A new paper tells of a discovery in northern Galilee: a Roman boundary stone dated to the Roman 3rd century, and a surprise for researchers. The boundary stone, used to denote territorial limits and to act as a signpost, contains inscriptions relating to hitherto unknown people and places. The boundary stone was originally discovered in
Archaeologists working in the Manot Cave system in Galilee have found a mysterious carving deep within the darkness. The sculpture, apparently of a tortoise or turtle, is extremely unusual. For one, it is incredibly old, a Paleolithic relic thought to date back 35,000 years. Perhaps even more intriguingly, we do not know whose god this
The wheel and axle is among the most important invention in human history. It transformed our ability to carry heavy loads, allowing for the large-scale transportation of goods from farmlands to cities. It directly supported the rise of urban centers, and through them the birth of civilization. Traditionally it has been thought that the wheel
Urim and Thummim are an enigma, both at the same time a vital central aspect of the Bible and almost willfully obscure. In a narrative where God appears regularly but only when He chooses, they seem to be a way for the Hebrews of David’s kingdom to call Him directly. This could be useful, as
The first books of the Bible are deeply intriguing for those inclined to try to pick apart history from mythology. For many, the key issue is simply where to draw the line. Most would look to the reign of King David as that key moment in the Biblical narrative when historical fact, albeit heavily massaged,
The Bible is a massively misunderstood text. Many will insist on the literal truth behind the stories, and many more will dismiss the entirety of the text as fantasy. But both sides are wrong. The Bible is a far more complex and layered text than either of these oversimplifications would allow. This can clearly be