Protecting antiquities from looters and illicit markets continues to be a problem in Israel. Yet in the past week, Israel has announced the repatriation of two key discoveries: a First Temple Period papyrus and a silver shekel from the fourth year of the Great Revolt.

From the biggest of shipwrecks to the smallest of pendants—here’s our list of 2024’s greatest hits in biblical archaeology.

A peculiar inscription matching the name of one of Israel’s most famous prophets

Talking with the City of David Foundation about an excavation two decades in the making

According to Professor Zertal, the square altar matches descriptions of Jerusalem’s temple altar but was built two centuries after the biblical date for Joshua. The smaller circular altar (Installation 94) sits directly under and in the exact center of the later 13th-century b.c.e. altar. Dr. Scott Stripling believes Installation 94 is likely Joshua’s altar.

On today’s program, host Brent Nagtegaal discusses a recent article by Ashkelon excavator Dr. Daniel Master in Biblical Archaeology Review that shows how dna evidence finally put to rest any debate about the Philistine origins.

Hebrew University archaeologist Dr. Eilat Mazar speaks at the June 10, 2018 opening of the archaeological exhibit,“Seals of Isaiah and King Hezekiah Discovered!” from the King David hotel in Jerusalem, Israel.

A dramatic numismatic snapshot of Byzantine history (including a veritable “time lapse” of the maturation of the empire’s princes!)

Possible evidence of Zephaniah’s great-grandfather

An archaeology principle for everyday life

Join AIBA, the Israel Antiquities Authority and other select partners on an archaeological journey to the core of ancient Jerusalem.

More stunning proof of King David’s expanding kingdom

An interview with Zvi Koenigsberg

Shiloh is famous as the location of the biblical tabernacle. Archaeological excavations have been taking place annually on the north side of the ancient tel. Excavation director Dr. Scott Stripling believes his team may have found remains from the tabernacle itself, as well as the city gate and sacrificial deposits. In this end-of-season interview, Dr. Stripling leads Let the Stones Speak host Christopher Eames through the three main areas of excavation at Tel Shiloh.

And the latest unfounded attack against using the Bible in archaeology.

A journey through one of the most important sites in biblical archaeology