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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 2

Archaeologists have discovered an ancient Roman stadium in the area of Antalya (biblical Attalia), Turkey.

“The Mycenaean Wall on the eastern plateau of the Acropolis of Athens, near the site of the Old Museum, is undergoing significant restoration.”

Bryan Windle summarizes the top three archaeological news stories for the month of September.

Turkish Archaeological News rounds up the highlights for the month of September.

Webinar on Oct 8: “Readers of the Lost Ark: The Ark of the Covenant from Biblical Religion to Contemporary Culture,” presented by Kevin McGeough with panelists Jennie Ebeling and Bill Caraher. McGeough writes about the same subject for The Ancient Near East Today.

Hybrid lecture on Oct 15 at Harvard: “Mavericks: Three Visionary Pharaohs of Egypt,” by Lawrence M. Berman. Advance registration recommended for online and in-person.

“Founded in 2025, AI & Antiquity: Journal of Teaching and Technology in Ancient Studies (ISSN 3081-4553) was established on the conviction that Ancient Studies—encompassing history, archaeology, philology, and art history—urgently require a dedicated forum for critical reflection on pedagogy, teaching practices, and the transformative role of digital technologies in education.” The full issue is available for free download.

James Davila attended the Festival of the Carthaginians and Romans last week, and he has posted some photos and a short note, with more details to come.

HT: Agade, Gordon Franz, Explorator

Tagged Discoveries, Egypt, Greece, Lectures, Turkey, 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, Part 2

“Iraq has uncovered the largest winged bull in Assyrian history, measuring about 6 meters tall” in the royal hall of Ashurbanipal’s palace.

After fear that the world’s oldest synagogue paintings may have been destroyed in Syria’s civil war, scholar Jill Joshowitz was thrilled to see the 3rd-century Dura-Europos paintings well-preserved in the National Museum of Damascus.

Archaeologists have discovered a “waiting bench” outside the entrance to the Villa of the Mysteries at Pompeii.

“Egyptians reacted with outrage this week after officials said that a 3,000-year-old bracelet that had belonged to an ancient pharaoh [Amenemope] was stolen from Cairo’s famed Egyptian Museum and then melted down for gold.”

“The ancient theater in Myra, one of the six most important cities of the Lycian League, is set to regain its original appearance through the reconstruction of its stage building with original stones.”

The ancient Egyptians did not use booby traps in the Giza pyramids.

Jason Borges has published an article on “The City of Philomelium and the Occasion of the Martyrdom of Polycarp.”

Registration is now open for the “Year in Review in 2025 in Biblical Archaeology” with Glenn Corbett and Chris McKinny, on December 2 ($10).

The Tel Dan Inscription is on display at the Museum of the Bible until November 3. No entrance fee is required to see this exhibit or the Megiddo Mosaic. In November, a Dead Sea Scrolls exhibit will open (for a double charge).

HT: Agade, Gordon Franz, Joseph Lauer, Explorator

Tagged Antiquities Trade, Discoveries, Egypt, Italy, Mesopotamia, Museums, New Exhibits, Syria, Turkey, Weekend Roundup

Weekend Roundup, Part 1

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

Tagged Exodus-Conquest, Holidays, Israel's Coast, Jerusalem, Jordan, Jordan Rift, Lectures, Resources, Weekend Roundup

Weekend Roundup, Part 2

Archaeologists discovered a complete hieroglyphic version of the Canopus Decree of Ptolemy III.

“For the first time, researchers have uncovered direct genomic evidence of the bacterium behind the Plague of Justinian—the world’s first recorded pandemic—in the Eastern Mediterranean.”

“Izmir’s long-running Old Smyrna (Bayrakli Hoyuk or Mound) dig was sealed by presidential decision, archaeologists were blocked from the site, and excavation inventories were seized; no reason has been shared and the future of research remains unclear.”

The Sagalassos Archaeological Research Project is celebrating its 20th year. The site is one of the best-preserved ancient Roman cities, with reconstruction underway for the agora gymnasium, southeast avenue, and the street fountain.

Tourism to ancient Babylon is increasing, and restoration work on a temple and walls is nearing completion.

Titus Kennedy is on The Book and the Spade to discuss new research on Sodom and Gomorrah and excavations of the city of Zoar.

The replication specialist at The British Museum explains what he learned in the recreation of a gladiator helmet (18 min).

Clinton Moyer provides a summary of Erin Darby’s article on how biblical archaeology has changed in the last 50 years.

All Loeb volumes in the public domain are easily downloadable here.

“Patrick McGovern, an archaeologist who analyzed ancient cauldrons, shards of pottery and broken bottles to discover and then recreate the alcoholic beverages that intoxicated prehistoric civilizations, including booze found in the tomb of King Midas, died on Aug. 24.”

An Israeli journalist describes his visit to Jewish sites in Syria, as well as the National Museum of Damascus. How long until we can do archaeology tours?

HT: Agade, Gordon Franz, Explorator

Tagged Discoveries, Egypt, Excavations, Jordan, Mesopotamia, Museums, Resources, Sad News, Syria, Tourism, Turkey, Weekend Roundup