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Mar 21 Blog

Miniature Writing on Ancient Amulets

By: Robin Ngo

In 1979, archaeologist Gabriel Barkay discovered two miniature silver scrolls from a late Iron Age (seventh century B.C.E.) tomb in Ketef Hinnom outside of Jerusalem. When unrolled, the scrolls had tiny texts written on them—similar to the priestly blessing in Numbers 6:24–26.

altar-mt-ebal

Mar 16 Blog

A Biblical Altar on Mt. Ebal and Other Israelite Footprints in the Jordan Valley?

By: Megan Sauter

Foot-shaped sites have been found throughout the Jordan Valley, including an extraordinary cultic site on Mt. Ebal. Is this the Israelite altar described in Joshua 8?

hattusa-wall

Mar 15 Blog

Who Were the Hittites?

By: Ellen White

Archaeology tells us a lot about the Hittites—and the Neo-Hittites too. But it’s hard to reconcile this with the Hittites of the Bible.

robert-campin

Mar 12 Blog

The Split of Early Christianity and Judaism

By: Biblical Archaeology Society Staff

Northern Renaissance painter Robert Campin’s Marriage of the Virgin dramatically captures the split of early Christianity and Judaism.

Tall el-Hammam

Mar 11 Blog

Where Is Sodom?

By: BAS Staff

The stories of Sodom and its destruction, whether historical or not, were clearly understood to have occurred near the Dead Sea, among the so-called “cities of the plain” mentioned in Genesis 13, verse 12. But where exactly was this plain, and was a particular site associated with Sodom?

eeckhout-judah-tamar

Mar 9 Blog

Sacred Prostitution in the Story of Judah and Tamar?

By: BAS Staff

While some scholars suggest that temple prostitution was practiced in ancient Israel, Edward Lipiński argues that neither the Bible nor archaeology provides any clear evidence that Israelite religion incorporated the sexual rites of Canaanite goddesses.

Queen of Sheba

Mar 7 Blog

Who Is the Queen of Sheba in the Bible?

By: Megan Sauter

The meeting of King Solomon and the Queen of Sheba is described in the Bible. Bringing exquisite gifts, the Queen of Sheba came from an exotic land—but where exactly?

tel-dan-stele

Mar 4 Blog

The Tel Dan Inscription: The First Historical Evidence of King David from the Bible

By: Biblical Archaeology Society Staff

Few modern Biblical archaeology discoveries have attracted as much attention as the Tel Dan inscription—writing on a ninth-century B.C. stone slab (or stela) that furnished the first historical evidence of King David from the Bible.

Feb 25 Blog

Lilith in the Bible and Mythology

By: Megan Sauter

Who were the original humans that God created in the Garden of Eden: Adam and Eve? Or Adam and Lilith? A close look at the opening chapters of Genesis—and ancient Jewish mythology—may suggest that Lilith came before Eve!

Feb 21 Blog

Lebanese Cedar—The Prized Tree of Ancient Woodworking

By: Biblical Archaeology Society Staff

From Solomon’s Temple to the Jesus Boat, the Biblical world was built of cedar.

Must-Read Free eBooks

A Digger’s Life: A Guide to the Archaeology Dig Experience
The Dead Sea Scrolls: Past, Present, and Future
Biblical Peoples—The World of Ancient Israel
The Dead Sea Scrolls: Discovery and Meaning
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