Israel Antiquities Authority

Days before Tisha B'Av: Charred wooden beams from First Temple’s destruction unearthed in Jerusalem

The First Temple, built by the biblical King Solomon, was destroyed in 586 BCE at the hands of Nebuchadnezzar II, the second king of the Neo-Babylonian Empire. 

The burnt wooden beams discovered in the City of David, July 20, 2026.
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.

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

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

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

Roman statues uncovered by the Israel Antiquities Authority excavation, June 15, 2026.

WATCH: Two Roman-era statues unearthed during infrastructure dig for Israel Railways near Haifa


Antiquities robbers caught red-handed looting Roman-era caves

The site in question contained artifacts that are approximately 2,000 years old, dating back to the Roman-Byzantine era, according to the IAA.

 The "Einat Shuim" archeological site in northern Israel near the village of Ein Mahal.

Grape pips found in the Negev dated to 8th century may be the oldest of its kind worldwide

Israeli and European archaeologists provide new insight into the mystery of ancient Gaza wine

 Grape seeds, also known as "pips"

Archaeologists uncover Roman-era church mosaic along Israel Nat'l Trail

The mosaic was first discovered in the 80s but has been uncovered over the last month by the Israel Antiquities Authority and Shoham residents.

Close-up of the flower decorations on the mosaic.

Security forces thwart illegal antiquity trade in West Bank

About 270 ancient artifacts were found in the search, including gold, silver and bronze coins from different periods.

  Items recovered from a raid in the West Bank in March 2023.

Israel Antiquities Authority must rein in enthusiasm before its next find - editorial

The Israel Antiquities Authority must curb its enthusiasm and double and triple check its archaeological findings before publication

 The Darius inscription.

Israel artifact bearing name of King Darius the Great revealed to be fake

The forged "artifact" was discovered earlier this week after a foreign researcher left it behind at the excavation site last summer.

 The Darius inscription.

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.