Byzantine

Byzantine Latest

Jan 12 Blog

Exquisite Byzantine Monastery Discovered

Archaeologists with the Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA) uncovered the remains of an exquisite Byzantine monastery and a nearby town during development works to expand the […]

The rare menorah pendant discovered near the Temple Mount. Courtesy Eliyahu Yanai, City of David

Dec 19 Blog

A Mysterious Menorah Pendant

By: Nathan Steinmeyer

According to historical sources, Jews were barred from entering Jerusalem during the Byzantine period (c. 324–634 CE). How then did a lead pendant, decorated with […]

Architectural pieces from the Byzantine synagogue. Courtesy Mechael Osband

Oct 20 Blog

Byzantine Synagogue Uncovered in the Golan

By: Nathan Steinmeyer

Archaeologists have long suspected that an ancient synagogue lay beneath the ruins of an abandoned village in the western Golan. Now, they have finally found […]

Sep 29 Blog

The Galilee and the Last Great Jewish Revolt

By: Nathan Steinmeyer

Excavations in an underground complex at the site of Huqoq in the Galilee revealed a surprising find: a bronze coin hoard dating to the Gallus […]

The hippodrome of Jerash. Courtesy University of South Florida

Sep 15 Blog

Tracing the Justinian Plague

By: Nathan Steinmeyer

The Justinian Plague (c. 541–750 CE) was one of the deadliest pandemics in human history. The Byzantine chronicler Procopius recorded that the plague claimed the […]

One of the mosaics from the Samaritan Village. Courtesy Emil Aladjem, IAA

Sep 12 Blog

Magnificent Samaritan Village Discovered

By: Nathan Steinmeyer

Salvage excavations in the village of Kafr Qasim, northeast of Tel Aviv, revealed the remains of a magnificent Samaritan village dating back 1,600 years or […]

Sep 8 Blog

Elder Care in Antiquity

By: Nathan Steinmeyer

Although family members typically cared for the elderly in antiquity, the concept of places dedicated to elder care is by no means a modern invention. […]

Jul 22 Blog

Madaba: The World’s Oldest Holy Land Map

By: Nathan Steinmeyer

In 1884, the local community in Madaba, Jordan, made an incredible discovery, the oldest Holy Land map in the world. The now-famous Madaba Map, however, […]

Painting of the Battle of Nineveh (c. 627 CE) between the Sassanid and Byzantine Armies, by Fresco by Piero della Francesca c. 1452. Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Jul 9 Blog

Anglo-Saxons in the Byzantine Army

By: Nathan Steinmeyer

While elite sixth-century CE graves in England may be famous for what they tell us about Anglo-Saxon culture, they might also bear evidence that the […]

May 30 Blog

Byzantine Masterpiece Unveiled

By: Nathan Steinmeyer

One of the most impressive mosaics ever discovered in southern Israel has been put on display for the first time. Discovered in 1990 at the […]

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