Category Archives: ASIA

ASIA, ISRAEL, WORLD

1,600-Year-Old Byzantine-Era Samaritan Villa Discovered in Central Israel

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1,600-Year-Old Byzantine-Era Samaritan Villa Discovered in Central Israel

Archaeologists in Israel have unveiled one of the most significant Samaritan archaeological discoveries in recent years – a sprawling 1,600-year-old agricultural estate in Kafr Qasim that offers unprecedented insights into the prosperity and resilience of the ancient Samaritan community during the Byzantine period.

The remarkable excavation, conducted by the Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA) ahead of new housing construction, has revealed magnificent mosaics, ritual baths, and agricultural installations that showcase the wealth and cultural identity of this often-overlooked religious minority from antiquity.

Overview of one of the buildings at the Samaritan agricultural estate.
Overview of one of the buildings at the Samaritan agricultural estate.

Magnificent Mosaics Display Wealth and Artistry

The estate’s centerpiece is a stunning mosaic floor featuring intricate geometric patterns, delicate acanthus leaves, and remarkably detailed depictions of fruits and vegetables including grapes, dates, watermelons, artichokes, and asparagus. At the entrance to the main room, excavators discovered a partial Greek inscription reading “Congratulations to,” followed by what appears to be a Samaritan name.

“The size and splendor of the buildings discovered, the quality of their mosaic floors, and the impressive agricultural installations all point to the great wealth and prosperity of the local Samaritan community,” explained excavation directors Alla Nagorsky and Dr. Daniel Leahy Griswold. The mosaics notably follow Samaritan religious traditions by avoiding any depictions of people, animals, or religious symbols, instead relying on elaborate geometric and botanical motifs.

Mazal Tov – Congratilations, or Good Luck! The inscription on one of the mosaics.

Ritual Purity and Agricultural Innovation

The northern section of the estate revealed sophisticated agricultural infrastructure including an olive press designed for ritual purity production, a large warehouse, and a mikveh (ritual purification bath). The proximity of the press to the ritual bath indicates the community’s commitment to producing olive oil according to strict religious requirements.

Area for olive oil production.
Area for olive oil production.

Most intriguingly, archaeologists uncovered what they term a “peripheral mikveh” – a unique ritual bath design with steps running along the entire perimeter rather than just one side. Dr. Leahy Griswold noted that while such baths were common during the Second Temple period (586 BC–70 AD), none had previously been documented from the Byzantine era, making this example especially significant.

A purification bath (miqveh) discovered in the excavation, used by the Samaritan community to produce olive oil in ritually pure conditions.

Surviving Through Turbulent Times

The estate operated for approximately 400 years, from the late Roman through the Byzantine period (fourth–seventh centuries AD), spanning some of the most challenging times in Samaritan history.

During the fifth and sixth centuries, the Samaritan community launched several unsuccessful revolts against Byzantine rule, which were brutally suppressed and resulted in significant population decline.

Archaeological evidence suggests the estate weathered these upheavals through adaptation. Luxurious residential buildings were later repurposed for purely agricultural use, with new walls subdividing rooms and older decorated elements being reused in later construction phases.

Despite these changes, the site maintained its distinctly Samaritan character, evidenced by the discovery of dozens of characteristic Samaritan oil lamps featuring knob handles and geometric designs.

Historical Significance and Ongoing Mysteries

The estate lies near the ancient village of Kafr Ḥatta, historically identified as Capparetaea – the birthplace of Menander, a first-century Samaritan magician and successor to Simon Magus, a figure mentioned in the New Testament. This connection adds another layer of historical significance to an already remarkable archaeological site.

Several mysteries remain unsolved, including the unusual use of Greek rather than the typical Samaritan Aramaic in the mosaic inscription, and the discovery of a rare glass spoon among the artifacts. The archaeologists also found evidence of what may be two distinct ritual pools, though further analysis is needed to determine their specific functions.

Dr. Leahy Griswold emphasized the site’s broader significance:

“We are talking about the largest Samaritan site outside of the Samaritan homeland. This site displays the historical gamut between prosperity and decline of the Samaritan community.”

The IAA plans to carefully preserve the mosaics and ritual baths while allowing continued development of the area, ensuring that both the historical legacy and modern needs of Kafr Qasim are honored.

