Bible and Archaeology
Bible and Archaeology is a podcast that explores the lands, civilizations, and archaeology of the Bible. Hosted by Biblical scholar Dr. Jordan Jones, the show features discussions with guests about the stories, people, and objects associated with biblical history. Listeners can submit questions to the podcast via email. The podcast is available on various platforms.
Episodes
How Bad Did Ancient Rome Smell?
How bad did Ancient Rome really smell? This week, historian Garrett Ryan of Toldinstone joins Bible & Archaeology to explore everyday life in the Roman Empire! From Roman sewers and sanitation, to free bread, retired gladiators, and the role rats and mosquitoes played in the fall of Rome, we'll explore how seemingly trivial questions reveal surprising connections between Roman history, cul
The Flood Story Before Noah
The story of Noah's Flood has striking parallels in ancient Mesopotamia, but some of those flood traditions predate the biblical text by more than a thousand years. This week, Joseph Lam joins Bible & Archaeology to explore the flood stories of Atrahasis, Gilgamesh, and ancient Mesopotamia. Why did the gods send the flood? What did an ancient ark supposedly look like? And does the evidence
Paul's Weirdest Promise: You'll Outrank the Angels
Did Paul think his followers would become angels? Scholar David Burnett says no. He argues Paul thought they'd outrank them.In 1 Corinthians, Paul says his followers will judge the angels and describes resurrection bodies that shine like stars. David Burnett argues that this reflects an ancient cosmic hierarchy in which the stars were understood as celestial beings, and that Paul's vision
The Dead Sea Scrolls Were Found. The Story Came Later.
The Dead Sea Scrolls are famous for the story of how they were discovered, but how much of that story is really about the texts themselves? Eva Mroczek joins Bible & Archaeology to explore why we’re fascinated by lost and hidden texts, how discovery stories turn ancient sources into mysteries, and what these stories reveal about our hopes for recovering the past. From the Dead Sea Scrolls to a
How Assyria Changed God
The Assyrians built one of the ancient world’s most powerfulempires, but what drove the Assyrian Empire's dramatic rise? And why did it fall so quickly? This week, Eckart Frahm joins Bible & Archaeology to trace Assyria's history, from its emergence as a major power to its eventual collapse. Along the way, we explore the reigns of famous Assyrian kings likeTiglath-Pileser III and Ashur
Samson's Story Isn't About His Hair. Judges 13–16 Explained
What is the story of Samson really about? Samson is often remembered as the strong man whose power was tied to his hair, but the story in Judges 13–16 is far more complicated. This week, Bob Cargill joins the podcast to explore Samson’s story, from his unusual birth and Nazirite status to his conflicts with the Philistines and his eventual downfall. We look at Samson’s violence and his role as a j
How the Israelite Priesthood Really Developed
Who controlled religion in ancient Israel? The Israelite priesthood may look like a straightforward institution, but its history is anything but simple. This week, Nathan MacDonald joins the podcast to to trace the development of the ancient Israelite priesthood and present his reconstruction of how the Israelite priesthood developed, drawing on the Hebrew Bible and the broader history of ancient
Why Biblical Books Didn't Have Titles
Why is Genesis called Genesis when ancient Israelites didn’t call it that? And why didn't books in the Hebrew Bible have titles? This week, Seth Sanders joins the podcast to discuss how writers organized, referenced, and transmitted these titleless biblical texts, and what the absence of titles reveals about the Bible's origins and implications.✨ Support what we do and help make videos like this p
How Satan Became God’s Greatest Enemy
Satan wasn't always God's greatest enemy. In the Hebrew Bible, “the satan” appears as an agent in God's heavenly court. But by the New Testament, Satan has become the Devil, God's cosmic opponent, and in Revelation, he is a terrifying dragon. This week, Peter Miller returns to Bible & Archaeology to trace the surprising development of Satan across the New Testament. How did thi
The Philistines Stole the Ark of the Covenant. Then People Started Dying.
