Archaeology of Israel

Excavations ongoing at the ancient city of Hadrianapolis will continue until December this year. The excavations are being carried out by a team of 45 experts. (AA Photo)

In a cavernous warehouse where Israel stores its archaeological treasures, an ancient burial box is inscribed with the name of Jesus. Not that Jesus. Archaeologists in Israel say Jesus was a common name in the Holy Land 2,000 years ago, and that they have found about 30 ancient burial boxes inscribed with it.

The $400-million, eight-story Museum of the Bible is set to open near the National Mall in the heart of the US capital in 2017 The Museum of the Bible being built in Washington will feature ancient artifacts and treasures from the Holy Land under a new deal that ensures Israel's leading archaeological organization will have an outpost in the U.S. capital.

The world's oldest complete copy of the Ten Commandments is on rare display at Israel's leading museum in an exhibit tracing civilization's most pivotal moments.

Cave explorers in northern Israel have found a small trove of coins and jewelry from the time of Alexander the Great. Archaeologists believe that the 2,300-year-old treasures were hidden by refugees during an ancient war.