The Golden Calf
"Aaron instructed the people to rip off their gold earrings, which, the text tells us explicitly and unambiguously, “he made into a molten calf” (Exodus 32:4)—the famous Golden Calf."
Isaiah’s Signature Uncovered in Jerusalem
(2018) Excavations in Jerusalem have unearthed what may be the first extra-Biblical evidence of the prophet Isaiah.
Archaeologist Eilat Mazar reveals what may be a seal impression of the prophet Isaiah—unveiled in BAR for the first time ever—in honor of Hershel Shanks’s retirement as BAR Editor.
Archaeologist Eilat Mazar reveals what may be a seal impression of the prophet Isaiah—unveiled in BAR for the first time ever—in honor of Hershel Shanks’s retirement as BAR Editor.
In Memory of Hershel Shanks
Hershel created Biblical Archaeology Review and led/edited it for 43 years. The force of his dynamism impacted Biblical Archaeology as BAR became a leading publication in the field. He touched so many lives. 3/8/30-2/5/21.
Few people are familiar with the Biblical figure Nehemiah, and yet he was instrumental in the rebuilding and reestablishment of Jerusalem following the Babylonian destruction.
http://b.c/
Rare Evidence for Roman Crucifixion Found in Second-Century Britain
The excavators explored several other options to explain the nail in the man’s heel. However, none proved as plausible as the practice of Roman crucifixion.
The Tel Dan Inscription: The First Historical Evidence of King David
"The broken and fragmentary inscription commemorates the victory of an Aramean king over his two southern neighbors: the “king of Israel” and the “king of the House of David.”"
#Passover
, the Jewish celebration of the Israelite
#Exodus
from Egypt, begins this Friday evening. Does archaeological evidence connect with Israel’s Exodus?
New Old Torah Scroll The few surviving Torah scrolls that are this old are all very fragmentary and almost illegible. It is thus exciting to find a very old, well-preserved Torah scroll, even if it’s only a fragment, a single sheet.
The Church of Laodicea in the Bible and Archaeology
Laodicea was a wealthy city during the Roman period. Not only was Laodicea located on major trade routes that connected it to important cities like Ephesus, Smyrna and Sardis...
Most bilingual lists contain a column in Sumerian and its translation into Akkadian. In these tablets, however, the primary language was not the expected Sumerian but rather the never-before-seen Northwest Semitic language Amorite.
Early Christians celebrated the Lord’s Supper as a full meal, but by the third century, it had ceased to be a banquet and had become a ritualized small meal instead.
Roman Empire Chariot and Horses Unearthed
Skeletal remains of the two horses laid out, as though still yoked to the 3rd-century Roman chariot. Burial mound at Stari Jackovci site in Vinkovci, Croatia.
Pompeii Fast Food Restaurant Uncovered
A snack bar has been fully excavated, complete with food residues, vibrant images, and victims of the eruption of Mt. Vesuvius in 79 C.E.
Discovered in the center of a first-century C.E. synagogue at the Galilean site of Magdala, the Magdala Stone bears one of the earliest images of the seven-branched menorah.
How Bad Was the Babylonian Exile?
#BabylonianCaptivity
“These [160] texts provide access to the lives of lowly as well as highborn Judean exiles,, from the start of the Judean Exile to the time of the rebuilding of the Temple and beyond.”
Who Were the Minoans?
Early claims were that the ancestors of the Minoans had been from North Africa, but later scholars had other theories. A 2013 DNA study provides some answers.
Who should read Behind the Scenes of the Old Testament? “Anyone who wants to understand more about the Old Testament/Hebrew Bible in its ancient context,” says Jonathan S. Greer, one of the editors of the volume.
The Destruction of Philistine Gath
Until recently the team did not have a clear picture of exactly how the city fell. But during the 2021 season, new evidence emerged—a nearly 30-foot-long break in the city’s massive fortification system.
Alexander the Great was born
#onthisday
in 356 B.C.E. Revisit the stunning mosaic discovered at Huqoq in Israel that may depict Alexander meeting with Jerusalem’s high priest.
Inscription, "Jesus, son of Mary," found in Jezreel
“Christ born of Mary. This work of the most God-fearing and pious bishop [Theodo]sius and the miserable Th[omas] was built from the foundation – – Whoever enters should pray for them.”
Who Were the Galatians in the Bible?
"The name of Galatia is derived from the 20,000 Gauls who settled in the region of North Central Turkey in 278 B.C.E"
It's here! The brand-new July/August 2018 issue of BAR is ready for you to enjoy. Check it out online, look out for it in your mailbox, or check select newsstands!
What is the significance of the Dead Sea Scrolls? Why are they so important to our understanding of the Bible, Christianity and Judaism? Read the free eBook, "The Dead Sea Scrolls: Discovery and Meaning."
More than 200 Biblical texts written in Hebrew were discovered among the
#DeadSeaScrolls
. How do these compare with the Masoretic Text and the Greek Septuagint in scholars’ search for the most authoritative text of the Hebrew Bible?
The Magdala Stone
the Magdala Stone is believed to be a piece of ceremonial furniture on which Torah and other scrolls were placed. But is it simply a bimah (a traditional holder for the scrolls), or does it have some deeper significance?
The Exodus: Fact or Fiction?
"...evidence is presented that generally supports a 13th-century B.C.E. Exodus during the Ramesside Period, when Egypt’s 19th Dynasty ruled: the Bible recounts accurate memories from the 13th century B.C.E."
More than 200 Biblical texts written in Hebrew were discovered among the
#DeadSeaScrolls
. How do these compare with the Masoretic Text and the Greek Septuagint in scholars’ search for the most authoritative text of the Hebrew Bible?
New Scrolls Hidden During Bar Kokhba Revolt Discovered
Also, an exceptionally well-preserved woven basket of the Pre-Pottery Neolithic period (~10,500 years ago), and the mummified remains of a child, laid to rest in a cave more than 6,000 years ago.