Biblical Archaeology Society

The Biblical Archaeology Society is a non-sectarian organization that supports and promotes biblical archaeology. It publishes Biblical Archaeology Review. Its past publications included Bible Review (1985–2005) and Archaeology Odyssey (1998–2006). The Biblical Archaeology Society also publishes books about biblical archaeology aimed at a general readership. The Society has, for more than 30 years, run seminars and tours offering an opportunity to learn directly from world-renowned archaeologists and scholars. It also produces videos (DVD) and CDs on archaeology and biblical archaeology.[1]

Not to be confused with Society of Biblical Archaeology.

History

The society was founded by Hershel Shanks in 1974 after taking his family on a year-long sabbatical to the archaeological digs of Jerusalem.[2] Upon his return, Hershel published an article in The Israel Exploration Journal and approached U.S magazines hoping to produce a similar suite of columns regarding biblical archeology.[3] However, these propositions were rejected and as such, led Hershel to establish his own publication, Biblical Archeology Newsletter.[4] In 1974, the Biblical Archeology Society was a recognised nonprofit corporation and by 1975, the group had published its first edition of the new Biblical Archaeology Review.[5]

Shanks served as editor for 42 years, retiring at the end of 2017. Robert R. Cargill was selected to replace Shanks as editor of the Society and associated publications; he also stepped down in 2018 and was replaced by Glenn J. Corbett.[6] Hershal Shanks died in 2021.[7]

In 1991, the Biblical Archaeology Society published A Facsimile Edition of the Dead Sea Scrolls, making the Dead Sea scrolls available to scholars around the world. Previously, access to the scrolls was limited to a small team of specialists who had been invited to translate them.[8] The Society has been heavily involved in the study of the Dead Sea Scrolls. In 2000, Hershal Shanks, the founder of the Biblical Archaeology Society, lost an appeal in the Israeli high court regarding the Society's publication of reconstructions of the scrolls which were later deemed intellectual property.[9]

Services

The Biblical Archaeology Society is the publisher of the magazine, Biblical Archaeology Review and had previously published Bible Review and Archaeology Odyssey.[10] The Society also publishes the daily blog Bible History Daily and hosts lecture series and site tours with prominent scholars in the fields of archaeology and biblical studies.[11]

Controversies

At a 2002 press conference co-hosted with the Discovery Channel, the Biblical Archaeology Society announced the existence of the James Ossuary, which, in their views, may have once held the remains of James, the brother of Jesus. However, while the ossuary itself is authentic, the inscription referencing to James and Jesus was later declared by the Israel Antiquities Authority to be a modern forgery.[12]

References
  1. "About Biblical Archaeology Society". Biblical Archaeology Society. Retrieved 2022-02-07.
  2. Laden, Susan (2018). "Raising the BAR: The History of the Biblical Archaeology Society". The Biblical Archaeology Review. 44: 7. Retrieved 22 March 2022.
  3. Laden, Susan (2018). "Raising the BAR: The History of the Biblical Archaeology Society". The Biblical Archaeology Review. 44. Retrieved 22 March 2022.
  4. Laden, Susan (2018). "Raising the BAR: The History of the Biblical Archaeology Society". The Biblical Archaeology Review. 44. Retrieved 22 March 2022.
  5. Laden, Susan (2018). "Raising the BAR: The History of the Biblical Archaeology Society". The Biblical Archaeology Review. 44. Retrieved 22 March 2022.
  6. "BAS Names New Editor". Biblical Archaeology Society. 2021-02-04. Retrieved 2021-06-13.
  7. Wilford, John Noble (1991-11-20). "DEAD SEA SCROLLS TO BE PUBLISHED". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2022-02-07.
  8. Wilford, John Noble (1991-11-20). "DEAD SEA SCROLLS TO BE PUBLISHED". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2022-02-07.
  9. Greenberg, Joel (2000-08-31). "Israeli Court Upholds Scholar's Rights to Dead Sea Scrolls Work". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2022-02-07.
  10. "Library". Biblical Archaeology Society. Retrieved 2022-02-07.
  11. "Travel". Biblical Archaeology Society. Retrieved 2022-02-07.
  12. "Final Report Of The Examining Committees For the Yehoash Inscription and James Ossuary". www.antiquities.org.il. Archived from the original on 2015-09-21. Retrieved 2021-06-13.


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