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who were the phoenicians

who were the phoenicians Latest

An excavated site showing several large clay storage jars (pithoi) in situ. Photo: ASOR, Punic Project/James Whitred

Feb 22 Blog

At Carthage, Child Sacrifice?

By: Robin Ngo

Was child sacrifice really practiced at ancient Carthage? In BAR, Patricia Smith discusses the research she and her team conducted on the cremated remains from the Carthage Tophet.

Phoenicians at Amrit

Sep 25 Blog

Who Were the Phoenicians?

By: Megan Sauter

With a commercial empire that lasted a millennium, the Phoenicians were major players in the ancient Mediterranean world. Spreading their culture and goods, they came into contact with many different groups, but their relationship with the Israelites was distinct.

canaanite-sidon-burial

Jun 1 Blog

What Happened to the Canaanites?

By: Robin Ngo

For the first time, researchers have conducted DNA sequencing on ancient Canaanite skeletons and have determined where the Canaanites’ descendants can be found today.

sidon-ram-human-deity

May 18 Blog

Biblical Sidon—Jezebel’s Hometown

By: BAS Staff

The city of Sidon on the coast of modern Lebanon is mentioned 38 times in the Hebrew Bible. Recent excavations have exposed part of the ancient Canaanite—and later Phoenician—city, including a massive temple and depictions of deities worshiped at Sidon.

Phoenician Ships

Sep 29 Blog

Phoenicians Sailing to the New World

By: Jonathan Laden

It has already been established that Columbus was not the first European to lead an expedition sailing to the “New World,” across the vast Atlantic […]

Mar 15 Blog

The Phoenician Alphabet in Archaeology

By: Josephine Quinn

The Phoenician script was borrowed by the Israelites, Greeks and Romans. Learn what sorts of texts the Phoenicians wrote as revealed by a recent archaeological excavation.

Jul 27 Blog

Did the Carthaginians Really Practice Infant Sacrifice?

By: Robin Ngo

One of the most debated questions in the study of the ancient world is whether or not the Carthaginians practiced human sacrifice—more specifically, the sacrifice of infants. Recent studies have provided comprehensive evidence that the Carthaginians really did sacrifice their own children.

malta-shipwreck

Oct 12 Blog

Phoenician Shipwreck Located off Coast of Malta

By: Robin Ngo

Maritime archaeologists have discovered what may be the oldest shipwreck found thus far in the central Mediterranean.

Jul 9 Blog

Giant of the Persian Period

By: Hillel Geva

Hillel Geva memorializes Ephraim Stern, one of Israel’s foremost archaeologists, a pioneer in his field with numerous achievements to his credit and an international reputation as a scholar.

samaria-ivories-stag

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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