Visit PaleoJudaica daily for the latest news on ancient Judaism and the biblical world.
Monday, June 29, 2020
Is Sukenik’s Isaiah Scroll really provenanced?
VARIANT READINGS: Qumran Cave 1 Questions, Part 4: Sukenik’s Isaiah Scroll. Brent Nongbri calls into question the physical evidence that 4QIsab came from Cave 1. That doesn't mean it didn't come from Cave 1. But it may mean that there is no controlled archaeological confirmation of its provenance.
The DSS and new technologies
TECHNOLOGY WATCH: How New Technologies Are Unraveling the Dead Sea Scrolls’ Secrets (VIDEO). DNA analysis, artificial intelligence and particle accelerators shed light on ancient artifacts (Maya Margit, The Media Line).
For PaleoJudaica posts on the use of some new technologies on the Dead Sea Scrolls etc., see here, here, here, here, here, here, and here, and follow the links.
For PaleoJudaica posts on the use of some new technologies on the Dead Sea Scrolls etc., see here, here, here, here, here, here, and here, and follow the links.
Visit PaleoJudaica daily for the latest news on ancient Judaism and the biblical world.
Sunday, June 28, 2020
James (Jimmy) Dunn, 1939-2020
SAD NEWS FROM THE RELIGION PROF: RIP Jimmy Dunn (James D. G. Dunn). Many tributes are pouring in for renowned New Testament scholar James Dunn, who passed away on Friday at the age of 80. I link to a memorial by James McGrath, who got his PhD under Jimmy's supervision. Professor McGrath links to other tributes.
James Douglas Grant Dunn was for a long time Lightfoot Professor of Divinity at the University of Durham. His Wikipedia page is here.
Requiescat in pace.
James Douglas Grant Dunn was for a long time Lightfoot Professor of Divinity at the University of Durham. His Wikipedia page is here.
Requiescat in pace.
Visit PaleoJudaica daily for the latest news on ancient Judaism and the biblical world.
Interview with Peter Gentry on Origen and the Hexapla
THE ETC BLOG: Origen and the Hexapla: the Text & Canon Institute Interviews Dr. Peter Gentry (John Meade). For another recent interview with Dr. Gentry on his new translation of the Septuagint of Ecclesiastes, see here.
Visit PaleoJudaica daily for the latest news on ancient Judaism and the biblical world.
Viswanath on Black People in Jewish Tradition
PROF. MEYLEKH (PV) VISWANATH: Black People in Jewish Tradition: Eliminating Racism Requires Honesty (TheTorah.com).
Visit PaleoJudaica daily for the latest news on ancient Judaism and the biblical world.
Marx, Jalkut Schimoni zum Zwölfprophetenbuch
NEW BOOK FROM DE GRUYTER:
Jalkut Schimoni zum ZwölfprophetenbuchThe electronic version of this book is currently open access – available for free. I'm not sure, but that may only last until the end of this month. But for now, for you, special deal!
Yalkut Shimoni on the Twelve Minor Prophets: Translation and Commentary
Übersetzung und Kommentar
in Jalkut Schimoni
Edited by: Farina Marx
De Gruyter | 2020
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1515/9783110675382
£109.00 Hardcover
FORMATS
Hardcover
ISBN: 978-3-11-067438-5
Published: 08 Jun 2020
ISBN: 978-3-11-067538-2
Published: 08 Jun 2020
EPUB
ISBN: 978-3-11-067540-5
Published: 08 Jun 2020
OVERVIEW
The Yalkut Shimoni is collection of rabbinical commentaries on the Hebrew bible. Research has not yet explained all of the criteria for selecting these commentaries or clarified whether the work was conceived as a comprehensive reference work for exegetic issues, to be combined with the biblical commentary in the Talmud and Midrash, or to reform rabbinical interpretative tradition. This translation is a first step toward resolving these issues.
Visit PaleoJudaica daily for the latest news on ancient Judaism and the biblical world.
Saturday, June 27, 2020
The daric
NUMISMATICS: The Daric: Persian Gold – CoinWeek Ancient Coin Series (Mike Markowitz).
As the article notes, the daric is mentioned in the Bible. The list of references is not quite complete. It should read Nehemiah 7:70, 71, 72.
As the article notes, the daric is mentioned in the Bible. The list of references is not quite complete. It should read Nehemiah 7:70, 71, 72.
Visit PaleoJudaica daily for the latest news on ancient Judaism and the biblical world.
Ben Zvi, Social Memory among the Literati of Yehud
NEW BOOK FROM DE GRUYTER:
Ehud Ben ZviI missed this one last year, so here it is now.
Social Memory among the Literati of Yehud
Series: Beihefte zur Zeitschrift für die alttestamentliche Wissenschaft, 509
De Gruyter | 2019
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1515/9783110547146
From £118.00
FORMATS
Hardcover
ISBN: 978-3-11-054638-5
Published: 22 Jul 2019
ISBN: 978-3-11-054714-6
Published: 22 Jul 2019
EPUB
ISBN: 978-3-11-054651-4
Published: 22 Jul 2019
OVERVIEW
Ehud Ben Zvi has been at the forefront of exploring how the study of social memory contributes to our understanding of the intellectual worldof the literati of the early Second Temple period and their textual repertoire. Many of his studies on the matter and several new relevant works are here collected together providing a very useful resource for furthering research and teaching in this area.
The essays included here address, inter alia, prophets as sites of memory, kings as sites memory, Jerusalem as a site of memory, a mnemonic system shaped by two interacting ‘national’ histories, matters of identity and othering as framed and explored via memories, mnemonic metanarratives making sense of the past and serving various didactic purposes and their problems, memories of past and futures events shared by the literati, issues of gender constructions and memory, memories understood by the group as ‘counterfactual’ and their importance, and, in multiple ways, how and why shared memories served as a (safe) playground for exploring multiple, central ideological issues within the group and of generative grammars governing systemic preferences and dis-preferences for particular memories.
Visit PaleoJudaica daily for the latest news on ancient Judaism and the biblical world.
Dusinberre et al. (eds.), The Art of Empire in Achaemenid Persia
BIBLIOGRAPHIA IRANICA: The Art of Empire in Achaemenid Persia. Notice of a New Book: Dusinberre Elspeth R.M., Mark B. Garrison & Wouter F.M. Henkelman (eds.). 2020. The Art of Empire in Achaemenid Persia: Studies in Honour of Margaret Cool Root (Achaemenid History 16). Leiden: Nederlands Instituut voor het Nabije Oosten & Leuven: Peeters.
The volume includes many articles on the Achaemenid ceremonial capital Persepolis. For many PaleoJudaica posts on Persepolis, start here (cf. here) and follow the links.
The volume includes many articles on the Achaemenid ceremonial capital Persepolis. For many PaleoJudaica posts on Persepolis, start here (cf. here) and follow the links.
Visit PaleoJudaica daily for the latest news on ancient Judaism and the biblical world.
Altmann et al. (eds.), Food Taboos and Biblical Prohibitions
NEW BOOK FROM MOHR SIEBECK: Food Taboos and Biblical Prohibitions. Reassessing Archaeological and Literary Perspectives. Edited by Peter Altmann, Anna Angelini, and Abra Spiciarich. 2020. VI, 158 pages. Archaeology and Bible 2. 54,00 € including VAT. sewn paper ISBN 978-3-16-159355-0.
Published in English.
This volume presents contributions from “The Larger Context of the Biblical Food Prohibitions: Comparative and Interdisciplinary Approaches” conference held in Lausanne in June, 2017. The biblical food prohibitions constitute an excellent object for comparative and interdisciplinary approaches given their materiality, their nature as comparative objects between cultures, and their nature as an anthropological object. This volume articulates these three aspects within an integrated and dynamic perspective, bringing together contributions from Levantine archaeology, ancient Near Eastern studies, and anthropological and textual perspectives to form a new, multi-disciplinary foundation for interpretation.
Visit PaleoJudaica daily for the latest news on ancient Judaism and the biblical world.
Friday, June 26, 2020
Was Genesis-2 Kings written in the Hellenistic period?
THE BIBLE AND INTEPRETATION:
Greek Literature and the Primary History
In recent years, however, a number of scholars have dated the biblical books in the Primary History (Genesis through 2 Kings) very late. Thus, they have raised the possibility that the authors of these books might have been very familiar with Classical Greek texts down to 300 BCE and Hellenistic Greek texts after 300 BCE, and perhaps they even used some Greek texts to craft plot-line and imagery in the books of the Primary History.
See Also: Hellenism and the Primary History. September, 2020 Forthcoming by Routledge.
By Robert Karl Gnuse
Chair of the Department of Religious Studies
Loyola University New Orleans
June 2020
Visit PaleoJudaica daily for the latest news on ancient Judaism and the biblical world.
Wickes, Bible and Poetry in Late Antique Mesopotamia
NEW BOOK FROM UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA PRESS:
Jeffrey WickesThis volume was published in 2019, but it just came to my attention. Cross-file under Syriac Watch.
Bible and Poetry in Late Antique Mesopotamia
Ephrem's Hymns on Faith
Series: Christianity in Late Antiquity, 5
University of California Press | 2019
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1525/9780520972599
£113.00 PDF
FORMATS
ISBN: 978-0-520-97259-9
Published: 17 Sep 2019
OVERVIEW
Ephrem the Syrian was one of the founding voices in Syriac literature. While he wrote in a variety of genres, the bulk of his work took the form of madrashe, a Syriac genre of musical poetry or hymns. In Bible and Poetry in Late Antique Mesopotamia, Jeffrey Wickes offers a thoroughly contextualized study of Ephrem’s magnum opus, the Hymns on Faith, delivered in response to the theological controversies that followed the First Council of Nicaea. The ensuing doctrinal divisions had tremendous impact on the course of Christianity and led in part to the development of a uniquely Syriac Church, in which Ephrem would become a central figure. Drawing on literary, ritual, and performance theories, Bible and Poetry shows how Ephrem used the Syriac Bible to construct and conceive of himself and his audience. In so doing, Wickes resituates Ephrem in a broader early Christian context and contributes to discussions of literature and religion in late antiquity.
