The Challenge of State Building in the Twelfth Century: the Crusader States in Palestine and Syria
The crusader states in the twelfth century do not conform to the stereotypical constructs of historians and economists; instead they present a series of paradoxes.
13-year-old discovers Byzantine burial inscription
A 1500 year-old stone slab was discovered in Israel last week – found by a teenage boy who was out looking for mushrooms.
Gold coins dating back 1200 years discovered in Israel
Israeli archaeologists have discovered a set of seven gold coins stashed in small clay juglet. The coins date back to the ninth century.
Sixth-century Byzantine church discovered near Jerusalem
Archaeologists have discovered the remains of sixth-century Byzantine church near Jerusalem. Dedicated to an unnamed “glorious martyr”, the site is decorated with spectacular mosaic floors and Greek inscriptions.
Byzantine-era artefacts discovered in Israel
A set of hammer and nails dating back 1,400 years ago was discovered in northwestern Israel last month, during an archaeological dig of a Byzantine-era Jewish settlement.
Crusader Urban Archaeology in the Kingdom of Jerusalem: Methodologies, Constraints and Possibilities: The Cases of Jerusalem and Acre
I might have called this paper a Tale of Two Cities for that certainly what it is – a tale of two very different cities and how they contribute to our understanding of the Crusader period and the Latin East
A Transient Pulse of Genetic Admixture from the Crusaders in the Near East Identified from Ancient Genome Sequences
Human migrations, which often accompanied historical battles and invasions, have profoundly reshaped the genetic diversity of local populations in many regions.
Warfare during the Crusades: Usama ibn Munqidh and his Memoirs
Some of the most useful sources on medieval warfare are the ones written by the warriors themselves.
Corporate Monarchy in the Twelfth-Century Kingdom of Jerusalem
While the conflicts between Queen Melisende of Jerusalem and the men in her family have received considerable scholarly attention, explanations for the ease with which they reconciled remain elusive.
Early medieval mosque discovered in Israel
Archaeologists working in Israel have discovered the remains of a mosque dating to seventh or eighth century, as well as a Byzantine-era farm.
Archaeological evidence of the First Crusade discovered
Archaeologists digging along the southern wall of the Old City of Jerusalem on Mount Zion have announced the discovery of a ditch and artefacts that have been linked to siege and conquest of the city in 1099 during the First Crusade.
First genetic study of Crusaders reveals diverse origins
The first genetic study of medieval human remains believed to be Crusaders confirms that warriors travelled from western Europe to the near East, where they mixed and had families with local people, and died together in battle
Dragomans and Crusaders: The Role of Translators and Translation in the Medieval Eastern Mediterranean, 1098-1291
How did the invading Franks navigate the multifaceted language barrier when they conquered, settled, and ruled Syria in the era of the crusades?
Fifth-century Samaritan estate discovered in Israel
Archaeologists working for the Israel Antiquities Authority have uncovered the remains of a 1600-year-old estate from a Samaritan settlement.
900-year-old treasure hoard discovered in Caesarea
The Israeli Antiquities Authority has announced the discovery of a medieval treasure hoard, consisting of a small bronze pot holding 24 gold coins and a gold earring.
The impact of the Franks on the Latin Kingdom of Jerusalem
Frankish impact on communities was investigated through an exploration of the medieval landscape and seigneurial obligations, two attributes that affected all rural sites in the Latin Kingdom of Jerusalem, regardless of other settlement characteristics.
A case of blood vengeance from 1,000 years ago
Skull slashed by a sword and palm bones from approximately 1,000 years ago discovered in a cave in the Jerusalem hills.
Reframing the Mongols in 1260: The Armenians, the Mongols and the Magi
While subjection to the Mongol yoke was far from desirable, rulers could seek to make the best of the situation, in the hope that the ambitions of the Mongols might come to match their own, or that the Mongols might be persuaded to support their cause.
Byzantine mosaic discovered in Jerusalem
Israeli archaeologists have discovered a 1,500 year old mosaic floor near the Damascus Gate in the Old City of Jerusalem. It is believed to be part of a hostel built by the Byzantine emperor Justinian for Christian pilgrims.
Crowdfunding campaign for a Crusader Castle
A crowdfunding campaign to fund archaeological work and restoration of a crusader castle has already reached half of its goal.
A Collapse of the Eastern Mediterranean? New results and theories on the interplay between climate and societies in Byzantium and the Near East, ca. 1000–1200 AD
The reflection about the impact of climate on human society goes back to antiquity. It has gained renewed intensity with the discussion about climate change and its possible anthropogenic causes in the last decades.
The Medieval Story of Jesus’ Prison Cell
Today it is one of the quieter corners of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, but hundreds of years ago the ‘Prison of Christ’ was one of the must-see spots for medieval Christian pilgrims.
Hidden Complexities of the Frankish Castle
This thesis is devoted to crusader castles and has a geographical focus on the Near Eastern regions.
Byzantine-era mosaic map restored in Israel
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
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.