ASIA, TURKEY, WORLD

2,000-Year-Old Garlanded Sarcophagus Unearthed in City of Gladiators

2,000-Year-Old Garlanded Sarcophagus Unearthed in City of Gladiators

A remarkably well-preserved, 2,000-year-old sarcophagus adorned with intricate garlands has been discovered during ongoing excavations in the ancient city of Stratonikeia, located in the Yatağan district of Muğla province in southwestern Türkiye.

This site, known as the “City of Gladiators” and listed on UNESCO’s World Heritage Tentative List, is recognized as one of the largest marble cities in the world.

Stratonikeia earned its moniker, the “City of Gladiators,” due to the discovery of an extensive ancient stadium within its boundaries.

This arena used to be the scene of some seriously intense gladiatorial combat, drawing crowds from all over the place.

Plus, they’ve dug up tons of inscriptions and archaeological stuff related to these fights. So, basically, this city was a real hub for those famous Roman gladiators. That’s why it totally earned that cool nickname!

Excavations at Stratonikeia have been ongoing since 1977, revealing significant artifacts from various historical periods, including the Hellenistic, Roman, Byzantine, Menteşe Beylik, Ottoman, and Republican eras.

Professor Bilal Söğüt, head of the Stratonikeia and Lagina Excavation Team, shared insights into the latest find, which was discovered in the Agora—a central public space that served as a hub for political, religious, and commercial activities in ancient times.

Professor Bilal Söğüt, head of the Stratonikeia and Lagina Excavation Team, announced the discovery, stating that the sarcophagus was found in the Agora, the ancient city’s central public space used for political, religious, and commercial activities. The excavation in this area focuses on remains from the Late Antiquity period.

“During these excavations, we found a sarcophagus adorned with garlands – a wreath composed of fruits, flowers, and leaves – that had previously been relocated from the Necropolis [the city’s cemetery] and dates back approximately 2,000 years,” Professor Söğüt explained.

He emphasized the exceptional quality of the newly unearthed sarcophagus, calling it “one of the finest examples in the ancient city’s sarcophagus collection.”

Evidence suggests that Stratonikeia was not only a production center for these elaborate stone coffins but also exported them to other regions.

The sarcophagus boasts detailed decorations, including ram heads at its corners and figures of Eros, the god of love, depicted as a child, along with bull heads adorning the central sections.

“This sarcophagus is one of the best examples among garland-decorated pieces, both in terms of the variety of figures and the clarity with which we can date it. With this find, we now have the finest sarcophagus tub discovered in Stratonikeia,” Professor Söğüt noted.

The vividness of the carvings around the sarcophagus is striking. “It is possible to see all the wealth, grandeur, and splendor of 2,000 years ago reflected here,” said Professor Söğüt. “The plants, especially the garlands, are beautifully crafted and richly detailed.

Around the corners, motifs of pinecones, vine and olive leaves, grapes, pomegranates, and poppies are depicted. Even just by looking at the ram heads on the corners, one can sense the richness and magnificence of the era.

The bull heads on the narrow sides and central sections complete the set of intricate decorations.”

The sarcophagus features ram heads, uncovered in the ancient city of Stratonikeia, Muğla, southwestern Türkiye.

Professor Söğüt added that the newly discovered sarcophagus will be put on display alongside other similar artifacts in the ancient city, allowing visitors to witness this remarkable piece of history.

He highlighted that ongoing excavation efforts in Stratonikeia continue to yield significant data, reinforcing its status as a “living archaeological site” with the potential for many more exciting discoveries.

ASIA, ISRAEL, WORLD

Archaeologists Uncover Unique 6th Century Mosaic in Abandoned Byzantine Monastery

Archaeologists Uncover Unique 6th Century Mosaic in Abandoned Byzantine Monastery

Archaeologists Uncover Unique 6th Century Mosaic in Abandoned Byzantine Monastery

A recent excavation report from the Israel Antiquities Authority has revealed the discovery of a well-preserved Byzantine-period monastery and farmhouse in Naḥal Peḥar, located within the modern settlement of Giv‘ot Bar, north of Beersheba.

According to excavator Nir-Shimshon Paran, “The monastery was well-preserved, attesting to the daily life of the monks in the Negev during the Byzantine period. It featured poorly executed mosaic floors, likely laid by the monks themselves.”

