UNCOVER ANCIENT HISTORY. SUPPORT NEW DISCOVERIES.
Explore Jerusalem's history with HU's archaeology
Uncover the past, shape the future.
The Hebrew University of Jerusalem’s (HU) Institute of Archaeology was founded in 1934 as the Department of Archaeology and in 1967, it became the Institute of Archaeology. Today, the Institute is an independent research and teaching unit within the Faculty of Humanities, with a staff that provides administrative and scientific assistance as well as the technical facilities necessary to carry out its research projects.
At the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, archaeologists are working tirelessly to decipher the secrets of history. Why? Because HU knows that the past has the power to illuminate the future.
The archaeological research discoveries in ancient Jerusalem and Judah have sparked worldwide interest. The cultural landscapes of Jerusalem and the ancient civilizations of Judah are historically significant, mainly due to their prominence in Muslim tradition and close ties with the origins of Judaism and Christianity.
Numerous scholars, specializing in different fields, such as history, biblical studies, Second Temple Judaism, early Christianity, Islam, and ancient art have explored the region. Using interdisciplinary approaches in archaeology at HU has played a unique role in academic research and groundbreaking expeditions and excavations, which has enabled researchers to develop concrete reconstructions of the reality in which these cultures developed. These collaborative historical conservation, restoration, and preservation projects are just the beginning of our journey to uncover the past.
Learn more about how Hebrew University is changing the world, one discipline at a time.
Archaeology News & Updates
A New Papyrus From Israel Reveals a Spectacular Criminal Case From the Roman Empire
January 31, 2025 – The longest Greek papyrus ever found in the Judaean Desert, comprising over 133 lines of text, has now been published for the first time. Initially misclassified as Nabataean, the papyrus remained unnoticed for decades until its rediscovery in 2014 by Prof. Hannah Cotton
Mysteries of Mongolian Wall System Revealed in New Study by Hebrew University Researchers
January 8, 2024 — A new study on a previously overlooked Mongolian Arc—a monumental wall system in eastern Mongolia—by Hebrew University of Jerusalem researchers reveals new insights about the motives and functionality behind the construction of this colossal architectural marvel. The study
Hebrew University Archaeologists find Byzantine Greek inscription from Book of Psalms in Judean Desert
October 4, 2023 – Archaeologists from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem (HU) have unearthed a rare Byzantine Greek inscription paraphrasing a verse from the Book of Psalms at the remote Hyrcania Fortress in the Judean Desert in Israel. This is the first methodological, academic archaeological
Researchers Reveal Ancient Rock Engraving Techniques With New 3-D Archaeology Software
July 17, 2023 ─ Researchers at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem (HU) developed new 3-D software, called ArchCUT3-D, that they have used to extract and analyze engravings and that could lead to a better understanding of the engravers’ background and skills. As reported in the study, published
Research Uncovers Urbanization Process in the Kingdom of Judah
July 10, 2023—The Jerusalem Journal of Archaeology recently published an article written by Hebrew University of Jerusalem (HU) Prof. Yosef Garfinkel, the Yigael Yadin Chair in Archaeology of Israel. The article, titled “Early City Planning in the Kingdom of Judah: Khirbet Qeiyafa, Beth
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