Breaking Archaeology News: Rare Crusader Fresco at Israel Museum

A rare Crusader-era fresco from Jerusalem's Garden of Gethsemane has been unveiled to the public for the first time. The fresco depicts the Deisis, a famous Biblical scene featuring Jesus, Mary and John the Baptist praying. It was discovered by chance in 1999 as officials worked to preserve sites affected by winter flooding.

Curators at the Israel Museum believe the full 12th-century fresco was about 30 feet tall. Only the bottom section, showing feet, now remains. The fresco went on display Monday when the museum reopened after a renovation. Only two similar frescoes have been found near Jerusalem. Archaeologists say all others were destroyed by Saladin when his troops captured Jerusalem in the name of Islam in 1187.

Other exhibitions include:

Zvi Goldstein: Haunted by Objects
Susan Hiller: A Work in Progress
Yinka Shonibare: Earth, Wind, Fire, and Water
A Rare Gift: The Noel and Harriette Levine Collection of Photographs


For more archaeological exhibitions, check out the Israel Museum.

Monday Ground Up: Two Architectural Gems in Rome, Italy

Roman architecture is classical and hardly practical. It could be described as masculine in a sense, with a hint of solitude. No matter how we interpret the structure, we can all agree that it exhibited a solid foundation and architectural form.

The Baths of Caracalla and the Arch of Titus are two such structures that on one hand side represent honor and resolve, but on the other relaxation and educational output.