Rami Arav

Dr. Rami Arav is a professor in the Department of Philosophy and Religion as well as the Department of History at the University of Nebraska, Omaha. He holds B.A. and M.A. degrees from Tel Aviv University and a Ph.D. from New York University in Near Eastern Languages and Literature. Since 1987, Dr. Arav has directed excavations in the Biblical city of Bethsaida—he is also the director of the Consortium of the Bethsaida Excavations Project headed at UNO, as well as the director of the John and Carol Merrill expedition to the Cave of Letters. Professor Arav has published extensively in both scientific and popular literature, on the archaeology and history of the Land of Israel and of Bethsaida in particular. His latest books are Bethsaida, a City by the Northern Shores of the Sea of Galilee, Volumes 1, 2, 3 and 4 in a series of 5 books (vol 1-3 co-authored and co-edited with Dr. Richard Freund, Harry Truman University Press, Missouri); Jesus and His World: Archaeological and Cultural Dictionary, co-authored with John Rousseau (Fortress Press, 1995) and Cities Through the Looking Glass (Eisenbrauns, 2007).

Presenter at

Bible & Archaeology Fest XV, November 16-18, 2012
Nihil Humani a Me Alienem Puto - “Nothing Human is Strange to Me”: The Peculiar Disposal of the Dead at the Dawn of Civilization
The dawn of history the Chalcolithic period is one of the most fascinating periods of time in human past. Society and religions made impressive strides in development although much of it is still a mystery. Some of the religious practices, like round structures for memorial and funerary purposes, are among the features of this society that are still with us today. Nevertheless, some of the funerary practices would seem rather odd - if not eerie - to a modern society. For example, the practice of excarnation, in which vultures consumed the flesh of the deceased, was quite popular in this period of time but was not fully observed and understood until very recently. This practice, known also as a “sky burial,” is still done by the Zoroastrians in India, some remote tribes in Tibet and until lately by the Naskapi tribe at Labrador Canada. This presentation will examine the material culture of this period and attempt to connect the aspects of funerary rituals and practices of excarnation. This presentation will attempt to relate sites such as Gobekli Tepe in Turkey, Stonehenge in England and other sites in the Levant through the funerary rites practiced at these places in ancient times.

Bible & Archaeology Fest XIV, November 18-20, 2011
Twenty Five Years of Excavations at Bethsaida: How Bethsaida has Helped Shape Biblical Research
This past season marked the 25th year of excavations at Bethsaida, an ancient town on the northern shore of the Sea of Galilee that is the third most frequently mentioned in the New Testament. Over the years, the discoveries made at Bethsaida have helped to inform our modern understanding of Jesus’s world, as well as shape our approach to the study of the Bible and Biblical archaeology. In this presentation, Dr. Rami Arav, the director of excavations at Bethsaida for the past 25 years, guides us through some of Bethsaida’s most revelatory discoveries and how they have influenced our perception of the Biblical world.

RECIPIENT'S NAME
ADDRESS 1
ADDRESS 2
CITY
STATE	ZIP
E-MAIL

Biblical Archaeology Review

Rami Arav

Presenter at

Selected Articles by Rami Arav

Selected Books by Rami Arav

BRAND NEW

MOST POPULAR

FREE BIBLE AND ARCHAEOLOGY ARTICLES

SCHOLAR’S STUDY

FREE eBooks on Bible Travel Destinations

INFORMATION

PUBLICATIONS

BIBLICAL ARCHAEOLOGY SOCIETY NETWORK LINKS