Marble Sculptures Unearthed in Israel
On June 17, 2026, news broke of the discovery of two marble sculptures from the Greco-Roman period in Israel. The find was made by the Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA) during excavations conducted ahead of a railway line expansion. The sculptures date back to the Roman era and are examples of protomes, depicting prominent figures from the Greco-Roman world. One of the statues bears a Greek inscription with the name 'Lycurgus.'
The sculptures were found buried face-down inside a wine vat, within a collection pit for wine. Excavation directors Eliran Oren and Avisag Reiss noted that the statues were carefully placed in the pit after the winepress had fallen out of use. 'At this point, we don't know why they were hidden there, though it’s possible they were deliberately concealed for protection,' they remarked.
IAA archaeologist Michael Soroçkin recounted that during the dig, workers noticed something protruding from the ground and called him over. 'There was an immediate sense that we had found something unusual. As the excavation progressed, it became clear that it was not pottery but marble,' Soroçkin added.
Presentation of the Find
The discovery will be presented at an archaeological conference on June 18 at the Moza Museum—Eretz Israel in Tel Aviv. Following the conference, the sculptures are planned to be displayed through the end of the summer. This find is considered one of the greatest archaeological achievements in the region in recent years. Eliran Oren and Avisag Reiss noted: 'This is a once-in-a-lifetime discovery. The most remarkable finds often appear when you least expect them, and in this case, they turned up on the last day of the excavation.'
The excavations were conducted as part of a project under an initiative by the Ministry of Transport and Israel Railways, which involves expanding railway infrastructure. High-speed rail connections are planned to reach up to 250 km/h. Previous excavations in this region have already uncovered remains of a Roman bathhouse, pointing to the area’s rich historical context. The statues are currently undergoing cleaning, conservation, and study in IAA laboratories.
The discovery of the marble sculptures is a significant contribution to the further study of Israel’s cultural heritage and the Roman period. This find underscores the importance of archaeological research conducted within infrastructure projects, as they can lead to major historical discoveries. Further study of the statues, along with their presentation at the conference and exhibition, will allow a broader audience to learn about these unique artifacts and their significance in the context of regional history.
The significance of archaeological discoveries in Israel is underscored by another recent find, where a cave revealed secrets about early human life dating back 300,000 years. Such findings not only enhance our understanding of ancient civilizations but also illustrate the rich historical tapestry of the region. For more on this remarkable discovery, explore the details about the cave's revelations that shed light on early human existence.