This thesis is devoted to crusader castles and has a geographical focus on the Near Eastern regions.
Byzantine-era mosaic map restored in Israel
October 4, 2015 By
Although the Byzantine-era church that existed about 1500 years ago in southern Israel no longer exists, its mosaic floor has now been restored and shows a map revealing a scene of streets and buildings from an Egyptian town.
Financing the tribute to the Kingdom of Jerusalem: An urban tax in Damascus
August 26, 2015 By
After a brief introduction to legal taxation and Saljuq fiscal policy, the philological problems in the definition of a specific due, al-fissa, illegitimate according to the sharia, will be addressed along with its political function and history. This due was levied in Damascus for the tribute to the Kingdom of Jerusalem.
Mosaics discovered at Byzantine-era Synagogue in Israel
August 6, 2015 By
Excavations of a medieval synagogue in Israel dating to the Byzantine period (4th—7th c. CE) have uncovered a partially-preserved colorful mosaic floor.
Byzantine church discovered near Jerusalem
July 2, 2015 By
Archaeologists in Israel have discovered the remains of a Byzantine church and road station just west of Jerusalem. The site is believed to be about 1500 years old.
Early Christian Mosaic Floor discovered in Nazareth
June 24, 2015 By
Mosaic floor found under the Church of the Annunciation is believed to date to the fourth century.
Caliph’s palace on the shores of the Sea of Galilee to be restored
June 2, 2015 By
The German government will be funding archaeologists to help restored an Umayyad palace dating back to the early eighth century.
Enumerating the Battles, Skirmishes, and Naval Actions at the Siege of Acre
May 20, 2015 By
Hosler examines the many episodes during the siege, which involved Saladin’s Egyptian and Syrian troops, fighting against crusader forces that were eventually joined by kings Philip Augustus and Richard I.
Medieval cesspit in Jerusalem reveals 15th century diseases
March 20, 2015 By
Analysis of a latrine in Jerusalem that dates back over 500 years finds human parasites common in northern Europe yet very rare in Middle East at the time, suggesting long-distance trade or pilgrimage routes and shedding light on prevalent infectious diseases of the age.
The German Crusade of 1197-1198
March 19, 2015 By
This article reconsiders the significance of the German Crusade of 1197-8, often dismissed as a very minor episode in the history of the Crusading movement.
Infidel Dogs: Hunting Crusaders with Usama ibn Munqidh
February 28, 2015 By
Few works of medieval Arabic literature are as valuable to the student of Islamic perspectives on the Crusades as the Kitab al-I tibar or Book of Learning by Example by the Syrian warrior and man-of-letters Usama ibn Munqidh (1095–1188).
Gold coin hoard discovered off Mediterranean coast
February 18, 2015 By
Nearly 2,000 coins, the largest treasure hoard ever discovered in Israel, was found a few weeks ago in the waters off the medieval port of Caesarea.
1500-year-old Byzantine grape seeds discovered in Israel
February 18, 2015 By
The charred grape seeds, over 1,500 years old, found in southern Israel excavation were used to produce the ‘Wine of the Negev’ – one of the finest and most renowned wines in the whole of the Byzantine Empire.
Why does Saladin have such good PR in the Medieval West?
September 1, 2014 By
The story of Hattin and the Third Crusade is a very good read and it features a splendid duel, indeed almost a tournament, pitting Saladin against Richard the Lionheart. And to this exciting mixture is added a dash of sex
The Muslim Conquest of Byzantine Palestina – Monstrous Invasion or Peaceful Occupation?
August 9, 2014 By
The Persian and Muslim invasions of Palestina brought with them large-scale changes to the whole region
An Unknown Female Martyr from Jerusalem
June 21, 2014 By
In the present article we edit the fragment of a text related to an unnamed female new martyr from Jerusalem from the time of John XIII.
Why did the First Crusade succeed while later Crusades failed
May 11, 2014 By
The overwhelming success of the First set off a chain of events that would eventually make it almost impossible for future Crusades to achieve the same levels of success as the first.
Byzantine monastery discovered the Negev Desert
April 14, 2014 By
An impressive Byzantine monastery dating to the late sixth-century has been discovered in the northern part of the Negev Desert in Israel.
Asserting Political Authority in a Sacred Landscape: A Comparison of Umayyad and Israeli Jerusalem
February 17, 2014 By
Maintenance of authority is of course the end goal, but how does political leadership ‘build’ political authority in the first place?
Byzantine Church and Mosaic discovered in Israel
January 27, 2014 By
Archaeologists working for the Israel Antiquities Authority have uncovered the remains of a 1500 year old Byzantine church south of Tel Aviv. It includes a large mosaic and inscriptions in Greek.
A Twelfth-Century Oil Press Complex at the Crusader Town of Arsur (Apollonia-Arsuf) and the Olive Oil Industry in the Latin Kingdom of Jerusalem
December 20, 2013 By
This article documents an oil press discovered in the southern part of the Crusader town of Arsur, dating to the twelfth century CE.
A Climate for Crusades? Weather, climate and armed pilgrimage to the Holy Land (11th–14th Century)
December 16, 2013 By
The crusaders found themselves confronted not only with foreign cultures and violent armed resistance, but also with an alien natural environment and climatic conditions that could prove to be sometimes just as fatal as the arrows of the enemy.
Eleventh-century villa discovered in Israel
December 12, 2013 By
Archaeologists working near the central-Israeli city of Ramla have discovered the remains of an eleventh-century villa that had its own garden fountain.
Melisende: A True Queen
October 13, 2013 By
This leads us to our primary question: did Melisende rule as a political entity during this time?
Byzantine coins and jewelry discovered in Israel
August 9, 2013 By
Refuse pits near the ancient city of Apollonia-Arsuf are turning up a large number of artefacts, including hundreds of Byzantine coins, Samaritan lamps and gold jewelry. Why were people throwing out this stuff?
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