Ancient Cultures

Ancient Cultures

who were the babylonians

Oct 7

Who Were the Babylonians?

By: Nathan Steinmeyer

The Babylonians are certainly one of the Bible’s biggest baddies, but they were also one of history’s greatest empires. So, who were the Babylonians? Centered […]

magdala-stone

Oct 6

The Magdala Stone: The Jerusalem Temple Embodied

By: Jennifer Ristine

For a people living in the diaspora, unable to visit the Jerusalem Temple frequently, what kept the memory and centrality of the Temple fresh in their minds? An intriguing stone uncovered at the Galilean site of Magdala might offer a clue.

Oct 1

The 10 Strangest Foods in the Bible

By: David Moster

Many Biblical stories are set within the context of a meal. While most of these are about regular meals, others refer to more bizarre, extreme or supernatural cases of eating and drinking.

Ramesses II

Sep 30

Guarding Egypt during the Time of Ramesses II

By: Nathan Steinmeyer

Archaeologists with the Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities have uncovered a fortress from the reign of Ramesses II (r. 1279–1213 BCE), the Egyptian pharaoh […]

Phoenicians at Amrit

Sep 28

Who Were the Phoenicians?

By: Megan Sauter

With a commercial empire that lasted a millennium, the Phoenicians were major players in the ancient Mediterranean world. Spreading their culture and goods, they came into contact with many different groups, but their relationship with the Israelites was distinct.

Sep 27

The Amarna Revolution

By: Lila Wolk

The pharaoh Akhenaten was a shrewd political operator who consolidated his power over ancient Egypt through strategic, administrative, and symbolic changes, beginning with the movement […]

Amarna Letter EA 299, written on behalf of Yapahu, king of Gezer.

Sep 25

Missives to the Egyptian Court

By: BAS Staff

In the centuries before the rise of biblical Israel, a period known as the Late Bronze Age (c. 1550–1200 BCE), the land of Canaan boasted […]

biblical balsam

Sep 23

Biblical Balm from a Resurrected Seed

By: Nathan Steinmeyer

While it is not the first time that the team at the Arava Institute has brought an ancient seed back to life, this time is […]

Persepolis

Sep 20

Archaeology’s Unexpected Enemy

By: Nathan Steinmeyer

When thinking about threats to archaeological sites, some of the first things that come to mind are looters, war, or maybe earthquakes. What doesn’t come […]

Sep 18

Beth Shean: A Tale of Two Sites

By: Nathan Steinmeyer

As I stepped out of the visitors’ center at Beth Shean, my eyes widened in shock at the picturesque Roman cardo stretching out before me, […]