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Jan 6 Blog

A Tomb in Jerusalem Reveals the History of Crucifixion and Roman Crucifixion Methods

In the history of crucifixion, the death of Jesus of Nazareth stands out as the best-known example by far. Crucifixion in antiquity was actually a fairly common punishment, but there were no known physical remains from a crucifixion. Then, in 1968, archaeologist Vassilios Tzaferis excavated a Jerusalem tomb that contained the bones of a crucified man named Yehohanan. As Tzaferis reported in BAR, the discovery demonstrated the brutal reality of Roman crucifixion methods in a way that written accounts never had before.

Dec 30 Blog

The Population of Jerusalem in Jesus’ Time

By: Megan Sauter

What was the population of Jerusalem in Jesus’ time? Much as today, Jerusalem was a diverse city and pilgrimage center in the first century C.E. […]

The Ravenna mosaic of Jesus. Photo: Sant’Apollinare Nuovo Ravenna, Italy/Bridgeman Images

Dec 16 Blog

Did Jesus Exist? Searching for Evidence Beyond the Bible

By: Lawrence Mykytiuk

Did Jesus of Nazareth, “the man Christ Jesus” (1 Timothy 2:5), really exist? What’s the evidence outside of the Bible? Classical and Jewish writings from the first several centuries C.E. give us a glimpse of the person who would become the central figure in Christianity mere decades after his crucifixion.

Nov 20 Blog

The Tomb of Jesus? Wrong on Every Count

By: Craig Evans and Steven Feldman

Back to “Jesus Tomb” Controversy Erupts—Again Rarely does the world of Biblical archaeology make as much news as when filmmakers James Cameron and Simcha Jacobovici […]

Nov 18 Blog

Is the “Brother of Jesus” Inscription on the James Ossuary a Forgery?

By: BAS Staff

Although the famous “brother of Jesus” inscription on the so-called James Ossuary has been authenticated by two world-class paleographers, not everyone is convinced that the inscription is authentic.

Aug 31 Blog

53 People in the Bible Confirmed Archaeologically

By: Lawrence Mykytiuk

How many people mentioned in the Hebrew Bible have been confirmed archaeologically? Lawrence Mykytiuk reveals the surprising number—from Israelite kings to Mesopotamian monarchs—and some lesser figures as well.

Dec 24 Blog

The Archaeological Quest for the Earliest Christians

By: Biblical Archaeology Society Staff

In part one of a two-part series, Douglas Boin presents new archaeological and historical research in the study of early Christianity.

Mar 6 Blog

Watch on CNN: Finding Jesus

By: Biblical Archaeology Society Staff

CNN’s Finding Jesus: Faith, Fact, Forgery investigates artifacts that may shed new light on Jesus and his world.

Feb 26 Blog

Oded’s Other Ossuary

By: Hershel Shanks

The James Ossuary was only one of three ossuaries in Golan's collection. Another revealed an important Jewish community in central Syria in Apamea and Palmyra in the time of Jesus before the Roman destruction of the Jerusalem Temple in 70 C.E.

Nov 13 Blog

Israel Antiquities Authority Tries to Keep Ossuary Return a Secret

By: Hershel Shanks

Not a word about the return of the 'James Ossuary' to its owner Oded Golan had appeared in the Israeli press, despite the fact that they had extensively covered the criminal trial and Golan’s acquittal. How could this be?

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