The Vatican’s Newly Restored Raphael Rooms Spotlight the Great Artist Who Died Before Finishing His Final Project
As specialists cleaned and studied the rooms in the Apostolic Palace, they learned new information about the Renaissance painter’s experimental techniques
These Medieval Monks Scribbled Notes in the Margins of Their Books More Than 1,000 Years Ago
A new exhibition in Dublin showcases historic manuscripts written in Irish monasteries. The show also features medieval artifacts, such as a rare book shrine found in a river in the 1980s
A Sinkhole Opened Up on a Busy Street in England, Revealing the Remains of a Massive Medieval Hospital
Centuries ago, the site was home to St. Leonard’s Hospital, a sprawling monastic facility that provided care to sick individuals and supplied meals for prisoners at nearby York Castle
Ancient Sarcophagus Unearthed in Israel Portrays an Epic Drinking Contest Between the God Dionysus and the Mythical Hero Hercules
Archaeologists say the marble coffin is the first of its kind found in the region. The story it depicts is more often seen in mosaics
The Dead Sea Scrolls Changed Our Understanding of the Bible. Could Some of Them Be Even Older Than We Thought?
A new study combines A.I., radiocarbon dating and handwriting analysis to estimate new dates for some of the ancient scrolls, thought to be some of the earliest surviving fragments of the Old Testament
Experts Think the Hagia Sophia Is in Danger. They’ve Got a Plan to Protect It From Earthquakes
Turkey is located near two fault lines, leaving the 1,500-year-old structure vulnerable to damage. Architects and engineers will be investigating how to best preserve it
Archaeologists Unearth Two Rare African Figurines in 1,500-Year-Old Christian Burials in Israel
The artifacts were buried in the graves of a young woman and child, who may have converted to Christianity in Africa before traveling to the region, researchers say
Step Into a Painstakingly Recreated 3D Model of the Parthenon, Now Restored to Its Ancient Glory
A researcher simulated the Athenian temple’s lighting conditions at different times of the day, discovering that its interior was actually “quite dark and dim”
How the Thirteen Colonies Tried—and Failed—to Convince Canada to Side With Them During the American Revolution
After peaceful attempts at alliance-building stalled, the Continental Army launched an ill-fated invasion of Quebec in June 1775
The New Pope Is Calling Himself Leo—Just Like 13 Other Pontiffs Who Came Before Him. Who Are They?
When Robert Prevost was elected pope this week, he chose one of the most popular papal names. The lives of the Pope Leos who preceded him may offer insight into his approach to the papacy
India Is Trying to Stop the Sale of Hundreds of Ancient Gems Associated With the Buddha
The 300 sacred jewels are part of a larger trove found in India in 1898. They’re scheduled to be sold by Sotheby’s Hong Kong, where bidding will start at roughly $1.3 million
Martin Scorsese’s New Documentary Will Feature One of Pope Francis’ Final Interviews
The film focuses on a project founded by the pope that encourages small communities around the world to tell their stories through cinema
Five Ways Pope Francis, Religious Leader Who Pushed to Modernize the Catholic Church, Was a Man of Firsts
The pontiff, who died on Easter Monday at age 88, strived to make the church more inclusive. But critics believed his reforms either went too far or not far enough
Some ‘Hairy’ Medieval Books Were Covered in Sealskin, and Researchers Don’t Know Exactly Why
Historians were surprised when analyses revealed Catholic monks used pinniped hides for the protective outer layer on some manuscripts, rather than skins from the local boars and deer
Archaeologists Uncover Two Nearly Life-Size Statues Carved Into the Wall of a Tomb in Ancient Pompeii
The figures appear to represent a married couple. Experts think the woman, who is holding laurel leaves, may have been a priestess
South Korea’s Worst Ever Wildfires Ravage Ancient Buddhist Temples and Menace Historic Villages
One monk said his old temple was ‘reduced to heaps of ashes,’ as the fires continue to rage across the country
See the Stunning Sapphire Ring Belonging to a Medieval Bishop That Just Sold at Auction
Found by a metal detectorist in England, the item features a sapphire surrounded by two emeralds and two stones that are either garnets or rubies
What Archaeologists Are Uncovering About the Buddha in His Legendary Nepali Hometown
The birthplace of the Buddha beckons worshipers from around the world, as well as researchers hoping to dig up new evidence about the revered spiritual leader
Gutenberg Bible Reunited With Rare 15th-Century Devotional Print Once Tucked Inside Its Pages
Two centuries after they were separated, the print and the Bible are on display together at the Huntington Library in California
Women Played a More Important Role in Producing Medieval Manuscripts Than Previously Thought
New research suggests that women were the scribes of at least 1.1 percent of manuscripts in the Latin West between 400 and 1500 C.E.
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