Magazine Highlights

Biblical Archaeology Review, Spring 2026

The Spring 2026 issue of Biblical Archaeology Review features a fascinating array of articles that provide fresh perspectives on old questions and new twists on well-known discoveries.

In “What Did the Last Supper Really Look Like?” examine the evidence for early Jewish dining practices and why Jesus’s final meal was likely a rather modest affair. In “Sensing the Synagogue,” look beyond the beautiful architecture and mosaics of ancient synagogues to experience the sights and smells that brought these sanctuaries to life. Journey to Cyprus to uncover overlooked evidence for “The Diaspora Revolt,” the oft-forgotten second-century Jewish uprising against Rome. And in “Under Siege,” climb the ramparts of Jerusalem to survey the long-lost siegeworks that allowed Rome to conquer the city in 70 CE.

In Strata and Epistles, revisit the famous Siloam Tunnel Inscription, long thought to be a royal commemorative inscription but which was likely written for a far more somber occasion. Similarly, learn why the biblical writers thought the legendary Tower of Babel was actually completed and not left unfinished, as many have assumed. We also take a second look at the evangelist Philip’s encounter with the “Ethiopian eunuch” in Acts to examine how common mistranslations have underplayed the significance of this meeting.

Finally, be sure to read “More Than Meets the Trowel,” where we visit Israel’s most prominent excavations to learn about seemingly routine discoveries that, when studied with fresh eyes, completely changed how archaeologists thought about the biblical past. And explore 2026 dig opportunities as well as information about applying for a BAS Dig Scholarship.

Visit us online, at Bible History Daily, to see the latest news in biblical archaeology or to delve into additional articles, eBooks, and videos about key Bible and archaeology topics. All-Access Members can explore the BAS Library, which features every article ever published in Biblical Archaeology Review, Bible Review, and Archaeology Odyssey, as well as Special Collections of articles curated by BAR editors. Finally, be sure to check out Knowledge BAR, a new online gateway where BAS learners can grow their understanding of foundational concepts in archaeology and biblical studies.

Features

What Did the Last Supper Really Look Like?

Matthew J. Grey
For centuries, traditional interpretations of the Last Supper tended to set the story in an elite Roman dining room, where participants would recline on benches while eating from individual place settings. But in everyday Judean contexts, dining in the time of Jesus looked very different, with common dishes shared by all in attendance. Enter the setting of Jesus’s last meal and explore how this famous repast likely took place.

Sensing the Synagogue

Karen B. Stern
Synagogues became vital centers of Jewish religious and community life after the destruction of the Temple in 70 CE. Written and archaeological sources provide vivid testimony of how these structures were built, decorated, and sustained across the Mediterranean world of late antiquity. What was it like to worship inside these spaces? Explore how early Jews experienced the sights and smells of ancient synagogues.

The Diaspora Revolt: Cyprus’s Forgotten Jewish Uprising

Thomas Davis
The Jewish uprising that occurred across the eastern Mediterranean from 115 to 117 CE was violently suppressed by the Romans, resulting in the deaths of hundreds of thousands. Yet, unlike the better-known First Jewish Revolt and the later Bar-Kokhba Revolt, this uprising is poorly documented in written sources. Explore what recent archaeological discoveries reveal about the Diaspora Revolt on the island of Cyprus.

Under Siege: How Rome Conquered Jerusalem

Győző Vörös
The fall of Jerusalem and the destruction of the Second Temple in AD 70 were pivotal events in biblical history. But while archaeology has revealed abundant evidence of Jerusalem’s destruction, little has been found of the siegeworks the Romans built to capture the city. Examine the historical and archaeological clues that reveal how the Romans brought the city to heel.

Departments

Strata

Can AI Help Date the Scrolls?
Hezekiah’s Unpaid Tax Bill?
Mysterious Arabian Script Deciphered
The Story of Creation
Where Is It?
Guarding the Sinai
Milestone: Patricia Maynor Bikai (1943–2025)
Milestone: Phyllis Trible (1932–2025)
The Siloam Tunnel Inscription: For the Living or the Dead?
Digs 2026: More Than Meets the Trowel
Then and Now: Dams
Book Review: The Bible’s First Kings
World Wonders: The Megiddo Ivories

Epistles

Was the Tower of Babel Left Under Construction?
What’s in a Name?: Hannibal
How Many?
Define Intervention
Philip’s Encounter with the “Ethiopian Eunuch”
A Thousand Words: John the Baptist

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