“Most of the finds in the monastery were uncovered on the floors, indicating its orderly abandonment in the late Byzantine or early Umayyad period (sixth to seventh centuries CE),” Paran noted. “It is possible that the monastery was abandoned during the transition to the Early Islamic period due to a deterioration in the security situation in the region.”

The monastery complex included a chapel, dining room (refectory), kitchen, service wings, and a winepress. “The main building had thickened walls, giving it the appearance of a fortified structure,” the study reported.

Archaeologists uncover a well-preserved Byzantine monastery in Israel. Credit: Israel Antiquities Authority

One of the most striking discoveries was a unique mosaic in the chapel: “In the center of the mosaic is a Maltese cross, and below it, within a frame, a three-line Greek inscription mentioning the monastery’s name and the names of four monks who lived there.”

Adjacent rooms contained evidence of daily life. “A cone-shaped depression in the mosaic floor likely served to hold a vessel,” Paran noted. Finds included pottery dated to 460–475 CE and a cooking pot from the end of the fifth to seventh centuries.

Two tombs were found in the stone-paved apse: “At the eastern end of the southern tomb was an engraved cross,” according to Paran. Additional items, such as a collapsed chancel-screen post, bronze hook, chains, and glass lamps, suggest that the area was used for liturgical purposes.

A Greek inscription named the monastery and four monks. Credit: Israel Antiquities Authority

The kitchen was identified by an “ash layer (0.1 m thick), indicating a cooking area,” along with work tables. “Below the table, the lower half of a storage jar was sunk into the floor, likely used as a ṭabun (oven).”

The monastery also featured a wine production facility: “In the service wing’s northeastern section, a winepress treading floor (5.7 × 6.0 m) sloping to the south was discovered.” A plastered settling pit and a probable cistern were also excavated.

Inscriptions found included two epitaphs written in red-brown ink, confirming burial use.

Archaeologists uncovered a farmhouse from the same period just south of the monastery. The structure included a rectangular watchtower with a small window. A coin that was found on the floor dates to the first half of the sixth century CE.

“Both the monastery and farmhouse were one-period sites… it seems that both buildings were abandoned at the end of the Byzantine period (end of the sixth/early seventh century CE),” Paran noted.

The findings were published in ‘Atiqot (Volume 116) by the Israel Antiquities Authority. This discovery sheds light on desert monastic life in the region over 1,400 years ago, providing valuable insights into the daily lives of the monks who inhabited the area during the Byzantine era.

ASIA, WORLD

Burial of Ascetic Monk in Chains Reveals Surprising Identity: A Woman in Byzantine Jerusalem

Burial of Ascetic Monk in Chains Reveals Surprising Identity: A Woman in Byzantine Jerusalem

Burial of Ascetic Monk in Chains Reveals Surprising Identity: A Woman in Byzantine Jerusalem

A recent archaeological discovery near Jerusalem has challenged long-held beliefs about ascetic practices in the Byzantine era, revealing the remains of a woman in a burial typically associated with male ascetics, thus prompting a reevaluation of women’s roles in extreme religious traditions of the 5th-century AD.

The remains initially believed to belong to an ascetic monk, bound in “chains,” were subjected to scientific analysis by researchers who examined the proteins in the tooth enamel.

Their findings suggest that the tomb, dating to the 5th century AD, likely contained a woman who engaged in self-torment through the use of iron chains.

This significant discovery, published in the Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports, raises important questions regarding the role of women in extreme ascetic practices during the Byzantine era.

In East Jerusalem, just a few kilometers from the Old City, archaeologists have made a significant discovery at the site of Khirbat el-Masani, where the remains of a Byzantine monastery dating from 350 to 650 CE have been uncovered.

Recent excavations revealed several burials believed to date back to the 5th century CE. Among these, researchers found the poorly preserved remains of a man buried in chains—heavy iron objects typically worn by ascetic monks to restrain the flesh.

Notably, instead of a traditional burial, scientists discovered numerous large metal rings in place of the man’s neck, arms, and legs, with diameters reaching approximately ten centimeters and a total weight of several dozen kilograms.

The skeleton of the ascetic monk has survived in a highly fragmentary state, with the few preserved bones crumbling upon contact. Despite this, Paula Kotli from the Weizmann Institute of Science, along with her Israeli colleagues, conducted a thorough study of the remains.

