Biblical Archaeology News & Opinion
There is so much news in the world of Biblical archaeology and the Holy Land, it is hard to keep up! That is why we offer the latest news from the lands of the Bible that will interest you the most.
Asherah and the Asherim: Goddess or Cult Symbol?
Who is Asherah? Or, perhaps, what is asherah? The Hebrew means “happy” or “upright” and some suggest “(sacred) place.” The term appears 40 times in the Hebrew Bible, usually in conjunction with the definite article “the.” The definite article in Hebrew is similar to English in that personal names do ...
Geographer Glen Fritz Talks About his New Mt Sinai Book
SUMMARY: PhD geographer Glen Fritz answers questions about his new book on Mount Sinai. The result of over 20 years of research, this stunning one-of-kind work makes the geographic and biblical case for the Exodus route leading to a mountain in modern Saudi Arabia. Fritz comments on his book, The Exodus Mysteries: ...
Decayed Papyrus Hints that More Dead Sea Scrolls Remain
The owner of the lid thought that it was contaminated by hardened bat dung. However, the residue was from papyrus. A jar probably fell, dislodging the lid; the papyrus Dead Sea Scrolls then decomposed over the intervening centuries before modern discovery. The Dead Sea Scrolls may be the most important biblical ...
The Magi’s Gifts – Tribute or Treatment?
Were the Three Wise Men trying to save Jesus from the pain of arthritis? It’s possible, according to a new study by scientists at Cardiff University in Wales. Since the early days of Christianity, Biblical scholars and theologians have offered varying interpretations of the meaning and significance of the gold, frankincense ...
Shiloh Discovery Matches Biblical Altar
SUMMARY: Critics have dismissed the validity of the Shiloh archaeological park in Israel due to the preference of its administrators for the biblical narrative. Previous findings have been subject to varying interpretations. However, the discovery of three stone horns used in ritual sacrifice at the area have bolstered the case ...
Was Mary Magdalene Wife of Jesus? Was Mary Magdalene a Prostitute?
When novelists and screenwriters try to insert something salacious into the life of Jesus, they focus on one woman: Mary from Magdala. Was Mary Magdalene a prostitute? Was Mary Magdalene the wife of Jesus? Birger A. Pearson addresses these popular notions in the article “From Saint to Sinner” below. As Pearson notes, ...
Egypt Begins Transferring Artifacts to Sharm El Sheikh Museum
Sharm el-Sheikh Museum received on Saturday first three artifacts that will be displayed in the museum after its inauguration. Head of the Museums’ Sector Momen Othman said that the three artifacts transferred to the museum included a huge head of pink granite statue belongs to Goddess Hathor, adding that it is scheduled ...
World’s oldest surviving chess piece unearthed in Jordan
A 1,300-year-old figurine that has baffled experts since it was unearthed in the desert of southern Jordan nearly three decades ago may actually turn out to be one of the oldest chess pieces ever found, an archeologist has concluded. The carved piece of white sandstone was discovered in 1991 among the ...
Laughter in the Bible? Absolutely!
“The heart knows its own bitterness, and no stranger shares its joy.”—Proverbs 14:10 “A cheerful heart is a good medicine.”—Proverbs 17:22 As I study and teach, I find I read the Bible ever more slowly, and as I do, I smile more and more frequently. I listen for its humor. My emotions ...
Hungary’s President Tours Giza Pyramids, Saqqara
President of Hungary Áder János visited the pyramids and Saqqara area along with his family and accompanying delegation on the sidelines of his official visit to Egypt. Director-General of the Pyramid Antiquities Region Ashraf Mohiuddin said in statements today that the visit lasted for nearly three hours, including a tour of ...