What happened when the Philistines captured the Ark of the Covenant? In 1 Samuel, the Ark brings plague, mice, death, and toppled idols to the Philistines, forcing them to return it to Israel. But the strange events don’t end there because more Israelites die on its return. But why? This week, Bob Cargill is back to explore one of the Bible’s strangest stories. Join us as we examine what this stor
Why Did Hezekiah and Josiah Really Change Israel’s Religion?
What happens when kings try to control how an entire kingdom worships? This week, Shane Thompson joins us to explore cult centralization in the ancient world through three famous rulers: Hezekiah, Josiah, and Akhenaten. What can archaeology, the Hebrew Bible, and ancient Near Eastern history tell us about these dramatic reforms? From religious reforms in Judah to Aten worship in ancient Egypt, we
What the Bible Really Says About Sex Work
This week, Leslie Virnelson joins us to explore how the Hebrew Bible's view of sex work differs dramatically from modern assumptions. From big-name characters like Ruth and Tamar to the concepts of prostitution and adultery, we'll challenge some of the most common misconceptions about sexuality, sex work, and law in the biblical world.✨ Support what we do and help make videos like this pos
Why The Odyssey Was Never Historically Accurate
Is The Odyssey historically accurate? This week, classicist Celsiana Warwick joins the podcast to explore some of the enduring questions behind Homer's Odyssey, from Odysseus' "heroism" and the real role of Penelope, to questions of historical accuracy in translation and adaptation.📚 Reading Recommendations Wilson (accessible/contemporary)Fitzgerald (poetic)Lattimore (line by lin
Did Archaeologists Find The Tabernacle?
Did archaeologists really find the biblical Tabernacle at Shiloh? Every year, headlines claim a new "discovery" has uncovered the Ark of the Covenant or the Tabernacle, but what does the archaeology actually show? This week, Jordan and Mary Kate examine the latest excavations at Shiloh, the history of research at the site, the claims made by the Associates for Biblical Research, and what
Is John's Gospel More Historical Than We Thought?
Why do historical Jesus scholars skip the Gospel of John? This week, Dr. Paul Anderson joins the podcast to explore why John has often been dismissed as "too theological," what archaeology and topographical details reveal about the Gospel, and whether John preserves independent historical traditions alongside its theology. Can historians afford to ignore John, or is it time to rethink ou
Why Does Jesus Keep His Identity Secret?
Why does Jesus repeatedly tell people not to reveal who he is in Mark? For over a century scholars have explained this through the “Messianic Secret.” But what if we’re missing a key piece?This week Robyn Walsh joins the podcast to place Mark in the context of Greco-Roman literature. Comparing Mark to Homer’s Odyssey and other ancient texts, she argues Jesus’ hidden identity may reflect familiar l
Nicaea Didn't Decide the New Testament (So Who Did?)
How did the New Testament become the New Testament? This week, we are exploring the long process of canon formation with Ian Mills. From the myth of a single moment at Nicaea, the impact of authority, popularity, councils, and empire, to the role of figures like Marcion and Jerome, we'll unpack the gradual standardization that shaped the New Testament canon (or as much as we can). 📚 Reading Re
The Empire That Invented Its Own History, and Made It Stick
After the death of Alexander the Great, a new imperial power emerged across Western and Central Asia: the Seleucid Empire. But how did it actually hold such a vast territory together, and how much of its “history” was carefully constructed after the fact? This week, we explore how Seleucid rulers shaped memory, built cities, minted propaganda on coins, and even influenced dating systems to legitim
The Moabite Stone Changes How We Read the Bible
In 2 Kings 3, Israel appears to lose a battle after the king of Moab performs a child sacrifice on the city wall. Why would the Hebrew Bible preserve a story where a foreign god seems to defeat Israel’s armies? This week, Jordan and Mary Kate break down the Mesha Stele (Moabite Stone), ancient warfare, divine conflict, prophecy, propaganda, and the strange ending of one of the Bible’s most debated
The Ancient Israelite Fear Worse Than Death
What happened when you died in ancient Israel? The Hebrew Bible offers no clear picture of heaven or hell, but it does preserve a fascinating world of ancestors, burial rituals, Sheol, and the ongoing process of dying. This week, Dr. Matthew Suriano joins the podcast to talk about death and the afterlife in the Hebrew Bible, including the meaning of nefesh, the importance of burial, and why a “bad
How Young Did Girls Marry in the Bible?