Their analysis of three preserved cervical vertebrae and one tooth allowed them to determine that the burial belonged to an adult, likely aged between 30 and 60 years at the time of death.

The area where the grave was found.

To determine the sex of the individual, scientists employed peptide analysis on the enamel of the only remaining tooth, specifically the second premolar of the upper jaw.

Their findings revealed an absence of peptides associated with the AMELY protein, which is encoded by a gene located on the Y chromosome. In contrast, they identified a significant presence of peptides corresponding to the AMELX protein, linked to a gene on the X chromosome.

This compelling evidence led researchers to conclude that the tomb from the late antique period likely contained the remains of a woman, challenging previous assumptions about the burial’s association with male asceticism.

This discovery not only sheds light on the individual’s identity but also raises important questions about the roles of women in ascetic practices during the Byzantine era, suggesting that women may have engaged in similar extreme religious behaviors as their male counterparts.

According to the researchers, historical records indicate that women in the Roman Empire began practicing asceticism as early as the 4th century AD. Notable figures, such as Melania the Elder, a Christian saint from a wealthy noble family, and her granddaughter, Melania the Roman, exemplified this trend by embracing self-restraint to achieve spiritual goals.

However, the burial under investigation in the scientists’ new article is particularly significant, as it represents the first archaeological evidence that women, alongside men, engaged in self-torture through the use of heavy chains in Byzantine society during that period.

This finding not only highlights the presence of female ascetics but also challenges traditional narratives surrounding ascetic practices, emphasizing the active role women played in these extreme religious behaviors.

Optical microscope images of the archaeological upper premolar tooth.

The monastery where the tomb was discovered was strategically positioned along the Christian pilgrimage route to Jerusalem, a city that blossomed into a major religious hub during the Byzantine period, drawing worshipers from all corners of the Roman Empire.

These monasteries were not merely spiritual sanctuaries; they also provided refuge for weary pilgrims seeking solace and guidance. In this vibrant context, the presence of a female ascetic challenges conventional perceptions and suggests that women may have played a far more active and rigorous role in these communities than previously acknowledged.

ASIA, IRAQ, WORLD

Researchers discovered clay tablets with ancient cuneiform writing, a game board, and large structural remains in Kurd Qaburstan

Researchers discovered clay tablets with ancient cuneiform writing, a game board, and large structural remains in Kurd Qaburstan

Researchers discovered clay tablets with ancient cuneiform writing, a game board, and large structural remains in Kurd Qaburstan

Tiffany Earley-Spadoni, associate professor of history at the University of Central Florida (UCF), and a researchers team have made important discoveries at Kurd Qaburstan, an urban-sized Bronze Age site in northern Mesopotamia, southwest of Erbil in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq.

Researchers have made important discoveries, the objects date to about 1800 BCE, and include clay tablets with ancient cuneiform  writing, a game board, and large structural remains, which could provide a wealth of information about this Middle Bronze Age city and shed light on Mesopotamia’s hidden history.

The clay tablets are the first of their kind found in the region and are still being interpreted. Studying the clay tablets may help historians understand the ancient city’s relationship to neighboring cities in the Middle Bronze Age – a period of northern Iraq’s history that is poorly understood.

For example, by studying people’s names, word choice and writing styles, scholars may better understand literacy in the region and the city’s cultural identity, Earley-Spadoni says in her fieldwork summary.

“We hope to find even more historical records that will help us tell the story of [the city] from the perspective of its own people rather than relying only on accounts written by their enemies,” Earley-Spadoni says. “While we know a great deal about the development of writing in southern Iraq, far less is known about literacy in northern Mesopotamian cities, especially near Erbil where Kurd Qaburstan is located.”

Today, Mesopotamia encompasses eastern Syria, southeastern Türkiye, and most of Iraq. Its name comes from the Greek for “between rivers” referring to the area between the Tigris River and the Euphrates.It is often regarded as the birthplace of urban civilization. These cities, preserved as towering tells, mounds formed by centuries of accumulated cultural debris, have captivated scholars for generations.

One of three clay cuneiform tablets discovered at the Middle Bronze Age site of Kurd Qaburstan in northeast Iraq. It was found in a debris-filled corridor in the lower town palace. Early interpretations of this tablet suggests dramatic events and possibly ancient warfare.

