Tel Dan Inscription:

This fragment of a monumental inscription from the First Temple Period was discovered in an excavation of the ancient city of Dan. It is the first extra-biblical reference to the "House of David" ever discovered. It appears to have been part of a monument erected by a king of Aram indicating victory over his enemies. Written in Aramaic with the words separated by dots, the inscription dates to the 9th century BCE.

Ivory Pomegranate:

This carved ivory pomegranate is believed to have been the decorative head of a ceremonial scepter used by the Temple Priests during the First Temple Period. Discovered out of context, it may be the only relic from the Temple of Solomon in Jerusalem that has been discovered to date. The Pomegranate was a popular motif in Solomon's Temple. The artifact has a small hole in the bottom, indicating that it may have been mounted on a rod. It is inscribed with early Hebrew characters transcribed as: "Sacred donation for the Priests in the House of Yahweh."

Caiaphas Ossuary:

From the Caiaphas family tomb in Jerusalem, this ossuary bears the inscription "Yehosef bar Qafa: (Joseph, son of Caiaphas), and it is dated to the Second Temple Period. Caiaphas is the name of the High Priest who presided over the trial of Jesus.

Crucified Man:

An ossuary bearing the name "Yehochanan" contained the full skeleton of a man crucified in the first century and buried with a bent crucifixion nail through his heel bone. It is the only physical evidence of crucifixion ever discovered.

Galilean Fishing Boat:

Ketef Hinnom Amulets:

Two tiny silver scrolls in the form of amulets were discovered at a burial cave at Ketef Hinnom. Written in ancient Hebrew script dated to the 7th century BCE, the scrolls comprise the earliest-known fragments of a biblical text and pre-date the earliest scrolls from Qumran by more than 300 years. A form of what is known as the priestly blessing is contained in the scroll to the left: "The Lord bless you and protect you. The Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you. The Lord lift up his countenance to you and give you peace." It also contains the oldest-known form of the Divine Name,
"" (Known as the Tetragrammaton)

Herodian Sundial:

This tiny sundial (only 2 inches wide by 2 inches high) may be the only known surviving artifact from the Temple of King Herod. It was found during excavation of a pile of debris attributed to the destruction of the Temple. There is a seven-branched menorah carved on its back, which is a symbol that was usually reserved for the Temple Priests.

House of God Ostracon:

This Ostracon (writing on pottery) was discovered in Arad, an ancient Judean administrative center. Written in ancient Hebrew script dated to the early 6th century BCE, it is presumed to be one of the earliest epigraphic references to the Temple in Jerusalem. A portion of the inscription reads: "To my lord Elyashib, may the Lord seek your welfare…and as to the matter which you command me-it is well; he is in the House of God."

Qumran Ostracon:

This Ostracon (writing on pottery) was discovered at the Qumran plateau in 1996 and it is the only written material to be recovered there since the discovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls. Written as a type of contract, the Ostracon was broken at a critical point, and scholars disagree as to the proper translation.

Dead Sea Scrolls:

Thought by many to be the library of an ancient Jewish sect (Essenes), this collection includes the oldest extant copies of the Hebrew Scriptures known, as well as many previously unknown books. The scrolls were stored in clay jars and sealed in caves along the shores of the Dead Sea. These manuscripts pre-date the earliest previously-known Biblical manuscripts by more than 1,000 years.

Pilate Inscription:

Discovered at Caesarea in secondary use in a later wall, this inscription bears witness to a major New Testament figure and settles the debate over Pilot’s title of Prefect rather than the inferior Procurator.

Sundial from Qumran:

A solar calendar with a 364-day year, based on ancient Jewish traditions, was used by Sectarians, and time was a matter of great significance for keeping a precise daily schedule.