In this episode, Susan Ackerman joins us to explore the life cycle of women in ancient Israel, from puberty and marriage to motherhood, ritual impurity, and death. We discuss why childbirth made women “unclean,” why women occupied a liminal role in ancient Israel, the story of Jephthah’s daughter, the concept of social menopause, and more. Along the way, we unpack what archaeology and biblical tex
What “Passing Through the Fire” Really Meant
Did ancient Israelites really sacrifice children? Dr. Kristine Garroway joins us to separate myth from archaeology. We dig into child burial practices, infant mortality, and what the archaeological record actually tells us. Spoiler: there are no mass burial pits of sacrificed children in ancient Israel, but what's really behind those "passed through fire" passages may surprise you.📚 Reading Recomm
How Ancient Mesopotamia Invented School (And Why We've Misread the Evidence)
What did it take to become a scribe in ancient Mesopotamia, and how do we actually know? This week, Dr. Joshua Bowen reveals how the physical shape of clay tablets unlocked the secrets of ancient education, and why the literary texts describing school life can't always be taken at face value. From vocabulary lists and memorization to indoctrination and local variation, the archaeology tells a very
Acts Is Shockingly Accurate, And That's The Problem
Was the author of Acts trying to preserve history, or persuade you of something deeper?For years, readers have pointed to Acts’ historical accuracy as proof of its reliability. But what if that accuracy is actually part of the literary strategy? In this conversation with CJ Cornthwaite, we explore why Acts may be more historically precise than expected, and why that actually raises bigger question
Is Everything You Know About Egyptian Mummies Wrong?
What were Egyptian mummies really for? This week, Kara Cooney joins Bible & Archaeology to explore what mummification in ancient Egypt was really about, and who it was really for. From natural preservation in the desert to elite-controlled workshops and secret techniques, we unpack how mummification functioned as a display of power and how their afterlives reveal consequences the Egyptians the
Why Jesus Never Condemned Slavery
What did Jesus actually say about slavery? This week, Chance Bonar joins Bible & Archaeology to explore how slavery is addressed in the teachings of Jesus and the New Testament. From the silence of the Gospels to the broader context of ancient slavery, we examine how these texts have been interpreted and misunderstood over time.📚 Reading RecommendationsThe Author in Early Christian Literature
Everything We Get Wrong About The Ten Commandments
What do we actually know about the Ten Commandments? Joel Baden joins Bible & Archaeology to explore how these famous laws appear in the Bible and why they became so central to later Jewish and Christian thought. From multiple versions in Exodus and Deuteronomy to their role in the story of Mount Sinai, we examine how the Ten Commandments function inside the biblical narrative and why they’ve
Did Christians Get Satan Wrong? Why The Hebrew Bible Says Something Different
Who is Satan in the Hebrew Bible? In this episode of Bible & Archaeology, Dr. Peter Miller is back to explore why the figure called “the satan” in texts like the Book of Job may not be the devil many people imagine. We’ll explore how the Hebrew Bible portrays Satan as an adversary or accuser, and how later traditions transformed this figure into the embodiment of evil.✨ Become a Bible & Ar
Did Christians Ignore Jesus’ Teaching About Strangers?