“We know quite a bit about Mesopotamian cities in the south, and that’s considered the traditional heartland of cities,” Earley-Spadoni says. “When people think about where cities first arose, they imagine cities in southern Iraq, like Uruk. We seek to fill in this gap in the scholarship by investigating a large urban site, one of the few that’s ever been investigated in northern Iraq.”

Earley-Spadoni and researchers have been working in two primary areas: the northwest residential neighborhoods and a newly discovered administrative complex identified as a lower town palace, which was theorized to exist based on findings made in 2022.

Researchers used technologies such as magnetometry, which allows researchers to peer through the ground to see architectural plans, to help excavate the site.

The research is valuable its own right and helps shed light on regional history and worldwide heritage, she says.

“The focus of the research is the organization of ancient cities, and it’s specifically the organization of Kurd Qaburstan,” Earley-Spadoni says. “You may have heard of King Hammurabi, who erected the famous law code. So, this is about that same time almost 4,000 years ago.

We decided that this would be an interesting place to investigate what it was like to be an everyday person at a city during the Middle Bronze Age, which has been an understudied topic. People like to excavate palaces and temples, and very few residential areas have been excavated.”

Standing mudbrick architecture from a 10-meter by 10-meter excavation in the Kurd Qaburstan lower-town palace, view to north.

Excavations in the palace revealed monumental architecture, human remains and evidence of destruction, suggesting a significant historical event. The complex, identified through geophysical surveys, is being excavated to establish its characteristics and better understand its function.

Digging in the northwest neighbourhoods revealed exterior courtyards, clay drainpipes, cups, plates, bowls and storage jars. Fine details on the pottery, and animal remains which include both game and domesticated animals suggest that there was a greater degree of wealth among ordinary residents than previously assumed for ancient Mesopotamian cities.

It is possible that the 4,000-year-old city is the hidden city of Qabra, referenced in Old Babylonian monuments.

“Kurd Qaburstan is believed to be ancient Qabra, an important regional center mentioned in the records of other city-states,” Earley-Spadoni says. “The presence of  writing, monumental architecture, and other administrative artifacts in the lower town palace further supports this identification since the site must have been an important city of its time.”

The city’s historical importance could be even greater if it is identified as Qabra, a major regional center referenced in Old Babylonian monuments like the famed Stele of Dadusha, according to Earley-Spadoni.

“The first of the three tablets was discovered in a trash-filled deposit along with building rubble and human remains,” she says. “Its context suggests dramatic events, possibly evidence of ancient warfare. We hope our work in 2025 will tell us more about this story.”

The research and excavation efforts are funded through the U.S. National Science Foundation and in partnership with the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. The work occurred from May to July 2024, with previous work conducted from 2013 to 2023 by a team from Johns Hopkins University that included Earley-Spadoni.

ASIA, TURKEY, WORLD

Game Bone Stones from a Roman Military Strategy Game Found in Hadrianopolis Ancient City, Türkiye

Game Bone Stones from a Roman Military Strategy Game Found in Hadrianopolis Ancient City, Türkiye

Game Bone Stones from a Roman Military Strategy Game Found in Hadrianopolis Ancient City, Türkiye

During the excavations in Hadrianopolis Ancient City in Eskipazar district of Karabük, 2 bone game stones belonging to the military strategy game, which are thought to belong to the 5th century, were unearthed.

Hadrianopolis in Paphlagonia was a city in southwestern Asia Minor, located approximately 3km west of the modern town of Eskipazar in the Karabuk Province.

The city was named after the Roman emperor Hadrian in the 2nd century AD. The city of Hadrianopolis is also known as Caesarea and Proseilemmene and is famous for being the birthplace of two saints: Alypios the Stylite, and Stylianos of Paphlagonia.

Ongoing excavation efforts, led by associate professor Ersin Çelikbaş from the Department of Archaeology at Karabük University’s Faculty of Literature, continue at the ancient city, which was used as a settlement during the late Chalcolithic, Roman, and early Byzantine periods.

The ancient city of Hadrianopolis is called “Zeugma of Black Sea” because of its mosaics depicting many animals such as horses, elephants, panthers, deer and griffons.

