archaeology

Unique seal of Byzantine Empress Irene Laskarina discovered at Perperikon in Bulgaria

A personal lead seal belonging to Byzantine Empress Irene Komnene Doukaina Laskarina has recently been discovered at Perperikon in southern Bulgaria. Dating from the 13th century, the artefact depicts the empress on one side and Christ the Saviour on the other in the rare iconographic representation known as Lytrotes — “the Redeemer”. Prof Nikolay Ovcharov,…

Aug 25, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Low Danube levels expose remains of St Constantine the Great’s Roman bridge

The foundations of a Roman bridge built across the Danube nearly 1,700 years ago have emerged as exceptionally low water levels exposed parts of the ancient structure, Reuters reported. The Bridge of Constantine was built in the early fourth century and inaugurated in 328 by the Holy Emperor Constantine the Great. It linked the ancient…

Aug 12, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Ninth-century coin depicting Saint John the Baptist found in eastern England puzzles experts

A ninth-century coin depicting Saint John the Baptist has been discovered in eastern England, in a find that experts say is highly unusual for its time and raises questions about its origin and meaning, BBC reports. The object, a pendant made from a perforated gold coin, was found by a metal detectorist near Dunton, in…

Apr 16, 2026Aurelian Iftimiu

Archaeologists discover 1,400-year-old Christian cross in Abu Dhabi, confirming ancient monastery site

A team of archaeologists has recently discovered a 30-centimetre-long stucco cross in the United Arab Emirates, dating back at least 1,300 years. The Christian symbol confirms that a group of houses unearthed decades ago was part of a monastery. The nine small courtyard dwellings were first discovered in 1992 on Sir Bani Yas Island, located…

Aug 26, 2025Aurelian Iftimiu

Newly-discovered basilica at the See of Galilee indicates possible location of Apostles Peter and Andrew’s home

A newly-found mosaic in el-Araj, on the northern shore of Lake Kinneret in Israel, shows the most probable location of the city of Bethsaida and it could also indicate the home of Apostles Peter and Andrew, who were brothers. A 1,500-year-old mosaic mentions the name of the basilica founder, Constantine, and a prayer addressed to…

Aug 18, 2022Ștefana Totorcea

Ashdod: The Patriarch of Jerusalem participates in historical liturgy at the ruins of a 6th century Byzantine church

The Patriarch of Jerusalem and clerics from the Holy Land participated on Thursday in an open-air Liturgy officiated at the ruins of a Byzantine basilica near Ashdod. The patriarch officiated a Trisagion for the repose of those mentioned on a recently found mosaic on the site – among them, a bishop who participated in two…

Jul 31, 2021Ștefana Totorcea