Despite the coronavirus pandemic and the limited excavations that occurred in Israel, 2020 was another major year of discoveries for biblical archaeology. Here’s our selection of the top finds, in ascending order of significance.

Well, the Bible doesn’t quite say that. But there is a principle—with archaeological precedent.

A remarkable site with two identified periods of use—and the tantalizing mystery of why it was left a ghost town

Further evidence of Jeremiah’s account?

Archaeology proves the famous biblical account of a desperate attempt to fortify the Holy City

There was a time when Iran’s leaders supported the Jews and Jewish statehood.

But was there ever any real discrepancy to the 8th century B.C.E. timeline?

Some uncanny parallels among the Semitic rulers of Lower Egypt—right down to their individual names

Just how accurate is the biblical portrayal of ancient music?

How archaeological discoveries from Israel’s most northern city correspond with biblical history.

The “choice vine” of Sorek continues to yield

What two recently discovered coins reveal about two vastly different periods in Judah

The ‘oldest known gate’ found in the Holy Land

Excavations at Nineveh uncovered a relief depicting two of Assyria’s most important gods.

What artifacts show us about the city—before it became the capital of Israel

Rare First Temple period seal impression provides first proof of one of King Josiah’s aides.

What it’s like to volunteer on the Ophel excavation

So says one expert. But just how ‘rare’ are biblically significant archaeological discoveries?

Even the seemingly unimportant finds validate the biblical record.

Evidence for the earliest pagan worship in Genesis?

But you won’t find that in the reporting or the scientific study.

What was the fearsome biblical ‘leviathan’? Could it be a terrifying sea creature discovered in the sands of the Near East—a beast whose scientific name aptly translates to ‘King Lizard’?

In a series of resolutions, UNESCO has threatened the future of archaeological discovery in one of the world’s most important cities.

The new discovery of a length of Jerusalem’s defensive wall that was standing at the time of the Babylonian invasion