BIBLE HISTORY DAILY

Milestones: Ze’ev Meshel (1932–2024)

Leading archaeologist of Israel’s desert regions

Credit: Photo by Avraham Izdarekhet, courtesy the family of Ze’ev Meshel.

Ze’ev Meshel, renowned Israeli archaeologist, exemplary guide, passionate desert lover, and explorer, passed away on December 14, 2024, at his home in Givatayim, Israel. He was 92 years old.

Ze’ev was born in Tel Aviv in 1932 to Ada and David, who had immigrated from Pinsk, Poland. In his youth, he was an active member of a youth movement, and during his military service, he joined Kibbutz Ma’ayan Baruch. He later pursued his studies at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. In 1974, he completed his doctoral thesis at Tel Aviv University under the supervision of Professor Yohanan Aharoni. His thesis, titled “The History of the Negev during the Period of the Judean Monarchy,” marked the beginning of a distinguished academic career. He then joined Tel Aviv University’s Department of Archaeology and Near Eastern Studies, where he taught and conducted research until his retirement in the early 2000s.

Ze’ev’s profound love for the landscapes of Israel shaped his life and career. A true man of the land—particularly the desert—he traversed the country with unmatched knowledge of its terrain, history, and hidden treasures. His intimate familiarity with every hill, valley, and archaeological site made him not only a distinguished scholar but also an extraordinary guide and storyteller. His legendary field tours were a source of inspiration for students and colleagues alike, blending archaeology, history, and biblical narratives into vivid and engaging accounts.

Ze’ev’s professional focus was on the Negev and Sinai regions, where he conducted surveys and excavations that shed light on the role of these arid landscapes as hubs of trade, cultural exchange, and human adaptation. His work at sites such as Kuntillet ‘Ajrud, Yotvata, and throughout the Negev highlands revealed the intricate relationships between desert communities and the broader ancient Near Eastern world. He explored ancient water management systems, desert fortresses, caravan routes, and agricultural practices, uncovering the resilience and ingenuity of the people who thrived in these challenging environments. His research was published in numerous articles and books, including in Biblical Archaeology Review,ⁱ and he organized several environmental conferences, both at the university and in other institutions.

In a 1999 document titled “Summary of My Scientific Work,” Ze’ev wrote:

My participation in a survey in southern Sinai and the encounter with the Bedouins there, who still lived in great harmony with natural conditions, led me to write my first book on Sinai and marked a turning point in my research approach that characterizes the continuation of my scientific work.

Ze’ev Meshel (left) during a visit to the deserts of southern Jordan. Photo by Avraham Izdarekhet, courtesy the family of Ze’ev Meshel.

This experience not only inspired his first book but also marked a significant shift in his approach to research, one that blended his scientific rigor with a deep respect for the natural and cultural landscapes he studied.

Among his many achievements, the excavation of Kuntillet ‘Ajrud in the northeastern Sinai Peninsula between 1975 and 1976 stands out as his most renowned work. This remote Iron Age site yielded inscriptions, artistic representations, and artifacts that continue to challenge conventional understandings of religion, literacy, and trade in the kingdoms of Israel and Judah.ⁱⁱ The final report of the excavation, Kuntillet ‘Ajrud (Ḥorvat Teman): An Iron Age II Religious Site on the Judah-Sinai Border (Jerusalem: Israel Exploration Society, 2012), offers a comprehensive presentation of these important findings.

Known for his modesty, kindness, gentle spirit, and ever-present smile, he endeared himself to everyone he met. His enthusiasm for discovery created an atmosphere of encouragement and joy. Colleagues and friends remember him as a man of boundless curiosity and generosity, whose passion for uncovering the past was matched by his delight in sharing it. He had an extraordinary ability to inspire those around him, drawing students, travellers, and even casual acquaintances into his world of exploration and knowledge.

His legacy is one of uncovering truths about the past while fostering a deep connection to the land and its stories. His contributions to the study of the Negev and Sinai have left an indelible mark on the field of archaeology, and his dedication to understanding and preserving history will continue to inspire future generations of scholars.

May his memory be a blessing, and may his work and spirit continue to illuminate the paths of those who follow in his footsteps.

Footnotes

[ i ] See Ze’ev Meshel, “Did Yahweh Have a Consort?” BAR, March/April 1979; “Governments-in-Exile: The Judean Wilderness as the Last Bastion of Jewish Revolts,” BAR, November/December 1998; and “Wilderness Wanderings: Ethnographic Lessons from Modern Bedouin,” BAR, July/August 2008.

[ ii ] See Hershel Shanks, “The Persisting Uncertainties of Kuntillet ‘Ajrud,” BAR, November/December 2012.

Lily Singer-Avitz is a researcher in the Institute of Archaeology at Tel Aviv University in Israel. She specializes in the archaeology of the biblical period and ancient pottery studies. She recently published, with Etan Ayalon, the results of Ze’ev Meshel’s excavations at the site of Yotvata in the Wadi Aravah in southern Israel.

All-Access members, read about Ze’ev’s work in the BAS Library

The Persisting Uncertainties of Kuntillet ‘Ajrud

Did Yahweh Have a Consort?