Visit PaleoJudaica daily for the latest news on ancient Judaism and the biblical world.
Gottlieb, Targum Chronicles and Its Place Among the Late Targums
NEW BOOK FROM BRILL:
Targum Chronicles and Its Place Among the Late TargumsCross-file under Aramaic Watch.
Series: Supplement to Aramaic Studies, Volume: 16
Author: Leeor Gottlieb
Targum Chronicles and Its Place Among the Late Targums heralds a paradigm shift in the understanding of many of the Jewish-Aramaic translations of individual biblical books and their origins. Leeor Gottlieb provides the most extensive study of Targum Chronicles to date, leading to conclusions that challenge long-accepted truisms with regard to the origin of Targums. This book’s trail of evidence convincingly points to the composition of Targums in a time and place that was heretofore not expected to be the provenance of these Aramaic gems of biblical interpretation. This study also offers detailed comparisons to other Targums and fascinating new explanations for dozens of aggadic expansions in Targum Chronicles, tying them to their rabbinic sources.
Prices from (excl. VAT): €192.00 / $231.00
E-Book (PDF)
Availability: Not Yet Published
ISBN: 978-90-04-41763-2
Publication Date: 04 Jun 2020
Hardback
Availability: Published
ISBN: 978-90-04-41697-0
Publication Date: 04 Jun 2020
Visit PaleoJudaica daily for the latest news on ancient Judaism and the biblical world.
Godfearers in Aphrodisias
THE HOLY LAND PHOTOS' BLOG: Jews, Proselytes, and God-Fearers at Aphrodisias (Carl Rasmussen). This is quite an interesting inscription. The relationship of its "godfearers" to the "godfearers" in Acts is unclear.
As usual, Carl provides some nice photos. He has other posts on Aphrodisias, an ancient city in Asia Minor (Turkey), here and here.
As usual, Carl provides some nice photos. He has other posts on Aphrodisias, an ancient city in Asia Minor (Turkey), here and here.
Visit PaleoJudaica daily for the latest news on ancient Judaism and the biblical world.
Thursday, June 25, 2020
The Aramaic origins of the postal service
ARAMAIC WATCH: The Surprising Origins of the Postal Service. An ancient Persian institution served as the model and inspiration for the United States Postal Service and other such delivery services (Joobin Bekhrad, BBC).
According to Dr Lindsay Allen, a lecturer in ancient history at King’s College London, the Persian postal system was also impressive for its use of a standardised language across such a vast expanse, as well as its consistency in terms of message delivery and format. Although Old Persian was the Persians’ native tongue, the linguistically unrelated Aramaic was the administrative language of the empire and thus used in composing messages throughout it, much in the same way that English and Latin-alphabet transliterations are usually used on envelopes and parcels worldwide today.This is a long article on how the ancient Achaemenid Persian empire developed a postal service that covered the whole empire. It served as the template for subsequent postal services, including the modern ones.
“For long distances we’re looking at Aramaic on ink on prepared animal skin, folded up and sealed,” Allen said. “This was the first time that consistently formatted letters, folded and sealed, were used. Unfortunately, we have only a few surviving parchment letters written in Aramaic… [but] even these suggest there was shared administrative practice between letters sent to Egypt and those sent by a local governor in Bactria.”
Visit PaleoJudaica daily for the latest news on ancient Judaism and the biblical world.
More on names in the Bible and in inscriptions
BIBLE HISTORY DAILY: Personal Names and Biblical Historicity. How do ancient Israelite and Judahite personal names—collected from archaeological materials—contribute to the study of the Bible’s historicity? (Megan Sauter).
I have noted Dr. Mitka R. Golub's recent work on the onomastic history of biblical and epigraphic names here and here. In the former post I noted her BAR article on her research. This BHD post summarizes it.
I have noted Dr. Mitka R. Golub's recent work on the onomastic history of biblical and epigraphic names here and here. In the former post I noted her BAR article on her research. This BHD post summarizes it.
Visit PaleoJudaica daily for the latest news on ancient Judaism and the biblical world.
Online lectures on ANE languages in contact
THE AWOL BLOG: Ancient Near Eastern Languages in Contact –eLecture Series. These lectures take place in July and August. several of them are of interest for the study of ancient Judaism
Visit PaleoJudaica daily for the latest news on ancient Judaism and the biblical world.
The second angel
READING ACTS: The Message of the Second Angel – Revelation 14:8. Phil Long continues his blog series on the Book of Revelation, concentrating on the seven sights of chapters 12-15. We are on the fifth sight: the three angels and their messages.
As I have noted here, the identification of Rome with the Babylonians in Jewish literature goes back to the pre-Christian period. We find it in the Habakkuk Pesher among the Dead Sea Scrolls.
I have noted earlier posts in Phil's Revelation series here and links.
As I have noted here, the identification of Rome with the Babylonians in Jewish literature goes back to the pre-Christian period. We find it in the Habakkuk Pesher among the Dead Sea Scrolls.
I have noted earlier posts in Phil's Revelation series here and links.
Visit PaleoJudaica daily for the latest news on ancient Judaism and the biblical world.
Wednesday, June 24, 2020
Supervision of specific West Bank archaeological sites
ARCHAEOLOGY AND POLITICS, CONTINUED: What happens to West Bank archaeological sites under Trump’s plan? Here are some of the archaeological sites located in the West Bank (Jerusalem Post). Rossella Tercatin follows up her earlier articles, noted here. This one gives some information on the plans for specific sites, including Qumran, Shiloh, and Herodium.
Visit PaleoJudaica daily for the latest news on ancient Judaism and the biblical world.
Gardner, The Founder of Manichaeism
BILIOGRAPHIA IRANICA: Rethinking the Life of Mani. Notice of a New Book: Gardner, Iain. 2020. The Founder of Manichaeism: Rethinking the Life of Mani. New York: Cambridge University Press.
Some past PaleoJudaica posts on Mani are here and links, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, and here.
Cross-file under Manichean Watch (Manichaean Watch).
Some past PaleoJudaica posts on Mani are here and links, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, and here.
Cross-file under Manichean Watch (Manichaean Watch).
Visit PaleoJudaica daily for the latest news on ancient Judaism and the biblical world.
Angel or eagle?
READING ACTS: The Message of the First Angel – Revelation 14:6-7. Phil Long continues his blog series on the Book of Revelation, concentrating on the seven sights of chapters 12-15. We move to the fifth sight, the three angels and their messages.
I have noted earlier posts in Phil's Revelation series here and links.
I have noted earlier posts in Phil's Revelation series here and links.
Visit PaleoJudaica daily for the latest news on ancient Judaism and the biblical world.
Anderson (ed.), From Scrolls to Scrolling
NEW BOOK FROM DE GRUYTER:
From Scrolls to ScrollingThe electronic version is (at least currently) Open Access.
Sacred Texts, Materiality, and Dynamic Media Cultures
Series: Judaism, Christianity, and Islam – Tension, Transmission, Transformation, 12
Edited by: Bradford A. Anderson
De Gruyter | 2020
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1515/9783110634440
Visit PaleoJudaica daily for the latest news on ancient Judaism and the biblical world.
Tuesday, June 23, 2020
Jan Joosten convicted for possession of child abuse media
THIS IS HORRIFIC: Oxford professor sentenced to jail in France over child abuse images. Former pastor Jan Joosten receives year’s sentence for downloading 28,000 images and videos (Archie Bland and Jon Henley, The Guardian).
Jan Joosten is Regius Professor of Hebrew at Oxford University, one of the most prestigious chairs in the field internationally. Oxford has suspended him from his academic post, "pending further action." A statement from Christ Church College, Oxford, is here.
It is difficult to express how horrifying this story is. Appalling and disgraceful. The entire field of biblical studies is reeling from it. My heart goes out to the victims.
UPDATE (5 July): As of 3 July he is no longer affiliated with Oxford University in any way.
Jan Joosten is Regius Professor of Hebrew at Oxford University, one of the most prestigious chairs in the field internationally. Oxford has suspended him from his academic post, "pending further action." A statement from Christ Church College, Oxford, is here.
It is difficult to express how horrifying this story is. Appalling and disgraceful. The entire field of biblical studies is reeling from it. My heart goes out to the victims.
UPDATE (5 July): As of 3 July he is no longer affiliated with Oxford University in any way.
Visit PaleoJudaica daily for the latest news on ancient Judaism and the biblical world.
The Sifting Project's methodology
THE TEMPLE MOUNT SIFTING PROJECT BLOG: Our Excavation and Research Methodology. I have just noticed this informative post. It is undated, but I have not linked to it before.
It explains the wet-sifting process used by the project. It also covers the innovative strategies the project uses to study artifacts recovered outside of a stratigraphic archaeological context. Well worth reading.
For many, many PaleoJudaica posts on the Temple Mount Sifting Project, start here and follow the links.
It explains the wet-sifting process used by the project. It also covers the innovative strategies the project uses to study artifacts recovered outside of a stratigraphic archaeological context. Well worth reading.
For many, many PaleoJudaica posts on the Temple Mount Sifting Project, start here and follow the links.
Visit PaleoJudaica daily for the latest news on ancient Judaism and the biblical world.
AJR reviews catalogue for "The World Between Empires" Exhibition
ANCIENT JEW REVIEW: Book Note | The World Between Empires: Art and Identity in the Ancient Middle East (Alex Istok).
