Resources Archives - Page 3 of 145

Weekend Roundup, Part 2

Archaeologists have found remains of 95 dolmens from the Early Bronze Age in the Madaba region of Jordan.

“Archaeologists have discovered a 3,500-year-old military fortress with a zigzag-style wall in the north Sinai Desert of Egypt.”

Egyptian officials are worried about a ceiling crack in the tomb of King Tutankhamun.

“Greece said on Thursday it had agreed with Egypt on the future of St. Catherine’s Monastery at the foot of Egypt’s Mount Sinai.”

Archaeological work is progressing on a large, “circular, labyrinthine building [that] has no known parallel in prehistoric Crete or the wider Aegean region.”

Expedition Bible’s latest video is about the Amarna Letters, which Joel Kramer states in the introduction are “the most powerful evidence outside of the Bible for the Israelite conquest of the Promised Land.”

Clinton Arnold and Sean McDowell discuss the recent excavations at Colossae on the Think Biblically podcast. Fox News has some new photos of the excavation.

The first results have been published from “Pompeii Reset, a non-invasive program that used three-dimensional recording and modeling to re-examine the House of the Tiaso.”

“3D models of the Sela inscription of the Neo-Babylonian king Nabonidus (556-539 BCE) can be seen at the Sketchfab’s page of the GRACPE-UB research group.”

Hybrid lecture at Harvard on Nov 12: “Decoding the Pyramid Statues of King Menkaure,” by Florence Dunn Friedman

The ESV Archaeology Study Bible Notes are available for pre-order at Logos.

Amazon is listing for pre-order two long-awaited volumes in the Lexham Geographic Commentary series – Historical Books, volume 1 (Joshua–Ruth) and volume 2 (1 Samuel–Esther). They are also available for pre-order on Logos (vol 1, vol 2).

Open-access: The South Palace Archives in Babylon: Administrative Records in the Palace of Nebuchadnezzar II, by Olof Pedersén (Harrassowitz)

The Johns Hopkins University Archaeological Museum has re-opened after a three-year renovation.

HT: Agade, Explorator

Tagged Discoveries, Egypt, Italy, Lectures, Mediterranean Islands, Museums, Resources, Turkey, Weekend Roundup

Weekend Roundup, Part 1

A fragment of an Assyrian tax notice from the time of Hezekiah was discovered in Jerusalem. The inscribed potsherd mentions “a delay in payment, the first day of the month of Av, and the title of an Assyrian officer.” This is the first time “written evidence of the relations between the Assyrian Empire and the Kingdom of Judah has been discovered” in Jerusalem.

A 7th-century cremation burial at Horvat Tevet contains an “unparalleled” burial treasure that sheds light on Assyrian rule over northern Israel.

Aren Maeir wrapped up a mini-season of excavations at Gath/Tell es-Safi.

Frank Turek interviews Titus Kennedy about “12 biblical archaeological discoveries you’ve never heard of before.” Comet (see below) just gave me a quick summary (and saved me 45 minutes of watching), and I’ve heard of all of them.

The latest episode of Digging for Truth is about this summer’s season at Shiloh and the team’s evacuation when the Israel-Iran War began.

Kristine Garroway has written an article about the death of children in ancient Israel that is based on her new book.

Zoom lecture on Nov 12: “American Archaeology through the Lens of Albright’s Work at Tel Beit Mirsim, and Beyond,” by Igor Kreimerman, Michael Freikman, and Rachel Hallote

Free ebook for a limited time: Between Yahwism and Judaism: Judean Cult and Culture during the Early Hellenistic Period (332–175 BCE), by Yonatan Adler (Elements in The Archaeology of Ancient Israel; Cambridge University Press)

Ebook available to read online, in Hebrew: A History of the Israel Exploration Society, by Lina Dar and Raphael Kitron

Available for pre-order on Logos: The Archaeology of the Bible, by James K. Hoffmeier ($14)

The Wall Street Journal says that the Perplexity browser (Comet) is currently the best, and I’ve been happy with Perplexity.ai for the last year (its strength is citing its sources). If you are a student or teacher, you can sign up for a free year of Perplexity Pro, and if you use this link, I’ll get an extra free month ($4.99 value).

HT: Agade, Ted Weis, Gordon Franz, Explorator

Tagged Discoveries, Galilee, Jerusalem, Resources, Samaria, Weekend Roundup

Weekend Roundup, Part 2

Archaeologists excavating Colossae found 60 Hellenistic-era tombs.

