A new study of 100 inscribed potsherds found at Tel Arad provide insights into how 6th-century Judahites kept track of time.

“Archaeologists have uncovered a well-preserved Late Bronze Age burial complex near the ancient coastal port of Yavneh-Yam in Israel, yielding rare evidence of Canaanite funeral practices and elite connections with Egypt around 3,300 years ago.” The underlying journal article is here.

Thomas E. Levy, Gilad Shtienberg, and Assaf Yasur-Landau describe the latest technological advances in marine archaeology.

Chandler Collins explains the major features of Jerusalem depicted on the Medeba Map.

Ory Amitay writes about the fictional stories surrounding Alexander the Great’s alleged visit to Jerusalem. He will be speaking on the topic on October 29. And his book on the subject was recently published by Oxford University Press.

“What was Canaan?” In a 25-minute video, Dig looks at the term, Mari, Alalakh, Mari, Ugarit, the Amarna Letters, and more.

Jerusalem University College has announced its lineup of online courses for the spring:

  • Biblical Archaeology II – Dr. Kyle Keimer
  • Biblical Hebrew II – Dr. Ellie Paley
  • The Book of Revelation and the Seven Cities of the Apocalypse – Dr. Chris Vlachos
  • Cultural Backgrounds of the Bible – Dr. Oliver Hersey & Nicole Ottavi
  • Hebrew Readings in the Later Prophets – Dr. Eldon Clem
  • The Parables of Jesus and the Rabbinic Meshalim – Dr. Steven Notley

Jerusalem in 1920s on YouTube: “I colorized, restored, and created a sound design for this 1925 footage of Jerusalem, featuring panoramic views from the surrounding hills, including Mount Scopus, the Mount of Olives, the Old City, and the new city.”

Here is another colorized video with both Jerusalem and Nazareth.

HT: Agade, Gordon Franz, Ted Weis, Alexander Schick, Explorator

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The cargoes of three superimposed shipwrecks dating to the 11th, 9th, and 7th/6th centuries BC have been retrieved from the ancient harbor of Dor.

“Researchers excavating Yehudiya Nature Reserve in the central Golan Heights uncovered an ancient synagogue whose location had remained unknown for decades.”

Joshua N. Tilton has released a new ebook on Jaffa Gate and its Place in the History of Jerusalem ($10).

Jim Parker is interviewed about a new book to which he contributed, “The Canaanite Water System at Gezer.”

Aren Maeir tells a story about a dead cow and the cost of obeying Exodus 21:33-34.

The Jerusalem Post has a story on various archaeological finds made in Israel over the years.

NY Times: “There are good reasons to be drawn to antiquities, but also many reasons to hesitate before buying, starting with concerns about illicit trade” (gift link).

Erin Hill asks, “Are the religious practices of the northern Kingdom of Israel adopted from Phoenician elements or reflected of a broader Canaanite continuity?”

HT: Agade, Gordon Franz, Explorator, Ted Weis

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“In a groundbreaking achievement that requires no actual breaking of ground, Israeli researchers have demonstrated the archaeological utility of a technology that acts like an ‘X-ray’ for the Earth, revealing hidden spaces beneath an ancient site in Jerusalem.” The scan of the City of David revealed previously undiscovered cavities. The underlying journal article is here.

A trove of nearly 100 gold coins from the end of the Byzantine era were discovered in the excavations at Hippos. The discovery “challenges some previous assumptions about life in Hippos” at this time.

Ancient grape varieties discovered in archaeological excavations in the Negev will be planted in the Shivta National Park, in a new vineyard plot currently being established among the remains of ancient Byzantine terraces.”

“Israeli authorities prevented what they described as a deliberate attempt by the Palestinian Authority to damage… the Biblical city of Gibeon.”

Nathan Steinmeyer explains the role that stables played at Megiddo during the time of the Northern Kingdom.

The Samaria Touring and Study Center in Shavei Shomron will be hosting visitors during Sukkot who want to sift earth from the recent excavations of Samaria.

A webinar series begins on Oct 27 with “The Middle Bronze Age in Canaan: Innovation, Society, and the Rise of Early Cities,” by Helena Roth (₪60).

Doron Spielman is on The Book and the Spade talking about his latest book on the City of David. The first of four episodes is now available.

On the Biblical World podcast, Chris McKinny and Kyle Keimer continue their introduction to archaeology by discussing Albright, Wright, Kenyon, New Archaeoology, and questions of faith and history.

Shimon Gibson has written a positive review of Jodi Magness’s Jerusalem Through the Ages: From Its Beginnings to the Crusades.

The Feast of Tabernacles begins at sundown on Monday. An article in Israel My Glory looks at the feast during the time of Jesus.

BibleStock has just released a Christmas package for pastors and Bible teachers, with coaching videos and links to all of the photo and video resources. You can download all of the Christmas resources for free (with an email address). There’s a lot of great material here.

HT: Agade, Gordon Franz

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Bryan Windle has begun a series of posts on Jericho and Joshua’s conquest based on his extensive research.

