Welcome to “Digging In,” a new feature in BAR where we highlight the exciting new discoveries, insights, and scholarship you’ll uncover as you sift through the pages of the latest issue to learn more about the history and archaeology of the Bible. Much like an archaeological site, where excavated strata reveal the depth and complexity of the past, each issue of BAR exposes new horizons that expand our understanding of the biblical world, revealed by leading archaeologists and authorities in the field.
Our Fall 2021 issue is no exception. In our cover story, “A Glorious Church for a Mysterious Martyr,” Benyamin Storchan, an archaeologist with the Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA), details the magnificent finds from a newly discovered Byzantine church that commemorates the burial place of a famous martyr whose exact identity remains unknown. Thanks to a partnership with the IAA, this article also allows BAR readers access to an incredible online 3D reconstruction of the church and to experience an immersive tour of this magnificent complex as it appeared more than 1,500 years ago. Just go to www.martyr.app to begin your journey.
Up next, in “Does Archaeology Confirm Joseph’s Time in Egypt?” archaeologist and historian Rachel Hallote investigates evidence for the Hyksos in ancient Egypt that may shed light on the historical reality of the biblical stories of Joseph and the Exodus. For our third feature article, “Canaanite Worship at Lachish—New Details Emerge,” Hebrew University archaeologist Itamar Weissbein reports on the newest temple found at Lachish and what it reveals about Canaanite religion at the end of the Late Bronze Age. We also have a special interview, “Biblical Archaeology for the People,” where we hear from three scholars well known to public audiences—archaeologists Eric Cline and Jodi Magness and museum curator Melissa Cradic—who discuss why archaeologists should engage with the public, as well as BAR’s unique role in bridging the scholarly–popular divide.
Finally, some of you will notice that our Fall issue does not include a First Person column, where BAR has long given voice to timely discussions, conversations, and controversies within biblical archaeology. No need to worry! We will continue to include First Person in future issues of BAR, but it will now appear on an irregular basis, when we feel there are particularly important discussions within the field that need to be presented to our readership.
Until next time, my friends.
—GLENN J. CORBETT
Welcome to “Digging In,” a new feature in BAR where we highlight the exciting new discoveries, insights, and scholarship you’ll uncover as you sift through the pages of the latest issue to learn more about the history and archaeology of the Bible. Much like an archaeological site, where excavated strata reveal the depth and complexity of the past, each issue of BAR exposes new horizons that expand our understanding of the biblical world, revealed by leading archaeologists and authorities in the field. Our Fall 2021 issue is no exception. In our cover story, “A Glorious Church for a Mysterious […]
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