Biblical Archaeology Review, 2025

The last decade saw exciting discoveries in the archaeology of biblical Jerusalem. Focusing on the City of David, three archaeologists summarize the most consequential finds they have uncovered. From the contentious tenth century BCE to the city’s demise at the hands of the Babylonians, archaeology continues to transform our understanding of the Holy City.

By the late ninth century BCE, Phoenicians from Tyre and Sidon had established a robust Mediterranean trade network. In southern Iberia—likely biblical Tarshish—they established a coastal settlement at Cerro del Villar. Archaeology reveals a thriving commercial port that developed fruitful relations with local communities while preserving the traditions and customs of the Phoenician homeland.

The Nicene Creed, which defines the Christian faith, was adopted at the church’s first ecumenical council in 325 CE. This meeting took place in Nicea—modern İznik in Turkey—but the exact location of the proceedings has never been found. Explore how archaeology may finally reveal where the highest church representatives met 1,700 years ago to settle the faith’s early theological disputes.

The traditional view of Bethlehem is that it was a quiet pastoral hamlet at the time of Jesus’s birth. Although much of its archaeology is hidden under the modern city, there may be reason to believe that it was actually a vibrant urban center during the Second Temple period. One such clue is the Lower Aqueduct, part of a major building project that conducted water directly through the heart of Bethlehem.

Although crucifixion was a common form of punishment in the Roman world, archaeology has provided few clues as to how the brutal practice was performed. And although the Gospel accounts use vague terminology when describing Jesus’s execution, a longstanding Christian tradition assumes bodies were nailed to the cross. Close inspection of the historical evidence, however, indicates that nailing was probably introduced only after Jesus’s time.

When King Hezekiah of Judah was bracing for Assyrian attack at the close of the eighth century BCE, he fortified Jerusalem and sought alliances. According to the Bible and Assyrian sources, one unexpected ally arrived from the kingdom of Cush in present-day Sudan. Known as Tirhaqah in the Bible, he must have been only a young prince when he led Cush’s army to Judah’s defense in 701.

Thousands of pilgrims traversed the Ophel on their way up to the Jerusalem Temple. Located between the City of David to its south and the Temple complex, this area was the primary gateway to the Temple. Explore what archaeology reveals about Jerusalem pilgrimage during the last two centuries of the Second Temple period, from the Hasmoneans up to Jerusalem’s destruction in 70 CE.

Khirbet al-Ra‘i was the quintessential border town during the Late Bronze and early Iron Ages. The site stood at the intersection of Canaanite, Philistine, and Israelite cultures, resulting in uniquely blended and overlapping architecture, pottery, and artistic styles. But was it also the biblical town of Ziklag, awarded to David in return for his service to the Philistine king of Gath?

Across five decades, BAR has treated its readers to the latest and greatest discoveries in biblical archaeology, from the Tel Dan Stele that references David’s dynasty to the Herodian fortress where John the Baptist was beheaded. In this special anniversary feature, we highlight eight groundbreaking discoveries that provided new and sometimes unexpected insights into the biblical past.

In the second and third centuries CE, the Roman legionary camp at Legio helped secure Roman dominance over Judea. Its strategic location in the fertile Jezreel Valley, within sight of ancient Megiddo, made it a cornerstone of Rome’s eastern presence. Archaeology reveals details of daily life and the religious and cultural adaptations that took place at this critical outpost.

Since its founding, biblical archaeology has often been viewed as a scientific way to prove the Bible. Over the decades, however, the discipline has changed dramatically. By focusing on the lives of ordinary people, biblical archaeologists now seek to establish the broader context within which the Bible emerged. These efforts are transforming how we understand life in the biblical world and providing fresh insights into the meaning of the texts themselves.

A fragmentary stone mug from the first century CE, discovered during the Mt. Zion excavations just outside Jerusalem’s Old City walls, bears a remarkable secret: a carefully incised inscription partially written in a rare cryptic script previously known only from the Dead Sea Scrolls. Investigate this mysterious text and what it may reveal about Jewish ritual practices during the Second Temple period.

In the late eighth century BCE, a series of Assyrian military campaigns devastated the Northern Kingdom of Israel. Large numbers of refugees fled south to Judah, including royal scribes who escaped with stories and traditions from the north that would later be recorded in the Hebrew Bible. Trace the evidence of these northern refugees and the critical role they may have played in Jerusalem’s royal court.

Biblical archaeology has witnessed dramatic change during recent decades, with some experts even moving away from the Bible as a historical source. But by expanding the biblical world’s temporal and geographical boundaries and integrating scientific approaches with a renewed commitment to biblical studies, the field can bring new life to our understanding of ancient Israel.

Knowing when ancient artifacts were created, used, or destroyed is crucial for understanding the biblical past. Archaeology’s methods for dating sites, buildings, and artifacts have changed dramatically since the early days of the discipline. Explore the advanced scientific techniques that are helping modern archaeologists resolve longstanding historical and chronological debates, including the dating of key biblical battles.

Biblical archaeology has come a long way in the past century. Emerging trends are reshaping how scholars think about and conduct archaeology in the biblical world. Learn how archaeologists today still grapple with the complexities of the past but also practice a more responsible archaeology that engages with a broader range of questions, geographies, and communities.