Blair Fowlkes-Childs and Michael Seymour. The World Between Empires: Art and Identity in the Ancient Middle East. New York: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, 2019.PaleoJudaica posts on this exhibition are here and here.
This catalogue was published in conjunction with “The World between empires: Art and Identity in the Ancient Middle East,” on view at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, from March through June 2019.
Visit PaleoJudaica daily for the latest news on ancient Judaism and the biblical world.
Michigan collection of Coptic manuscripts
THE AWOL BLOG: Written Culture of Christian Egypt: Coptic Manuscripts from the University of Michigan Collection. Cross-file under Coptic Watch.
Visit PaleoJudaica daily for the latest news on ancient Judaism and the biblical world.
Monday, June 22, 2020
McGrath on "The Shared Origins of Monotheism"
RELIGION PROF: The Shared Origins of Monotheism, Evil, and Gnosticism (Enoch Seminar 2020 Presentation). James McGrath shares his pre-recorded presentation for the upcoming online Enoch Seminar on Concepts of Evil in Second Temple Judaism and Christian Origins. The Seminar begins a week from today. I am a respondent in one of the sessions.
Background here and links.
Background here and links.
Visit PaleoJudaica daily for the latest news on ancient Judaism and the biblical world.
Supervision of archaeological sites on the West Bank
ARCHAEOLOGY AND POLITICS: In the Jerusalem Post, Rossella Tercatin has a couple of articles on the shifting political situation of archaeological sites on the West Bank:
Who is in charge of biblical sites in the West Bank? - Explainer. From the legal point of view, several stratifications of national and international law have been applied or partially applied to the matter since 1967.
Trump peace plan puts hundreds of biblical sites under Palestinian rule. There are about 6,000 sites of historical and archaeological importance in the parts of Area C that are supposed to transfer to the Palestinians on July 1.
Who is in charge of biblical sites in the West Bank? - Explainer. From the legal point of view, several stratifications of national and international law have been applied or partially applied to the matter since 1967.
Trump peace plan puts hundreds of biblical sites under Palestinian rule. There are about 6,000 sites of historical and archaeological importance in the parts of Area C that are supposed to transfer to the Palestinians on July 1.
Visit PaleoJudaica daily for the latest news on ancient Judaism and the biblical world.
Was Jesus middle class?
THE BIBLE AND INTERPRETATION:
Middle Groups in Jewish Roman Galilee and Jesus and his Disciples’ Social Location: New InsightsI noted the publication of the book a couple of days ago.
Like many revolutionaries, Jesus saw the attachment of the upper-middle class to money as responsible for their passiveness in spiritual commitment. Jesus’ philosophy developed from the perspective of the middle class, not from that of the poor. He was able to attract followers because he came from a solid background. “The poor man’s wisdom is despised, and his words are not heard” (Eccl. 9:16, ASV). Had Jesus come from a poor background, it would have been difficult for him to become a leader.
See Also: Social Stratification of the Jewish Population of Roman Palestine in the Period of the Mishnah, 70-250 CE (Brill, 2020).
By Ben-Zion Rosenfeld
Department of Jewish History
Bar-Ilan University
By Haim Perlmutter
Jewish Studies
Bar Ilan University
June 2020
Visit PaleoJudaica daily for the latest news on ancient Judaism and the biblical world.
The Hanging Gardens of ... Nineveh?
BIBLE HISTORY DAILY: Hanging Gardens of Babylon … in Assyrian Nineveh. Sennacherib’s garden without a rival (Noah Wiener).
The Hanging Gardens of Babylon are one of the Seven Wonders of the World. But the archaeological excavation of ancient Babylon failed to find any trace of them. They would be hard to miss!
Instead, it seems that the Hanging Gardens of Babylon are a prominent feature of what I like to call Greek Fantasy Babylon, the legendary and often imaginary version of Babylon transmitted by Greek writers. Berossus mentions the Hanging Gardens, as does Ctesias before him and various Greek and Latin writers after them. But they didn't exist. At least in Babylon.
As this BHD essay indicates, Stephanie Dalley has argued that the Hanging Gardens known by the Greek writers were in Nineveh, the capital city of ancient Assyria, not Babylon. Evidently the Greek writers got their ancient Mesopotamian capitals mixed up. For more on her case, see here.
For some past posts touching on Greek Fantasy Babylon, see here, here, here, here, here, here, and here.
The Hanging Gardens of Babylon are one of the Seven Wonders of the World. But the archaeological excavation of ancient Babylon failed to find any trace of them. They would be hard to miss!
Instead, it seems that the Hanging Gardens of Babylon are a prominent feature of what I like to call Greek Fantasy Babylon, the legendary and often imaginary version of Babylon transmitted by Greek writers. Berossus mentions the Hanging Gardens, as does Ctesias before him and various Greek and Latin writers after them. But they didn't exist. At least in Babylon.
As this BHD essay indicates, Stephanie Dalley has argued that the Hanging Gardens known by the Greek writers were in Nineveh, the capital city of ancient Assyria, not Babylon. Evidently the Greek writers got their ancient Mesopotamian capitals mixed up. For more on her case, see here.
For some past posts touching on Greek Fantasy Babylon, see here, here, here, here, here, here, and here.
Visit PaleoJudaica daily for the latest news on ancient Judaism and the biblical world.
Sunday, June 21, 2020
Late-antique Christian town excavated in Galilee
EXCAVATION REPORT: Archaeologists unearth Galilee Christian town sacked by Persians in 7th century. Remains of affluent, rural community discovered at Pi Mazuva in 2007 include crosses, pagan-inspired mosaic; new publication illuminates the Christians who lived there (Luke Tress, Times of Israel).
The analysis of the remains of Pi Mazuva (Pi Metzuba) was published this month in the Hebrew-language journal Atiqot. You can download a pdf of the the article for free here.
The analysis of the remains of Pi Mazuva (Pi Metzuba) was published this month in the Hebrew-language journal Atiqot. You can download a pdf of the the article for free here.
Dwellings from the Byzantine Period at Pi Maẓuva in the Western Galilee (with a contribution by Danny Syon) (Hebrew, pp. 31*–39*; English summary, pp. 182–183)
Gilad Cinamon and Yoav Lerer
Keywords: Western Galilee, rural settlement, ṭabun, numismatics, cross, Christianity, ethnicity, villa, art, iconography, epigraphy, nomismata weight
The excavation at Pi Maẓuva revealed building complexes, some separated by an alley, dating from the Byzantine period. The finds at the site included a bronze cross, an ashlar limestone lintel with a cross engraving, and pottery dated to the sixth–seventh centuries CE, which comprised local types, alongside many imported ones, some adorned with crosses. An interesting find is a high-quality, colorful, seventh-century CE mosaic floor adorned with floral motifs, animal and human figures, and two fragmentary Greek inscriptions. The finds at the site point to the existence of a rural Christian settlement, probably destroyed during the Persian conquest of the region in 613 CE.
Visit PaleoJudaica daily for the latest news on ancient Judaism and the biblical world.
Birds in ancient Jerusalem
OSTEOLOGICAL ORNITHOLOGY: Bird study backs Bible: Pigeons, doves sacrificed in ancient Jerusalem. From the story of Noah and the dove in the Book of Genesis to the issues of ritual sacrifices and dietary restrictions, birds play a very important role in the biblical text (Rossella Tercatin, Jerusalem Post). It looks as though people ate chickens, but sacrificed pigeons and doves.
This article is based on a technical article in BASOR 383 (May 2020 - current issue), pp. 61-78: “Birds in Transition: Bird Exploitation in the Southern Levant During the Late Bronze Age, Iron Age I, and Iron Age II,” by Abra Spiciarich. It is behind the subscription wall, but you can read the abstract here.
Some past PaleoJudaica posts on pigeons and doves in biblical etc. antiquity are here, here, here, here, and here. And for one on ancient chickens, see here.
This article is based on a technical article in BASOR 383 (May 2020 - current issue), pp. 61-78: “Birds in Transition: Bird Exploitation in the Southern Levant During the Late Bronze Age, Iron Age I, and Iron Age II,” by Abra Spiciarich. It is behind the subscription wall, but you can read the abstract here.
Some past PaleoJudaica posts on pigeons and doves in biblical etc. antiquity are here, here, here, here, and here. And for one on ancient chickens, see here.
Visit PaleoJudaica daily for the latest news on ancient Judaism and the biblical world.
Most iconic archaeological sites in Israel?
TRAVEL: The 10 most iconic archeological sites in Israel (Abigail Klein Leichman , Israel21c). One can always debate top-ten lists. But most people would agree that most of these sites belong on this list. All of them have featured in PaleoJudaica, most of them many times.
Visit PaleoJudaica daily for the latest news on ancient Judaism and the biblical world.
More on the 144,000
READING ACTS: The Firstfruits of the Lamb – Revelation 14:4-5. Phil Long continues his blog series on the Book of Revelation, concentrating on the seven sights of chapters 12-15. We are now on the fourth sight, the 144,000.
I have noted past posts in Phil's Revelation series here and links.
I have noted past posts in Phil's Revelation series here and links.
Visit PaleoJudaica daily for the latest news on ancient Judaism and the biblical world.
Saturday, June 20, 2020
British Museum guidebooks
THE BIBLE PLACES BLOG: Guidebooks for the British Museum (A.D. Riddle). A couple of them pertain specifically to the Bible.
Visit PaleoJudaica daily for the latest news on ancient Judaism and the biblical world.
