Shar

Archaeological evidence has finally confirmed what Roman historians have long documented - gladiators really did battle ferocious bears in ancient amphitheaters. A groundbreaking study of a 1,700-year-old brown bear skull discovered at the Viminacium archaeological site in Serbia provides the first physical proof of these deadly encounters. The fossilized remains reveal traumatic injuries and signs of prolonged captivity, offering unprecedented insight into the brutal spectacles that entertained Roman crowds.

The remarkable discovery was made near the amphitheater at Viminacium, once a thriving Roman military base and provincial capital in modern-day Serbia. Scientists from Belgrade's Institute of Archaeology analyzed the bear skull using advanced techniques, uncovering evidence that transforms our understanding of Roman entertainment practices.

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• The Colosseum – From Gladiator Fights to Gory Executions and Sea Battles

Archaeologists in Israel have made an extraordinary discovery that curiously sheds new light on both Bronze Age burial customs and ancient recycling practices. Three textile lamp wicks, approximately 4,000 years old, were uncovered during excavations near Yehud, representing some of the oldest known examples worldwide and providing rare insights into Intermediate Bronze Age illumination technology.

The remarkable preservation occurred through what researchers describe as "a singular event of organic preservation in a humid climate," according to Israel Antiquities Authority scientists Dr. Naama Sukenik and Dr. Yonah Maor. The discovery was made during development work for a new Yehud neighborhood, funded by the Israel Lands Authority, with findings recently published in Atiqot Journal, Vol. 118.

Archaeologists in Israel have unveiled one of the most significant Samaritan archaeological discoveries in recent years - a sprawling 1,600-year-old agricultural estate in Kafr Qasim that offers unprecedented insights into the prosperity and resilience of the ancient Samaritan community during the Byzantine period.

The remarkable excavation, conducted by the Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA) ahead of new housing construction, has revealed magnificent mosaics, ritual baths, and agricultural installations that showcase the wealth and cultural identity of this often-overlooked religious minority from antiquity.

• Ancient Samaria, a City Destroyed and Ten Tribes Lost Forever
• The Powerful Politics Behind the Parable of the Good Samaritan

Overview of one of the buildings at the Samaritan agricultural estate. (Emil Aladjem/IAA)