Excavations have been renewed at ancient Samaria-Sebaste. The site was first excavated by a team from Harvard University in the early 1900’s. A team led by Uzi Greenfeld, an archaeologist representing the archaeology department of the Israeli Civil Administration, has renewed excavations. During the first two weeks, a stone pavement from a ceremonial street leading from the Herodian city’s center to the main gate was unearthed. It was once lined with decorated columns that now lie toppled beside the street. Also discovered was an ornate stone base that likely once held a monument, although this is missing. The archaeologists believe it may have marked the entrance to a tower or temple. In the Iron Age, King Omri purchased the hill of Samaria to build a capital city for the Northern Kingdom of Israel (1 Kgs 16:23–24). Centuries later, Herod the Great rebuilt the city and renamed it Sebaste, the Greek equivalent of Augustus, in honor of the Roman emperor.
Source:
- https://www.israelhayom.com/2025/06/03/first-dig-in-100-years-reveals-rare-discovery-at-biblical-israel-capital/
