Todd Bolen, Author at BiblePlaces.com

Weekend Roundup, Part 1

A 7th-century BC mother-of-pearl stamp seal discovered at Tel Hadid depicts a moon standard, a worshiper, and a possible altar.

Early residents of Moza, near Jerusalem, used a sophisticated plaster technology that “bears on a long-standing puzzle in geology known as the ‘dolomite problem.’”

A 12-year-old boy discovered an ancient gemstone while excavating at Korazim.

Abigail the Archaeologist reports on week two of the Shiloh excavations.

“A new exhibition from the University of Haifa opened last weekend at the Silk Road Virtual Museum, an international initiative that tells the story of the Silk Road through dozens of heritage sites and archaeological finds from across the region.

Jeremy D. Smoak writes about the function of the Ketef Hinnom amulets in ancient religious practice. The article appears to be based on his book.

New release: The Oxford Handbook of Josephus, edited by Kenneth Atkinson ($208; Amazon)

All Israel News has posted a 7-minute video about the Great Isaiah Scroll exhibit.

Bible Mapper Atlas has added slideshows and virtual walking tours of many biblical locations. For one example, see the links below the map of Jesus’ Ministry beyond Israel.

HT: Agade, Arne Halbakken, Ted Weis, Alexander Schick, Explorator

Tagged Dead Sea Scrolls, Discoveries, Excavations, Galilee, Jerusalem, Museums, Photo Resources, Resources, Samaria, Weekend Roundup

Weekend Roundup, Part 2

Archaeologists using 3D laser scanning have discovered several blocks from one of the Ramesseum’s gates buried under the sand.

Arkeonews has an article about the massive stone sarcophagi built for the sacred Apis bulls and placed in the Serapeum of Saqqara.

A new study reveals that the reason why the Great Pyramid of Khufu has withstood strong earthquakes is because pressure-relieving chambers dampened seismic movement.

After viewing a silver trumpet from King Tut’s tomb now on display in the Grand Egyptian Museum, Gary A. Rendsburg writes about the silver trumpets of Numbers 10.

An Egyptologist ranks 27 Egyptian pyramids built for pharaohs (70 mins).

Zoom lecture on June 10: “Iron Age Religion in the ‘Great’ City of the Ammonites,” by Joel S. Burnett

Archaeologists working in Nicaea (Iznik) have discovered a 3rd-century fresco depicting Jesus as the Good Shepherd.

Turkey now has nearly 700 museums, an increase of 270 in the past decade.

“One of the human casts found nearly 65 years ago in Pompeii’s Garden of the Fugitives was a doctor caught amongst the fleeing crowd with a case of medical equipment.”

In a two-part interview with The Book and the Spade, David deSilva discusses the archaeological evidence related to Paul’s ministry.

HT: Agade, Mark Hoffman, Explorator

Tagged Discoveries, Egypt, Greece, Italy, Lectures, Museums, Turkey, Weekend Roundup

Weekend Roundup, Part 1

The latest video created by Expedition Bible explains the biblical and archaeological significance of Caesarea. The video includes many beautiful digital reconstructions.

Lithodomos & Patrick Scott Smith have created a 3-minute video that tours a virtual reconstruction of Caesarea Maritima. Very nice. And here is a 2-minute video they made that focuses on the harbor.

Lauren McCormick has more about the ancient tunnel discovered in southern Jerusalem, including discussion that it was used for quarrying building stone or producing lime.

Abigail the Archaeologist reports on the summer’s first week of excavations at Shiloh.

“Close to 60 Israeli archaeologists presented an urgent petition to the High Court of Justice to block the appointment of a new director general at the Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA).”

The Summer 2026 issue of Biblical Archaeology Review includes articles on the Shardanu, the Israelite temple complex at Ataroth, and the Jerusalem temple in the Dead Sea Scrolls.

On Digging for Truth, Bryan Windle discusses the archaeological discoveries related to Caiaphas the high priest.

HT: Agade, Jon Litts

Tagged Excavations, Israel's Coast, Jerusalem, Samaria, Weekend Roundup

Weekend Roundup, Part 2

“Egyptian authorities have unveiled a plaster blocking wall from King Tutankhamun’s tomb in Luxor, an artefact described as unparalleled due to its survival from ancient looters.”