The last discovery, together with previous findings, also points to the role of Hadrianopolis as a Roman military base in southern Paphlagonia.

The site is thought to have been a Roman garrison, and it is located not far from the eastern edge of the great Roman Empire. In his previous statements, Çelikbaş had said that Rome had built this military base on the easternmost borders of the empire to defend against invasions from the Black Sea region.

Researchers have previously discovered an iron Roman cavalry mask dating to the 3rd century AD in the region.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ersin Çelikbaş stated that they found 2 game stones and said, ‘These bone objects are in the form of lentils and discs. There is a 4-armed symbol on one stone and an 8-armed symbol on the other. These symbols show us that these stones could be game stones.’

Explaining that there were games played with bone stones in the past and that the stones they found belonged to a military strategy game, Çelikbaş continued as follows:

‘The discovery of strategy games in Hadrianopolis further concretises the existence of the military unit here because it is known that the strategy games played with bone stones in antiquity were ‘Ludus Latrunculi’ and ‘Doudecim Scripta’. Both games are based on a strategic basis.

The ancient cities where these games emerged are also frequently encountered in Anatolia. It is also known that these games were strategy games that soldiers loved to play. Finds of this type reinforce the existence of a military unit in Hadrianopolis for many centuries. They clearly support the existence of a Roman headquarters, a Roman unit, and a Roman fortress in Hadrianopolis from the 2nd to the 5th century BC.’

Ludus latrunculi was a two-player strategy  board game played throughout the Roman Empire. There are two rows of pieces facing each other, with sixteen pieces for each of the two players. The objective of the game is to seize every piece that the opposition has.

 Doudecim Scripta was a board game popular during the Roman Empire. This Roman game is a relative, and probably ancestor, of backgammon. It is played on a board of three rows of twelve columns of playing spaces, and its name means “game of twelve lines”.

ASIA, WORLD

Manot Cave yielded evidence for ritualistic gathering 35,000 years ago, the earliest on the Asian continent

Manot Cave yielded evidence for ritualistic gathering 35,000 years ago, the earliest on the Asian continent

Manot Cave yielded evidence for ritualistic gathering 35,000 years ago, the earliest on the Asian continent

Archaeological research at the Manot Cave in what is now the Galilee in northern Israel has uncovered evidence of ritualistic gatherings dating back 35,000 years. This important discovery is shedding new light on the earliest inhabitants of the Asian continent.

Manot Cave was used for thousands of years as a living space for Neanderthals and humans at different times. In 2015, researchers from Case Western Reserve helped identify a 55,000-year-old skull that provided physical evidence of interbreeding between Neanderthal and homo sapiens, with characteristics of each clearly visible in the skull fragment.

Manot Cave may have once been a ritualistic gathering site for early humans some 35,000 years ago, likely making it the earliest ritual site in Southwest Asia.

An important development in anthropological research, this discovery was just published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences journal. Under the direction of three Israeli researchers, the project included international partners, including a team from the School of Dental Medicine (CWRU) at Case Western Reserve University, which has been working at the location for more than ten years.

The study found that the cave residents resided nearer to the entrance. The ritual chamber, however, was located approximately eight stories below the cave’s entrance. A carved rock that resembled a turtle shell was found inside the chamber; it seemed to have been placed there on purpose in a niche. The carving was similar to the oldest cave paintings in France.

Stone tools, butchered animal bones, and other artifacts from regular human occupations between 46,000 and 33,000 years ago have been previously excavated at various locations close to the entrance of Manot Cave. That includes the time spent at the back of the cave performing group rituals.

Activity in the ritual chamber dates to a time when artifacts in the living areas display influences of Europe’s ancient Aurignacian culture.

An engraved rock with a carved symbolic turtle was placed in a niche in the ritual space.

“It may have represented a totem or spiritual figure,” said Omry Barzilai, Head of Material Culture PaleoLab at the University of Haifa and the Israel Antiquities Authority, and team leader, in a press release. “Its special location, far from the daily activities near the cave entrance, suggests that it was an object of worship.”

The cavern has natural acoustics favorable for large gatherings, and evidence of wood ash on nearby stalagmites suggests prehistoric humans carried torches to light the chamber.

Though it is not yet known what rituals took place in this specific chamber, there is evidence that cultures, such as the Mayans, used caves for rituals like human sacrifice.

