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Israel Archaeology
Israel Archaeology
Haaretz article
Archeology in the region expanded during the British Mandate period (1917 – 1948) and has increased with the founding of the modern state of Israel.
One of the most important discoveries has been that of the Dead Sea Scrolls, between 1947–1956, in caves in Qumran, near Jericho, which revealed some of the earliest copies of the books of the Bible.
Israel hosts a number of important Biblical and historic sites. Archeological digs have uncovered remains from the biblical cities of Hatzor, Megiddo, Be’er Sheva, Tiberias, Masada, and Herodian.
Archeological research in Israel has been used as an important tool to build up the modern state and has helped establish historical links between the Jewish people, the Bible and land of Israel.
Archeology in Israel involves the systematic investigation of all remains from the country’s past, from the prehistoric era to the end of Ottoman rule in Palestine.
Since Israel was historically situated at the crossroads between Africa and the East, and served as a land bridge between the prosperous cultures of the Fertile Crescent (now Iraq) and Egypt, archeological artifacts from some of history’s most important civilizations and developments have been found in the region.
In all, there are over 20,000 recognized antiquities sites in Israel, and the Israel Antiquities Authority is charged with ensuring the protection of these sites and in issuing licenses for the excavation.”
Articles from Biblical Archaeology Society & Other Sources
Rethinking the Early Philistine Threat
The excavated remains of the rampart and gate at the site of Ashkelon on the southern coast of Israel. During the early Iron Age, Ashkelon was one of the five cities of the Philistines. Credit: Hanay, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia CommonsNew study argues Philistines...
The 10 Most Iconic Archeological Sites in Israel
In Israel, peeling back the layers of history is a never-ending pursuit. Findings from thousands of years ago are preserved for the public to explore. BY ABIGAIL KLEIN LEICHMANSitting at the crossroads of the ancient world, Israel is an archeologist’s dream. Peeling...
Discover Gezer, Israel’s lost city
Today it looks totally desolate, but over 3,000 years ago, Gezer was a major Canaanite center. Archaeologists are uncovering its turbulent history By AVIVA AND SHMUEL BAR-AM5 October 2013, 6:23 am “Here is the account of the forced labor King Solomon… conscripted to...
The House of Peter: The Home of Jesus in Capernaum?
Beneath the foundations of this octagonal Byzantine martyrium church at Capernaum, archaeologists made one of the most exciting Biblical archaeology discoveries: a simple first-century A.D. home that may have been the house of Peter, the home of Jesus in...
The Apostle Peter in Rome
Jesus’ chief disciple examined Nicola Denzey Lewis May 08, 2019 70 Comments 3614 views Share In this blog post, Brown University Religious Studies professor Nicola Denzey Lewis answers frequently asked questions about the apostle Peter. Denzey Lewis appears in the CNN...
Artifacts from the First Temple period are extremely rare
Another First Temple Weight, This One With Mirror Writing, Found in Jerusalem Sifting Project. This tiny stone weight found by the foundation stones of the Western Wall may have been used in the First Temple itself, if users were unfazed by its backwards...
The “High Place” at Tel Gezer
Tel Gezer’s first excavator, R.A.S. Macalister, believed these ten monumental standing stones were part of a Middle Bronze Age Canaanite “high place” dedicated to child sacrifice. This photo was taken during the re-excavation of Gezer in the 1960s and...
The “Philistines” to the North
Reliefs at the Temple of Ramesses III at Medinet Habu depict the Egyptians in battle with three tribes of Sea Peoples: the Danunu, the Sikils and the Philistines. Bible and archaeology news Biblical Archaeology Society The Philistines in the Bible and the...
6,500-Year-Old DNA Points to Ancient Migration
These burial urns (ossuaries) from Peqi’in Cave in Israel are evidence of ancient migration in the Levant, researchers say. Scale bar: 10 cm. Photo Mariana Salzberger, courtesy of the Israel Antiquities Authority. Bible and archaeology news Robin Ngo,...
Daily Life in Ancient Israel
According to author Robert D. Miller, archaeological surveys and excavations of the central hill country have provided a much clearer picture of daily life in ancient Israel during the time of the Biblical Judges and the early Israelite settlers of Canaan....
Philistine Cemetery Unearthed at Ashkelon
Skull from a Philistine burial from Ashkelon’s cemetery dated to the 10th–9th century B.C.E Bible and archaeology news Biblical Archaeology Society Discovery brings us face to face with the Israelites’ archenemy Extracted from – Megan Sauter, 06/17/2018...
Which Altar Was the Right One in Ancient Israelite Religion?
Four-horned altars, such as this reconstructed one from Beersheba, have been found throughout Iron Age Israel, but is it the orthodox one according to the Biblical text? What do Iron Age altars tell us about Biblical sacrifices and worship in ancient...