2026 in archaeology

This page lists significant events in 2026 in archaeology.

Finds

January

• 3 – Discovery of a pristine medieval gold ring adorned with intricate filigree was announced in Tønsberg, Norway. ^[1]
• 4 – Traces of human modification beneath dense tropical forest canopy in the Andean Chocó region of eastern Panama was revealed by using LIDAR technology. ^[2]
• 6
  • Byzantine-era monastic residential complex was unearthed in Al-Qarya bi-Al-Duweir, Sohag, Upper Egypt, revealing organised early Christian monastic life through well-planned mudbrick buildings, a central church, and Coptic-inscribed artefacts. ^[3]
  • Late Roman mosaic floor featuring a central Solomon's knot motif was discovered in the ancient city of Smyrna, located beneath the modern city of İzmir, Turkey. ^[4]
• 7– Discovery of a near-complete bronze carnyx among a 2,000 year-old Iron Age hoard in West Norfolk, England. ^{[5] [6]}
• 11– A rare 3,300-year-old faience funerary mask from the Dilmun civilisation was discovered at Al-Hillah site in southern Bahrain. ^[7]

See also

• List of years in archaeology

References

1. Milligan, Mark (2026-01-03). "Pristine medieval gold ring discovered in Tønsberg". HeritageDaily - Archaeology News. Retrieved 2026-01-06.
2. Milligan, Mark (2026-01-04). "LiDAR reveals lost ancient landscape in Andean Chocó". HeritageDaily - Archaeology News. Retrieved 2026-01-06.
3. "Byzantine monastic complex unearthed in Sohag". Ahram Online. 6 January 2026.
4. "'Solomon's knot' mosaic unearthed in Türkiye's ancient Smyrna". Daily Sabah. 6 January 2026.
5. Kolirin, Lianne (2026-01-07). "'Extraordinary' Iron Age war trumpet uncovered in England". CNN. Retrieved 2026-01-10.
6. "Thetford dig unearths Iron Age war trumpet and boar standard". www.bbc.com. 2026-01-07. Retrieved 2026-01-10.
7. "3,300-year-old 'fayence mask' discovered at Al-Hillah site". News of Bahrain. 11 January 2026.