Archaeology

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.

|ByMIRIAM SELA-EITAM
The restored western face of the Parthenon, Greece, July 2, 2026.
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.

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.

|ByREUTERS
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

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.

|ByMIRIAM SELA-EITAM
The mummy of an iceman named Oetzi, discovered on 1991 in the Italian Schnal Valley glacier, is displayed at the Archaeological Museum of Bolzano on February 28, 2011 during an official presentation of the reconstrution.

Bread dead redemption: Scientists bake sourdough with yeast grown in 5,300-year-old mummy

Sarhan also told AFP the team would consider using the yeast to brew beer, but the published study focused on more serious uses for their discovery.

|BySHIR PERETS, REUTERS

Greece calls for return of Parthenon Statues from British Museum at UNESCO, backed by 20 countries

Greece and Turkey argue that Lord Elgin had no firman permissing him to remove the artifacts, while the UK claims Elgin had all necessary documents and brought the Statues to Britian legally.

MAY 26, 2026ByMIRIAM SELA-EITAM
Visitors view the Parthenon Marbles, also known as the Elgin Marbles, at the British Museum in London on January 9, 2023.

Six previously unknown Bronze Age mines found in Spain, some 150 more remain ‘undiscovered’

The six mines may help explain the source of the metal used in Bronze Age Scandinavian artifacts. 

MAY 24, 2026ByMIRIAM SELA-EITAM
During an archaeological survey, researchers from the Maritime Encounters, University of Gothenburg, identified six previously unregistered Bronze Age mines in Spain, May 23, 2026.

Iraq races to restore ancient Ziggurat of Ur amid threat of climate erosion - report

In a video published in early May, Reuters revealed that the Iraqi government had announced an initial budget of $382,000 to restore the ziggurat. The work will reportedly be completed by July 2026.

MAY 23, 2026ByMIRIAM SELA-EITAM
Restoration of the ziggurat temple in ancient Ur

Korean, Egyptian archaeologists find ancient temple gate blocks during restoration work in Luxor

The Ramesseum, located in a necropolis near Luxor, serves as a religious and political record of Pharoah Ramesses II’s reign. It is the second largest temple in Egypt.

MAY 23, 2026ByMIRIAM SELA-EITAM
Korean-Egyptian archaeological mission find blocks belonging to the Ramesseum's First Pylon during restoration work in Egypt, May 21, 2026.

‘Lexden Lady,’ wealthy Roman woman buried in lead coffin, goes on display in UK

Her exact burial date is unclear, according to the Trust’s statement, but it was likely during the late Roman period - lasting from approximately the late 3rd century to early 5th century CE.

MAY 22, 2026ByMIRIAM SELA-EITAM
Lead coffin discovered by Colchester Archaeological Trust in 2023.

Gov’t approves 250m. NIS plan to preserve West Bank heritage sites ahead of Six-Day War anniversary

Additionally, a multi-year plan worth tens of millions of shekel will be put in motion to upgrade existing infrastructure and hopefully turn the sites into major tourist destinations.

MAY 21, 2026ByMIRIAM SELA-EITAM
View of the ancient archeological site of Sebastia, near the West Bank city of Nablus, May 12, 2025.

Neanderthal tooth from Siberian cave shows signs of earliest-known invasive dental surgery - study

The molar showed that the Neanderthal who underwent the dental procedure was an adult, though the researchers do not know the individual's gender.

MAY 20, 2026ByREUTERS
Views from five different angles of a molar of an adult Neanderthal individual, discovered at Chagyrskaya Cave in the Siberia region of Russia and dating to about 59,000 years ago, seen in this undated image released on May 13, 2026.

Pompeii victim revealed to be a doctor fleeing Vesuvius’ eruption over 60 years after discovery

The doctor’s identity followed new analysis of archaeological finds kept in the park’s storage warehouses - including a small case hidden within the cast of one of the victims from the garden.

MAY 20, 2026ByMIRIAM SELA-EITAM
Plaster cast of victim of Pompeii, recently discovered to be a doctor, May 19, 2026.

Over 30 mummified cats, ancient Egyptian tombs, coffins discovered at Luxor necropolis site

According to preliminary studies, four of the coffins date to the 18th Dynasty, including one bearing the name of Merit, believed to be a chantress of Amun.

MAY 19, 2026ByMIRIAM SELA-EITAM
Ancient Egyptian wooden coffin found at Draʻ Abu el-Naga’s necropolis site near Thebes, Egypt, May 19, 2026.

Silk Road Virtual Museum opens first Israel exhibit, displays ancient textiles found in Arava

The exhibit, curated by academics from the University of Haifa, features textiles from India, Central Asia, and China.

MAY 19, 2026ByMIRIAM SELA-EITAM
Ancient textile fragment found at the Nahal Omer archaeological site in the Arava, southern Israel, by archaeologists from the University of Haifa, May 19, 2026.