Where did the moral obligation to help strangers come from? In this episode of Bible & Archaeology, New Testament scholar Bart D. Ehrman discusses his new book Love Thy Stranger and explores ancient ideas about charity, wealth, and caring for others before Jesus. We'll also examine how Jesus’ teachings reshaped these traditions and what happened to his message after he was gone.📚 Reading R
Olive Oil Powered the Bronze Age, Here’s How
Can olive oil explain the Bronze Age? James Fraser joins Bible & Archaeology to explore the production, trade, and economic importance of olive oil across the ancient Mediterranean. From large-scale cultivation and storage to long-distance trade and its role in everyday life, we examine how olive oil became one of the most important commodities of the Bronze Age world.🔗 Resources & LinksCh
Why Creation Stories All Look the Same
What do we actually know about the origins of creation stories? Joseph Lam joins Bible & Archaeology to explore how creation accounts emerge across the ancient Mediterranean and Ancient Near East. From the absence of a "big bang" moment to shared themes like chaos, divine conflict, and political messaging, we trace the deeper patterns behind stories like Genesis, Atrahasis, and the E
Inside The Secret Market for Ancient Bible Manuscripts
Stolen from the ground. Sold through shadowy dealers. Displayed in world-famous museums. This is how many looted manuscripts travel from illegal digs to prestigious collections, and why almost no one faces consequences.Papyrologist and author Roberta Mazza ("Stolen Fragments") joins us to pull back the curtain on the hidden antiquities trade fueling modern biblical scholarship. We trace
Who Were the Sea Peoples? (and what happened to them?)
What do we actually know about the Sea Peoples? Eric Cline joins Bible & Archaeology to explore what we do and don't know about the Sea Peoples. From names and theories of origins to where they go, this week we cover the rise and fall of the Sea Peoples. 📚 Reading Recommendations:1177 B.C.: The Year Civilization Collapsed by Eric ClineAfter 1177 B.C.: The Survival of Civilizations by Eric
Was King David a Murderer?
Was David a murderer? This week, David Shepherd joins Bible & Archaeology to explore bloodguilt in the story of Israel’s most famous king. What did ancient Israel think about guilt, justice, and royal power, and does the Bible actually hold David responsible for shedding innocent blood?📚 Reading Recommendations:King David, Innocent Blood, and Bloodguilt by David J. Shepherd✨ Become a Bible &a
The Myth of Masada: What Really Happened
Rising high above the Dead Sea, Masada is one of the most dramatic landscapes of the ancient world. But long before it became a symbol of defiance and martyrdom, it was an Hasmonean fortress, reshaped in spectacular fashion by Herod the Great into a palace-fortress that clung improbably to the edge of empire.This week, Jodi Magness joins the podcast to guide us through Masada’s layered past: its H
The Real Paul: Robyn Faith Walsh Challenges Everything You Think You Know
The Apostle Paul is one of the most towering figures in early Christianity. But behind the familiar narratives lies a far more complex reality. Who was the historical Paul? And perhaps more importantly, how many different Pauls have been handed down to us through the centuries?This week, Jordan welcomes Dr. Robyn Faith Walsh to untangle the various Pauline traditions that have shaped our understan
How the Assyrians Shaped the Golden Calf
The golden calf is one of the most infamous images in the Hebrew Bible—but what was it really? An idol? A political symbol? Or something more complicated?This week, Dr. Elizabeth VanDyke joins the podcast to re-examine the golden calf traditions and ask where these stories actually begin. Together, we explore the biblical origins of the golden calves, questions of identity and power in ancient Isr
Why Early Christians Were Drawn to the Dead
The late antique Mediterranean was an enchanted world where the dead were not silent or distant, but active participants in everyday life. This week, historian Michael L. Satlow joins the podcast to explain why cemeteries, saints’ bones, and the spirits of the dead were seen as powerful points of contact with the divine, and why early Christians were especially drawn to them. We'll explore how
Christianity Abolished Sacrifice—So Why Did It Keep It?
Why does sacrifice keep returning in Christian history, even when Christianity tried to reject it? This week, historian Jonathan Sheehan joins the podcast to trace how sacrifice was abolished, absorbed, and reshaped from antiquity to the modern secular world and why Christianity couldn't get rid of it.📚 Reading Recommendations:📖 On The Altar: A History of Sacrificehttps://amzn.to/49IRfDo✨ Become a
How Scholars Identify Fake Dead Sea Scrolls
The Dead Sea Scrolls are among the most important archaeological discoveries ever made, but not every fragment has turned out to be real. This week, Dr. Kipp Davis joins the podcast to explore how scholars identify which Dead Sea Scrolls are fakes, why forgers have been so successful in creating fakes, and why we are so susceptible to forgeries. This is part two of our conversation about how Dead
Why Some Dead Sea Scrolls Turned Out to Be Fake
The Dead Sea Scrolls are among the most important archaeological discoveries ever made, but not every fragment has turned out to be real. This week, Dr. Kipp Davis joins the Bible & Archaeology podcast to explore how early questions about authenticity emerged, why the circumstances of the Scrolls’ discovery created an environment ripe for forgery, and how the early antiquities trade laid the g
Was Jesus Born Into Political Chaos or Something Worse?
