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


Archaeologist revives 2,000-year-old bread recipe in Pompeii after 18 years of experimentation

Panis quadratus was simple, made of water, flour, and salt, and carefully divided into eight sections with a reed and bound with rope.

File photo: First century bakery in the Roman town of Pompeii, showing corn-mill, oven, and food counter, January 1, 1900.

Evidence of human sacrifice, inbreeding found at ancient Korean burial complex - study

Additionally, researchers found genetic confirmation that entire families had been sacrificed together as part of sunjang, the ritualistic sacrifice of servants to be buried alongside their superiors

 The women's Hanbok in 5th-century Goguryeo murals, rooted in the attire of northern nomadic peoples, features a separate top and bottom, with an A-line skirt worn over pants.

Neanderthal children in central Europe may have hunted turtles for materials, not for food - study

The study also floated the possibility that the turtles had been hunted for “their taste or for an assumed medicinal value.” 

A European pond turtle next to the foot of a European straight-tusked elephant, April 16, 2026; illustrative.

MyHeritage's Scribe AI decodes world's oldest love letter, reveals 15th century familial tensions

Brews’ letter is part of the “Paston Letters” collection of correspondence between the Paston noble family and others iduring the 15th century, including state papers and other important documents.

Margery Brews "Letter to a Lover," April 16, 2026.

Early humans may have begun eating elephants, large animals 1.8 million years ago - study

The fat stored in Elephant bones, which is rich in essential nutrients, is thought to have played a role in supporting the growth of larger brains in the Homo erectus lineage.

Illustration: The skull of an asian elephant.

Over 20 sarcophagi belonging to ‘Chanters of Amun’ discovered during excavations near Luxor

Eight pieces of papyrus, some with their original clay seals intact, were also found within the chamber. 

One of the sarcophagi found during archaeological excavations in the tomb of Seneb, April 15, 2026.

DNA analysis reveals ancestry of man buried in ancient Spanish tomb, shows mixed heritage - study

Due to the warm climate, researchers only managed to extract usable DNA from the remains of one of the men, estimated to have been around 45-years-old, called Menga1. 

Dolmen of Menga in Antequera, Spain, April 15, 2026.

An ancient Egyptian temple was just found in Sinai after six years of digging

Analysis of the site also shows that the structure had been continuously used from the 2nd century BCE to the 6th century CE, with only minor architectural modifications happening during that time.

Aerial photo of the ancient temple discovered at Tell el-Farma in the  northern Sinai, April 15, 2026.

Ancient charcoal found in northern Israel sheds new light on how early humans lived - study

Within the charcoal, archaeologists found traces of ash, willow, oak, olive, pistachio, grapevine, oleander, and the oldest known evidence of pomegranate wood in the Levant.

A general view of the excavation of Gesher B'not Ya‘acov Acheulian site, April 14, 2026.

Early humans in South Africa used dedicated quarries for stone as long as 220,000 years ago - study

Based on this, researchers suggest that early homo sapiens planned for the long-term acquisition of resources earlier than previously thought.

Dozens of large and small stone flakes and production waste found at the  Jojosi excavation site in eastern South Africa, April 11, 2026.