BIBLE HISTORY DAILY

Virtually Explore Holy Land Artifacts

From the comfort and safety of your home, you can virtually explore Holy Land objects and virtual museum tours that shed light on biblical history with the click of a button. Check out the virtual collections below and start your journey today!

These digital projects were made possible with the generous support of George S. Blumenthal.


explore holy land artifact- IsaiahVisualizing Isaiah

The prophet Isaiah lived in Jerusalem, the capital of the Kingdom of Judah, between the late eighth century and early seventh centuries B.C.E., under the rule of Kings Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah. During these turbulent times, the Assyrian Empire dominated the ancient Near East unchallenged. In 721 B.C.E., when Isaiah lived, the Northern Kingdom of Israel was destroyed by Assyrian king Sargon; twenty years later, the Southern Kingdom of Judah was ravaged by Sargon’s son, Sennacherib. Isaiah’s personality and prophecies, as described in Biblical texts, have made the Book of Isaiah a cornerstone of both Judaism and Christianity.

The Israel Museum holds the world’s most important collection of findings from the period in which the prophet Isaiah lived. These artifacts shed light on the material culture of Isaiah’s time, serving as a backdrop to many of his prophecies. Explore the museum’s rich selection of objects that portray the era of the prophet Isaiah.

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Our free eBook Ten Top Biblical Archaeology Discoveries brings together the exciting worlds of archaeology and the Bible! Learn the fascinating insights gained from artifacts and ruins, like the Pool of Siloam in Jerusalem, where the Gospel of John says Jesus miraculously restored the sight of the blind man, and the Tel Dan inscription—the first historical evidence of King David outside the Bible.


Pharaoh in Canaan: The Untold Story
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explore holy land artifactsCanaan is mentioned in the Bible and in ancient Egyptian and Near Eastern records. Its area covered present-day Israel, western Jordan, Lebanon, and coastal and southern Syria, and its population was Semitic. The exhibit Pharaoh in Canaan: The Untold Story presents the relations between Canaan and Egypt through the prism of archaeological remains, with emphasis on the Egyptian military and administrative presence in Canaan between 1500 and 1150 B.C.E. Egyptian and Egyptian-style objects from this period, mainly from sites in Israel and some on view for the first time, form the core of this exhibition.

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Ashkelon: A Retrospective
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explore holy land artifacts of AshkelonFor thousands of years, Ashkelon served as a gateway between the lands of the Mediterranean and the southernmost reaches of the Levant. First settled in the late Chalcolithic Period (c. 4000 B.C.E.), it rose to prominence in the Middle Bronze Age (c. 1825 B.C.E.), when the Canaanites surrounded it with a massive rampart encompassing an area of some 150 acres. From this point on, Ashkelon dominated the region. Over the years, it was also inhabited by many other peoples, including Egyptians, Philistines, Phoenicians, Romans, Fatimids, and Crusaders.

Excavations conducted by the Leon Levy Expedition to Ashkelon from 1985–2016 systematically outlined the ancient site’s development from the time of its origins to its final days. Following the vision of founders Lawrence E. Stager, Leon Levy, and Shelby White, the excavations at Ashkelon have profoundly transformed our understanding of this fascinating hub of Mediterranean trade. The exhibition celebrates the successful completion of the Leon Levy Expedition to Ashkelon, which recently finished its final season after 30 years of intensive research.

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Faces of Power: Roman Gold Coins from the Victor Adda Collection
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explore holy land artifacts coinsFacial features have been regarded as a reflection of character and ability since ancient times. In the days of the Roman Empire, emperors used their own images to deliver messages to the citizens of Rome. Since most of the population had no direct contact with the emperor, his portrait on coins was a means of identifying him and establishing a relationship with the people.