The Nativity stories are often told as peaceful and comforting, but the historical world Jesus was born into was anything but calm. This week, historian Dr. Joan Taylor, author of Boy Jesus, joins the Bible & Archaeology podcast to explore the political violence, fear, displacement, and social instability surrounding Jesus’ birth. Rather than dismantling the Nativity, Dr. Taylor seeks to expan
The Star of Bethlehem Explained: What It Was and Wasn’t
The Star of Bethlehem is one of the most famous elements of Matthew’s Nativity story, but what could it actually have been? How could a star lead travelers, stop over a location, or identify a single house? This week, physicist Dr. Aaron Adair joins Bible & Archaeology to examine the most common scientific explanations for the Star of Bethlehem and why many of them fall apart. By looking at bo
This Gospel Changed the Nativity Forever: The Proto-Gospel of James Explained
The Proto-Gospel of James is one of the most influential non-canonical texts in Christian history, especially when it comes to how Christians came to imagine Mary and the Nativity. This early Christian gospel focuses not on Jesus’ ministry, but on the miraculous birth and early life of Mary, her betrothal to Joseph, and the circumstances surrounding Jesus’ birth. In fact, many familiar Christmas t
Is Everything You Know About Christmas Wrong? Dan McClellan Explains
Many of the Christmas traditions we take for granted, like December 25th, the Nativity, Christmas trees, the Magi, the star of Bethlehem, and even Herod’s massacre, have complex histories that don’t always match the Bible or what we’ve been taught. This week, biblical scholar Dan McClellan joins us to explain the most common Christmas misconceptions and what the historical and textual evidence act
How 50 Archaeological Discoveries Defined Our Image of Ancient Egypt with Campbell Price
Ancient Egypt is far harder to reconstruct than most people imagine. Egyptologist Dr. Campbell Price joins us to explore how archaeologists and the Egypt Exploration Society pieced together Egypt’s past through 50 key discoveries. We look at the history of archaeological exploration in Egypt, how early excavations were shaped by biblical expectations and colonial agendas, and how those discoveries
How Mesopotamian Myths Shaped the Hebrew Bible with Joshua Bowen
What Mesopotamian texts influenced the Hebrew Bible? Dr. Joshua Bowen from Digital Hammurabi joins us to compare ancient Near Eastern literature—including the Atrahasis, the Code of Hammurabi, and other Mesopotamian myths—with the biblical text. We explore textual dependence, shared motifs, internal tensions, and what these parallels reveal about the Bible’s development.📺 Check out Digital Hammura
Why Revelation Isn't a Roadmap to the Apocalypse
What is the Book of Revelation actually about? Most modern readers treat Revelation as a prophecy about the end times, but ancient readers read it very differently. This week, we’re joined by Dr. Rebekah Haigh to explore how ancient apocalyptic literature works, why Revelation is full of symbols and violence, and how its first-century Roman context changes everything.👉 Dr. Haigh helps us explore:–
How Ancient Kings Gaslit Each Other: The Amarna Letters Explained
Are the Amarna Letters diplomacy or manipulation?The Amarna Letters, ancient tablets from Pharaoh Akhenaten’s capital in Egypt, reveal a world of royal drama, political gaslighting, and fragile alliances between the superpowers of the Late Bronze Age. These 3,000-year-old messages between the kings of Egypt, Babylon, Canaan, and the Hittites expose the psychology of empire, but how much can we rea
The Forgotten Jewish Temple in Egypt: The Elephantine Papyri Explained
What can a lost Jewish temple in Egypt teach us about early Judaism? The Elephantine Papyri reveal how Jews lived, worshiped, and but why don’t they mention the Bible? This week, we’re joined by Dr. James D. Moore to explore the big questions about the Elephantine papyri and what they tell us about the Jewish community living at and around the border fortress at Elephantine. 👉 Dr. Moore helps us e
Witch Hunts, Black Cats, and the Bible: The Surprising Connection
Why are witches linked with black cats, and does the Bible have anything to do with it? This week, Dr. Peter Miller joins us to uncover how biblical ideas about magic shaped later Christian traditions about witches, black cats, and the devil.👉 We’ll discuss:– What “magic” means in the Bible– How witchcraft appears in the Bible– How biblical texts became witch-hunt propaganda🔗 Resources & Links
Do Demons Have Bodies?
