Possible Medieval Synagogue found near Sea of Galilee

A possible medieval synagogue has been found at the site of Huqoq near the Sea of Galilee. The medieval structure re-used some of the architectural remains from an earlier 5th century synagogue.

http://www.livescience.com/57592-medieval-synagogue-uncovered-sea-of-galilee.html

Massive Medieval Burial Ground Uncovered in Sudan

A medieval burial ground, containing four cemeteries, is being uncovered near the al-Ghazali monastery in Sudan.

http://www.livescience.com/57553-burial-ground-unearthed-at-medieval-monastery.html

2,400 Year-old Tomb Discovered in Northern Iraq

A 2,400 year-old tomb has been discovered in northern Iraq. Inside the tomb archaeologists found several skeletons and a bracelet which shows two snake heads peering at each other.

http://www.livescience.com/57422-skeletons-found-in-ancient-iraq-tomb.html

Hundreds of Historic Texts Hidden in ISIL-Occupied Monastery

Over 400 texts, dating as far back as 800 years, were saved from the Mar Behnam monastery in Iraq after more than two years of ISIL occupation. Just weeks before ISIL occupied the monastery a priest put the 400 texts in metal containers and built a wall to conceal them.

http://www.livescience.com/57240-historic-texts-hidden-isis-occupied-monastery.html

http://www.livescience.com/57239-photos-historic-texts-hidden-christian-monastery.html

ISIL Members May face war crimes charges

ISIL members may face war crime charges for the destruction of heritage sites. Photographs show that a number of fighters were captured at Mar Behnam (an ancient monastery that was heavily damaged and vandalized), near the site of Nimrud (which was largely destroyed) and even a few in Mosul (where numerous sites were destroyed). The propaganda videos created by ISIL may help convict those who destroyed the sites.

http://www.livescience.com/57173-isis-war-crime-charges-for-heritage-destruction.html

Surviving Inscriptions from Nimrud Revealed

Several surviving inscriptions from Nimrud have been revealed. One inscriptions which ISIL tried (but failed) to destroy tells about how Ashurnasipral II founded a monkey colony at Nimrud "I brought them [the monkeys] to my land Aššur. I bred herds of them in great numbers in Calah [and] displayed [them] to all the people of my land."

http://www.livescience.com/57159-photos-ancient-inscriptions-nimrud.html

http://www.livescience.com/57161-ancient-inscriptions-survive-isil-attacks.html

US to Restrict Imports of Egyptian artifacts

Secretary of State John Kerry will sign an agreement with Egypt's foreign minister that will impose restrictions on the import of Egyptian artifacts into the US. Since 2011 over $143 million worth of Egyptian artifacts have been imported into the US from Egypt. Both governments hope that the restrictions will help curtail the looting that has plagued Egypt since the 2011 revolution.