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The worlds of archaeology and the Bible move fast. Check back regularly for the latest news.

21st-century Internet Tools to Aid Jordanian Archaeologists

A new internet-based tool named MEGA (Middle Eastern Geodatabase for Antiquities) will be unveiled next month that will aid in the protection of Jordan’s antiquities and archaeological sites. The Getty Conservation Institute, the World Monuments Fund and the Jordanian Department of Antiquities have worked together for the past four years to construct a Web system designed to deliver years of accumulated information about Jordan’s archaeological sites to archaeologists and conservators, and to facilitate monitoring the condition of the sites.

Previously, field reports on Jordanian archaeological sites had been kept in a local database, but the new Web-based tool provides faster and easier access to valuable information, such as potential threats from development, livestock or looting. If this new system is widely adopted in Jordan and in other countries, it will allow governments to monitor theft, damage and other changing circumstances and to respond more effectively.

The New York Times reports on the new web-based tracking system for Jordanian archaeological sites.

2,000-year-old Onyx Cameo Discovered in Givati Parking Lot Excavation

Archaeologists excavating the Givati Parking Lot under the direction of the Israel Antiquities Authority have discovered a carved blue onyx cupid cameo from Jerusalem’s Roman Period. This and other recent discoveries will be presented today, September 1, at the 11th Annual City of David Archeology Conference in Jerusalem.

According to Dr. Ben Ami who supervises the Givati excavation, “this discovery, together with other important finds that we uncovered from this unusual large Roman structure at the City of David, contribute significantly to our understanding of the nature of Jerusalem’s Roman Period.”

The Jerusalem Post reports on the 2,000-year-old cameo found in the City of David.

Shards of Flint Found in Israel Believed to be Disposable Knives

Archaeologists working in a cave near Tel Aviv have discovered what they believe to be the world’s first known examples of disposable knives. The numerous 200,000-year-old shards of flint were found around a fireplace containing charred animal bones. Archaeologists were able to use the bones to date the knives, which were made from recycled materials such as other larger knives and tools used to butcher animals and scrape hides.

The Associated Press reports on the discovery of flint shards thought to be disposable cutlery.

A Closer Look at the Restoration of Israel’s Antiquities

Discover the delicate process of restoring Israel’s antiquities with a behind-the-scenes glance at the work of the 6-member Israel Antiquities Authority restoration team. This team pieces together objects and implements such as potsherds, cloths, weapons, coins and glassware dating from the beginning of human habitation in Israel. A ceramics restoration expert, Elisheva Kamaisky, likens the reconstruction of ceramic jugs to the process of piecing together a complex jigsaw puzzle. Lena Kuperschmidt works in a neighboring lab opening rolled lead talismans from Caesarea containing curses against horses designed to influence horse races at the local hippodrome.

Haaretz.com provides a behind-the-scenes look into the restoration of Israel’s antiquities.

Journal Retracts Paper on Jesus’ Curing of Biblical Woman with Influenza

A recently published article in the Virology Journal has created quite a stir with an article titled “Influenza or not influenza: Analysis of a case of high fever that happened 2000 years ago in Biblical time.” This article examines the Biblical story of Jesus curing an ill woman in Mark (1:29 to 33), Luke (4:38–39), and Matthew (8:14–15), and posits that the woman was probably afflicted with influenza.

Reader replies and blog posts caused editor-in-chief Robert F. Garry to publicly apologize and retract the paper, acknowledging that the article was published without proper supporting data customary in peer-reviewed scientific journals. The piece, written by Kam L.E. Hon from the Department of Paediatrics at the Chinese University of Hong Kong, was intended to be a lighter type of story that would provide contrast to the heavier articles published in the journal.

Physorg.com reports on the retraction of a Virology Journal paper on Jesus curing a possible case of influenza.

Hellenistic Cave Paintings Discovered at Petra

2,000-year-old Hellenistic style wall paintings have been uncovered and restored from beneath a layer of filth in a cave at Petra, Jordan. A team from the Courtauld Institute in London revealed the extraordinary artwork created by the Nabataeans, and the paintings were then restored in a careful three-year process.

The paintings depict various forms of wildlife and plant life. They were found at a location five kilometers away from the main site of Petra in the canyon of Siq al-Barid in Beidha. Complete Hellenistic paintings are very rare to find and these paintings are the only Nabataean in situ wall paintings.

Guardian.co.uk reports on the discovery ancient Hellenistic wall paintings at Petra.

Find out more about Petra and the Nabataeans.

Robert Cargill Discusses the Dead Sea Scrolls with Israel National Radio

In this two-part interview with the Israel National Radio, Robert Cargill, archaeologist and Biblical scholar from UCLA, discusses the Dead Sea Scrolls and Qumran. Cargill emphasizes the point that the Dead Sea Scrolls have nothing to do with Christianity and were probably written by a Jewish sect from the time of Second Temple period.

Foundation Stone presents Robert Cargill’s two-part interview with Israel National Radio.

New Book Explores the Lives of Women During Biblical Times

A recently published book titled Women’s Lives in Biblical Times employs archaeology to explore an under-researched aspect of history: the lives of women. The book’s author Jennie Ebeling, assistant professor of archaeology at the University of Evansville, has conducted archaeological research in Israel, Jordan and throughout the Middle East at sites dating back to the Iron Age in order to get a better idea of the day-to-day life of women during Biblical times. Ebeling’s book presents the story of a fictional Hebrew woman with numerous footnotes citing Ebeling’s research as well as that of others in the field.

CourierPress.com reports on a new book exploring the lives of women during Biblical times.

Israel National Radio Interviews Lawrence Schiffman

Israel National Radio interviews Lawrence Schiffman, the Ethel and Irvine A. Edelman Professor of Hebrew and Judaic Studies at New York University, who discusses the Dead Sea Scrolls, the Copper Scroll and Qumran. Professor Schiffman details what the Dead Sea Scrolls really are and who wrote them.

Listen to Part I of the Lawrence Schiffman interview.

Listen to Part II of the Lawrence Schiffman interview.