Samaria Archives - BiblePlaces.com

Weekend Roundup, Part 1

A new study of the Masada siege system reveals that the “circumvallation wall stood to a height of 2–2.5 m and served several functions – as an obstacle, a means of psychological warfare, and a platform from which to mount counterattacks.” It also was built quickly.

Artifacts stranded outside of Gaza since the Hamas coup in 2007 are on exhibit in Paris, and strong interest has led to extending the exhibition.

“Ancient textiles from the Judean Desert reveal that many Roman-era ‘purple’ garments were not dyed with costly murex but with a clever blend of madder and woad.”

The Biblical Museum of Natural History is hosting a “culinary expedition into the unexpected corners of kashrut” on December 24.

Israel’s authorities over the West Bank are expropriating 445 acres of land around the ancient Israelite capital of Samaria.

An agreement has been reached for a 2026 theatrical release of Legends of the Lost Ark, starring Chris McKinny.

Jerusalem Dateline has a 20-minute special on Bethsaida (el-Araj) that reports on the recent wildfire and its effects on the archaeological excavations.

Biblical Archaeology Society interviews archaeologist Achia Kohn-Tavor on location at Chorazin.

On Digging for Truth, Thomas Schmidt reports on his research into Flavius Josephus and his connections with the high priests who executed Jesus and James.

New release: Jews vs. Rome: Two Centuries of Rebellion against the World’s Mightiest Empire, by Barry Strauss (Simon & Schuster, $15-$25). This looks like a good one. (WSJ review here)

Andy Cook gives a year-end update about the work at BibleStock.

The latest issue of Biblical Archaeology Review includes articles on Bethlehem, Khrbet al-Rai, Megiddo, and putting the Bible back in biblical Archaeology.

Walking The Text has been working for the last six years on a high-quality documentary on the Lord’s Prayer. The movie releases on Angel on Tuesday, and the video footage of the biblical world is spectacular! A companion book also releases on Tuesday, and you can pre-order now to receive bonus content (after purchase, fill out this form).

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

Tagged Galilee, Israel's Coast, Judah, Movies, Museums, Resources, Samaria, 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 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

Weekend Roundup

The IAA has launched the “Israel National Archaeological Database,” a free digital resource (login required). “In this first stage of development, the database makes available over 3.9 million records, close to one million artifacts, more than 1.2 million images, over fifteen thousand 3D models, and a wealth of excavation reports, publications, and archival documents.” There is a drop-down button at the top left corner to change the language to English. You can read more about it at TOI and JP.

Haaretz has a story on the new excavations at Tel Ether in the Judean Shephelah.

“A fortified Iron Age royal olive oil production center unearthed in Beit Aryeh proved that olive oil was an economic powerhouse for the ancient kingdom of Israel.” The site is in the southwest Samaria hill country and dates to the 8th century. The underlying journal article is here.

The French Biblical and Archaeological School of Jerusalem had to hastily evacuate its archaeological storehouse in Gaza City before an anticipated Israeli strike.

Egypt’s “Grand Transfiguration Project” is adding hotels, eco-lounges, a visitor center and more to the area around St. Catherine’s Monastery, and not everyone is happy about it.

Jill Baker writes about culinary technology in the ancient Near East.

Donald Kane reviews Thomas Levy’s new autobiographical graphic memoir, The Boomer Archaeologist.

Tyndale House is hosting a one-day conference on October 18 on “The World of the Bible,” with in-person and streaming options (£10-20).

HT: Agade, Gordon Franz

Tagged Excavations, Israel's Coast, Lectures, Samaria, Shephelah, Technology, Tourism, Weekend Roundup

Weekend Roundup, Part 1

The big announcement we’ve been waiting for from the Pool of Siloam excavations came this week as the archaeologists revealed that they found a massive dam wall that dates to between 805 and 795 BC. King Joash died in 796, so one of his last accomplishments must have been the creation of a large reservoir. The underlying study is here.

“Archaeologists from the University of Haifa have uncovered the earliest evidence of bronze production in the Southern Levant, dating back about 3,000 years, in a site [el-Ahwat] that might have been part of the early Israelite kingdom.” The underlying journal article is here.

Omri Abadi and Boaz Zissu reconsider the purpose of the two huge ritual baths at the Tomb of the Kings in Jerusalem. The underlying journal article is here.

A bill to make put archaeological sites in the West Bank under the jurisdiction of the Israel Antiquities Authority is controversial. (The lengthy article includes an impressive aerial view of excavations on the slope of the Herodium.)

The latest video from Expedition Bible is about the archaeology of Capernaum.

This quarter’s Jerusalem Tracker lists all the latest publications, stories, videos, and events related to Jerusalem.

The fall issue of Biblical Archaeology Review includes stories on the latest southern Temple Mount excavations, Samarian scribes in Hezekiah’s court, marine archaeology, and more.

The latest issue of ‘Atiqot is dedicated to crafts and industry in the Southern Levant. All articles are open-access.

ASOR webinar on Sept 10: “Holier than Thou? The Temples at Tel Moza and Reflections of Ritual Practices in Ancient Judah,” by Shua Kisilevitz. The webinar is free but donations are appreciated.

Now available for pre-order: Lexham Geographic Commentary on the Historical Books, Volume 1: Joshua–Ruth, edited by Barry Beitzel (Logos, $49)

The Lachish Letters are the subject of the second post in Bible Archaeology Report’s “Letters from the Biblical World” series.

HT: Agade, Gordon Franz, A.D. Riddle, Arne Halbakken, Andy Cook, Joseph Lauer, Explorator

Tagged Discoveries, Excavations, Galilee, Jerusalem, Judea, Resources, Samaria, Shephelah, Weekend Roundup