Tag Archive for archeology

| December 5, 2017
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Pro-Palestinian NGO maneuvering for control over Israel’s archeological discoveries

While cynical resolutions are passed without credence at UNESCO and other United Nations NGOs with impunity, it would be disastrous for Israel to intrust “neutral” international bodies to oversee archeology discoveries in Jerusalem, for surely first the Jewish connection would disappear, followed by Christianity’s.

BY DANIEL K. EISENBUD

 

In Israel, archeology is far more than just science.

Indeed, perhaps more than any other country, the stakes of antiquities unearthed here could not be higher in terms of geopolitical implications used by warring factions to determine “facts on the ground” in the most contested region in the world.

Magdala stone with Menorah that was found in the Archaeological site inside the Migdal Synagogue area – Photo- Wikimedia Commons/Hanay

The battle between right- and left-wing ideologues is evident at archeological sites in east Jerusalem and the West Bank, where discoveries are routinely exhibited to the world as evidence of Israeli sovereignty in the Jewish homeland or as an occupier. Continue Reading »

Category: Israel News | Tags: , , , , , ,
| September 14, 2017
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Antiquities thieves vandalize burial site, skeletons at ancient Judean Desert fortress

The desecrated cave, at one of the seven Hasmonean fortresses ordered built by King Herod to protect the eastern border of the Judean Kingdom, came under attack by antiquities robbers since they’re unprotected due to a systematic lack of funding.

By DANIEL K. EISENBUD

 

Tomb raiders recently destroyed human skulls and skeletal remains buried in a mysterious cave near the ancient Hasmonean fortress of Horkania in the northern Judean Desert between Jericho and the Dead Sea.

The fortress, believed to have been constructed around 120 BCE by its namesake, John Hyrcanus, was one of seven ordered built by King Herod to protect the eastern border of the Judean Kingdom from the Edomites and other enemies. Continue Reading »

Category: Israel News | Tags: , , , , , , ,
| September 7, 2017
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UNPRECEDENTED DISCOVERY: 7,200 yr-old vessel for food storage unearthed in Jordan Valley

Prof. Danny Rosenberg, at the University of Haifa said that with the exception of these finds at Tel Tsaf, no evidence of mass-food storage between 7,500 – 6,500 years ago has been found anywhere in the region.

By DANIEL K. EISENBUD

 

A unique 7,200-year-old clay vessel recently unearthed in the Jordan Valley by researchers from Israel and Germany may represent the oldest evidence yet of ancient class structure as it relates to food storage rituals in the Near East.

Archeologists working at the Tel Tsaf excavation site near the Jordan River. – Photo: Courtesy of University of Haifa

The relic was discovered at the Tel Tsaf archeological site during digs overseen by Prof. Continue Reading »

Category: Innovations & Discoveries | Tags: , , ,
| March 7, 2017
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2,000 year-old ‘Emperor’s Road’ discovered, ancient coins unearthed

 

Approximately 1.5 kilometers long and 6 meters wide with inset pavement stones, the Roman period road, along with the ancient coins were unearthed by students, under the supervision of the Israel Antiquities Authority.

By 

 

A wide and well-preserved 2,000-year-old road dating to the Roman period was unearthed last month during archaeological excavations carried out by the Israel Antiquities Authority and students near Beit Shemesh.

The dig, located just off of Highway 375, was conducted prior to laying a water pipeline to Jerusalem at the initiative of the  water corporation Mei Shemesh.

The ancient coins discovered during the excavation.

Continue Reading »
Category: Innovations & Discoveries | Tags: , , , , , ,
| September 15, 2016
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1st century gold coin with Nero’s image found in Jerusalem dig

 

“First time that a coin of this kind has turned up in Jerusalem…Coins of this type are usually found only in private collections, where we don’t have clear evidence as to place of origin.”

By DANIEL K. EISENBUD

 

A rare, well-preserved gold coin struck in 56-57 CE, bearing the image of Roman Emperor Nero, was found by archeologists from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte during a recent excavation on Jerusalem’s Mount Zion, just outside the Old City, it was announced Wednesday.

Described as an “emperor, theater actor, poet,” Nero, a flamboyant ruler who took the throne at age 17, was perhaps best known for killing his mother, who married his great uncle Claudius. Continue Reading »

Category: Israel News | Tags: , ,
| June 27, 2016
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Morning jogger finds 900 yr-old lamp on Ashkelon shore

 

“To find an artifact like this, it’s really exciting.” said the morning jogger, “You can touch what was here long ago. I feel like I’m a part of the chain.”

