Archaeologists from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem have unearthed a rare Tetrarchic boundary stone at the site of Abel Beth Maacah, located in northern Israel. This remarkable find sheds light on the administrative practices of the Roman Empire during the reign of Emperor Diocletian, revealing details about the organization of territorial boundaries, land ownership, and […]
Inscriptions
A Silver Amulet Found in a 3rd-Century Roman Tomb Contains the Oldest Christian Inscription North of the Alps
In an unprecedented archaeological discovery, a small silver amulet measuring just 3.5 centimeters has revolutionized historical understanding of Christianity north of the Alps. This find, known as the Frankfurt Silver Inscription, contains a delicate rolled sheet with 18 engraved lines in Latin, whose interpretation is reshaping established paradigms about the spread of Christianity during the […]
An ancient inscription from the Late Bronze Age in an unknown language found in Georgia in the Caucasus
Recent archaeological excavations have uncovered a basalt tablet with inscriptions in an unknown language near Lake Bashplemi, in the Dmanisi region of Georgia. The discovery is significant not only because of the rarity of the material found but also because it could reveal unknown aspects of the ancient civilizations that inhabited the Caucasus. The finding, […]
Clay Cylinders with Inscriptions Found in Syria Show the Use of an Alphabet 500 Years Before Egypt
A team of archaeologists from Johns Hopkins University, led by Professor Glenn Schwartz, has discovered small clay cylinders with inscriptions in Syria that appear to be the oldest known examples of alphabetic writing to date. These inscriptions, dating back to approximately 2400 BCE, predate other alphabetic systems by about 500 years. This discovery could reshape […]
An Ancient Phrygian Inscription to the Mother of the Gods Deciphered on the Arslan Kaya Monument, Revealing Lydian Construction
In the remote highlands of Phrygia, Professor Mark Munn of Pennsylvania State University has deciphered part of the inscription on the Arslan Kaya monument, also known as the “Lion Rock.” This finding confirms the mention of Materan —an ancient name of the Mother Goddess, or the Mother of the Gods— on the monument, suggesting a […]
Hieroglyph meaning “city” in the Luwian language spoken in Anatolia until the 7th century B.C. deciphered
A research team led by Petra M. Goedegebuure from the University of Chicago has presented a groundbreaking study on the word used for “city” in the Luwian language, spoken in ancient Anatolia. This research, published in the academic journal Anatolian Studies, offers not only a detailed linguistic analysis of the word in question but also […]
An Enigmatic Roman Altar Found in England Was Dedicated by a Soldier Stationed on the Danube, in a Legion That Was Never in Britain
A Roman altar dedicated to Mars, found in Marton, Lincolnshire, has revealed a fascinating connection to a soldier of the XI Claudia Legion of the Roman Empire. The altar, which was discovered in a fragmented state in the yard of St. Margaret of Antioch Church, apparently during restoration work, has generated archaeological interest and debate […]
Bybon, the Greek Athlete Who Lifted 143-Kilogram Stones with One Hand
Although his name doesn’t appear in epic tales or the legends of great heroes, a physical feat performed by an athlete in ancient Olympia has reached us thanks to an inscription. The athlete’s name was Bybon, and he lived in the 6th century BC, a time when sports and displays of strength were a fundamental […]
Shabaka Stone, the most notable preserved document of Egyptian thought, recounting the myth of creation
The Shabaka Stone is a granite slab from the 25th Egyptian Dynasty, housed in the British Museum, containing the Memphite theology that regarded Ptah as the supreme god and creator. Ptah was the “master builder”, the inventor of masonry, and the patron of architects and craftsmen. According to some specialists, this is the most notable […]
Original Colors of Inscriptions Revealed at the Temple of Horus in Edfu
A collaborative archaeological mission between the Supreme Council of Antiquities and the University of Würzburg in Germany has revealed the original colors of inscriptions at the Temple of Horus in Edfu for the first time. This significant discovery came to light during a restoration project of the temple’s roof, initiated in 2021 and funded by […]