Latest Canaan Stories

TAU archaeologists unearth unique 11th-century BCE sacred compound with a turbulent history Tel Aviv University researchers have uncovered a unique 11th-century BCE sacred compound at the site of Tel Beth-Shemesh, an ancient village that resisted the aggressive expansion of neighboring Philistines. The newly discovered sacred complex is comprised of an elevated, massive circular stone structure and an intricately constructed building characterized by a row of three flat, large round...

Archaeologists in Israel have discovered a trove of 3,000-year-old jewelry, including a ring and earrings, hidden in a ceramic jug near the ancient city of Megiddo, writes Daniela Berretta for the Associated Press (AP). The unearthed jug was discovered at the site two years ago but was left in a laboratory while molecular analysis of its contents was performed. While cleaning, pieces of a gold ring, earrings and beads, dating to around 1100 B.C., poured out. The find offers a rare...

Hoard of gold and silver jewelry hidden for thousands of years could have Egyptian origin, say TAU researchers Researchers from Tel Aviv University have recently discovered a collection of gold and silver jewelry, dated from around 1100 B.C., hidden in a vessel at the archaeological site of Tel Megiddo in the Jezreel Valley in northern Israel. One piece — a gold earring decorated with molded ibexes, or wild goats — is "without parallel," they believe. According to Prof. Israel...

ROCK HILL, S.C., April 7, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- You don't have to just dream of flying anymore, you can make it your favorite pastime at South Carolina's newest Zipline Canopy Tour just minutes from Charlotte, NC. Camp Canaan is home to many exciting outdoor adventures. There are lodges and retreat opportunities, kayaking, fishing, hiking, game fields and now the Canaan Zipline Canopy Tour it's newest high-flying adventure. The Zipline Tour offers a 2 1/2 to 3 hour exhilarating experience...

Tel Kabri is the only site in Israel where wall paintings similar in style to those found in the Aegean 3,600 years ago have been found; researchers say this was a conscious decision made by the city rulers to lean toward Mediterranean cultureThe remains of a Minoan-style wall painting, recognizable by a blue background, the first of its kind to be found in Israel, was discovered in the course of the recent excavation season at Tel Kabri. This fresco joins others of Aegean style that have...

Archaeologists in east Jerusalem have uncovered a 3,700-year-old wall, which is the oldest example of massive fortifications to ever be discovered in the city, according to a statement made by the Israel Antiquities Authority on Wednesday. The construct was designed to protect the water supply of the city to make up the area's earliest known fortifications, explained Ronny Reich, director of the excavation and an archaeology professor at the University of Haifa. Reich said that the 26-ft high...

Archaeologists are hoping to use inscriptions from Luxor's Karnak temple in Egypt as a guide to finding other ancient defensive outposts."As we understand from the inscription at Karnak temple, the city of Tharu had two fortifications with the Nile in the middle," Mohamad Abdul Maqsoud, head of archaeological exploration in Egypt's Nile Delta and Sinai regions, told Reuters.Archaeologists have determined that Pharaohs made regular journeys through Sinai in conquests against Hittites...

The legend is that the great rulers of Canaan, the ancient land of Israel, were all men. But a recent dig by Tel Aviv University archaeologists at Tel Beth-Shemesh uncovered possible evidence of a mysterious female ruler.Tel Aviv University archaeologists Prof. Shlomo Bunimovitz and Dr. Zvi Lederman of the Department of Archaeology and Ancient Near Eastern Civilizations have uncovered an unusual ceramic plaque of a goddess in female dress, suggesting that a mighty female "king" may have ruled...

Archaeologists in Israel have reported the finding of the oldest known Hebrew text in a fortress city overlooking a valley where the Bible says David slew Goliath.The Hebrew inscription found on a 3,000-year-old piece of pottery could provide insight that suggests Biblical accounts of the ancient Israelite kingdom of David could have been based on written texts.Israeli archaeologist Yossi Garfinkel reported on Thursday that the pottery shard bearing five lines of characters was found near the...

Officials at Canaan Valley National Wildlife Refuge are looking for a few good men and women to volunteer as tree planters Saturday and Sunday as part of a red spruce reforestation project for the refuge. Volunteers are asked to meet at the refuge's visitor center on W.Va. 32 at 9 a.m. each morning. Refuge personnel will discuss the historic role of the red spruce forest in Canaan Valley before car-pooling to the plating site. Volunteers should bring lunches and water. The planting is...