By Rachel Kaplan

 

Tuesday morning started normally for Meir Amshik, a ranger (lifeguard) for the Nature and Parks Authority.900 year-old lamp900 year-old lamp – Photo: Yuli Schwartz, Israel Antiquities Authority

As he jogged along the coast, however, “I saw a few pottery shards had been washed up by the waves, and I stopped to pick them up. To my surprise, I saw that a new part of the cliff had crumbled.
Continue Reading »
Category: Israel News | Tags: ,
| April 5, 2016
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Israel’s Archeological council warns Western Wall mixed-prayer area will cause damage  

 

The ire of Israel’s Archeological Council was voiced in a letter warning of great damage to Western Wall heritage site, should the decision to expand the prayer area for Conservative, Reform & mixed-gender prayer be allowed at the planned designated area.

By Itay Blumenthal

 

Israel’s Archeological Council announced, in a letter that it sent on Monday to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, that it greatly opposes what it called “the major damage to the archeological park at the foot of the Western Wall”, the place where the government decided last January to establish an expanded prayer area for Conservative, Reform and mixed-gender worship. Continue Reading »

Category: Israel News | Tags: , , , ,
| February 26, 2016
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Israel Antiquities Authority honors 7 yr-old boy after finding 3,400 yr-old Canaanite idol

 

Israel Antiquities Authority presented young Ori Greenhut with Certificate of Appreciation at his school, for handing in ancient statuette.

By DANIEL K. EISENBUD

 

During a trip to tel Rehov archeological site in northern Israel this week, seven-year old Ori Greenhut, from Tel Te’omin in the Beit She’an Valley, suddenly came upon a small figure covered with soil while climbing the site’s tel, or archeological mound.

ORI GREENHUT holds the ancient statuette he found in Tel Rehov earlier this week. Photo: Miki Peleg, courtesy of Israel Antiquities Authority

When he rubbed the dirt off the object, an unusual clay statuette was revealed. Continue Reading »

Category: Israel News | Tags: ,
| May 18, 2015
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Teenage Archeology Enthusiasts Unearth 1,400 Year-Old Wine Press In Jerusalem

A woman running her dog in a wooded area in the Jerusalem neighborhood of Neve Yaakov, alerted the Israel Antiquities Authority after spotting the ancient wine-press, which apparently had been uncovered by local teens.

By Yori Yalon

 

A wine press used 1,400 years ago was recently unearthed in the Neve Yaakov neighborhood in northeast Jerusalem.

Archeologists noted that the wine press had been excavated carefully – Photo: Alex Vigman/Israel Antiquities Authority

Local resident Tamar Simon was running with her dog in a nearby wooded area when noticed the ancient remains. Simon alerted the Israel Antiquities Authority.

Archeologists were surprised at the sight of the ancient press, which measures five meters (16.4 feet) across, carved out of a boulder.

Continue Reading »
Category: Innovations & Discoveries, Israel News | Tags: ,
| March 21, 2015
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Tel Aviv University researchers find pre-historic tools used to kill & butcher animals for food

Researchers in Israel find pre-historic tools containing residue of animal fat which helped archeologists see how animals 100,000 years ago were butchered for food.

By i24news

 

New research by Tel Aviv University professors determined that pre-historic tools from approximately 100,000 years ago were used to kill and butcher animals.

Researchers analysing elephant remains (rib pictured) in Israel have discovered signs of animal residue on primitive tools called ‘handaxes and scrapers’ alongside cut marks in the remains themselves. – Photo: Ran Barkai

The team found elephant bones in a quarry near Jerusalem; a close analysis, called the “use-wear analysis”, of the cut marks on the bones showed that the animal was butchered
by axes and scrapers made of flint.

Continue Reading »
Category: Innovations & Discoveries, Israel News | Tags: ,
| March 9, 2015
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Tourists find 2,300 year-old jewelry in Israel’s Galilee

Members of the Israel Caving Club uncovered a rare treasure including silver coins minted during the reign of Alexander the Great who conquered Israel during the Hellenestic period.

