At the height of the Islamic State group’s rampage across Syria, the world watched in horror as the militants blew up an iconic arch and temple in the country’s famed Roman ruins in Palmyra. Eight years later, IS has lost its hold but restoration work on
An ancient tablet discovered near the Palestinian city of Nablus may contain the earliest known mention of God’s name in proto-alphabetic Hebrew. Scott Stripling, director of the Archaeological Studies Institute at The Bible Seminary in Katy, Texas, announced the discovery of the lead tablet Thursday.
Excavations in Jerusalem revealed damage dating to the eighth century B.C.E., when the natural disaster reportedly took place. Read full piece
Researchers from the Israel Antiquities Authority, Bar Ilan University, and Tel Aviv University said they had identified pieces of fabric dyed “true purple” dating to the 10th century BCE, when the Hebrew Bible says David and Solomon ruled in Jerusalem.
And other things you wanted to ask an expert in forged biblical antiquities. Read full piece
Politics rears its ugly head everywhere, even in archaeology. Read full piece
Stunning stone etching of two horned individuals at prayer found at mouth of rare circa-11th century citadel in Israel’s north; could predate famous Geshur site, Tel Bethsaida. Read full piece
Major archaeological discoveries will have to wait until next year, at least. Read full piece
Tony Cartledge reflects on an archaeological find in Jerusalem dating to the time of the biblical kings Hezekiah and Manasseh. Read full piece
A renowned scholar claimed that he discovered a first-century gospel fragment. Now he’s facing allegations of antiquities theft, cover-up, and fraud.