Antiquities

Heritage Minister taps INEXTG CEO Esther Shreiber for next IAA director, first woman in role

Her appointment will soon be submitted for approval by the IAA’s council and the government. 

|ByMIRIAM SELA-EITAM
INEXTG CEO Esti Shrieber, tapped to be the next director of the Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA).
The Hebrew manuscript inscribed in gold on python skin, displayed alongside its copper casing, at the Gaziantep Provincial Gendarmerie Command, April 24, 2026.

Turkish authorities reportedly seize gold Hebrew manuscript inscribed on python skin

Per Turkey Today, a foreign national, identified only as A.E., suspected of attempting to sell the manuscript on the black market, was detained by local units of Turkey’s Gendarmerie General Command.

|ByMIRIAM SELA-EITAM
Stele depicting Roman Emperor Tiberius standing before the Theban triad of the ancient Egyptian gods found near the Karnak Temple Complex, March 30, 2026.

Stone stele depicting Roman emperor, Egyptian gods found near Karnak temple site in Luxor

The stele was discovered during the three-year-long restoration efforts of a gateway from the time of Ramesses III in Karnak.

|ByMIRIAM SELA-EITAM
Palestinian children play in a Roman-era fountain in Battir, a village in the West Bank, south of Jerusalem.

Palestinian Authority accelerates heritage campaign as West Bank tensions rise

From museum reopenings to bids for UNESCO recognition, the Palestinian Authority is prioritizing archaeology and identity 

|ByDANA BEN-SHIMON

Antiquities Authority calls on Israeli public to return stolen artifacts

Citizens can reach out to the IAA to determine if items are antiques and return items at one of four collection points throughout the country.

JUNE 12, 2023ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF
A wooden box containing 15 silver coins from the Maccabean period was discovered in the Judean Desert earlier this year, and will be put on display in the Hasmonean Museum in Modi'in, December 13, 2022.

Should Israel outlaw the sale of archaeological artifacts?

A joint Zoom symposium in Jerusalem and London examines the quasi-legal business of antiquities trading in Israel.

JUNE 2, 2023ByGIL ZOHAR
The entrance to the W.F. Albright Institute of Archaeological Research in Jerusalem.

Vatican returns ancient Parthenon marble fragments to Greece

Greece said that they hope the return of the fragments by the Vatican will lead to the British Museum making a similar gesture in the near future.

MARCH 25, 2023ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF
A conservator holds one of three Parthenon fragments, returned from the Vatican, at the Parthenon Gallery of the Acropolis Museum, in Athens, Greece March 24, 2023.

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.

MARCH 15, 2023ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF
Items recovered from a raid in the West Bank in March 2023.

How did this man get rich by collecting coins?

A man in India collected over 1,200 coins in 45 years - and sold his collection for a quarter of a million dollars.

FEBRUARY 27, 2023ByMAARIV ONLINE
Some of the coins seized from an illegal antiquities dealer in Modi'in.

American patron of Israeli archaeology becomes focus of New York’s antiquities trafficking unit

Shelby White has already relinquished at least two dozen items worth at least $20 million.

FEBRUARY 18, 2023ByASAF ELIA-SHALEV/JTA
“Shelby White & Leon Levy Lod Mosaic Archaeological Center”

Archaeologists find ancient Roman engraved gems in bathhouse drain in England

Ancient Romans wore engraved gems on rings as seals and as objects of fashion.

FEBRUARY 3, 2023ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF
An ancient Roman ring set with an intaglio.

Antiquities robbers caught desecrating ancient well looking for lost treasure

It is suspected that the members of the squad were looking for a hidden treasure, which — according to a legend circulating in the south — was buried in a well, located inside a cave.

NOVEMBER 17, 2022ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF
The opening of a cave in the Maaravim ruins

Hundreds of ancient artifacts seized from home in northern Israel

About 270 ancient artifacts were found in the search, including coins from different periods and figurines of Medusa.

SEPTEMBER 29, 2022ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF
Ancient artifacts seized from an antiquities dealer in northern Israel, September 2022

Gaza farmer uncovers Ancient Byzantine-era mosaic floors - watch

The Byzantine-era site was uncovered about half a mile away from the border with Israel by Suleiman al-Nabahin, a Gazan farmer.

SEPTEMBER 18, 2022ByTZVI JOFFRE
Palestinian boys look on in front of an excavator at the site where ancient ruins, which archaeologists say may be part of a Byzantine church or cathedral dating from around 1,500 years ago, were found in Gaza City April 4, 2016.