Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA)

More ancient fishhooks found previously were made of bone and were much smaller than this one

To date, only several dozen gold beads have been discovered in Israel

'In the last five years we are checking every cave here, even the smallest ones'

This is the earliest archaeological evidence that caves in the Judean Desert were used by the Maccabees

It is not uncommon in Israel for simple walkers to get their hands on very ancient artifacts

Where the column was made and how it was used remains a mystery

There are only 3 papyri from this period in the Israel National Treasures collections

Discovery means that Jerusalem may have been a bustling city during the Iron Age

This is the largest complete fossil tusk ever found at a prehistoric site in Israel

It was the first time such relic was found in Israeli waters