Manot Cave was discovered in 2008 by workers building condominiums in a mountain resort close to Israel’s border with Lebanon.

Case Western Reserve’s School of Dental Medicine got involved in the excavation in 2012.  Students from Case Western Reserve’s School of Dental Medicine began assisting archeological teams because of their ability to identify bones from rocks.

“Most people would not suspect that a dental school would be involved in an archaeological excavation,” said Mark Hans, professor and chair of orthodontics at the dental school, in a press release. “But one of the things that are preserved very well in ancient skeletons are teeth because they are harder than bone.

There is a whole field of dental anthropology. As an orthodontist, I am interested in human facial growth and development, which, it turns out, is exactly what is needed to identify anthropological specimens.”

Experts from a variety of disciplines have collaborated internationally on the Manot Cave project. One of them, Linda Spurlock, a physical anthropologist from Kent State University, has added a visual element to the findings by sharing her knowledge of reconstructing human faces from skulls.

ASIA, IRAQ, WORLD

Evidence of Early Forms of Pottery Production and 8,000-Year-Old Buildings Belonging to the Elite of the Time Discovered in Iraqi Kurdistan

Evidence of Early Forms of Pottery Production and 8,000-Year-Old Buildings Belonging to the Elite of the Time Discovered in Iraqi Kurdistan

Evidence of Early Forms of Pottery Production and 8,000-Year-Old Buildings Belonging to the Elite of the Time Discovered in Iraqi Kurdistan

Archaeologists from the University of Udine have uncovered two ancient human settlements in the Rovia sub-district of Dohuk province in Iraqi Kurdistan, thought to date back some 8,000 years.

The discovery took place at the site of Kanispan, a Neolithic settlement from the 7th millennium BC.

Late Chalcolithic kiln at the Asingeran site, view from the north.

The province’s Director of Antiques and Heritage, Bekas Brifkani, told Shafaq News Agency that the sites were discovered in Asinkran and Kanisban areas, located in the Nafkor plain near the Rovia district in eastern Duhok.

Important information about the earliest agricultural societies and how they evolved into more complex communities has been uncovered by these excavations, which were conducted as part of the Asingeran Excavation Project in cooperation with the Directorate of Antiquities of Dohuk.

The project, coordinated by Marco Iamoni, is part of the Humanities and Cultural Heritage Department of the University of Udine. ‘The information obtained in Asingeran and the new Kanispan site is exceptional,’ emphasizes Professor Iamoni, lecturer in Archaeology and Art History of Ancient Western Asia and the Eastern Mediterranean.

Some of the oldest methods of grain processing and  pottery making, which date back more than 8,000 years, were found in Asinkran.

Meanwhile, evidence of early agricultural specialization and craft production was discovered at the Kanisban site, a Neolithic settlement from the 7th millennium BCE.

At the nearby Asinkran site, two monumental buildings dating back about 7,000 years were uncovered. “These buildings, the Rectangular Mudbrick Building and the White Building were constructed on a high mound and likely served as residences for the social elite of that era,” he explained.

Large buildings at Asingeran indicate the presence of sophisticated social structures from very early times, while early evidence of  ceramic production and cereal cultivation at Kanispan represents a significant milestone in prehistoric archaeology.

The project’s primary objective is to determine how early egalitarian agricultural societies developed into more complex communities with social stratification and labor specialization. Modern societies are thought to have been influenced by this transformational model.

The rectangular mud brick building is visible in the foreground.

Brifkani described the discovery as an “important step” in reconstructing the history of human development in the region, highlighting the Kurdistan Region’s significance as “one of the main centers of early civilization.”

The results will be examined in specialized labs using DNA, paleobotanical, and ceramic analyses. These studies are being carried out in partnership with the National Museum of Denmark and the universities of Padua and Bologna.

The findings will shed light on the subsistence and social organization systems in the Navkur plain and aid in reconstructing the social structure of the area’s first communities and their agricultural practices.

The Asingeran site shows a continuous occupation from the Ceramic Neolithic to the early 3rd millennium BCE, with a significant period of reoccupation in the 2nd millennium BCE. In addition to the two large buildings mentioned, the area has revealed traces of Ottoman-era dwellings (1500–1800 CE), including small stone houses, hearths, and domestic ovens.