Archaeology

Archaeological site in the West Bank

Dispute about the site of biblical Samaria intensifies

In the Palestinian village of Sebastia in the West Bank, clashes between Palestinians and Israeli soldiers are becoming more frequent. A long-simmering conflict over archaeological treasures in the village threatens to escalate. Details from Joseph Croitoru
Climate change and Middle East monuments

The most endangered on Earth

Thanks to climate change, the Middle East is heating up faster than any other part of the world, putting the region's ancient pyramids, castles, holy and other heritage sites at even greater risk. Cathrin Schaer reports
Ramses II-era burial site uncovered in Israel

"Like on the set of an Indiana Jones movie", said archaeologist Eli Jannai when he entered the burial chamber from the time of the Egyptian pharaoh Ramses II. Found by accident at a beach near Tel Aviv, it joins the list of recent archaeological finds in the region. By Brenda Haas
Archaeological mystery

Ancient Elamite script from Iran deciphered?

For a long time, the writing system known as "Linear Elamite" was considered illegible. Now a team of archaeologists claims to have partially deciphered the writing system. But other researchers are more hesitant. Katrin Ewert has the details
Archaeology in Iraq

Drought reveals Bronze Age city

Extreme drought in Iraq has given German and Kurdish archaeologists the unique chance to examine an ancient Bronze Age city that was hidden beneath the water of a reservoir for decades. Experts believe the ruins could be those of the ancient city of Zachiku. It was a race against the clock to complete work before the city was once again covered by the reservoir's rising water level. By Alexander Freund
Gobekli Tepe

The Turkish hilltop where civilisation began

On a sun-blasted hillside in southeast Turkey, the world's oldest known religious sanctuary is slowly giving up its secrets. Gobekli Tepe, which means "Potbelly Hill" in Turkish, is arguably the most important archaeological site on Earth
Spectacular finds in the ancient Egyptian necropolis of Saqqara

Archaeologists have discovered 250 sarcophagi and 150 bronze statues during excavations in the necropolis on the western bank of the Nile. By Philipp Boell
Sensational find in Turkey

Turkish archaeologists discover subterranean city of Matiate

Welcome to the underground! In Midyat, Turkey, the gateway to a huge underground city has been discovered. It was used for over 1900 years and could accommodate up to 70,000 people. Hannah Fuchs has the details
Arabic inscription on Coimbra Cathedral

"Greatness will remain"

The façade of a twelfth-century cathedral is an unlikely place to find a message in Arabic script carved in stone, but so it is in the Portuguese city of Coimbra. Marta Vidal explores the background to the cathedral and examines how an 800-year Arabic inscription endured on the walls of a Roman Catholic house of worship
Archaeology in Egypt

Ancient Pharaonic boat taken to Egypt's grand new museum

In Ancient Egypt, the pharaohs had "solar boats" built to take them into the afterlife. One of these boats was discovered in 1954. It has now been moved to the Grand Egyptian Museum
Archaeologists discover "Lost Golden City of Luxor"

Archaeologists have uncovered the remains of an ancient city in the desert outside Luxor in Egypt. They say it dates back to the golden age of the Pharaohs more than 3,000 years ago. By Dagmar Breitenbach
The "Syrian Heritage Archive Project"

Syria's cultural landscape lives on – in Berlin

Countless cultural assets were destroyed by the Syrian Civil War. The Syrian Heritage Archive Project in Berlin contributes to preserving their memory with an exhibition showing what has been lost – and what remains. By Christina Kufner