 443 – Google Earth

The road was discovered during excavations by the Israel Antiquities Authority in the Israeli-Arab neighborhood of Beit Hanina in advance of the installation of a drainage pipe.

The road made of large, flat stones and bound on both sides by curbstones is badly worn in some areas, indicating that it was used extensively and repaired several times.

Continue Reading »
Category: Israel News | Tags: ,
| June 3, 2013
No comments

Ancient Samaria archaeological site neglected by politics

 

The ancient town of Sebastia of the biblical Kingdom of Israel, under the name of Samaria, has been largely neglected by both sides for the past two decades, as it’s caught between conflicting Israeli & Palestinian jurisdictions.

Historian working on restoration says no one is doing maintenance, protection or cleaning of the site.

By The Associated Press

 

The ancient town of Sebastia is one of the major archaeological sites of the Holy Land, with its overlapping layers of history dating back nearly 3,000 years. But today the hilltop capital of biblical kings, later ruled by Roman conquerors, Crusaders and Ottomans, is marred with weeds, graffiti and garbage.

Continue Reading »
Category: Israel News | Tags:
« Older Entries   Recent Entries »