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

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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

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Weekend Roundup, Part 1

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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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

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Weekend Roundup, Part 1

“A four-line ancient Aramaic inscription, possibly inked by Jewish rebels from the Bar Kochba Revolt against the Romans in the 2nd century CE, has been discovered in a cave in the Judean Desert.”

An ivory fragment depicting a woman’s head was discovered in a layer of 7th-century BC fill material near the City of David’s eastern wall.

Rescue excavations along Route 60 north of Jerusalem uncovered a sophisticated ancient water system that includes “six water springs, a 200-meter-long channel, and, most recently, a large wall.” A local guide thinks it can become “a central attraction in Benjamin.” There is a video in Hebrew here (4 min).

After years of abandonment, a crocodile farm in the Jordan Valley underwent a “culling operation” in which 262 crocodiles were shot. Shev Tov Sasson was there on the morning of the operation, on his way to a night birding expedition near the Dead Sea.

The Tel Burna team is preparing to begin excavations at Tel ‘Ether later this month and they welcome volunteers.

The latest issue of Near Eastern Archaeology (subscription) is the first of two to commemorate the centennial of the University of Chicago excavations at Megiddo. The first issue provides articles providing introduction, background, and Bronze Age material. The second issue will focus on the Iron Age. (There is also a conference about Megiddo on October 9, but I’ve only yet found a flyer in Hebrew.)

“Jewish sages in Late Antiquity were not detached from the land but actively involved in the robust wine culture of the Roman-Byzantine world.”

BibleStock has released a new coaching video, this one exploring the Kidron Valley and how it connects the suffering David and the suffering Jesus.

Shmuel Browns notes that the En Gedi Nature Reserve remains closed, and he posts some photos of En Prat.

Lecture on Aug 13: “The Heartland of Judah: Excavations at Biblical Libnah,” by Steven M. Ortiz ($10)

The Albright Institute is hosting a book launch on September 3 (in-person and Zoom) for Ancient Jewish Food in Its Geographical and Cultural Contexts: What’s Cooking in the Talmuds?, by Susan Weingarten 

New release: The City of Gaza in the Roman Period: The Numismatic Evidence (First Century BCE–Third Century CE), by Yoav Farhi (Israel Numismatic Society, 500 pages, $175)

Biblical Backgrounds has released some new wall maps – some smaller, some larger, and some sets.

HT: Agade, Gordon Franz, Joseph Lauer, Arne Halbakken, Explorator

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July Roundup, Part 1 (Israel)

A clay seal impression inscribed with a name mentioned in the books of Kings and Chronicles was discovered by the Temple Mount Sifting Project. It is possible, but not certain, that this is the same individual who served in King Josiah’s administration.

“A bronze coin minted in the fourth year of the Jewish Great Revolt against the Romans has been uncovered near the Temple Mount in Jerusalem.” The story explains the differences between Year Four coins and those of earlier years.

“An exquisite golden ring and a pair of earrings dating to the Roman period (1st-3rd centuries CE) have recently been unearthed during archaeological excavations at the Sussita (Hippos) National Park.”

“A team of archaeologists has made a groundbreaking discovery in Israel, uncovering the remains of four donkeys that were ritually sacrificed over 4,500 years ago.” The underlying journal article is here.

The excavations of Shiloh believe they have found a multi-chambered gate complex where Eli died.

“Israeli researchers have harvested 1,500-year-old Byzantine-era grape varieties from a restored vineyard in the Negev Desert, part of an effort to recreate a renowned ancient wine that was once exported throughout Europe.” The underlying journal article is here.

“A rare manufacturing workshop for Canaanite blades — distinct flint tools primarily used for agricultural tasks — has been uncovered at Nahal Qomem, near the southern Israel city of Kiryat Gat.”

The archaeologist excavating Tel Azekah believes that Micah’s hometown of Moreshet Gat was Azekah and that we should understand the book of Micah very differently. The Haaretz article notes some of the problems with the proposal.

Israel’s Good Name reports on his outing to lookouts in western Samaria.

Craig Evans is on Digging for Truth to discuss Jesus and the 10th Roman Legion with relation to Mark 5.

Bryan Windle surveys the top three reports in biblical archaeology in the month of June.

Jerusalem Seminary has announced its full lineup of online courses for the fall and spring semesters.

Andy Cook has released a new BibleStock coaching video on the Jordan River. His goal is to help pastors and Bible teachers to use videos to help their audiences, and he explores how “place” and “story” are always connected.

BibleMapper has created an audio-visual reading of Joshua 18, visually walking the read through the tribal territory of Benjamin.

A Persian leopard at the Jerusalem Biblical Zoo killed a zooworker yesterday.

Tisha B’Av, the ninth day of the month of Av, begins tonight. This article explains the day’s significance.

HT: Agade, Gordon Franz, Arne Halbakken, Joseph Lauer, Explorator

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About the BiblePlaces Blog

The BiblePlaces Blog provides updates and analysis of the latest in biblical archaeology, history, and geography. Unless otherwise noted, the posts are written by Todd Bolen, PhD, Professor of Biblical Studies at The Master’s University.

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