Do demons have bodies? And if they do, what do they look like? This week, Dr. Travis Proctor joins us to explore how ancient Jews and Christians understood demons, possession, and the world of spiritual beings.From their origins as the spirits of the Nephilim, to possession and exorcism stories in the Bible, we’ll unpack how early writers imagined the complicated role of demons in the Bible and ho
Why Early Christians Gave Jesus a Magic Wand
Why does Jesus appear to hold a magic wand in early Christian art? And what does that symbol really mean? This week, Dr. Robyn Walsh joins us to explore early Christian iconography, what the so-called “wand” represents, and how depictions of Jesus evolved from a youthful, beardless healer to the bearded teacher we recognize today.👉 We’ll discuss:– What early Christian art tells us about Jesus– Why
Did John Copy Matthew, Mark, and Luke?
Was the Gospel of John really written independently, or did its author know and use Matthew, Mark, and Luke as sources? This week, Duke professor Dr. Mark Goodacre is back to explore John’s surprising connections to the Synoptic Gospels and how these links could completely change how we read the New Testament.Dr. Goodacre helps us explore:– Did John really know and use the other Gospels?– How “hid
Disturbing Bible Stories Explained: Judah, Tamar, and Jephthah’s Daughter
She seduced her father-in-law, he sacrificed his daughter, and it’s all in the Bible! In this episode, we explore two of the most disturbing stories in the Hebrew Bible: the story of Judah and Tamar (Genesis 38) and the tragic tale of Jephthah’s daughter (Judges 11). These are two of the most shocking stories in the Bible, so why did they make it in? Are these stories misunderstood?Join us as we u
Dead Sea Scrolls and Qumran: What We Know
The Dead Sea Scrolls are one of the greatest archaeological discoveries ever made, but what do they actually tell us about ancient Judaism, the Bible, and the mysterious site of Qumran? Were they really part of a library, or something else entirely?This week, we’re joined by Dr. Sidnie White Crawford, author of Scribes and Scrolls at Qumran, to explore the big questions about the Scrolls.Dr. Crawf
Haman Unmasked: The Truth About The Bible’s Ultimate Villain
Who was Haman, and why has he endured as one of the Bible’s most infamous villains? In the Book of Esther, Haman rises to power in the Persian court and plots against the Jewish people, but the story also raises deeper questions. Does the story portray him as a villain to be feared, mocked, or both? This week, we're talking with Dr. Adam Silverstein, author of "Haman: A Biography," a
Josephus on Jesus: Forgery or Authentic? Investigating the Testimonium Flavianum
Did Josephus really write about Jesus? Or is the famous Testimonium Flavianum a later Christian addition? This week, we're talking with Dr. Tom Schmidt, author of "Josephus and Jesus: New Evidence for the One Called Christ," about one of the most debated passages in ancient history and what it reveals about the historical Jesus.Get a free PDF of the book HERE Access made possible by
Why Jesus' Followers Abandoned This Teaching with Bart Ehrman
At the heart of Jesus’s message was a call to repentance in anticipation of the coming Kingdom of God, so why did his followers dramatically reverse this teaching after his death?Join Dr. Ehrman for his talk "A Core Teaching of Jesus—and Why His Followers Abandoned It" at the New Insights into the New Testament conference (September 26–28) HEREAffiliate Disclosure: As an affiliate we may
Everything You Need to Know to Start Reading Homer with Celsiana Warwick
This week, we're talking about Homer with Dr. Celsiana Warwick! What do we actually know about Homer? Was Homer a real person? And why does Homer still matter to us today?Join Dr. Cargill for his new online course Cities of the BibleBecome a Bible & Archaeology patron on Patreon.Send us your questions: bible-archaeology@uiowa.eduWant
Understanding AI: A Deep Dive
This week, we're talking about AI with Matthew Cunningham! How does AI actually think? What is AI really? Is AI going to take over everything? And how should we think about the impact of AI on our lives? Join us for a deep dive into the complicated world of AI and its implications.Join Dr. Cargill for his new online course Cities of the BibleBecome a Bible & Archaeology patro
