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Israel Archaeology
Israel Archaeology
Haaretz article
The Land of Israel has been a playground for archeologists seeking to uncover ancient ruins and artifacts since the mid-nineteenth century.
Israel’s archaeological digs mostly center on the excavation of sites mentioned in the Bible. Since the beginning of the twentieth century, remains of ancient settlements have also been excavated.
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
Discover Gezer, Israel’s lost city
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The House of Peter: The Home of Jesus in Capernaum?
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The Apostle Peter in Rome
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Artifacts from the First Temple period are extremely rare
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The “High Place” at Tel Gezer
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The “Philistines” to the North
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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...