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Table of Contents • Biblical Archaeology Review
July / August 2010

BAR July/Aug 2010 Cover

ON THE COVER: Fire and ash spew from Mt. Vesuvius with almost wrathful force in this 19th-century painting by an unknown artist. In “The Destruction of Pompeii: God’s Revenge?” Hershel Shanks asks whether the ancients drew a link between the destruction of the Jerusalem Temple and the eruption of Mt. Vesuvius.

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Current Issue Online

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Current Issue Features

Read this article now. The Destruction of Pompeii—God’s Revenge?

By Hershel Shanks

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The eruption of Mt. Vesuvius destroyed the opulent vacation destinations of Roman elites in August 79 C.E.—almost exactly nine years after Roman troops destroyed the Temple in Jerusalem. Did this seem like more than mere coincidence to the ancients?

Jezreel—Where Jezebel Was Thrown to the Dogs

By David Ussishkin

The Phoenician princess Jezebel is one of the most reviled characters in the Bible. She was ultimately thrown from her window at Jezreel, where she was trampled by horses and devoured by dogs. Excavations have revealed an 11-acre rectangular enclosure at Jezreel that may have served as Ahab’s cavalry headquarters and had a palace for the royal couple, where Jezebel met her death.

The Nash Papyrus—Preview of Coming Attractions

By Marvin A. Sweeney

When the first Dead Sea Scrolls were shown to John Trever in early 1948, the strange Hebrew writing reminded him of the Nash Papyrus, a small fragment that had been discovered in Egypt at the turn of the century. But what is this text that played such a critical role in the early study of the Dead Sea Scrolls?

From Vespa to Ashkelon: BAR Interviews Lawrence Stager

To continue the celebration of our 35th anniversary, editor Hershel Shanks sat down with Harvard professor Larry Stager, 20-year director of the Leon Levy Expedition to Ashkelon, to discuss everything from interpreting pig bones to understanding the ancient kingdoms of Israel and Judah.


Current Issue Departments

Read this article now. First Person

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By Hershel Shanks

Archaeological Politics—Why Is Israel Different?

Queries & Comments

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By Ronald S. Hendel

Farewell to SBL: Faith and Reason in Biblical Studies

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By Gregg E. Gardner

Lighting the Way: Material Culture Illuminates Religious Identity

ReViews

Temple Mount, the “Sacred Esplanade”
Pompeii’s Treasures

WorldWide

Tell Abu Habbah, Iraq


Current Issue Strata

Dever Prize Winner Identifies Sacred Israelite Cult Bowl from Tel Dan

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Werlin Wins Hershel Shanks Prize

Decision to Buy Scrolls Reflects “Greatness”

Verbal Fisticuffs over Early Israelite Origins

SBL Announces New Executive Director

Read this article now. The Bible in the News

Lost and Found

In History

Exhibit Watch

What Is It?

Milestones

In Their Own Words

How Many?

Read this article now. Cartoon Caption Contest