Mosaics discovered at Byzantine-era Synagogue in Israel
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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?
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?
The Persian and Muslim invasions of Palestina brought with them large-scale changes to the whole region
An Unknown Female Martyr from Jerusalem
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.
Byzantine monastery discovered the Negev Desert
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
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
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
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)
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
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
This leads us to our primary question: did Melisende rule as a political entity during this time?
Byzantine coins and jewelry discovered in Israel
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?
Crusader hospital discovered in Jerusalem
The remains of a large hospital from the Crusader period have been discovered in the heart of Old Jerusalem, according to the Israel Antiquities Authority. Later this year the public will be to visit part of the structure when the site is turned into a restaurant.
Holy Meditations and Earthly Curiosities: Understanding Late Medieval Pilgrims to Jerusalem
There were many worthy sites along the way, destinations in themselves, but Jerusalem in particular was unrivaled. It lured pilgrims to face death just to stand upon Mountjoy, that fabled vantage point overlooking the city.
Countess Hodierna of Tripoli: From Crusader Politician to ‘Princesse Lointaine’
This case study of Hodierna (c. 1115 to c. 1161), princess of Jerusalem and countess of Jerusalem, highlights how any given woman’s historical reputation is subject to unpredictable forces, often beyond her control and rarely reflective of her actions in life.