Little, Israel's Eschatological Enemy
NEW BOOK FROM WIPF AND STOCK:
Israel's Eschatological Enemy
The Identity of the King of Babylon in Isaiah 14:4-21
BY Timothy Allen Little
Imprint: Wipf and Stock
Category: Biblical Studies
PAPERBACK
ISBN: 9781725256897
Pages: 200
Publication Date: 5/1/2020
Retail Price: $25.00
Web Price: $20.00
eBOOK
ISBN: 9781725256897
Format: epub
Publication Date: 5/1/2020
Retail Price: $25.00
Web Price: $20.00
About
Who is the king of Babylon in Isaiah 14? The early church sometimes identified him as Nebuchadnezzar, but most also saw a deeper meaning in Isa 14:12–14, believing this section referred to Satan. Many current scholars reject both views and offer a variety of alternatives. Little argues that “shining one” (Lucifer) in Isa 14:12 is the king of Babylon.
This book analyzes the mashal (proverb) genre and argues that the Isa 14 mashal must be a real person, not a symbolic, ideal, eclectic, or representative king. Scholars have presented nine historic kings as the king of Babylon. Little compiles a list of fifteen criteria from Isa 13–14, evaluates these nine kings, and demonstrates that no historic king comes close to fulfilling the fifteen criteria.
Instead, Little argues that the king of Babylon is Israel’s eschatological enemy. Through the use of catchwords and temporal particles, he first demonstrates that the oracle is a unit. Then he proves that this Babylonian judgment is eschatological. All foreign languages have been translated, allowing the student of prophecy and theology to benefit from this work. Those interested in the mashal genre, Hebrew poetry, and Isaianic exegesis will also find this book stimulating.
Visit PaleoJudaica daily for the latest news on ancient Judaism and the biblical world.
Rosenfeld & Perlmutter, Social Stratification of the Jewish Population of Roman Palestine ...
NEW BOOK FROM BRILL:
Social Stratification of the Jewish Population of Roman Palestine in the Period of the Mishnah, 70–250 CE
Series: The Brill Reference Library of Judaism, Volume: 59
Authors: Ben Zion Rosenfeld and Haim Perlmutter
This book analyzes Jewish society in Roman Palestine in the time of the Mishnah (70–250 CE) in a systematic way, carefully delineating the various economic groups living therein, from the destitute, to the poor, to the middling, to the rich, and to the superrich. It gleans the various socioeconomic strata from the terminology employed by contemporary literary sources via contextual, philological, and historical-critical analysis. It also takes a multidisciplinary approach to analyze and interpret relevant archeological and inscriptional evidence as well as numerous legal sources.
The research presented herein shows that various expressions in the sources have latent meanings that indicate socioeconomic status. “Rich,” for example, does not necessarily refer to the elite, and “poor” does not necessarily refer to the destitute. Jewish society consisted of groups on a continuum from extremely poor to extremely rich, and the various middling groups played a more important role in the economy than has hitherto been thought.
Prices from (excl. VAT): €154.00 / $185.00
E-Book (PDF)
Availability: Published
ISBN: 978-90-04-41893-6
Publication Date: 11 May 2020
Hardback
Availability: Published
ISBN: 978-90-04-42213-1
Publication Date: 23 May 2020
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Friday, June 19, 2020
On reopening the Israel Museum
CRISIS MODE: With coronavirus restrictions lifted, why is the Israel Museum closed? While some smaller museums have been able to reopen a few of their galleries, Jerusalem’s Israel Museum has remained closed to visitors (Hannah Brown, Jerusalem Post).
Given this uncertainty, a hasty reopening could do more harm than good.
“If we reopen and bring back all employees by July 1, we could have a 25 million shekel deficit by the end of December and an ongoing deficit for 2021 and 2022,” he said.
IF TOURISM continues to be affected by the virus restrictions in the coming year, “We could have a 44 million shekel deficit by the end of 2022. We need to have a sustainable financial plan for two years.”
Visit PaleoJudaica daily for the latest news on ancient Judaism and the biblical world.
Review of Maurice, Screening Divinity
BRYN MAYR CLASSICAL REVIEW: Screening divinity.
Lisa Maurice, Screening divinity. Screening Antiquity. Edinburgh: Edinburgh University Press, 2019. xi, 228 p.. ISBN 9781474425735 £75.00.Cross-file under Cinematography.
Review by
Meredith Prince, Auburn University. mdp0007@auburn.edu
[...]
Maurice makes an important contribution to classical reception studies, in particular the reception of antiquity in film and television, with her examination of the divine on screen, especially with her consideration of both mythological/fantasy and religious/biblical epic genres, their links with each other, and their overlapping as one. ...
Visit PaleoJudaica daily for the latest news on ancient Judaism and the biblical world.
Noonan, Non-Semitic Loanwords in the Hebrew Bible
THE ANCIENT NEAR EAST TODAY: Non-Semitic Loanwords in the Hebrew Bible: A Lexicon of Language Contact (Ben Noonan).
Cross-file under Lexicography and New Book.
Biblical Hebrew and Biblical Aramaic also contain words borrowed from different languages. Many of the Hebrew Bible’s loanwords are from other Semitic languages, such as Akkadian. However, a good number of the loanwords in the Hebrew Bible come from non-Semitic languages like Egyptian, Hittite, and Persian. These non-Semitic loanwords are the topic of my book, Non-Semitic Loanwords in the Hebrew Bible: A Lexicon of Language Contact.Published by Eisenbrauns.
Cross-file under Lexicography and New Book.
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Thursday, June 18, 2020
Two Arks or one?
DR. RABBI TZEMAH YOREH: The Two Arks: Military and Ritual (TheTorah.com).
Tradition and source criticism both see two ark traditions in the biblical text: The Ark of the Covenant and the Ark of the Testimony. The former accompanies Israelite troops into battle; it appears in Numbers 10 (וַיְהִי בִּנְסֹעַ הָאָרֹן) and in the stories of battles against the Philistines and Ammonites in Samuel. The latter remains in the Tabernacle, serving as a seat for YHWH’s glory and revelation.For many PaleoJudaica posts on the Ark of the Covenant, start here (cf. here) and follow the links.
Visit PaleoJudaica daily for the latest news on ancient Judaism and the biblical world.
Krispenz (ed.), Scribes as Sages and Prophets
NEW BOOK FROM DE GRUYTER:
Scribes as Sages and Prophets
Scribal Traditions in Biblical Wisdom Literature and in the Book of the Twelve
Series: Beihefte zur Zeitschrift für die alttestamentliche Wissenschaft, 496
Edited by: Jutta Krispenz
De Gruyter | 2020
OVERVIEW
Scholars of the Hebrew Bible used to look at „Prophecy" and „Wisdom" as clearly distinct realms represented by antagonistic and mutually exclusive roles of their central characters: the loyal sage, the pillar of administration, on the one side and the rebellious prophet, criticizing the establishment, on the other. While the influence of wisdom thought on prophetic texts has been a topic in the scholarly debate, the complementary question of the influence of prophetic thought on wisdom texts has rarely been asked.
The contributions in this volume look at both questions: They start from the assumption that texts from the Hebrew Bible and the cultures surrounding Ancient Israel all originated from a social stratum of educated scribes, who authored and transmitted these texts. It then seems plausible that wisdom texts might show similar traces of prophetic influence to those of wisdom thoughts found in prophetic texts. The essays give a multifaceted picture concerning the mutual perception of prophets and sages and thus provide a deeper understanding of both wisdom literature and prophecy.
Visit PaleoJudaica daily for the latest news on ancient Judaism and the biblical world.
Magness on Masada
PRINCETON UNIVERSITY PRESS: Masada: A heroic last stand against Rome (Jodi Magness).
With reference to Professor Magness's recent book, Masada: From Jewish Revolt to Modern Myth (Princeton University Press, 2019). For more on it, see here and links.
With reference to Professor Magness's recent book, Masada: From Jewish Revolt to Modern Myth (Princeton University Press, 2019). For more on it, see here and links.
Visit PaleoJudaica daily for the latest news on ancient Judaism and the biblical world.
The Lamb and the 144,000
READING ACTS: The Lamb and the 144,000 – Revelation 14:1-5. Phil Long continues his blog series on the Book of Revelation, concentrating on the seven sights of chapters 12-15. We move here to the fourth sight.
I have noted earlier posts in Phil's series on the Book of Revelation here and links.
I have noted earlier posts in Phil's series on the Book of Revelation here and links.
Visit PaleoJudaica daily for the latest news on ancient Judaism and the biblical world.
Wednesday, June 17, 2020
Tomb of the Kings/Queen Helena reopens partially
THE HOLY LAND PHOTOS' BLOG: Tomb of Queen Helena of Adiabene — Now Open . . . but (Carl Rasmussen). As usual, with excellent photos (in this case from the 1970s, since the interior of the tomb is not yet open).
For past PaleoJudaica posts on the Tomb of the Kings/Tomb of Queen Helena of Adiabene and on the queen herself and her kingdom, start here and follow the links. As you can see at the link, the site has been "reopening" for some time.
For past PaleoJudaica posts on the Tomb of the Kings/Tomb of Queen Helena of Adiabene and on the queen herself and her kingdom, start here and follow the links. As you can see at the link, the site has been "reopening" for some time.
Visit PaleoJudaica daily for the latest news on ancient Judaism and the biblical world.
The Jerusalem Pilgrimage Road excavation was suspended
STABILITY CONCERNS: Archaeologists briefly pause Jerusalem dig in fear of damage to ancient road. Israel Antiquities Authority reportedly halts excavations at controversial site in Arab neighborhood of Silwan, where residents have previously reported structural damage to houses (Times of Israel).
For more on the Pilgrimage Road/Pilgrims' Path excavation, see here, here, here, here, and links.
For background on Elad and Emek Shaveh, see here and links.
For more on the Pilgrimage Road/Pilgrims' Path excavation, see here, here, here, here, and links.
For background on Elad and Emek Shaveh, see here and links.
Visit PaleoJudaica daily for the latest news on ancient Judaism and the biblical world.
