Israel Antiquities Authority

Ancient tunnel with unknown age, purpose found near Kibbutz Ramat Rachel ahead of Jerusalem Day

After descending a set of ancient stairs from the surface, archaeologists found themselves standing at the hewn opening of the tunnel, found to be filled with hundreds of years of ancient sewage.

The mysterious, ancient tunnel found near Kibbutz Ramat Rachel on the outskirts of Jerusalem, May 14, 2026.
INEXTG CEO Esti Shrieber, tapped to be the next director of the Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA).

Heritage Minister taps INEXTG CEO Esther Shreiber for next IAA director, first woman in role

Hasmonean-era coin depicted the seven-branched menorah (L) and silver tetradrachm minted in Ashkelon during the Persian period (R) which were returned to Israel from the United States earlier this week, May 13, 2026.

US returns two rare, ancient coins to Israel following joint antiquities theft investigation

An Israeli flag is raised on the peak of Mount Sartaba in the Jordan Valley, February 23, 2026.

Knesset advances in first reading bill to form Israeli antiquities authority in West Bank


Inscription bearing Persian King Darius the Great's name discovered in Israel

Darius the Great is the father of King Ahasuerus, also known as the biblical Achashverosh from the story of Purim • Discovery was made by the international media adviser to President Isaac Herzog

 The Darius inscription.

Israeli family discovers ancient Byzantine relic on Shabbat walk

According to a release from the Israel Antiquities Authority, the family noticed a small clay face in the ground, which appeared to be looking up at them.

The candle handle that was discovered in the Tzur Yaakov hills, the Antiquities Authority.

Israel to excavate City of David's historical Pool of Siloam

The Pool of Siloam was part of Jerusalem's water system during the time of the Temple and the reign of King Hezekiah.

 Northern perimeter of the Pool of Siloam.

2,000-year-old candle discovered by local children in Israeli Kibbutz

The candle was discovered near a site the Antiquities Authority was already excavating, meaning the discovery will also shed new light on an existing excavation.

  Dr. Haim Mamalia of Israel's Antiquities Authority with the children who found the candle.

2,200-year-old coins proving Hanukkah story of Maccabees found in Israel

The coins, dating back to the period leading up to the Maccabean revolt, were discovered in the Wadi Muraabat Caves in Nahal Darga.

 A wooden box containing 15 silver coins from the Maccabean period was discovered in the Judean Desert earlier this year, and will be put on display in the Hasmonean Museum in Modi'in, December 13, 2022.

Greek sling bullet from Hellenistic Period discovered in Israel

Bullet engraved with message: "Victory of Heracles and Hauronas" • Projectile may have been used during war against Hasmoneans

 The word "Victory" on one side of the sling bullet, and the names of the gods Heracles and Hauronas on the reverse side.

Rare coin from Hanukkah story villain era found in theft suspect’s home

Antiochus IV, referred to as "Evil Antiochus" in Jewish lore, is remembered as a major villain and persecutor in Jewish history, particularly the story of Hanukkah.

 The Antiochus IV coin discovered in the Antiquities Authority said of the illegal artifacts digger.

Solving mystery of Israel's Church of the Holy Sepulchre pillar carvings

While it may at first glance appear to be a bit of Vandal-era vandalism, the apparent graffiti shenanigans was actually a deliberate attempt by the clergy to redeem souls and honor the dead.

The Church of the Holy Sepulchre in the Old City

Israeli archaeologists reveal cache of guns Arabs used against British

The weapons cache, which included the remains of around 100 guns, will be presented at a special conference for police officers and archaeologists.

 Bullets that were among the finds in the Arab militia weapons cache found in Jaffa.

History mystery: Roman-era column base found near Hermon in Israel

The column base is enormous and Israeli archaeologists can already tell that it was something out of the ordinary, but most of the facts remain a mystery.

 A massive Roman-era column base was found near Mount Hermon in northern Israel. What was it used for?