http://www.bib-arch.org/ Unearthing the World of the Bible en-us webmaster@bib-arch.org (BAS Webmaster) http://www.bib-arch.org/news/dailynews.asp#11The excavation of a 2,000-year-old drainage channel running beneath Jerusalem’s City of David is providing a startling glimpse into the realities of the First Jewish Revolt (66–70 C.E.). According to the Jewish historian Josephus, Jewish rebels used the tunnels to hide from Roman forces attempting to crush the rebellion. During an announcement about recent discoveries from the tunnel excavation, including a Roman sword and early menorah carving, archaeologists with the Israel Antiquities Authority provided some historical context for the recent finds, as well as the tunnel itself. “We found many things that we assume are linked to the rebels who hid out here, like oil lamps, cooking pots, objects that people used and took with them, perhaps as a souvenir in the hope that they would be going back,” said Eli Shukron, one of the archaeologists in charge of the tunnel excavation. Thursday, August 11, 2011 http://www.bib-arch.org/news/dailynews.asp#10Egypt’s new antiquities chief, Mohammad Abdel-Maksoud, announced this week that the Supreme Council of Antiquities will take steps to fund the restoration of the Step Pyramid at Saqqara. The pyramid, the oldest in Egypt, was built to be the eternal resting place of Djoser (2630–2611 B.C.E.), the second pharaoh of Egypt’s third dynasty (2630–2611 B.C.E.). Egyptian media reported that the inside of the pyramid is falling down and in disrepair, as planned conservation and reconstruction efforts have been delayed because of lack of payments. Abdel-Maksoud said payments for the project will be restarted soon. Wednesday, August 10, 2011 http://www.bib-arch.org/news/dailynews.asp#09Archaeologists working in the ancient city of Meroe in central Sudan may have discovered the earliest royal building at the site. Though only partially excavated, the large mudbrick building was found directly beneath a later palatial structure built around 2,000 years ago, when the expansive Nubian kingdom centered near the Fourth Cataract of the Nile was at its height. Initial analysis suggests the earlier building dates to about 900 B.C.E. “The very earliest Meroe,” explained lead archaeologist Krzystof Grzymski of the Royal Ontario Museum, “would have been the capital of some sort of local chiefdom or kingdom.” Tuesday, August 09, 2011 http://www.bib-arch.org/news/dailynews.asp#08Archaeologists working to clear a 2,000-year-old drainage tunnel running beneath the Old City of Jerusalem have discovered two exceedingly rare objects: a Roman sword with its leather scabbard preserved, and a small stone engraved with what may be an early depiction of the Temple menorah. The Roman sword, only the third ever found in Jerusalem, is 2 feet along and still has some of its original decoration and leather scabbard preserved. Israeli archaeologist Ronny Reich, who helps direct the excavations, believes the sword likely belonged to a Roman infantryman stationed in Jerusalem during the First Jewish Revolt (66–70 C.E.). Monday, August 08, 2011 http://www.bib-arch.org/news/dailynews.asp#05Researchers at St. Andrews University in Scotland have found evidence that a massive drought, similar to the one currently gripping parts of Africa, could have brought about the demise of the Egyptian Old Kingdom. Analysis and carbon dating of ancient sediments from Lake Tana in Ethiopia—the source of the Blue Nile—found that around 4,200 years ago, lake levels dropped considerably, indicating massive water shortages and drought may have ultimately brought an end to Egypt’s first major dynastic civilization. “If we look at the Horn of Africa today, there are still conflicts being driven by drought,” said lead researcher Richard Bates. “We know the same thing has happened in the past.” Friday, August 05, 2011 http://www.bib-arch.org/news/dailynews.asp#03A DNA study that compared the genetic makeup of Jewish populations from around the world with African populations has found that modern Jews can attribute about 3 to 5 percent of their ancestry to sub-Saharan Africans. Researchers from the Harvard Medical School estimate that the exchange of genes occurred approximately 72 generations ago (or about 2,000 years). Lawrence Schiffman, professor of Hebrew and Judaic studies at Yeshiva University, believes the intermixing may have occurred during the Hellenistic period (c. 320—30 B.C.E.), when Jewish communities were