ancient samaria

ancient samaria Latest

Mar 1 Blog

The Samaritan Schism

By: Lawrence H. Schiffman

In part two of his study on schisms in Jewish history, Lawrence H. Schiffman examines the Samaritan schism.

Jan 18 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.

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 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.

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