Archaeology

Inside the tragic, decades-long mystery of Qumran's lost Second Temple incense

The vast majority of material was lost after a 2025 murder. All that remains is a small amount of dust collected from the floor and a few samples preserved by the Jones family.

A cave in the Qumran area of the Dead Sea region.
Ancient stone circle found underground at Machrie Moor in Scotland, July 15, 2026.

Hidden for millennia: Mystery ancient stone circle discovered beneath Scotland's Machrie Moor

A fragment of a 2,000-year-old Psalms Scroll from the Dead Sea Scrolls collection; illustrative.

One of the Dead Sea Scrolls' greatest mysteries may have finally been solved by Israeli researcher

Antique pocket watch and ruble coins discovered by Chabad summer camp kids in the town of Lyubavichi, Russia, July 12, 2026.

Coming full circle: Luxury watch belonging to Chabad rebbes found by hasidic children in Lyubavichi


Ancient structure near Stonehenge may have inspired its solstice alignment, archaeologists say

The site, believed to have likely served as a focus for religious gatherings, bears extensive evidence of feasting and large-scale gatherings.

Sheep grazing near Stonehenge.

Ancient tablet found at Roman fort in Netherlands bears Greek curse against enemies

The lead curse tablet found in the Netherlands was discovered by a team of Dutch archaeologists in a pit beneath the town hall square of the Roman military settlement of Coriovallum.

Heerlen curse tablet with an ancient Greek invocation of deities and demons in the Egyptian style, July 10, 2026.

Mudbrick Byzantine city unearthed during excavations at Egypt's western desert oasis

The discovery helps “highlight the cultural diversity witnessed by the Egyptian oases throughout different historical periods," said Egyptian Tourism and Antiquities Minister Sherif Fathy.

Egyptian archaeological mission discovers Byzantine era city in Dakhla Oasis, July 6, 2026.

'Once-in-a-generation' expedition sets sail to survey famed polar expedition ships

The targets of the new survey include Quest, a schooner-rigged steamship captained by Sir Ernest Shackleton, and Terra Nova, Captain Robert Falcon Scott’s whaler and polar expedition vessel.

The Quest, captained by Sir Ernest Shackleton; illustrative.

Hijacking history: How messianic extremists are weaponizing Israeli archaeology - opinion

Right-wing extremists have spent decades perfecting the use of archaeology to promote their messianic ideology and sabotage diplomatic efforts.

View of a graffiti sprayed by unknown attackers, ancient archeological site of Sebastia, near the West Bank city of Nablus, November 30, 2024.

Secrets of Huqoq: New Galilee exhibit premieres mosaics, coins found at ancient Jewish settlement

The ruins of the ancient settlement of Huqoq, which reached its peak during the Roman-Byzantine period, sits in the heart of the Amiad Forest in an open space near a spring of the same name.

Samson carrying the gates of Gaza on his shoulders, the original mosaic from Huqoq is on display in the exhibition at the Yigal Allon Center, July 9, 2026.

New sections of ancient Egyptian temple reveal inscriptions of Pharaoh Psamtik I

The temple dates back to Egypt’s 26th Dynasty, the last native dynasty of ancient Egypt before the Persian conquest in 525 BCE.

The ancient temple complex in the village of al-Qasr in the Bahariya Oasis, Egypt, July 3, 2026.

After 200 years in ruin: Greece unveils complete restoration of Parthenon's western pediment

The external scaffolding hiding the Parthenon’s western face was removed in early June following the completion of the monument’s back wall.

The restored western face of the Parthenon, Greece, July 2, 2026.

Frescos from famed Etruscan tomb go on display in Rome after multi-million euro purchase by Italy

The Italian state spent €15 million on a series of celebrated frescoes found in the central hall of the tomb, which were painted between 340 and 320 BCE.

People look at the newly acquired Tomb of Francois, a 4th-century BC masterpiece bought last month by Italy's Culture Ministry for 15 million euros, at the National Etruscan Museum of Villa Giulia in Rome, Italy, June 30, 2026.

New AI-powered research project aims to uncover the origins of the Dead Sea Scrolls

Research methods will include state-of-the-art chemical, artificial intelligence, paleographical, and codicological analysis of approximately 250 samples of the scrolls from the IAA's collection.

A fragment of a 2,000-year-old Psalms Scroll from the Dead Sea Scrolls collection; illustrative.