The gold coins exhibited here shed light on the world of the emperors of Rome and their families. The earliest was struck in 45 B.C.E. by Julius Caesar; the latest is from 326 C.E. and bears the likeness of Constantine the Great. Whether they depict the emperors as mature and experienced or as young and innovative, as philosophers, soldiers, or lords and masters, the portraits—together with the coins’ slogans touting victory, peace, or security—were meant to immortalize Rome and its rulers. As we gaze upon them here, we are living proof of their success.

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Biblical Archaeology Exhibits: From the Copper Age to the Present

Includes:
The Holy Land Before Abraham: 3000 B.C.E.
The Sojourn into Egypt: 1500–1200 B.C.E.
The Time of the Judges: 1200–1000 B.C.E.
The Philistines: 1175–604 B.C.E.
David and Goliath: 1000 B.C.E.
The Babylonian Exile: 586–420 B.C.E.

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The Digital Dead Sea Scrolls

explore holy land artifacts Digital Dead Sea ScrollsThe Dead Sea Scrolls Digital Project allows users to examine and explore these most ancient manuscripts from Second Temple times at a level of detail never before possible. Developed in partnership with Google, the new website gives users access to searchable, fast-loading, high-resolution images of the scrolls, as well as short explanatory videos and background information on the texts and their history. The Dead Sea Scrolls, which include the oldest known Biblical manuscripts in existence, offer critical insight into Jewish society in the Land of Israel during the Second Temple Period, the time of the birth of Christianity and rabbinic Judaism. Five complete scrolls from the Israel Museum have been digitized for the project at this stage and are now accessible online.

Click here to explore the Digital Dead Sea Scrolls >>


The Lachish Battle Reliefs in the Palace Without Rival

explore holy land artifacts latish battle reliefsWatch a series of narrated videos and look at the accompanying descriptions, images, and bibliography on the Assyrian capital at Nimrud in the ninth century B.C.E.—during the time of King Shalmaneser III—as well as on the later capital at Nineveh during the eighth century B.C.E. It was in the eighth century when King Sennacherib had tales of his conquest and destruction of the fortress at Lachish carved across the walls of one room in his Palace Without Rival, an episode from his third campaign across the Levant that is also chronicled in several Biblical passages referencing his subjugation of King Hezekiah of Jerusalem.

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This Bible History Daily post was previously published in August, 2018.


Our free eBook Ten Top Biblical Archaeology Discoveries brings together the exciting worlds of archaeology and the Bible! Learn the fascinating insights gained from artifacts and ruins, like the Pool of Siloam in Jerusalem, where the Gospel of John says Jesus miraculously restored the sight of the blind man, and the Tel Dan inscription—the first historical evidence of King David outside the Bible.


Get more biblical Archaeology: Become a Member

The world of the Bible is knowable. We can learn about the society where the ancient Israelites, and later Jesus and the Apostles, lived through the modern discoveries that provide us clues.

Biblical Archaeology Review is the guide on that fascinating journey. Here is your ticket to join us as we discover more and more about the biblical world and its people.

Each issue of Biblical Archaeology Review features lavishly illustrated and easy-to-understand articles such as:

• Fascinating finds from the Hebrew Bible and New Testament periods

• The latest scholarship by the world's greatest archaeologists and distinguished scholars

• Stunning color photographs, informative maps, and diagrams

• BAR's unique departments

• Reviews of the latest books on biblical archaeology

The BAS Digital Library includes:

• 45+ years of Biblical Archaeology Review

• 20+ years of Bible Review online, providing critical interpretations of biblical texts

• 8 years of Archaeology Odyssey online, exploring the ancient roots of the Western world in a scholarly and entertaining way,

• The New Encyclopedia of Archaeological Excavations in the Holy Land

• Video lectures from world-renowned experts.

• Access to 50+ curated Special Collections,

• Four highly acclaimed books, published in conjunction with the Smithsonian Institution: Aspects of Monotheism, Feminist Approaches to the Bible, The Rise of Ancient Israel and The Search for Jesus.

The All-Access membership pass is the way to get to know the Bible through biblical archaeology.


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