This season, we will be learning about all the ways the lands of Israel and Egypt have intersected in ancient history, archaeology, and Scripture. New episodes will launch on Thursdays beginning July 28 wherever you like to listen to your podcasts.

In the final episode of season 2, learn about the violent history and politically charged present of the Jews’ most important artifact.

Episode links: https://www.baslibrary.org/biblical-archaeology-review/37/2/7 ; https://www.biblicalarchaeology.org/daily/biblical-sites-places/temple-at-jerusalem/the-temple-mount-in-the-herodian-period/

In ancient Hebron, Abraham bought the first bit of the Promised Land, David unified Israel’s tribes into a nation, and Herod built a structure that now straddles the border between Israel and Palestine.

Nazareth doesn’t get a lot of ink in the Bible, but it has a long history. It was a 1st-century Jewish “puritan” city, has attracted Christian pilgrims since 360, and is the largest Muslim city inside Israel today.

Episode links: https://madainproject.com/sisters_of_nazareth_archaeological_site; https://www.nazarethvillage.com/about/research-and-archaeology/; https://www.biblicalarchaeology.org/daily/biblical-sites-places/biblical-archaeology-sites/has-the-childhood-home-of-jesus-been-found/

Wine was discovered almost 8,000 years ago in Turkey and has been cultivated in and around Israel ever since. Learn how it was used in ancient society and how it relates to biblical narratives.

Episode links: https://www.biblicalarchaeology.org/daily/digs-2015/excavating-the-ancient-near-easts-oldest-wine-cellar-the-results-of-the-2015-season-at-tel-kabri/

Peel away the false salacious reputation you may have been told about Mary of Magdala, and learn about the real 1st-century prosperous and devout city that was her home.

Episode links: https://www.magdala.org/

This bonus episode will tell you all you want to know about the newly revealed scroll fragments, mummified child, and Neolithic basket from Qumran’s so-called Cave of Horror.

Episode links: https://www.timesofisrael.com/bible-scroll-fragments-among-dazzling-artifacts-found-in-dead-sea-cave-of-horror/

Written by rebels, ransomed by thieves, and hoarded by scholars. Hear the stories of the creation, discovery, and publication of the famous Dead Sea Scrolls.

Episode links: https://www.deadseascrolls.org.il/learn-about-the-scrolls/introduction

https://www.baslibrary.org/biblical-archaeology-review/44/2/3

Explore Masada, the winter palace of Herod the Great, king of Judaea in the 1st century BCE. Learn the background of his biographer, Josephus--who was more Roman propagandist than Jewish sentimentalist.

Episode links: https://www.parks.org.il/en/reserve-park/masada-national-park/