Tombs belonging to Amenhotep and his son Samut have been opened following extensive restoration.

Gary Urie explains the significance of Egyptian scarabs on Digging for Truth.

“Iraq is restoring the Ziggurat of Ur, one of the world’s oldest surviving temple structures, using locally made bricks and traditional building methods.”

Pigeons have been domesticated since at least 1400 BC, according to a new study (gift link).

“The new AI tool ‘Palaeographicum’ is revolutionizing research into the cultures of the Ancient Near East: It identifies individual variations of cuneiform signs—a huge step forward for academia.”

The Epigraphic Institute is offering online courses in Safaitic and Ancient South Arabian next month.

New release: The 2008 Season at Tall al-’Umayri and Subsequent Studies, edited by Larry G. Herr, Douglas R. Clark, Lawrence T. Geraty, and Monique Roddy (Eisenbrauns, $140; save 30% with code NR26; Amazon)

HT: Agade, Explorator

Tagged Egypt, Jordan, Mesopotamia, Resources, Technology, Tourism, Weekend Roundup

Weekend Roundup, Part 1

Radiocarbon dating of seeds from the Ein Hatzeva granary dates the fortress to the early 8th century BC, proving that it was built not by Assyria. The study’s authors, however, assign the site not to Uzziah of Judah but to Jeroboam II of Israel based on their assumptions of regional power at the time.

Ynet News reports on the excavations underneath the Western Wall plaza that began when Covid restrictions closed the area to the public. The article includes many photos.

The Israeli government has approved $86 million to develop archaeological sites in the West Bank, including the establishment of heritage centers and tourism infrastructure.

Bible History Daily summarizes a BAR article that argues that the Siloam Inscription was carved to commemorate workers who died during construction of Hezekiah’s Tunnel.

Moshe Gilad writes about ancient Yavneh, the place “where Philistines and Crusaders cross paths.”

Abigail the Archaeologist writes about her week excavating Khirbet er-Rafid, a site near Shiloh.

The Annual of the Japanese Biblical Institute (2025) is online, including articles on temples in the southern Levant, the synagogue at Tel Rekhesh, and the disappearance of the biblical Philistines.

New release: Religion in Ancient Israel: Essays in Honour of John Day, edited by Katherine Southwood, Stuart Weeks, and H.G.M. Williamson (T&T Clark, $84; Amazon)

New release: Faith-Affirming Findings: 50 Archaeological Discoveries that Validate the Historicity and Reliability of Scripture, by Paul D. Weaver (Kregel Academic, $41). Phillip J. Long reviews it here.

HT: Agade

Tagged Jerusalem, Negev, Philistines, Resources, Samaria, Weekend Roundup

Weekend Roundup, Part 2

“Archaeologists working in Egypt have discovered a remarkable combination of Homeric epic and Egyptian ritual: a 2,000-year-old mummy with a papyrus fragment of the “Iliad” sealed in a clay packet outside its wrappings.” (gift link)

“An Alexandria archaeological discovery in the Muharram Bek district has uncovered a rare circular public bath from the late Ptolemaic period and a Roman villa decorated with mosaic floors.”

“A collection of artifacts dating from the Ptolemic to the Byzantine period were discovered during excavations in the Muharram Bek neighborhood of Alexandria.”

“A sixth century mass grave located in the Jordanian city of Jerash has been identified as the oldest genetically confirmed plague-related burial and the first of its kind in the Eastern Mediterranean.”

Jason Borges writes about the tombstone of Abercius, the “longest and most explicit early Christian inscription.” The 22-line autobiographical text was written in AD 190.

ManuscriptShop sells museum-grade replicas of the earliest surviving biblical manuscripts, including 𝒫46, 𝒫52, and 𝒫66.

The Atlantic: “How did $65 million of allegedly stolen antiquities wind up in two of the world’s greatest museums?” (subscription)

HT: Agade, Alexander Schick

Tagged Antiquities Trade, Discoveries, Egypt, Jordan, Museums, Turkey, Weekend Roundup