Antiquities

Israel returns 22 artifacts to Greece in first antiquities repatriation between Jerusalem, Athens

The antiquities had been seized during an operation conducted by the IAA's Theft Prevention Unit, before being identified as those belonging to Greece.

Greek Culture Minister Lina Mendoni (L) and Israeli Ambassador to Greece Pninat Yanay (R) viewing the returned antiquities at the National Archaeological Museum in Athens, October 13, 2026.
A view of a roadside bomb shelter where dozens of festivalgoers were murdered during the October 7 massacre, near the Israeli border with the Gaza Strip, October 7, 2026.

Oct. 7 Gaza border shelters designated antiquities as safeguard against 'clean up' projects

Rendering of the Golan Museum in Katzrin.

Antiques, AI, and a planetarium: The new attraction coming to the Golan

Two ancient tombs and a figurine discovered at the Sheikh Soby site in the Bahariya Oasis, Egypt, August 28, 2026.

Egypt unearths three previously unknown tombs from different eras at Bahariya Oasis cemetery


Israel's museums enact war protocol to protect most precious treasures

"You really have to choose the finest or the most fragile artifacts," a museum worker said.

 The Hall of the Dead Sea Scrolls at the Israel Museum, on May 2, 2018

Israeli arrested in Antalya, Turkey on suspicion of stealing ancient bell

The Israeli, who was on his way back to Israel, vehemently denied such and claimed that he purchased the bell in good faith.

 Tourists, coming mainly from Russia, leave from the arrival terminal at Antalya International Airport in the Mediterranean resort city of Antalya, Turkey September 22, 2022

Trump holding Israel antiquities among items at Mar-a-Lago

A large amount of other sensitive material was found at Mar-a-Lago, including government documents that Trump was allegedly not cleared to take with him when he left office.

 Donald Trump arrives at Trump Tower the day after FBI agents raided his Mar-a-Lago Palm Beach home, in New York City, US, August 9, 2022.

US man charged for attempted antiquity smuggling from Syria

The 2,000-year-old mosaic fragment came from Syria, and he had reportedly claimed to be importing items into the US worth just over $2,000.

 A mosaic panel is pictured in Al-Rastan city, Syria October 12, 2022.

Israeli returns 1,700-year-old anchor to Antiquities Authority after 26 years

This anchor, a rare find in the country, was recovered by a citizen named Moshe during a diving expedition off Palmahim Beach in 1996.

 IAA Archaeologist with the returned anchor

Israeli woman finds ancient figurine of Egyptian goddess on the beach

Amid stormy weather, a resident of Lod saw the figurine floating toward her on the waves.

 An ancient figurine of the goddess Hathor found along Palmahim Beach.

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.

 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.

 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.

 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.

  Items recovered from a raid in the West Bank in March 2023.