ancient samaria

ancient samaria Latest

Dec 1 Blog

First Person: Did the Kingdoms of Saul, David and Solomon Actually Exist?

By: Hershel Shanks

In BAR, Hershel Shanks examines a recent article published by archaeologist Amihai Mazar. Mazar contends that while the Biblical narratives were written hundreds of years after the reigns of Saul, David and Solomon, they “retain memories of reality.”

Sep 5 Blog

The Temple on Mount Gerizim—In the Bible and Archaeology

By: Megan Sauter

Temples have been found throughout the ancient Near East. What went on at these sites? Along with reconstructing architectural remains, can scholars piece together ancient worship practices? […]

May 19 Blog

Understanding the Good Samaritan Parable

By: BAS Staff

Who were the Samaritans? Dr. Amy-Jill Levine of Vanderbilt University explains how getting an accurate answer to this question can shed light on how shocking the Good Samaritan parable would have been for Jesus’ audience.

Apr 30 Blog

Ancient Samaria and Jerusalem

By: Robin Ngo

Jill Katz explains how the field of urban anthropology can shed light on the ideological differences between Jerusalem and Samaria.

Mar 26 Blog

Nehemiah—The Man Behind the Wall

By: Dorothy Willette

Few people are familiar with the Biblical figure Nehemiah, and yet he was instrumental in the rebuilding and reestablishment of Jerusalem in the fifth century B.C. following the Babylonian exile.

Mar 19 Blog

The Palace of the Kings of Israel—in the Bible and Archaeology

By: Megan Sauter

King Omri of Israel selected Samaria as his capital and built an elaborate palace there in the ninth century B.C.E. What did this palace look like, and was it destroyed when the Assyrians conquered the kingdom of Israel in 721 B.C.E.?

Feb 3 Blog

Samaria Inscriptions from King Omri’s Dynasty

By: Jonathan Laden

Researchers conclude, based on handwriting analysis, that 31 of the Samaria inscriptions were written by two scribes. This supports the theory that literacy was not widespread in the Northern Kingdom of Israel, 2,800 years ago.

Nov 21 Blog

Israelite Cosmology and the Orientation of Iron Age Houses

By: Marek Dospěl

Why are most of the houses from Iron Age Israel and Judah oriented to the east?

Aug 28 Blog

The Samaria Ivories—Phoenician or Israelite?

By: Biblical Archaeology Society Staff

From the moment they were discovered, the Samaria ivories created fanfare. Recently some scholars have challenged the long-accepted assumption about the ivories’ origins.

May 17 Blog

Did the Northern Kingdom of Israel Practice Customary Ancient Israelite Religion?

By: Biblical Archaeology Society Staff

In his Archaeological Views column in BAR, archaeologist Jonathan Greer looks to Tel Dan in the northern kingdom of Israel for evidence of an official ancient Israelite religion.

Must-Read Free eBooks

The Dead Sea Scrolls: Past, Present, and Future

Biblical Peoples—The World of Ancient Israel

Who Was Jesus? Exploring the History of Jesus’ Life

Ancient Israel in Egypt and the Exodus

More Free eBooks

Want more Bible history?

Join Us on an Educational Journey

For more than 40 years, the Biblical Archaeology Society has partnered with world-renowned hosts and guides to provide you exceptional educational offerings in the archaeology of the Biblical lands and in Biblical studies.

Learn More