Biblical Archaeology Review

This year—2018—marks the celebration of several significant milestones:

· It is the 70th anniversary of Israel’s antiquities department (the Israel Antiquities Authority, formerly known as the Israel Department of Antiquities and Museums).

· The Friends of the Israel Antiquities Authority turns 25.

· Seventy years have passed since the announcement of the discovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls.

· The American Center of Oriental Research celebrates its golden anniversary.

In the New Testament, Jesus performs many miracles in and around a town called Bethsaida. We see him walk on water, cure a blind man, and feed 5,000 people from five loaves of bread and two fish. Three of Jesus’s apostles (Simon-Peter, Andrew, and Philip) are said to have been born there. While other excavations contend for Biblical Bethsaida, an archaeological team led by Rami Arav believes they have located Bethsaida by the Jordan River to the north of the Sea of Galilee, at a site called et-Tell.

A. Snake idol

B. Pivot

C. Crank

D. Toy

E. Wedge

Answer: B. Pivot

There’s no denying that I have a sweet tooth. Whether I am at home or abroad, I am always in search of desserts. From croissants to baklava, I’ve sampled many delicious dishes—but never before one from Bronze Age Syria.

Who discovered the Sinaitic Palimpsest?

Answer: Agnes Smith Lewis

A medieval signet ring was uncovered this past February during routine gardening in the Jezreel Valley moshav HaYogev. Engraved with the image of a bald man with a staff, the bronze piece most likely represents St. Nicholas holding a bishop’s crook.