Top archaeological finds of 2015(15 images)

An overview of an excavation area at the City of David Archeology Park outside the Old City of Jerusalem, near the East Jerusalem neighborhood of Silwan, November 3, 2015. According to the Israel Antiquities Authority, after years of excavations underneath the Givati parking lot, the remains of a stronghold, the Acra, used by the Greeks more than 2,000 years ago to control the Temple Mount during the reign of King Antiochus Epiphanes (c. 215-164 BCE) were discovered at the excavation site. Archeological findings of sling stones, arrowheads, and ballistas stones were recovered and are evidence of the Hasmonean attempts to conquer the stronghold. Photo by Debbie Hill/ UPI | License Photo

A chemistry room from the 1840s was found during the renovation of the University of Virginia's famed Rotunda building. The small room features work benches, stone work surfaces, a chemical hearth and two fireboxes fed by air ducts and used to burn coal and wood for heat-induced chemical reactions. Once the renovation is finished, the hearth will be part of a permanent display. Photo by UVA

English researchers discovered a new monument at Stonehenge, which may be the largest collection of stones at the site. Found buried beneath a grassy ridge at the southern edge of Durrington Walls, the monument purportedly consists of a 90 monoliths arranged in an arena-like C-shape. Researchers say the alleged superhenge dates back to 4,500 years ago. Image by LBI ArchPro, Juan Torrejón Valdelomar, Joachim Brandtner

An overview of an archeological site that has revealed a large mausoleum uncovered by the Israel Antiquities Authority while searching for the real location of the Tomb of the Maccabees in Modi'in, Israel, September 21, 2015. Byzantine Period mosaics adorned with a cross were found in the floor of a burial vault believed to be associated with the Tombs of the Maccabees who were exalted saints in the eyes of early Christianity. The Maccabees led the uprising against Greek rule and were responsible for cleansing the impurity from the Second Temple. As yet, archaeological evidence is not currently sufficient to establish that this burial place is of the Maccabees. The Israeli Antiquities Authority has vowed to extend the excavations in hope of finding evidence to confirm that this large mausoleum is the Tomb of the Maccabees. Photo by Debbie Hill/ UPI | License Photo

Archaeologists discovered a limestone monolith that is believed to be 10,000 years old at the bottom of the Mediterranean Sea. Measuring 40 feet in length, researchers say the structure once stood upright, rising more than 40 feet high. The monolith is said to have been carved by Mesolithic people who lived between Tunisia and Sicily. Photo by Journal of Archaeological Science

Archeologists say they have found U.S. Army bacon and sunscreen in tins buried at England's Salisbury Plain, home to the ancient ruins of Stonehenge. Wessex Archeology says several remnants of a World War II mess facility have been unearthed there in recent years. Photo by Wessex Archeology

Bottle of OK Sauce were also found alongside with the bacon and sunscreen buried by the U.S. Army at Salisbury Plain. Photo by Wessex Archeology

The grave of a Celtic prince from the Iron Age found outside of Paris is believed to be dated back to the 5th century B.C. The artifacts found within the tomb alongside the prince indicate elaborate trading patterns from over 2,500 years ago throughout Europe. Items discovered in the grave include a bronze-decorated cauldron most likely made by the Etruscans (based in Italy) and another cauldron with a depiction of the Greek god Acheloos, indicating trade with the Greeks. Photo by Denis Gilksman/Inrap

A site that was unearthed 10 years ago is now believed to be a fortress built during Genghis Khan's infamous Mongolian empire. Estimated to have been built in 1212, the fortress's location is thought to have been a strategic military base that helped Genghis Khan with his invasion of Central Asia in the 1200s. Photo by Shutterstock

Archaeologists found thousands of stone flakes, the byproduct of stone tool making, as well as scrapers, awls and spear points at a construction site by Bear Creek near Redmond, Washington. Researchers estimate the tools are 10,000 years old. Photo by Portland State University/PaleoAmerica

Aerial images over the Mosquitia jungle in Honduras suggested there were man-made structures within the landscape. A National Geographic writer and photographer accompanied a team of researchers and scientists to the remote and practically untouched region and discovered earthworks, extensive plazas, and a collection of stone sculptures. These findings are thought to be artifacts of the famed "White City." Unlike the nearby Mayans, this lost city has no real record of existing and perhaps is merely a myth. The discovery of the artifacts deep within the jungle suggest otherwise. Photo by Lana Bykova/Shutterstock

The wreck of a ship off the coast of Sardinia is said to be a Roman ship that sank over 2,000 years ago. The wreck is unique since it's cargo is believed to be in the same positions as it was packed prior to its departure. Archaeologists have ruled out recovering the wreck and hope instead they can open guided underwater tours. Photo by Polizia di Stato

Scientists sampled beer from two bottles recovered from an unidentified shipwreck in the Baltic Sea. Based on the samples, the scientists believe the beers may have originally had hints of rose, cloves, and almonds. The beer was found amongst a cargo that also included the oldest-know bottle of champagne. Photo by American Chemical Society

Dutch researchers found a mass grave believed to contain the bodies of 10,000 prisoners who died at the Nazi-era Bergen-Belsen concentration camp in Northern Germany. Researchers were led to the location with the help of Holocaust survivors. Based on the disturbance of the land, researchers concluded that the site near the camp is indeed a mass grave. The grave will not be excavated though since a consultation with the local Jewish community asked that the grave be undisturbed. Anne Frank, one of the most famous victims of the Holocaust, died of typhus at the Bergen-Belsen camp. Her body was never recovered, and is speculated to possibly be buried within the mass grave. Photo courtesy of Wikipedia

A ship at the site of a shipwreck off the coast of South Africa was identified as the São José, a Portuguese slave trading ship wrecked in 1794. Although the shipwreck was discovered in the 1980s by treasure hunters, it wasn't until this year that the ship was confirmed as the São José. Researchers were able verify the ship's identification by the discovery of iron blasts, which were meant to offset the light weight of human cargo. The ship's crew and half of the slaves survived the shipwreck, while 200 other slaves sunk with the ship. Artifacts from the São José will be on display at the African American History Museum in Washington D.C. in 2016. Photo by Iziko Museums