Pomegranates may be one of the seven species of the land of Israel, but right now it’s not economical to farm them and so production has plummeted.

Nathan Steinmeyer explains why the Jewish holidays appear to jump around from year to year.

The NY Times reports on the effect of the Gaza War on archaeological artifacts in the area (gift link).

Haaretz has a paywalled article about the future of the Rockefeller Museum.

Chris McKinny and Kyle Keimer dive into the history of biblical archaeology on the latest episode of the BiblicalWorld podcast.

The 28th Annual Bible and Archaeology Fest will be held in Boston on Nov 21 to 23, with an online option available. Speakers include Aaron Burke, Eric Cline, Glenn Corbett, Erin Darby, William Dever, Pamela Gaber, Yuval Gadot, Mark Goodacre, James Hoffmeier, Ann Killebrew, Mary Joan Winn Leith, Jodi Magness, Eric Meyers, Carol Meyers, Elizabeth Schrader Polczer, Thomas Schmidt, William Schniedewind, and James Tabor.

Online on Oct 4: Jerusalem Seminary is hosting a free lecture by Noel Rabinowitz on “Jesus, Atonement and the High Holidays.” If you are registering for a semester course, you can write “Bible Places” in the “who referred you” field and the registration fee will be waived.

Available at a pre-pub discount on Logos: Faith-Affirming Findings: 50 Archaeological Discoveries That Validate the Historicity and Reliability of Scripture, by Paul D. Weaver (Kregel, $25)

Zach Miller recently hosted me on his What Your Pastor Didn’t Tell You podcast to discuss the Mesha Stele and how it relates to 2 Kings 3.

HT: Agade, Gordon Franz, Joseph Lauer, Explorator

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The Pilgrims’ Road, leading from the Pool of Siloam to the Temple Mount, was inaugurated this week, and visitors can now walk the full length.

A hoard of bronze coins found at Tel Huqoq in Galilee provides insight into the little-known Third Jewish Revolt against the Romans in AD 351.

“Over the course of millennia, inhabitants of the Levant used irrigation to mitigate the effects of climate change and maximize the production of olives and grapes, demonstrating resilience and ingenuity.” The underlying journal article is here.

Scholars at Tel Aviv University’s School of Computer Science have developed a new tool to analyze the writing on the Dead Sea Scrolls.

Achia Kohn-Tavor is on The Book and the Spade to talk about the excavations at el-Araj/Bethsaida, including the recent fire.

Turkiye Today has a history of Israel’s requests that Turkey send the Siloam Inscription back to Jerusalem.

The latest issue of Near Eastern Archaeology is dedicated to Megiddo in the Iron Age. A subscription is required for access.

“After 800 years of silence, a pipe organ that researchers say is the oldest in the Christian world roared back to life Tuesday, its ancient sound echoing through a monastery in Jerusalem’s Old City.”

BibleStock has released a new teaching video for the Parable of the Sower which “includes links to some amazing drone footage of the fields around the northern shoreline of the Sea of Galilee.”

David M. Jacobson has posted some recent articles on Academia:

The Feast of Trumpets (aka Rosh Hashanah) begins Monday evening.

Tom and Joann Doyle hosted me on their Uncharted Ministries podcast (Spotify, Apple), and we had a fun time reminiscing about Israel, photography, teaching experiences, excavations, Isaiah, my family, my “legacy,” and more. This is the most personal interview I’ve ever done, and the experts at Uncharted loaded up the YouTube version with lots of photos.

HT: Agade, Gordon Franz, Explorator

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Archaeologists excavating 15 miles east of Tel Aviv uncovered “the largest [ancient] Samaritan site outside of the Samaritan homeland,” including colorful mosaics, two ritual baths, and lots of coins and oil lamps.

“Israeli archaeologists discovered rare preserved lamp wicks believed to be some 4,000 years old during excavations for a new neighborhood in Yehud, in central Israel.”

A ceramic bearing reed impressions is the “find of the month” for the Temple Mount Sifting Project.

The Times of Israel has more about the effects of the wildfire that burned the excavation site at el-Araj, likely the New Testament site of Bethsaida.

John DeLancey writes and shares photos from his time volunteering at the Tel Eter excavation.

Megiddo: A City Unearthed, A Past Imagined marks 100 years since ISAC’s first major archaeological expedition (1925–1939), which revealed layers of palatial complexes, fortifications, and elite material culture.”

Correction: Eric Cline’s upcoming lecture will be on Sept 9, not Sept 8.

Zoom lecture on Sept 18: “Excavations of Crusader Akko,” by Danny Syon, sponsored by the Anglo-Israel Archaeological Society.

The latest issue of Tel Aviv has been released, and it includes open-access articles about Tel Azekah, Manasseh’s wall in Jerusalem, and Late Roman mansion in the Givati Parking Lot excavations in Jerusalem.

“The top three reports in biblical archaeology from August 2025 included reports of gold, silver, and a monumental structure in Jerusalem.”

HT: Agade, Arne Halbakken, Gordon Franz

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