Archaeology, History & Ancient Texts

Discernment should always accompany study, and it is especially important when searching for information on the web. We present the following sites as useful sources for articles and resources. While we believe they are reliable, we do not necessarily endorse all of their content.

Special Section: Dead Sea Scrolls

Archaeology/History

Jerusalem Archaeological Park - Sophisticated web site with visual simulation model of the Herodian Temple Mount. Many articles on history of Jerusalem in different time periods.

Jewish History Resource Center - Articles on Jewish history and culture.

The Bible and Interpretation - Dedicated to delivering the latest news, features, commentary, archaeological interpretation and excavations relevant to the study of the Bible for the public and biblical scholars.

The Foundation for Biblical Archaeology - Organization with purpose of encouraging biblical archaeology.

Bible History Online - Enormous amount of links and articles on every aspect of Bible history, cultures, texts, languages, etc. Site has interesting interface.

Artifax - Quarterly digest of information on the latest discoveries and developments in biblical archaeology by Scribe Media.

Biblical Archaeology Society - Publishers of Biblical Archaeology Review, Bible Review, and Archaeology Odyssey, has excellent articles on current findings in archaeology.

Jewish Virtual Library - Archaeology section - Very comprehensive collection of articles on archeological sites in Israel.

Dig the Bible - A nice site with "guided tours" of the archaeology of the Holy Land, articles on archaeologist's methods, links and other things. Written for the beginner.

Seven Churches Network, A Resource on Biblical Turkey - maps, scripture references and other resources related to the seven churches of Turkey in Revelation.

The Temple Mount - Ritmeyer Archeaological Design - Source for drawings, slides and other teaching materials produced by Leen and Kathleen Ritmeyer, the well-known archaeologists whose reconstruction drawings have been widely used.

The Temple Mount - Articles and information regarding Temple's archaeology, history, and the religious beliefs and attitudes regarding it.

Israel Museum Online Exhibit - has online displays of current and past exhibitions, and their permanent collection of the most important archaeological finds in Israel.

West Semitic Research Project - Ancient images and commentary relating to the Bible and the ancient Near East.

Biblical Cultures

Canaan & Ancient Israel - University of Pennsylvania - Articles on daily life in Canaan and ancient Israel.

Sketches of Jewish Social Life - Classic text by Alfred Edersheim, at searchgodsword.org. Many other references available there too.

Ancient Writings

Targums - Jewish translation/commentaries of books of the Old Testament that show how the Bible was interpreted around the time of Jesus.

Early Christian Writings - New Testament, Apocrypha, Gnostics, Church Fathers - a very comprehensive site.

Early Jewish Writings - Tanakh, Philo, Josephus, Pseudepigrapha - also very comprehensive.

The Babylonian Talmud - sacredtexts.com - The compendium of Jewish thought from about 500 AD.

Guide to Early Church Documents - Institute for Christian Leadership, iclnet.org. Links to early documents including canonical documents, creeds, the writings of the Apostolic Fathers and other texts relevant to church history.

Into His Own: Perspectives on the World of Jesus - Rutgers.edu - Has excellent collection of historical and rabbinic writings of Jesus's day online for reference - very nice.

Josephus Home Page - Collection of texts by Flavius Josephus, and information about the Jewish historian who documented the history of Israel in Jesus' era.

Interpreting Ancient Manuscripts - Earlham - A basic introduction to the science of paleography (the study of ancient manuscripts), including an excercise to try it yourself.

Dead Sea Scrolls

Scrolls from the Dead Sea - Online Exhibit from the Library of Congress - Very nice site with comprehensive overveiw of the archeological discoveries, the artifacts, the manuscripts and the cultural climate of the Dead Sea Scrolls.

Orion Center for Dead Sea Scrolls and Associated Literature - Hebrew University - The site for extensive research on the scrolls.  Includes publications, other resources, and a cave tour.