An Honest Conversation about the "Reference" to Moses
This week, we're talking about the Serabit El-Khadim inscriptions with Dr. Aren Wilson-Wright! Join us for a deep dive into the history and significance of these inscriptions and a discussion of some of the problems that exist with the readings proposed by Michael Bar-Ron.Sinai 357 (Photo by Cédric Paulhiac)Sinai 357 Bar-Ron (Photo by Michael Bar-Ron)Sinai 361 (Photo by Aren Wilson-Wright)Sina
This Month in Archaeology: 3 Discoveries That Made Headlines in July 2025
There are a lot of archaeological news stories every month and with every story come questions. This week on the podcast, we wanted to round up three stories from July 2025 that deserve more discussion. Check out our news shorts for weekly archaeology news updates.Aeneashttps://deepmind.google/discover/blog/aeneas-transforms-how-historians-connect-the-past/https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-02
The Forgotten Plague of Marcus Aurelius
Did plague bring an end to the age of Pax Romana? This week, Dr. Colin Elliott joins the podcast to explain the Antonine plague and the influence this wide-reaching plague had on the decline of the Roman Empire.Looking for more from Dr. Elliott?Check out his book Pox Romana: The Plague That Shook the Roman World.His podcastOr his YouTube channelJoin Dr. Cargill for his new online course Citie
The Tower of Babel Isn't About Pride: Genesis 11 Explained
What's the real message of the Tower of Babel? This week, Bob and Jordan walk through four different versions of the Tower of Babel story to see how this story has grown over time and unpack the real meaning of this story.Join Dr. Cargill for his new online course Cities of the BibleBecome a Bible & Archaeology patron on Patreon
Why The Bible Doesn't Ban All Magic
This week, we're talking about magic! What is the line between magic and religion? What makes something a miracle instead of magic? Join us for a dive into the text to see if the Bible is actually as opposed to magic as it gets depicted to be.Join Dr. Cargill for his new online course Cities of the BibleBecome a Bible & Archaeology patron on Patreon
War, Peace, and Lies: Propaganda in Ancient Egypt
This week, we're talking with Dr. Briana Jackson about propaganda in ancient Egypt! What counted as propaganda? How was it used? And how different is Egyptian propaganda to what we see today?Interested in more? RSVP for Dr. Jackson's upcoming online class (July 12th) Never Has There Ever: Royal Propaganda in Ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia (it's free!)Join Dr. Cargill for his new online
The Surprising Truth About Christian Persecution in Rome
This week, we're talking with Dr. Paula Fredriksen about her new book: "Ancient Christianities: The First Five Hundred Years." We discuss one of the larger questions that runs throughout the book: Christian persecution. When did it happen? How common was it? And why does it become such a dominant part of early Christian identity?Buy "Ancient Christianities" HERE Join Dr. Ca
This Month in Archaeology: 4 Discoveries That Made Headlines in June 2025
There are a lot of archaeological news stories every month and with every story come questions. This week on the podcast, we wanted to round up four stories from June 2025 that deserve more discussion. Check out our news shorts for weekly archaeology news updates.Join Dr. Cargill for his new online course Cities of the BibleBecome a Bible & Archaeology patron on
Why Augustine Thought Slavery Was Good (and how it still affects us)
This week, we're talking about Augustine's view of slavery with Dr. Toni Alimi. How central to Augustine's thinking and theology was slavery and just how large a shadow did his thinking create? The answer might surprise you.For more, check out Dr. Alimi's new book "Slaves of God: Augustine and Other Romans on Religion and Politics": https://press.princeton.edu/books/hardc
An Honest Conversation about Slavery and the New Testament