More on Falerii Novi
TECHNOLOGY WATCH: Hidden temple in a buried Roman city discovered by ground-penetrating radar. No excavation required (Mindy Weisberger, Live Science). This article gives more details about the GPR exploration of the ancient Roman city of Falerii Novi. Excerpt:
Background here and links. I repeat: non-invasive and non-destructive technologies are the future of archaeology.
For the new study, the researchers deployed a grid of ground-penetrating radar antennae, fixed to a cart and towed over the site by an all-terrain vehicle. They bombarded the site with radio wave pulses, taking measurements every 2 inches (6 cm) and reflecting off objects underground to a depth of 6.5 feet (2 meters), according to the study. This showed Falerii Novi's buried structures in high resolution and in three dimensions.The project also learned more about the underground plumbing of the city.
Each scan provided a "slice" that the researchers then stitched together to create the map. Thanks to the new data, a much sharper picture of the long-hidden city emerged. The exceptional resolution enabled the study authors to perform detailed architectural analysis that would otherwise have been possible only through excavation. One structure, to the west of the city's southern gate, was clearly a temple; "you can see steps leading up to it, the columnated courtyard around it and the altar," [Professor Martin] Millett said.
Background here and links. I repeat: non-invasive and non-destructive technologies are the future of archaeology.
Visit PaleoJudaica daily for the latest news on ancient Judaism and the biblical world.
Orlov, Old Testament Pseudepigrapha in Slavonic Tradition (Russian)
NEW BOOK: Professor Andrei Orlov e-mails to let us know about his newest book:
Andrei A. Orlov, Old Testament Pseudepigrapha in Slavonic Tradition (Moscow: Institute of St. Thomas, 2020), [in Russian], ISBN 978-5-6042300-8-4.The volume is in Russian, but its bibliography and rubrics are in English.
Visit PaleoJudaica daily for the latest news on ancient Judaism and the biblical world.
Tuesday, June 16, 2020
Review of Religious Studies and Rabbinics (ed. Shanks Alexander and Berkowitz)
ANCIENT JEW REVIEW: Religious Studies and Rabbinics (Mika Ahuvia).
Elizabeth Shanks Alexander and Beth A. Berkowitz.
Religious Studies and Rabbinics: A Conversation. Routledge, 2018.
... The volume makes the benefits of rabbinics for religious studies evident: rabbinics undermines the Protestant Christian-oriented category of religion, destabilizes universal ideals by upholding the value of the particular and local, and finally offers reading practices that are productive beyond the rabbinic corpora. ...
Visit PaleoJudaica daily for the latest news on ancient Judaism and the biblical world.
Zohar Siyyum
ZOHAR WATCH: Judy Barrett e-mails:
For many other posts on the Zohar, start here and follow the links.
On Monday, June 22 a 5 ½ year project of reading the Pritzker translation of the Zohar will complete its first cycle. A Siyyum will be held via Zoom on Sunday June 21 at 3-4pm ET. All are welcome. Speakers will be: Judy Barrett, Joel Hecker, Arthur Green, Elie Spitz and Daniel Matt.Past posts on the Daf Yomi Zohar study group are here and here.
Topic: Zohar Siyyum
Time: Jun 21, 2020 03:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
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Meeting ID: 899 5533 5765
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For many other posts on the Zohar, start here and follow the links.
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Reviews of Edmonds, Drawing Down the Moon
BRYN MAYR CLASSICAL REVIEW has published two reviews of this book:
Drawing down the moon: magic in the ancient Greco-Roman world
Radcliffe G. Edmonds III, Drawing down the moon: magic in the ancient Greco-Roman world. Princeton: Princeton University Press, 2019. xiii, 474 p. ISBN 9780691156934 $45.00.
Review by
Jack Lennon, School of Archaeology and Ancient History, University of Leicester. jjpl1@le.ac.uk
Radcliffe G. Edmonds III, Drawing down the moon: magic in the ancient Greco-Roman world. Princeton: Princeton University Press, 2019. xiii, 474 p. ISBN 9780691156934 $45.00.
Review by
Thomas Galoppin, (MAP - 741182)—PLH-ERASME (EA 4601)—Université Toulouse 2 Jean Jaurès. thomas.galoppin@univ-tlse2.fr
Drawing down the moon: magic in the ancient Greco-Roman world
Radcliffe G. Edmonds III, Drawing down the moon: magic in the ancient Greco-Roman world. Princeton: Princeton University Press, 2019. xiii, 474 p. ISBN 9780691156934 $45.00.
Review by
Jack Lennon, School of Archaeology and Ancient History, University of Leicester. jjpl1@le.ac.uk
In Drawing Down the Moon, Edmonds has produced an extensive, engaging and, crucially, accessible overview which is likely to establish itself quickly as essential reading for anyone seeking to learn more about the vast array of topics that fall under the sweeping category of magic.Drawing down the moon: magic in the ancient Greco-Roman world
Radcliffe G. Edmonds III, Drawing down the moon: magic in the ancient Greco-Roman world. Princeton: Princeton University Press, 2019. xiii, 474 p. ISBN 9780691156934 $45.00.
Review by
Thomas Galoppin, (MAP - 741182)—PLH-ERASME (EA 4601)—Université Toulouse 2 Jean Jaurès. thomas.galoppin@univ-tlse2.fr
Drawing Down the Moon can be recommended as an updated gateway into ancient “magic” for English-speaking academic and public readers.Cross-file under New Book.
Visit PaleoJudaica daily for the latest news on ancient Judaism and the biblical world.
Remote Temple Mount sifting
THE TEMPLE MOUNT SIFTING PROJECT BLOG: JOIN THE REMOTE SIFTING!
“Remote Sifting” is a unique, first-time-ever archaeological experience, which enables people all over the world to remotely participate in the sifting of the soil of the Temple Mount in Jerusalem – via a live online video interaction with the archaeologist on-site.For many, many past posts on the Temple Mount Sifting Project, see here and links and here.
Visit PaleoJudaica daily for the latest news on ancient Judaism and the biblical world.
Monday, June 15, 2020
Names in Jeremiah and the inscriptions
NORTHWEST SEMITIC EPIGRAPHY: Comparing biblical names, epigraphs back Book of Jeremiah’s historicity. Golub examined collected names from excavated artifacts published in journals, corpora and books to gather as many names as possible (Rossella Tercatin, Jerusalem Post).
For more on Dr. Mitka R. Golub's recent work on the onomastic history of biblical and epigraphic names, see here. You can also read some of her articles at her Academia.edu page here. Her technical article on the names in Jeremiah is there. It nuances the argument more than in the Jerusalem Post article.
However, one important difference that Golub found out is that within the Yahwistic names mentioned in Jeremiah, the groups of letter yod-hei-vav and just yod-vav seem to be used interchangeably (53% v. 42%) while almost all the epigraphic artifacts present yod-hei-vav.Scribes tend to update the spelling of words when copying an old book. The spelling of the names in the Book of Jeremiah is pretty much what I would expect even if the book was mostly compiled in Jeremiah's time. The profile of the names fits the time of Jeremiah, but their spelling is a mixture of early and late forms.
As the first combination of letters was more commonly used in the ancient kingdom of Judah while the latter in the ancient kingdom of Israel, the archaeologist explained that this element might simply be a sign that the author did not perceive the difference as important, but also that the book was actually compiled in a later period, when the use of yod-vav had become more common.
For more on Dr. Mitka R. Golub's recent work on the onomastic history of biblical and epigraphic names, see here. You can also read some of her articles at her Academia.edu page here. Her technical article on the names in Jeremiah is there. It nuances the argument more than in the Jerusalem Post article.
Visit PaleoJudaica daily for the latest news on ancient Judaism and the biblical world.
Pandemic paralyzes Petra
NABATEAN (NABATAEAN) WATCH: Ancient Petra a ghost town as pandemic hits Jordan tourism (KAMAL TAHA, AFP).
As is generally true at tourism sites, the situation is dire for the local economy.
Some past posts on the ancient Nabatean capital Petra are here, here, here, here, and links.
For many past posts on the Nabateans and their written language (Aramaic used by native speakers of Arabic), see here and here and links.
As is generally true at tourism sites, the situation is dire for the local economy.
Some past posts on the ancient Nabatean capital Petra are here, here, here, here, and links.
For many past posts on the Nabateans and their written language (Aramaic used by native speakers of Arabic), see here and here and links.
Visit PaleoJudaica daily for the latest news on ancient Judaism and the biblical world.
An appreciation of Harold Attridge
BRICE C. JONES: Harold Attridge Retires from Yale: A Personal Reflection.
This course was difficult. Prof. Collins was right on the mark when she told me that. We read difficult passages from Philo, Josephus, wisdom literature, poetry, and so on. The syllabus indicated that we should read about "6-8 hours" of Greek each day in preparation for the weekly seminar. When we were in the seminar, each student took a turn reading passages in sequence from the selected text. In our second seminar on September 10, we read three chapters from 2 Maccabees. (For those who don't know, that's a lot of Greek!)Best wishes to Professor Attridge for a long and productive retirement.
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Daf Yomi: 100 days into Tractate Shabbat
TALMUD WATCH: Daf Yomi Shabbos 100: One-hundred days of living through the Talmud (Times of Israel Blogs). Reflections from Penny Cagan one hundred days into Tractate Shabbat in the new Daf Yomi cycle and a few more since the New York coronavirus lockdown began.
Visit PaleoJudaica daily for the latest news on ancient Judaism and the biblical world.
Sunday, June 14, 2020
On the synagogues of Israel
THE AWOL BLOG: Synagogues Interactive Map. This is one page on the Bornblum Eretz Israel Synagogues Website.
