GIS in Archaeology

GIS (Geographic Information Systems) technology is quickly changing the way archaeologists record where excavated artifacts are found on their digs.

In the Valley of Elah

A new excavation in the hills of ancient Judah has revealed an amazing discovery: a fortified city dating to King David’s reign. View photos from the Khirbet Qeiyafa excavations, and read about the other exciting finds that have been uncovered there.

Hezekiah’s Tunnel Revisited

Our article explaining how the two teams of tunnelers who dug the sinuous path of Hezekiah's Tunnel from opposite ends managed to connect (“Sound Proof: How Hezekiah's Tunnelers Met,” BAR, September/October 2008) produced many interesting reader responses.

The Messiah Son of Joseph

In the recent September/October 2008 issue of BAR, noted Biblical scholar Israel Knohl’s article “The Messiah Son of Joseph” generated a great deal of interest and responses. Among them was a letter from Ronald Hendel, whose comments and Professor Knohl’s abbreviated response appear in the January/February 2009 issue of BAR. However, the interest in this piece was so great that we’d like to take the opportunity to present Professor Knohl’s response here in its entirety, as well as some other letters that were sent to us regarding his article.

Scholarship Winner Essays

Every summer, people of all ages and from all walks of life volunteer to participate on archaeological digs throughout Israel, Jordan and other parts of the Mediterranean world. We share the dig experiences of three such volunteers, all of whom were selected as 2008 BAS Dig Scholarship winners.

Medicine in the Ancient World

People in antiquity were no less concerned about the prevention and cure of maladies than they are now, however, and entire cults, sanctuaries and professions dedicated to health dotted the spiritual, physical and professional landscapes of the ancient world. So what exactly did ancient cultures do to combat disease and injury, and did these methods have any real basis in science as we know it today? The answers may surprise you.

November/December 2008

Exploring the World of Jesus

The Explorations in Antiquity Museum in LaGrange, Georgia, allows visitors to learn about the world of Jesus, and the environment that shaped his experience and teachings.

Josephus on the Essenes

The works of Josephus are often referred to in the ongoing debate over whether or not the Essenes were the authors of the Dead Sea Scrolls. Read what Josephus himself has to say about this fascinating ancient Jewish sect.

Making Sense of Kosher Laws

What is kosher law, and how did it develop? Biblical texts and archaeological evidence offer some insight into this ancient and modern Jewish practice.

Uncovering the Walls of Zion

Excavations on Mt. Zion reveal the southern wall of ancient Jerusalem from the late Second Temple period.