This week, we're talking about slavery in the New Testament and Roman world with Javal Coleman. From the Roman context of slavery to how we should be asking questions of instances of slavery in the New Testament, we cover a lot in this conversation.For more, check out their chapter "Enslavement in the Roman World" in the new book "Ancient Slavery and its New Testament Contexts&q
Julius Caesar: The Fall of the Roman Republic
This week, we're talking with Dr. Colin Elliott about Julius Caesar! Just how important was Julius Caesar to the history of Rome? Was Caesar's life one of calculated risk or chance events? And how does Caesar compare to everyone who comes after him?Looking for more from Dr. Elliott? Check out his podcast: paxromanapodcast.com Or his YouTube channel: https://youtube.com/@profcpe?si=vhzEVTxU
How Beer Shaped Ancient Mesopotamia
This week, Dr. Tate Paulette joins Jordan to discuss beer in ancient Mesopotamia! What do we know about the origins of beer? Do we know who drank beer or what it tasted like? Did ancient Mesopotamia have a beer culture? And what's the deal with straws?Looking for more? Check out Dr. Tate Paulette's book "In the Land of Ninkasi: A History of Beer in Ancient Mesopotamia." https://g
This is NOT Noah's Ark: Breaking Down the "New" Claims
Did Ground Penetrating Radar find Noah's Ark? This week, we break down the claims being made by the Noah's Ark Scans about the Durupınar formation. We will get into the "new" pseudo-archaeological evidence, what they are saying it represents, the issues present in their readings, and some questionable things that surround the group and their claims.Join Dr. Cargill for his new on
Biblical Angels Explained: What They Are and What They Do
This week, Dr. Peter Miller joins Bible & Archaeology to unpack the concept of angels! What are angels? Do angels have a clear role in the Bible? What do angels look like? Do angels have free will? We cover all this and more!Support what we do and help make videos like this possible by joining the Bible & Archaeology Patreon community. Members receive early access, exclusive bonus content,
Why People Still Believe in Biblical Giants
This week, we're talking with Dr. Brian Doak about Giants! Why are conspiracies about giants so popular? What roots do these theories have in the Bible? And how does any of this connect to American politics?Subscribe to his YouTube channel, where he posts regular reflections on a wide range of biblical studies topics: https://www.youtube.com/@briandoak Read his new article "Shocking Disco
The Bible's Original Love Story?
This week, Jordan and Mary Kate discuss the relationship of Jacob, Rachel, and Leah. Is this a story of love at first sight? Who is said to love in this story? What is the role of "love"? Is "love" even the right word? Join us as we discuss some common modern interpretations of Genesis 29 and their problems.Join Dr. Cargill for his new online course Cities of the BibleBecome
"The Bible Says So" – The Full Story with Dan McClellan
This week, we're talking with Dr. Dan McClellan about his new book "The Bible Says So: What We Get Right (and Wrong) About Scripture’s Most Controversial Issues." We discuss not just what is in the book but the larger issues that shaped the book.Buy "The Bible Says So" https://www.amazon.com/Bible-Says-So-Scriptures-Controversial/dp/1250347467Join Dr. Cargill for his new on
An Unfiltered Conversation about the Dead Sea Scrolls
This week, we're talking about the Dead Sea Scrolls with Dr. Andrew Perrin! From the stories of their discovery to the rise of modern forgeries, Bob and Andrew cover it all in this conversation about the history and importance of the Dead Sea Scrolls. Buy "Lost Words and Forgotten Worlds" https://www.amazon.com/Lost-Words-Forgotten-Worlds-Rediscovering/dp/1683597958 Looking for more
Jesus' Last Day
How many versions of Jesus' last day do we have? This week, Bob and Jordan walk through the events of Good Friday in each of the four gospels to see where they do and don't agree in their descriptions of Jesus' crucifixion. Join Dr. Cargill for his new online course Cities of the BibleBecome a Bible & Archaeology patron on Patreon.Send us your question
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