About The Project
The main goal of this website is to display the world of synagogues from the Land of Israel for the scholar, student and layperson. This website provides information such as bibliographical references, geographical location, photos, plans and brief descriptions of ancient synagogues from the Roman and Byzantine periods in the Land of Israel. It also presents information on selected historically significant synagogues from the Middle Ages through the beginning of the 20th century. This site will be constantly updated including the latest relevant research news and scholarly works. A search of bibliographical references is currently in preparation.
Visit PaleoJudaica daily for the latest news on ancient Judaism and the biblical world.
Simantov
JUST FOR FUN: SIMANTOV REVIEW: LESSONS IN MYSTICISM. Here’s our review of Asaf Ashery’s supernatural thriller, Simantov (Becky Lea, ScifiNow). A missing persons case involving ritual and mysticism, the Nephilim, and "Lilith's Daughters." Originally published in Hebrew.
Visit PaleoJudaica daily for the latest news on ancient Judaism and the biblical world.
Review of Johnson, Constructing Paul
THE JESUS CREED BLOG: The Apostle Paul in Context: Jewish, Scriptural, Greco-Roman. Paul's multi-layered context. Scot McKnight reviews Luke Timothy Johnson, Constructing Paul (The Canonical Paul, vol. 1) (Eerdmans, 2020).
Cross-file under New Book.
Cross-file under New Book.
Visit PaleoJudaica daily for the latest news on ancient Judaism and the biblical world.
Rösel (ed.), Tradition and Innovation: English and German Studies on the Septuagint
NEW BOOK FROM SBL PRESS:
Tradition and Innovation: English and German Studies on the Septuagint
Martin Rösel
ISBN 9781628372205
Status Available
Price: $52.00
Binding Paperback
Publication Date October 2018
Pages 392
Explore the opportunities and challenges of Septuagint studies
Recent research into the Septuagint has revealed numerous examples of modifications of the meaning of the Hebrew text in the course of its translation into Greek. This collection of essays by one of the leading scholars on the Septuagint shows how complex the translation of individual books was, provides reasons for differences between the Hebrew and Greek Bibles, and paves the way for a theology of the Septuagint. Articles introduce the field of Septuagint studies, the problem of the Letter of Aristeas, and the Hellenistic environment and the hermeneutics of Hellenistic Judaism.
Features:
- A methodological discussion of whether and how a theology of the Septuagint can be written
- Essays introducing the field of Septuagint studies and its Hellenistic environment and the hermeneutics of Hellenistic Judaism
- Fifteen English and German essays covering twenty-five years of Septuagint research
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Saturday, June 13, 2020
"I bore you on vultures' wings?"
BIBLICAL ORNITHOLOGY: Biblically mislabelled, Israel's griffon vultures get new lease of life (Reuters). Reuters also has a photo essay on the griffon vulture here.
The reference alluded to in the article is Exodus 19:4.
The reference alluded to in the article is Exodus 19:4.
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Alexander's ancestors
NUMISMATICS: CoinWeek Ancient Coin Series: Macedon Before Alexander (Mike Markowitz).
Alexander the Great comes up now and then on PaleoJudaica. He is connected to ancient Jewish tradition in various ways, including mentions by the Book of Daniel and by Josephus, and in traditions in one recension of the Alexander Romance. One rarely hears of his predecessors, apart from his father, Philip. But Alexander descends from a long Macedonian dynasty. Our Alexander is Alexander III — two previous kings in the dynasty were also named Alexander.
For detailed background on the Macedonian dynasty, along with nice photos of its coins, read this article.
For background on Alexander's connections to ancient Jewish tradition, start here and follow the many links.
Alexander the Great comes up now and then on PaleoJudaica. He is connected to ancient Jewish tradition in various ways, including mentions by the Book of Daniel and by Josephus, and in traditions in one recension of the Alexander Romance. One rarely hears of his predecessors, apart from his father, Philip. But Alexander descends from a long Macedonian dynasty. Our Alexander is Alexander III — two previous kings in the dynasty were also named Alexander.
For detailed background on the Macedonian dynasty, along with nice photos of its coins, read this article.
For background on Alexander's connections to ancient Jewish tradition, start here and follow the many links.
Visit PaleoJudaica daily for the latest news on ancient Judaism and the biblical world.
Why a second Passover?
PROF. STEVEN FRAADE: The Paradox of Pesach Sheni (TheTorah.com).
As a historical commemoration, Passover is tied to a specific date. Nevertheless, the Torah gives a make-up date for bringing the offering a month later. Gerim, non-Israelites living among Israelites as equals, are also allowed to bring this offering, even though it wasn’t their ancestors who were freed. How do we make sense of these anomalies?
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The mark of the beast and its number
READING ACTS: What is the Mark of the Beast? – Revelation 13:16-18. Phil Long continues his blog series on the Book of Revelation, concentrating on the seven sights of chapters 12-15. We are on the third sight, the beast that rose from the earth and its number.
I promised you more links when we got to this point. The meaning of the number of the beast to John is pretty clear. It applies to Nero. "Nero Caesar," when the Latin is transliterated into Hebrew letters, has the numerical value (gematria) of 666 in one spelling and 616 in another spelling. The manuscripts of the Book of Revelation have two variant values of the number of the beast: 666 and 616.
You can find past posts on the subject here and links. That post leads to a photo of a coin bearing the Latin phrase NERO CAESAR. That spelling in Hebrew letters would add up to 616. The same spelling appears on a gold coin, noted here (alas, no photo).
The other Latin spelling is NERON CAESAR. The Hebrew spelling of this name has the value 666. This spelling of the name in Hebrew letters actually appears on an ostracon from Murabbaat from Nero's time.
I have noted earlier posts in Phil's series on the Book of Revelation here and links. That post has more on the Book of Revelation and the Nero tradition.
I promised you more links when we got to this point. The meaning of the number of the beast to John is pretty clear. It applies to Nero. "Nero Caesar," when the Latin is transliterated into Hebrew letters, has the numerical value (gematria) of 666 in one spelling and 616 in another spelling. The manuscripts of the Book of Revelation have two variant values of the number of the beast: 666 and 616.
You can find past posts on the subject here and links. That post leads to a photo of a coin bearing the Latin phrase NERO CAESAR. That spelling in Hebrew letters would add up to 616. The same spelling appears on a gold coin, noted here (alas, no photo).
The other Latin spelling is NERON CAESAR. The Hebrew spelling of this name has the value 666. This spelling of the name in Hebrew letters actually appears on an ostracon from Murabbaat from Nero's time.
I have noted earlier posts in Phil's series on the Book of Revelation here and links. That post has more on the Book of Revelation and the Nero tradition.
Visit PaleoJudaica daily for the latest news on ancient Judaism and the biblical world.
Friday, June 12, 2020
Canaanite ancestry of Jews and Arabs?
BIBLE HISTORY DAILY: Jews and Arabs Descended from Canaanites. DNA analysis, from bodies found at several sites, explains more than half of ancestry (Jonathan Laden). This study has been in the news for a while. This essay explains the main issues clearly and concisely.
There have been many DNA studies in recent years. For more on Jewish DNA, see here and links. For more on Canaanite/Phoenician DNA, see here, here, here, and here. For Philistine DNA, see here. For Ethiopian DNA, see here. For the DNA of speakers of Aramaic, see here. And for Druze DNA, see here. For more on the study of human DNA in general, see here and links.
And it's not just human DNA! For the DNA of domesticated cats, see here and links. And, of course, for the DNA analysis of manuscripts, see here, here, here, and links.
For still more posts on various aspects of DNA analysis, run "DNA" through the PaleoJudaica search engine.
As usual, I make no claims about the accuracy or comprehensiveness of any of these studies or their coverage by the media. I blog, you decide.
There have been many DNA studies in recent years. For more on Jewish DNA, see here and links. For more on Canaanite/Phoenician DNA, see here, here, here, and here. For Philistine DNA, see here. For Ethiopian DNA, see here. For the DNA of speakers of Aramaic, see here. And for Druze DNA, see here. For more on the study of human DNA in general, see here and links.
And it's not just human DNA! For the DNA of domesticated cats, see here and links. And, of course, for the DNA analysis of manuscripts, see here, here, here, and links.
For still more posts on various aspects of DNA analysis, run "DNA" through the PaleoJudaica search engine.
As usual, I make no claims about the accuracy or comprehensiveness of any of these studies or their coverage by the media. I blog, you decide.
Visit PaleoJudaica daily for the latest news on ancient Judaism and the biblical world.
Klaus Berger, 1940-2020
SAD NEWS: Reports have been coming in that Professor Klaus Berger, New Testament scholar at Heidelberg University, passed away on 8 June 2020. In addition to his many contributions to New Testament studies, he also published extensively on the Dead Sea Scrolls.
I cannot find any English notices of his death, but there are two German articles in the Die Tagespost:
Klaus Berger gestorben. Der Heidelberger Neutestamentler Klaus Berger ist gestern plötzlich gestorben
Klaus Berger: Gelebte Ganzhingabe. Zum Tod des deutschen Exegeten (Barbara Stühlmeyer)
His brief English Wikipedia page is here. The German Wikipedia page (here) is much fuller. I was mostly familiar with his work on the Aramaic Qumran texts in Die aramäischen Texte vom Toten Meer (Vandenhoeck & Ruprecht, 1984, 1994).
Requiescat in pace.
I cannot find any English notices of his death, but there are two German articles in the Die Tagespost:
Klaus Berger gestorben. Der Heidelberger Neutestamentler Klaus Berger ist gestern plötzlich gestorben
Klaus Berger: Gelebte Ganzhingabe. Zum Tod des deutschen Exegeten (Barbara Stühlmeyer)
His brief English Wikipedia page is here. The German Wikipedia page (here) is much fuller. I was mostly familiar with his work on the Aramaic Qumran texts in Die aramäischen Texte vom Toten Meer (Vandenhoeck & Ruprecht, 1984, 1994).
