About Joe Uziel

Joe Uziel

Joe Uziel is the head of the Dead Sea Scrolls Unit at the Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA). After receiving his Ph.D. from Bar-Ilan University in 2008, Joe has worked for the IAA, excavating several areas in the City of David and the Western Wall Tunnels, uncovering a range of finds from the Middle Bronze Age through to the Mamluk period. Joe’s research has produced many studies on the archaeology of Jerusalem, particularly relating to the Bronze and Iron Ages and Roman period. In January 2020, Joe was named the head of the IAA’s Dead Sea Scroll Unit, which is dedicated to the holistic care of the Dead Sea Scrolls, including their conservation, curation, documentation, and research.


Presenter at

Bible & Archaeology Fest XXV, October 8 & 9, 2022


Bible & Archaeology Fest XXIV, October 16 – 17, 2021
New Thoughts on Jerusalem’s Waters and Their Force in Shaping the City

Despite certain debates regarding the location of ancient Jerusalem, most scholars would agree that the spring at the foot of the southeastern hill – the City of David – was an important factor in the development of the city, particularly during the rule of the kings of Judah. In this lecture, we will explore several factors that play into the importance of the spring, pondering on questions of its religious and symbolic meaning and when the spring waters became holy, perhaps during the Second Temple Period. In contrast, we’ll consider whether the water’s force helped shape the initial village of Jerusalem in its early days, while its later manipulation allowed the city to expand to new areas – a supposition opposing the more common opinion: the movement of the waters followed the city’s growth.


Bible & Archaeology Fest XXIII, October 24 – 25, 2020
The Capital of Judah In Its Early Days: New Thoughts and Ponderings

Excavations in Jerusalem have yielded extensive evidence relating to the capital city of Iron Age Judah in the late 8th century BCE onward, with clear evidence of monumental architecture, fortifications, water works and administration. The scarce evidence for the earlier days of the Judahite monarchy have led to fierce debates regarding the character of the city and kingdom. In the following lecture, we will focus on this period in trying to define the character of Jerusalem in the 10th and 9th centuries BCE, based on a reevaluation of old evidence and the presentation of new evidence from the field.


Bible & Archaeology Fest XXII, November 22 – 24, 2019 Panelist