Marine archaeologists working near Caesarea have discovered a gold ring with a green gemstone depicting the “Good Shepherd,” a red gemstone depicting a lyre, and a hoard of Roman coins. A 2-minute video announcing the discoveries has been produced by the IAA.
“New research suggests that the Roman prefect Pontius Pilate is the one that built the Biar Aqueduct, the most sophisticated ancient aqueduct of the Jerusalem area” and the main one supplying Solomon’s Pools (Haaretz premium). The underlying journal article is available on Academia.
“Archaeologists say discovery at Tel Tsaf in the Jordan Valley is first known instance of alcohol being imbibed inside a community in the ancient Middle East.”
Authorities found the lid of a Roman sarcophagus in a garbage dump in Ashkelon.
The Jerusalem Post runs a brief story on the legend of the ark of the covenant being brought to Ethiopia.
The Biblical Zoo in Jerusalem has added a number of new programs and educational opportunities in the last year.
This Week in the Ancient Near East podcast: “Even More New Amazing Iron Age Finds from a Cult Site West of Jerusalem, or, To Gaze Upon the Knees of God”
A recent video of the Temple Mount shows the interior of the Golden Gate now furnished as a mosque.
The Conversation provides an explainer on what it is like to volunteer on an archaeological excavation.
The second episode in the “State of Jerusalem” miniseries by The Times of Israel looks at the Christian community in the city.
The Israeli government has again cancelled Christmas in the Holy Land for most, but not all, tourists.
Chris McKinny and Kyle Keimer discuss the history and archaeology of Christmas on the Biblical World podcast.
Andy Cook at Experience Israel Now has created a two-part special entitled “The Journey to Christmas.” Part One came out a few days ago, and Part Two will be released tomorrow. The videos include drone footage of the route that Joseph and Mary took from Nazareth to Bethlehem.
We’ll have a part 2 for this roundup on Sunday.
HT: Agade, Joseph Lauer, Arne Halbakken, Alexander Schick, Charles Savelle, Explorator