Requiescat in pace.
Visit PaleoJudaica daily for the latest news on ancient Judaism and the biblical world.
Kleczar, Ha-Makdoni, Images of Alexander the Great ...
NEW BOOK FROM ARCHEOBOOKS:
Ha-Makdoni, Images of Alexander the Great in Ancient and Medieval Jewish LiteratureI noted a few recent books on related themes here, here and here. Follow the links from those posts for many other posts on Alexander. And for past posts on the Alexander Romance, one recension of which connects Alexander to Jewish traditions, see here and links.
25,00 $
ISBN: 978-83-65080-98-1
Description: softcover, 184 pages (24x17)
Condition: new
Weight: 295g.
Aleksandra Kleczar, Ha-Makdoni, Images of Alexander the Great in Ancient and Medieval Jewish Literature, Krakow 2019
Alexander the Great is an unexpected yet important hero of a number of ancient and medieval Jewish narratives. He appears in historical works, prophecies, moralizing parables and in a number of fantastic stories retelling his life and deeds. These legends were in circulation very early on: the earliest written accounts on Alexander in Jewish tradition are older than the ones preserved from the Greco-Roman world.
This book is devoted to the analysis of the image of Alexander in Jewish literature. By tracing his image as an exemplary foreign king, a leader chosen by God, an object of moral critique and a traveller in far, imagined lands we can shed some light on a number of interesting features of Jewish-Graeco-Roman cultural exchange. The book should be of interest for those studying Jewish culture and classical reception as well as scholars dealing with the development of the legendary image of Alexander the Great.
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Revelation as anti-imperial counter-propaganda?
READING ACTS: Who is the Lord of Earth and Sea? – Revelation 13. Phil Long continues his blog series on the Book of Revelation, concentrating on the seven sights of chapters 12-15.
This post involves the second and the third sights, the beasts rising from the sea and from the earth. It includes discussion of a Roman imperial propaganda inscription from Pergamum.
I have noted earlier posts in Phil's series on the Book of Revelation here and links.
This post involves the second and the third sights, the beasts rising from the sea and from the earth. It includes discussion of a Roman imperial propaganda inscription from Pergamum.
I have noted earlier posts in Phil's series on the Book of Revelation here and links.
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Thursday, June 11, 2020
Online conference on provenance of the DSS
UNIVERSITY OF AGDER, NORWAY: THE LYING PEN OF SCRIBES: On the Origin of the Pieces: The Provenance of the Dead Sea Scrolls. Virtual Conference 15th–16th of June, 2020. This event is free to join and open to the public. Follow the link for the conference programme and registration information.
HT Joseph Lauer.
For more on Professor Justnes and the Lying Pen of Scribes Project, see here, here, here, and links.
HT Joseph Lauer.
For more on Professor Justnes and the Lying Pen of Scribes Project, see here, here, here, and links.
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In memory of Francis I. Andersen
OBITUARY: Died: Francis I. Andersen, Scholar Who Used Computers to Study the Bible. He found ‘awesome reality of a living God’ in the grammar and syntax of Hebrew Scripture (DANIEL SILLIMAN, Christianity Today).
Background here and links.
Background here and links.
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Did prophecy require celibacy?
PROF. RABBI MARTY LOCKSHIN: Did Moses Become Celibate? (TheTorah.com).
The Israelite men are commanded to separate from their wives before the revelation at Sinai. The rabbis learn from this that Moses permanently separated from his wife (Num 12), to be available to speak with God at all times. Joseph ibn Kaspi (14th c.), however, claims that this distorts the plain meaning of the text and that celibacy is an affront to Jewish values.
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A Behemoth of a Beast
READING ACTS: The Beast out of the Earth – Revelation 13:11-15. Phil Long continues his blog series on the Book of Revelation, concentrating on the seven sights of chapters 12-15. We move to the third sight, the beast rising from the earth.
Some past PaleoJudaica posts involving Leviathan and Behemoth are here, here, here, and here.
I have noted earlier posts in Phil's series on the Book of Revelation here and links.
Some past PaleoJudaica posts involving Leviathan and Behemoth are here, here, here, and here.
I have noted earlier posts in Phil's series on the Book of Revelation here and links.
Visit PaleoJudaica daily for the latest news on ancient Judaism and the biblical world.
Wednesday, June 10, 2020
What's in a (biblical) name?
ONOMASTIC HISTORY: Names Reveal What’s History and What’s Myth in the Bible, Researcher Says. Study of naming traditions shows First Temple-period biblical authors knew a lot about what was going on in Judah, but were less informed on the neighboring kingdom of Israel (David Israel, Haaretz premium). HT Joseph Lauer.
The Biblical Archaeology Review article mentioned in the above is in the current (Spring 2020) issue: What’s in a Name? Personal Names in Ancient Israel and Judah (Mitka R. Golub). It is behind the subscription wall.
For Lawrence Mykytiuk's work on 53 people in the Hebrew Bible who also appear in ancient inscriptions, see here and links.
Cross-file under Northwest Semitic Epigraphy.
The Biblical Archaeology Review article mentioned in the above is in the current (Spring 2020) issue: What’s in a Name? Personal Names in Ancient Israel and Judah (Mitka R. Golub). It is behind the subscription wall.
For Lawrence Mykytiuk's work on 53 people in the Hebrew Bible who also appear in ancient inscriptions, see here and links.
Cross-file under Northwest Semitic Epigraphy.
Visit PaleoJudaica daily for the latest news on ancient Judaism and the biblical world.
EMET Prize for Dimant and Greenstein
KUDOS: 2020 EMET Prize winners announced. The EMET Prize is known as Israel's Nobel Prize, awarded for excellence which make significant contributions to Israeli society (Alan Rosenbaum, Jerusalem Post).
In the Humanities, the winners are Prof. Devorah Diment [sic - should be Dimant] of the University of Haifa and Prof. Eliezer (Ed) Greenstein of Bar-Ilan University, in the area of Biblical research.Congratulations to Professor Dimant and Professor Greenstein (and to all the recipients in all fields)!
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Pottery production in Roman-era Jerusalem
MATERIAL CULTURE: Ancient pottery reveals secrets of Roman rule over Jerusalem – new study. Before the Temple was destroyed by the Romans in 70 CE, the potters operating the workshops were Jewish (Rossella Tercatin, Jerusalem Post).
This article is based on an article published in the current issue (383, May 2020) of the Bulletin of ASOR: Pp. 33-59: “On the Raw Materials in the Ceramic Workshops of Jerusalem, Before and After 70 c.e.,” by Anat Cohen-Weinberger, Danit Levi, and Ron Beʾeri
Cross-file under Petrography.
This article is based on an article published in the current issue (383, May 2020) of the Bulletin of ASOR: Pp. 33-59: “On the Raw Materials in the Ceramic Workshops of Jerusalem, Before and After 70 c.e.,” by Anat Cohen-Weinberger, Danit Levi, and Ron Beʾeri
A large area of pottery workshops was exposed west of the Old City of Jerusalem. This industrial area was operated by Jewish potters during the Hellenistic (Hasmonean) and Early Roman periods. After the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 c.e., the workshops were placed under the authority of the Xth Legion of the Roman military, who later established another workshop in close proximity to the previous ones. In this study, we examine whether and to what extent those historical and cultural changes are reflected in the production organization, manufacturing processes, and products. The research is based on new petrographic results of 129 ceramic products that were manufactured throughout the chronological sequence of this industrial area. The petrographic results indicate a significant change after 70 c.e. New pottery types (e.g., dolia, mortaria) and building materials (roof tiles, bricks, and tubuli) were produced in association with a new “recipe” and a different geological unit. This change in recipe included the intentional addition of quartz grains to the paste, in order to significantly increase the toughness of the products. We also discuss the reason for exploiting a different geological unit. This study may help in attributing vessels and building materials from other sites in the area to these workshops and provide insights into the nature of the workshops’ activity.The BASOR article is behind a subscription wall.
Cross-file under Petrography.
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Orion Center Research Scholarships 2020/2021
THERE'S STILL TIME TO APPLY: Orion Center Research Scholarships 2020/2021
The Orion Center invites applications for its research scholarships. The scholarships are for research on the Dead Sea Scrolls and associated literature in all relevant disciplines. We particularly encourage integrative studies involving the Scrolls and other aspects of Second Temple studies. Preference will be given to junior scholars (M.A. students in the process of writing the thesis, Ph.D. students, and postdoctoral students).Follow the link for application requirements. Don't dawdle!
Research connected with the scholarship must be carried out in Israel. Scholarship recipients will be associated with the Orion Center and participate in Center programs; they will present their research in an Orion Center research seminar. The amount of the grant will be up to $4000.
Deadline: June 15, 2020
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Tuesday, June 09, 2020
More on the Jezreel Winery
FURTHER TO YESTERDAY'S POST ON THE JEZREEL WINERY, Dr. Norma Franklin has kindly sent me offprints of several articles on the winery excavation. One of them is online for free:
The Story of Naboth’s Vineyard and the Ancient Winery in Jezreel (Dr. Norma Franklin, TheTorah.com)
The Story of Naboth’s Vineyard and the Ancient Winery in Jezreel (Dr. Norma Franklin, TheTorah.com)
What light can archaeology shed on the significance and location of the vineyard?You can also read this one in Biblical Archaeology Review for free, but you need a paid subscription to see the full version with images:
Have We Found Naboth’s Vineyard at Jezreel? Norma Franklin, Jennie Ebeling, Philippe Guillaume, and Deborah Appler November 01, 2017If you have access to JSTOR, you can also read this one:
An Ancient Winery at Jezreel, IsraelI am grateful to Dr. Franklin for the references.
