Islam in the Ancient World

Islam in the Ancient World Latest

Jan 23 Blog

What Is Coptic and Who Were the Copts in Ancient Egypt?

When did the ancient Egyptians stop writing in hieroglyphs, and what came next? From the fourth to ninth centuries C.E., Egypt was predominantly Christian. During this time, the language used by the masses was Coptic.

May 14 Blog

The Virgin Mary and the Prophet Muhammad

By: Mary Joan Winn Leith

The Virgin Mary and the prophet Muhammad have a lot in common within their respective Christian and Islamic traditions, according to author Mary Joan Winn Leith.

Apr 25 Blog

Ancient Jerusalem: The Village, the Town, the City

By: Hershel Shanks

Archaeologist Hillel Geva says that population estimates for ancient Jerusalem are too high. His new estimates begin with people living on no more than a dozen acres.

Feb 9 eBook

Islam in the Ancient World

By: BAS Admin

Interested in the ancient places, people and events of Biblical history that are also a part of the Islamic tradition? This free eBook explore some of Islam’s significant history and sites, bringing a new perspective to Biblical history and traditions.

Sep 17 Blog

Sifting Antiquity on the Temple Mount Sifting Project

By: Biblical Archaeology Society Staff

Archaeological excavations are prohibited on the Temple Mount in Jerusalem, though one project—the Temple Mount Sifting Project—has been analyzing soil that came from the Temple Mount since 2004. Learn the story.

Nov 4 Blog

An Unexpected Consequence of the Christian Crusades

By: Biblical Archaeology Society Staff

The Fihrist, and the scholarship it represents, is one of the shining positives that emerged from the Crusades.

Jul 24 Blog

Hidden Christian Cross at Hippos-Sussita

By: Megan Sauter

A brass weight that had concealed a Christian cross was discovered in a Byzantine church at Hippos-Sussita in Israel.

Sep 2 Blog

Herod’s Temple Mount Revealed in Al-Aqsa Mosque Restoration

By: Noah Wiener

As a result of earthquakes, Al-Aqsa Mosque on Jerusalem’s Temple Mount had to be dismantled and reconstructed in the 1930s and 1940s. Massive Cedar of Lebanon and cypress beams were reused, and others were simply removed. Some of these beams are significantly older than the mosque itself. Were these timbers from Al-Aqsa once part of Herod’s Temple Mount architecture?

Feb 19 Blog

Hoard of Gold Coins Found in Caesarea Harbor

By: Robin Ngo

A massive hoard of gold coins—the largest discovered to date in Israel—was found by divers in the Caesarea harbor.

Feb 1 Blog

Video: Exodus in the Quran

By: Biblical Archaeology Society Staff

Watch a full-length lecture by University of California, San Diego scholar Babak Rahimi online for free.

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