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PETER GREER

ROLLING THE BONES. Over decades, biblical archaeology has undergone a steady increase in the application of various scientific methods, such as DNA study, residue analysis, and environmental studies. When performed in conjunction with a robust anthropological approach that brings together textual and archaeological perspectives, such research can illuminate the biblical world in new and detailed ways. This photo, in which an expert measures animal bones found at Tel Dan in northern Israel, captures the practice of zooarchaeology—the study of faunal remains in the archaeological record—which can expand our understanding of many aspects of ancient society, such as animal husbandry, diet, and even sacrificial practices.