resident in many North African coastal cities, or during the First Temple period (c. 950—600 B.C.E.), when the Israelite kings, including Solomon, had trade relationships with Africa. Wednesday, August 03, 2011 http://www.bib-arch.org/news/dailynews.asp#02A new study conducted by Haifa University researchers has found that the wood used to support the Roman siege of Masada in 73 C.E. likely had to be brought from areas far away. The study, which looked at the use of timber resources in the Masada region from the second century B.C.E. until the citadel’s fall in the year 73, found that the surrounding valleys and hills would have been almost completely barren when the Romans arrived, the local trees having already been heavily exploited for centuries for everyday use in construction, cooking and heating. As such, the Romans, as well as Masada’s defenders, would have had to import timber from more humid regions of Judea. Tuesday, August 02, 2011 http://www.bib-arch.org/news/dailynews.asp#01Archaeologists excavating at the Iron Age site of Tell Tayinat in southern Turkey have unearthed a 4-foot-tall statue of a roaring lion. The newly excavated lion is one of several to have been discovered at the site over the years. (At right is a pair of lions excavated at Tayinat nearly 80 years ago.) The lion dates to the eighth century B.C.E., when Tayinat was the capital of a small independent kingdom, possibly called Palastin. According to reports, the lion may have come from one of Tayinat’s main temples. Monday, August 01, 2011 http://www.bib-arch.org/bar/letter-editor.aspBAR Managing Editor Dorothy D. Resig introduces you to the July/August 2011 issue of Biblical Archaeology Review. Lazy days are here again, but things are heating up in the field as dozens of digs get back to work in Israel and throughout the Middle East this summer. And we’re also working hard to bring you the latest discoveries from these exciting excavations. Wednesday, June 22, 2011 http://www.bib-arch.org/bar/article.asp?PubID=BSBA&Volume=37&Issue=4&ArticleID=7Archaeologists working in Galilee have unearthed three ancient synagogues located within a few miles of each other, one of which is in Magdala, hometown of Mary Magdalene. It is one of the oldest synagogues ever found, dating to the first century C.E. Another synagogue features unparalleled mosaics, including famous Biblical scenes. In “New Synagogue Excavations in Israel and Beyond,” BAR assistant editor Joey Corbett explores how, together, these synagogues, as well as ones in Turkey, shed new light on the development of Jewish life and worship from Second Temple times into late antiquity. Wednesday, June 22, 2011 http://www.bib-arch.org/bar/article.asp?PubID=BSBA&Volume=37&Issue=4&ArticleID=13In the Biblical Views column from July/August 2011 BAR, Eugene Ulrich takes a closer look at some of the insertions in the Great Isaiah Scroll. Wednesday, June 22, 2011 http://www.bib-arch.org/bar/article.asp?PubID=BSBA&Volume=37&Issue=4&ArticleID=14In the Archaeological Views column from July/August 2011 BAR, Patricia Smith discusses the importance—and difficulty—of studying excavated human remains. Wednesday, June 22, 2011 http://www.bib-arch.org/e-books/frank-moore-cross-conversations-with-a-bible-scholar.aspDownload a free eBook in celebration of Frank Moore Cross’s 90th birthday in July. Discover Cross’s tremendous work explained in non-technical terms in this collection of five interviews with BAR editor Hershel Shanks. Wednesday, June 22, 2011 http://www.bib-arch.org/bar/article.asp?PubID=BSBA&Volume=37&Issue=4&ArticleID=12In his First Person column in the July/August 2011 BAR, Editor Hershel Shanks explains that in the highest, most sophisticated levels of professional Biblical archaeology, there is a certain prejudice against the Bible. Wednesday, June 22, 2011 http://www.bib-arch.org/bar/article.asp?PubID=BSBA&Volume=37&Issue=4&ArticleID=17In the July/August 2011 BAR, Leonard J. Greenspoon discusses popular allusions to the Biblical story of Jesus turning water into wine at a wedding celebration in Cana. Wednesday, June 22, 2011 http://www.bib-arch.org/reviews/review-excavating-the-city-of-david.aspJane Cahill West reviews Excavating the City of David: Where Jerusalem’s History Began by Ronny Reich. Wednesday, June 22, 2011 http://www.bib-arch.org/reviews/review-in-the-valley-of-the-shadow.aspWilliam W. Hallo reviews In the Valley of the Shadow: On the Foundations of Religious Belief by James Kugel. Wednesday, June 22, 2011