1092 - Megiddo Archaeology Update

Recently uncovered evidence seems to indicate Megiddo was one of the major metropolises of the ancient world. This week's program covers the evidence behind this assertion, from the latest Megiddo dig, directed by David Ussishkin and Israel Finkelstein. We also cover other Megiddo-related archaeology, particularly the discovery of the "armageddon church."

It's commonly considered that James Michener modeled the archaeological dig in his book The Source after Megiddo. If you're traveling to Israel to learn more about archaeology and the land of the Bible, The Source is a great book to help you grasp the sweep of history represented by the archaeology that's done in Israel. I recommend it to all the people considering joining our Book & the Spade tours.

1091 - Jerusalem Archaeology Update

Reviewing several recent stories on archaeology in Jerusalem, on today's program. It's undoubtedly one of the richest cities in the world in terms of its archaeology, and therein lies the problem. When digging anywhere is liable to open up a new archaeological excavation, archaeology becomes...inconvenient. At least archaeologists have a very pessimistic perspective on the future of archaeology in Jerusalem.

We cover several other stories on today's program, including a report on the pools of Jerusalem. Some are still in existence, such as the Bethesda Pool. Others have been covered up and filled in. Jerusalem needed a lot of water, especially when there were daily sacrifices in the temple.

1090 - Herod and friends

A little bit more about Herod this week, and some of his contemporaries. Not only has Ehud Netzer recently announced the discovery of what he believes is the Tomb of Herod. Egyptian archaeologist Zahi Hawass recently announced that archaeologists working in Alexandria may have found the mummies of Antony and Cleopatra. Herod, Antony and Cleopatra were contemporaries, in fact friends. Well Herod and Marc Antony anyway, Cleopatra and Herod were not on good terms, as Paul Maier explains in this week's program.

We also have some fresh information about Masada, Herod's mountaintop palace/fortress overlooking the Dead Sea.

Meanwhile, you may also enjoy reading this article in Christianity Today about the writing of the four Gospels. I found it fascinating.

And if you're looking for an archaeological dig to follow through the summer season, try the John's Hopkins dig in Egypt.

1088-1089 Herod's Tomb Discovery

A major discovery reported in Biblical Archaeology just a few weeks ago, the discovery of Herod's Tomb. In case you missed the stories, Haaretz newspaper and Hebrew University had some of the best details. We talked with Ehud Netzer, the archaeologist in charge, and historian Paul Maier of Western Michigan University. We will discuss this discovery further in the weeks and months ahead. And we hope to visit the scene of the discovery in our 25th anniversary BOOK & THE SPADE tour in 2008. Details on the tour will be announced shortly.