Israel Antiquities Authority

WATCH: A Paleolithic time capsule: Rare prehistoric cave discovered near highway outside of Haifa

The cave dates back to 400,000 and 250,000 years ago, to the time of the Acheulo-Yabrudian culture – a collection of archaeological cultures in the Levant from the end of the Lower Paleolithic era.

Cave from Lower Paleolithic era found south of Haifa, June 11, 2026.
View of the ancient archeological site of Sebastia, near the West Bank city of Nablus, May 12, 2025.

West Bank, Gaza antiquities bill raises international law concerns, legal adviser warns Knesset

The mysterious, ancient tunnel found near Kibbutz Ramat Rachel on the outskirts of Jerusalem, May 14, 2026.

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

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


Israel Police look for weapons, find trove of unregistered antiquities in North

"It deserves to be in the right hands, presented to the whole public, and not be the private property of one criminal or another," Inspector Nidal Abdelhalim said.

 Antiquities recovered from a weapons search on a suspect in Israel's North, March 28, 2024.

Roman soldiers' 1,600-year-old oil lamp found by high schooler in Israel

The lamp Yonatan found is identical to one discovered in the same place 90 years ago by the late Reform rabbi and archaeologist Dr. Nelson Glueck.

 Yonatan Frankel and the lamp that he found.

Ancient agricultural settlement unearthed in Israel sheds light on human evolution

This agricultural settlement reached its zenith in the Early Bronze Age, roughly 5,000 years ago.

 Benjamin Storchan holding findings from the escavation.

IDF reservist finds ancient Assyrian seal amulet while hiking in Israel

Erez Abrahamov found the amulet, with a dung beetle image, on a hike in the Lower Galilee.

 Erez Abrahamov with his find.

Rare 2,550-year-old silver coin from Persian era uncovered in Jerusalem area

Dr. Robert Kool: “The rare find contributes information concerning the way trade was carried out."

 The rare coin, providing evidence for the development of commerce.

Reservists find perfectly preserved, 1,500-year-old oil lamp

Reservists discover a perfectly-preserved, 1,500-year-old pottery oil candle in IDF staging area.

 "It was covered in mud, I cleaned it and called the Antiquities Authority," soldiers said of their  

Oldest ceramic rooftiles ever found in the Land of Israel

Ceramic tiles brought here at the time of the Greek Seleucid king Antiochus IV – of the Hanukkah story – have been discovered in the City of David.

 Giv‘ati Parking Lot Excavations at the City of David.

Israel's museums enact war protocol to protect most precious treasures

"You really have to choose the finest or the most fragile artifacts," a museum worker said.

 The Hall of the Dead Sea Scrolls at the Israel Museum, on May 2, 2018

Unearthing tragedy: Archaeologists search for remnants of Hamas victims

Amidst the chaos of ash, twisted wire, and blackened timber, Israel Antiquities Authority archaeologists hope to find a remnant of those who perished on October 7.

 The Israel Antiquities Authority works to find remnants of Hamas victims in Kibbutz Be'eri.

Israel unearths ancient Greek tomb, rare bronze mirror in Jerusalem

The burial cave is rare evidence of the Hellenistic period in the Jerusalem area. It was discovered on a rocky slope not far from Kibbutz Ramat Raḥel.

 The bronze mirror