Special Collections

While the BAS Library is completely searchable by topic, author, title and keyword, we have also put together a number of “Special Collections” that allow you to browse a selection of relevant articles on popular topics in one place. Take this opportunity to access excellent scholarship on specific topics, easily and quickly.

Biblical Archaeology’s Biggest Digs

Megiddo, Hazor, Dan, Gezer, Ashkelon. In many ways, these sites have come to define the field of Biblical archaeology. On the one hand, they are the massive, imposing mounds of stratified remains that give archaeologists material insight into the ancient past. On the other, they are Biblical cities, associated with some of the Bible’s most famous events and figures, from the conquests of Joshua to the building programs of King Solomon.

Dead Sea Scrolls

Everyone has heard of the Scrolls, but what do they actually say?

Ancient Israelite Religion

The Bible makes it clear that the official state religion of Israel was the sole worship of the God Yahweh, centered at the Jerusalem Temple. Archaeological remains, however, demonstrate that popular Israelite religion was in fact quite diverse.

Women in the Bible

Although the Bible is largely a product of the patriarchal, male-dominated societies of ancient Israel and the first-century C.E. Roman world, some of its most fascinating, evocative and inspiring characters are women.

Famous Biblical Archaeologists

BAR readers have long enjoyed learning about the Biblical world’s most important and exciting finds from the actual archaeologists who excavate and study them—legendary archaeologists and Biblical scholars like Yigael Yadin, William F. Albright and William Dever.

The Historical Jesus

Is it possible to identify the first-century man named Jesus behind the many stories and traditions about him that developed over 2,000 years in the Gospels and church teachings?

Easter

Explore Jesus’ last supper with his disciples, his trial, passion, death and burial, and the disciples’ astonishment as they encounter the resurrected Jesus.

The Forgery Trial of the Century

With a verdict soon expected in the six-year-long Jerusalem trial to determine whether or not the James ossuary, the Yehoash tablet and other ancient artifacts were illegally forged, the articles below highlight the various scholarly and scientific arguments that have been made both for and against the authenticity of these remarkable finds.

Egypt, Canaan and Israel

Throughout its long history, the land of ancient Canaan and Israel was often inseparably linked with the customs, traditions and military ambitions of its powerful neighbor to the west, Egypt.

Exodus/Egypt

It’s the most dramatic event in the Hebrew Bible—the flight of the Israelites from Egypt and their miraculous escape across the Red Sea.

Temple Mount

Sacred ground even before Biblical times and bitterly contested at present, the Temple Mount is one of the most fascinating and important places on earth.

Archaeological Digs

Many people have told us that it has been their lifetime dream to work on an excavation. With numerous digs being conducted every year, you can make that dream come true.

Galilee

Explore the area where Jesus was raised, where many of the Apostles came from, and where Jesus first began to preach.

Ehud Netzer

Herod was the ancient world’s builder par excellence. And it could be said that Herod’s architectural achievements were Ehud Netzer’s obsession.

Alan D. Crown

A renowned scholar of Samaritan studies, Alan D. Crown’s work made him one of the foremost experts on the Abisha Scroll, a copy of the Samaritan Pentateuch that was supposedly penned by Aaron’s great-grandson Abisha.

Avraham Biran

From Petrie and Albright to the 21st century, this prolific excavator had a profound impact on Israeli archaeology.

David Noel Freedman

The great Bible scholar provides a wealth of insights into the Hebrew Scriptures and the ancient world.

Shroud of Turin

Is the Shroud of Turin the burial cloth of Jesus Christ? Many scientists are convinced that the shroud is a medeival forgery, yet many others have presented evidence supporting the shroud’s authenticity. How can you sort through the news reports, the scientific evidence and the media hype to make your own decision about the authenticity of this famous object?