Norma Franklin, Jennie Ebeling, Philippe Guillaume and Deborah Appler
Journal of Eastern Mediterranean Archaeology & Heritage Studies
Vol. 8, No. 1 (2020), pp. 58-78
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Using the Digital Syriac Corpus
ANCIENT JEW REVIEW: Using the Digital Syriac Corpus for Online Syriac Instruction (James Walters).
I have posted on the Digital Syriac Corpus here and here. This essay is a useful introduction to it.
I have posted on the Digital Syriac Corpus here and here. This essay is a useful introduction to it.
Visit PaleoJudaica daily for the latest news on ancient Judaism and the biblical world.
Mapping a Roman city with GPR
TECHNOLOGY WATCH: Archaeologists map complete Roman city without lifting a shovel (Brooks Hays, UPI). The name of the city is Falerii Novi. It is a little north of Rome.
For a similar story from a couple of days ago, see here. As with the magnetometry in that one, this GPR technology has wide applications for future archaeology.
Indeed, as I have said before, non-invasive and non-destructive technologies are the future of archaeology. This post in particular is aging well.
For a similar story from a couple of days ago, see here. As with the magnetometry in that one, this GPR technology has wide applications for future archaeology.
Indeed, as I have said before, non-invasive and non-destructive technologies are the future of archaeology. This post in particular is aging well.
Visit PaleoJudaica daily for the latest news on ancient Judaism and the biblical world.
An anniversary for the Beast?
READING ACTS: The Beast Who Lived – Revelation 13:3-4. Phil Long continues his blog series on the Book of Revelation, concentrating on the seven sights of chapters 12-15. We are still on the second sight, the beast rising from the sea.
For a couple of past PaleoJudaica posts on the Nero rediturus ("Nero will return") myth and the Nero redivivus ("Nero will come back to life") myth, see here and here (links to one of Phil's posts). I will give you some more links when Phil gets to the end of chapter 13.
Meanwhile, by a remarkable cosmic synchronicity, today is the 1952nd anniversary of Nero's death.
I have noted earlier posts in Phil's series on the Book of Revelation here and links.
For a couple of past PaleoJudaica posts on the Nero rediturus ("Nero will return") myth and the Nero redivivus ("Nero will come back to life") myth, see here and here (links to one of Phil's posts). I will give you some more links when Phil gets to the end of chapter 13.
Meanwhile, by a remarkable cosmic synchronicity, today is the 1952nd anniversary of Nero's death.
I have noted earlier posts in Phil's series on the Book of Revelation here and links.
Visit PaleoJudaica daily for the latest news on ancient Judaism and the biblical world.
Monday, June 08, 2020
Have they found Naboth's vineyard?
ARCHAEOLOGY: Archaeologists might have identified Jezreel winery featured in Bible. The winery was first discovered in 2013 and exposed in several seasons of excavations in the following years. It presents several installations carved into the bedrock (Rosella Tercarin, Jerusalem Post).
I am generally skeptical about attempts to tie archaeology to specific stories in the Bible. But the excavators know more about the Jezreel winery than I do. I defer to their opinion.
It is currently impossible to date with certainty the remains of the ancient winery that was uncovered not far from Jezreel, a settlement that has been continuously inhabited for thousands of years, the lead author of the study, Dr. Norma Franklin of the Zinman Institute of Archaeology at the University of Haifa, told The Jerusalem Post. However, different factors support the idea that whether or not there was a man called Naboth, whoever authored the story must have been aware of the existence of that winery, the only one in the compatible area, she said.I haven't specifically mentioned this discovery, although I noted a 2015 report on the Jezreel Expedition which does mention it.
I am generally skeptical about attempts to tie archaeology to specific stories in the Bible. But the excavators know more about the Jezreel winery than I do. I defer to their opinion.
Visit PaleoJudaica daily for the latest news on ancient Judaism and the biblical world.
A soothing odor?
CANDIDA MOSS: Was God a Stoner? Excavations at a 2,700-year-old temple in the Negev desert have uncovered a residue familiar to many a pothead (The Daily Beast). I had assumed that it was the worshippers who were getting high. That still seems right. But Professor Moss makes the case that the rite assumed that God participated too.
Background here.
Background here.
Visit PaleoJudaica daily for the latest news on ancient Judaism and the biblical world.
Orlov (ed.), Jewish Roots of Eastern Christian Mysticism
NEW BOOK FROM BRILL:
Jewish Roots of Eastern Christian Mysticism
Studies in Honor of Alexander Golitzin
Series:
Vigiliae Christianae, Supplements, Volume: 160
Editor: Andrei A. Orlov
The essays collected in Jewish Roots of Eastern Christian Mysticism intend to honor Alexander Golitzin, a scholar known for his keen attention to the Jewish matrix of Eastern Orthodox spirituality. Following Golitzin's insights, this Festschrift explores influences of Jewish apocalypticism and mysticism on certain early and late Christian authors, including Irenaeus, Origen, Evagrius of Pontus, Pseudo-Dionysius, and Symeon the New Theologian. Special attention is given to Jewish theophanic traditions regarding the beatific vision of the divine Glory (Kavod), which profoundly shaped Eastern Christian theology and liturgy. This volume demonstrates that recent developments in the study of apocalyptic literature, the Qumran Scrolls, Gnosticism, and later Jewish mysticism throw new and welcome light on the sources and continuities of Orthodox theology, liturgy, and spirituality.
Prices from (excl. VAT): €138.00 / $166.00
E-Book (PDF)
Availability: Not Yet Published
ISBN: 978-90-04-42953-6
Publication Date: 21 May 2020
Hardback
Availability: Published
ISBN: 978-90-04-42952-9
Publication Date: 23 May 2020
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Ancient controversy over the suspected adulteress
PROF. ISHAY ROSEN-ZVI: Shaming Women Suspected of Adultery - What About Men? (TheTorah.com).
The Mishnah adds further humiliation to the biblical sotah ritual for a suspected adulteress. Other rabbinic texts from the same period critique this expansion, as well as the gender inequality inherent in the ritual itself.Past PaleoJudaica posts on the Sotah (Sota) rite are here, here, here, here, here (was the rite actually discontinued?), and here.
Visit PaleoJudaica daily for the latest news on ancient Judaism and the biblical world.
Sunday, June 07, 2020
McGrath on Gnostic origins
RELIGION PROF: Gnostic Origins and Pre-Exilic Israelite Traditions. James McGrath shares the abstract for his paper, "Deity, Devil, Demiurge: The Shared Origins of Monotheism, the Problem of Evil, and ‘Gnosticism," which is to be presented in the upcoming remote-delivery Enoch Seminar on the problem of evil in Second Temple Judaism.
James also shares the latest program for the Seminar. You will find my name there too.
James also shares the latest program for the Seminar. You will find my name there too.
Visit PaleoJudaica daily for the latest news on ancient Judaism and the biblical world.
Lockdown at a Roman fort
CONSERVATION: Vindolanda Fort: Roman site becomes family's lockdown home. A family spending lockdown living in a Roman Fort have described it as a "surreal experience" (BBC).
Vindolanda Fort flourished in the late first and early second centuries C.E. and continued into the fourth century. It is best known for the vast archive of Latin documentary tablets found there, sometimes known as the Dead Sea Scrolls of Britain. For details, and for other stories that connect Vindolanda and Hadrian's Wall to ancient Judaism and the Bible in various indirect ways, see the links.
As the UK went into lockdown Sonya and Colin Galloway, who both work for the trust that runs Vindolanda Fort, left their home in Hexham to live there.I visited Vindolanda a couple of years ago, and also back in 2006. For PaleoJudaica posts, see here and here and links.
The couple thought they and their sons Oliver, 15, and Luke, 13, would only be there for three or four weeks.
But they have remained for 11 weeks, sweeping bathhouses and protecting artefacts from wind and badger damage.
[...]
Vindolanda Fort flourished in the late first and early second centuries C.E. and continued into the fourth century. It is best known for the vast archive of Latin documentary tablets found there, sometimes known as the Dead Sea Scrolls of Britain. For details, and for other stories that connect Vindolanda and Hadrian's Wall to ancient Judaism and the Bible in various indirect ways, see the links.
Visit PaleoJudaica daily for the latest news on ancient Judaism and the biblical world.
Magnetic tracing of the wall of Uruk
TECHNOLOGY WATCH: Beneath the Euphrates Sediments: Magnetic Traces of the Mesopotamian Megacity Uruk-Warka (Jörg W.E. Fassbinder, The Ancient Near East Today).
This fascinating project was undertaken at Warka, the site of ancient Uruk, the city of Gilgamesh. In the prologue and epilogue of the Epic of Gilgamesh, Gilgamesh points to the wall of Uruk as his enduring achievement. It's still there!
The technology of the project has the potential for wide application to archaeology.
UPDATE: Pardon the bad link. Now fixed!
This fascinating project was undertaken at Warka, the site of ancient Uruk, the city of Gilgamesh. In the prologue and epilogue of the Epic of Gilgamesh, Gilgamesh points to the wall of Uruk as his enduring achievement. It's still there!
The technology of the project has the potential for wide application to archaeology.
UPDATE: Pardon the bad link. Now fixed!
Visit PaleoJudaica daily for the latest news on ancient Judaism and the biblical world.
The dragon, the horns, and the heads
READING ACTS: A Dragon with Ten Horns and Seven Heads – Revelation 13:1-2. Phil Long continues his blog series on the Book of Revelation, concentrating on the seven sights of chapters 12-15. We are now on the second sight, the beast rising from the sea.
I have noted earlier posts in Phil's series on the Book of Revelation here and links.
I have noted earlier posts in Phil's series on the Book of Revelation here and links.
Visit PaleoJudaica daily for the latest news on ancient Judaism and the biblical world.
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