New details on Zeno, the founder of Stoicism, have been gleaned from ongoing deciphering of the carbonized papyri from Herculaneum.

A new study provides insights into the origins of the Karnak Temple.

“Research shows that women might be represented in Mycenaean iconography instead of men, changing the interpretation of Mycenaean society.”

The ancient site of Persepolis is threatened as “the surrounding ground is dropping by several inches to over a foot each year.”

For the first time in 20 years, the Parthenon in Athens is not obstructed by scaffolding. For one month.

“For the first time in nearly 2,000 years, visitors to Rome’s world-renowned Colosseum will have the opportunity to walk through a hidden imperial passage that once allowed Roman emperors to reach the ancient amphitheater unseen.”

A Roman gravestone of a sailor has turned up in an overgrown backyard in New Orleans.

More volumes are available in open-access for the Royal Inscriptions of the Neo-Assyrian Period and Royal Inscriptions of the Neo-Babylonian Empire series.

Mohr Siebeck has made some books available as open-access.

The Lawrence T. Geraty and Douglas R. Clark Center for Near Eastern Archaeology (CNEA) at La Sierra University is hosting its 17th annual Archaeology Discovery Weekend on November 15-16, with both in-person and online registration options available (all free).

The ICR Discovery Center is hosting a Biblical Archaeology Conference on November 8, with presentations by Titus Kennedy and Randall Price ($15/$30).

The Friends of ASOR are hosting a tour next spring: “From Carthage to Djerba: The Archaeology of Tunisia.”

Mary and Carl Rasmussen are leading a “not for credit” study tour of Turkey and Greece next April and May.

Phillip J. Long reviews Archaeology and the Ministry of Paul: A Visual Guide, by David A. deSilva, positively, recommending that it be required reading before visiting the sites.

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

Tagged Discoveries, Egypt, Greece, Italy, Lectures, Persia, Resources, Tourism, Turkey, Weekend Roundup

Weekend Roundup, Part 2

The tomb of Amenhotep III has been re-opened after a 20-year restoration.

“A limestone tablet dating back more than 4,000 years has disappeared from Egypt’s Saqqara necropolis.”

“Tutankhamun quiz: How much do you know about the famous boy king from ancient Egypt?”

Zoom lecture on Oct 22: “Mapping the Jews of Ancient Egypt: From the Hellenistic Period to the Arab Conquest,” by Meron M. Piotrkowski

The tomb of “one of the wealthiest and most influential women of the ancient Mediterranean” was discovered in southern Turkey.

Excavations are continuing at the ancient city of Lystra.

“Excavations in the city of Sagalassos in southwestern Turkey have uncovered ancient Egyptian imagery in a Roman-era bathhouse.”

“During recent excavations [in Turkey], archaeologists uncovered five carbonized bread loaves dating back to the 7th–8th centuries CE, including one with a depiction of Christ and a Greek inscription translating to, ‘With our thanks to Blessed Jesus.’”

“The Red Basilica (Kızıl Avlu), a monumental Roman temple in the ancient city of Pergamon, will reopen to visitors following extensive restoration, landscaping and conservation works.”

“Greece’s Museum Council has unanimously approved plans to expand and reimagine the National Archaeological Museum (NAM) in Athens, along with the neighboring Epigraphic Museum.”

James Davila posts photos from his visit to the excavations and museum of the Roman city of Cartagena in Spain. He has also posted some images related to the Phoenician and Punic eras as well as a couple of other posts.

Now open-access: The Royal Inscriptions of Nabopolassar (625-605 BC) and Nebuchadnezzar II (604-562 BC), Kings of Babylon, Part 1, by Jamie Novotny and Frauke Weiershäuser (Eisenbrauns, 2024).

HT: Agade, Gordon Franz, Explorator, Ted Weis

Tagged Discoveries, Excavations, Greece, Mesopotamia, Museums, Resources, Tourism, Weekend Roundup

Weekend Roundup, Part 1

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

Tagged Antiquities Trade, Golan Heights, Israel's Coast, Jerusalem, Resources, Samaria, Shephelah, Weekend Roundup

Weekend Roundup, Part 1

“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

Tagged Galilee, Holidays, Jerusalem, Jezreel Valley, Lectures, Photo Resources, Resources, Samaria, Technology, Tourism, Weekend Roundup