By Itay Blumenthal

 

Israeli tourists discovered a rare treasure trove filled with 2,300-year-old coins, and silver and copper objects inside a cave in northern Israel.

Jewelry found in ancient cave. (Photo: IAA)

Jewelry found in ancient cave. – Photo: Israel Antiquities Authority

“Thanks to the work of honest citizens, we will be able to better understand the history of Israel,” said Amir Ganor, director of the Israel Antiquities Authority.

About two weeks ago, members of the Israel Caving Club – Reuven Zachai, his son Chen and friend Lior Hiloni – went out on a preparation trip in a large stalactite cave in northern Israel before the rest of the club members joined in. Continue Reading »

Category: Israel News | Tags: , ,
| October 21, 2014
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Rare 2,000 yr-old Latin engraved tribute to Emperor Hadrian unearthed in Jerusalem

Israel Antiquities Authority archeologists believe the rare 2,000 year-old engraved stone is among the most significant discoveries in Jerusalem.

By i24news

 

A fragment of a stone engraved 2,000 years ago in clear, large Latin letters to the Roman Emperor Hadrian, has been unearthed in Jerusalem.

2,000 year-old inscription unearthed in Jerusalem‏. -Photo: Israel Antiquities Authority/Daniel K. Eisenbud

2,000 year-old inscription unearthed in Jerusalem‏. -Photo: Israel Antiquities Authority/Daniel K. Eisenbud

The Israel Antiquities Authority said Tuesday that researchers believe this is among the most important Latin inscriptions ever discovered in Jerusalem.

The stone was unearthed during salvage excavations in several areas north of the Damascus Gate to the Old City. According to Dr. Continue Reading »

Category: Innovations & Discoveries, Israel News | Tags: , ,
| June 2, 2014
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Grand Hall from 14th Century Discovered Beneath the Kotel Tunnels

 

After 10 years of difficult excavations, the Western Wall Heritage Foundation opens an educational center deep beneath the Muslim Quarter dedicated to Jewish history.

By DANIEL K. EISENBUD
 

 

Funded entirely by Jewish Ukrainian billionaire Zvi Hirsch (Gennady) Bogolyubov, the Western Wall Heritage Foundation unveiled on Sunday a fully excavated grand hall from the 14th century in the Western Wall Tunnels that took 10 years to restore.

UKRANIAN OLIGARCH Zvi Hirsch (Gennady) Bogolyubov poses in the excavated educational center he spent millions to finane in the Western Wall Tunnels Sunday. – Photo: MARC ISRAEL SELLEM/THE JERUSALEM POST

The hall, which has been converted into an educational center, took millions of dollars and close oversight by the Israel Antiquities Authority to complete. Continue Reading »

Category: Israel News | Tags: , ,
| February 9, 2014
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Hamas Holds Ancient Apollo Statue Found by Gaza Fisherman

 

Bronze Apollo statue found by fisherman, dating back 1,800-2,500 years ago, is being held by Hamas is an disclosed location.

By

 

In an Interior Ministry office somewhere in Gaza stands an ancient bronze statue of the Greek god Apollo, discovered last August by a local fisherman and valued at $20 million to $40 million or more, Bloomberg Businessweek reports.

Local fisherman discovers 500kg. bronze statue of Greek god which Hamas police seized.

The discovery is credited to Gazan fisherman Jouda Ghurab, 26. However, Ghurab’s claim to have come upon it in the waters off the Gazan shore is disputed by foreign archeologists who’ve seen photos and videos of the statue; they say there would have been sea encrustations and water damage if it had lain in the sea for centuries.

Continue Reading »
Category: Mid-East News | Tags: , ,
| January 10, 2014
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‘David’s Castle’ to be Unveiled in Judea on Land Going to the Palestinians

 

 

Jerusalem initially tried to hide the find, as it could upset the peace process by proving once again an ancient Jewish presence in Judea

Israel Today Staff

 

We reported last year on the discovery of an ancient biblical-era palace probably dating back to the time of King David himself that was subsequently covered up for political reasons.

'David's Castle' to be Unveiled on 'Palestinian' Land

‘David’s Castle’ to be Unveiled on land going to the Palestinians

 

Now, the group that stumbled upon the unprecedented find tells Israel National News that they will publicly reveal the location of the buried palace next Friday, January 17, an event that is likely to cause a diplomatic earthquake. Continue Reading »

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