The first of the biblical forefathers described in the Book of Genesis.
Adar
Babylonian and Hebrew Month in early Spring
Aegean
The region of the Aegean Sea, between modern-day Greece and Turkey. Location of important ancient cultures, including the Minoan (Bronze Age Crete), Mycenaean (Bronze Age mainland Greece), and Iron Age Greek cultures.
Aerial Photography
Photographs
Aharoni, Yohanan
Israeli archaeologist of the 20th cent. CE
Ai
Archaeological site (also known as et-Tell) with Early Bronze and Iron I finds. In the biblical text, this site is noted as one of the sites that Joshua conquered, but there is no archaeological evidence of this conquest.
Akkadian
A language of ancient Mesopotamia, written in cuneiform.
Albright, William Foxwell
American archaeologist of the 20th cent CE
Alt, Albrecht
German Biblical Scholar of the 20th cent. CE
Ammon
Iron Age people and kingdom in central Transjordan (modern Jordan of today).
Anatolia
Part of modern Turkey.
Ancient Hebrew Script/Paleo-Hebrew/Proto-Canaanite
Ancient Israel
Ancient Judah
Ancient Near East
The ancient cultures in the general area of modern-day Turkey, Syria, Lebanon, Israel, Jordan, Egypt and Iraq.
Ancient Near Eastern Texts
Written texts from various cultures of the ancient Near East.
Ancient Shekel
Ancient weight (ca. 11-13 grams)
Without iconic depictions
Anthropology
The study of humans and human societies in the past and present.
Arad
Early Bronze and Iron Age site in the northeast Negev.
Aramaic
Northwest Semitic language used by the Arameans.
Arameans
Groups of people who resided mainly in the region of modern-day Syria during the Iron Age
Archaeobotanical Remains
Botanical finds from archaeological contexts.
Archaeobotanist
A scientist who studies botanical materials from archaeological contexts.
Archaeological Remains
Ancient finds found at an archaeological site.
Archaeological Research
The broad spectrum of research related activities conducted in relation to the study of archaeological remains, in the field, labs, archives, and libraries
Archaeological Tell/Tel
The Middle Eastern term for a multi-layered/multi-period site * “tell” - Hebrew transliteration to English; “tel” - Arabic transliteration to English
Archaeology
The study of ancient humans and their cultures based on physical remains
Archaeology of Palestine
The Archaeology of the region of modern-day Israel/Palestine and Jordan.
Archaeology of the Bronze and Iron Age Eastern Mediterranean
Archaeology of the countries around the eastern side of the Mediterranean Sea during the Bronze and Iron Ages (ca. 3500-600 BCE)
(The) Archaeology of the Southern Levant
The Archaeology of the region of modern-day Israel/Palestine and Jordan.
Archaeozoologist/Zooarchaeologist
A scientist who studies zoological materials from archaeological contexts.
An object from an archaeological context.
Ashdod
Ancient site located in central Philistia (southern Coastal Plain) between modern-day Tel Aviv and Ashkelon. Was an important Philistine site in the Iron Age.
Ashkelon
Ancient site located in southern Philistia (southern Coastal Plain) between modern day Ashdod and Gaza. Was an important Philistine site in the Iron Age.
Assemblage
A group of archaeological
Assyria
One of the cultures of ancient Mesopotamia.
Assyrian Annals
Concise historical records of main events during the Assyrian Empire.
Assyrian Siege of Jerusalem
Conducted by Sennacherib, King of Assyria, 701 BCE
Baal
A storm god of various Semitic religions. Was a primary god in Canaanite religion.
Babylonia
One of the cultures of ancient Mesopotamia.
Babylonian
Several series of ancient Babylonian texts, written on clay tablets, depicting major events in Babylonian history.
Babylonian Conquest of Judah 587/586
Conquest of the Kingdom of Judah by the Babylonian King Nebuchadnezzar.
Babylonian Food Ration Tabet
Cuneiform tablets from ancient Babylon which mention the food rations given to Jehoiachin, King of Judah, in his captivity in exile
The unexcavated side of an excavation square.
Bamah
Open air cult place.
Battle of Qarqar
BCE (Before Common Era)
BC (Before Christ).
Beersheba (Beersheva) Valley
A large east-west valley situated in the northern Negev.
Bethel
Biblical account
A depiction of a real or imagined event as it appears in the biblical texts.
Biblical Archaeology
The study of the physical remains of the peoples, cultures and periods in which the biblical texts were formed.
Biblical Scholar
Biblical Text
The written texts of the Bible.
Biological Remains
Archaeological finds deriving from biological sources, such as plants, animals and humans.
Black Obelisk
Inscription of Shalmaneser III (reigned 858–824 BCE) that mentions the tribute given by Jehu, King of Israel (reigned 841–814 BCE).
Bliss, Frederick
American archaeologist of the late 19th and early 20th centuries CE.
Boaretto, Elisabetta
Professor at the Weizmann Institute of Science at Rehovot, Israel, an expert on Carbon 14 dating.
Book of Judges
A biblical book whose main theme is a depiction of pre-monarchic Israel and Judah and the judges who led the various groups at the time.
Book of Joshua
A biblical book whose main theme is a depiction of the Israelite conquest and settlement of the Land of Israel.
Book of Kings
A biblical book whose main theme is a depiction of the period of the Judahite Monarchy, from the end of the reign of David until the destruction of Jerusalem in 586 BCE.
Book of Samuel
A biblical book whose main themes are the life of the Prophet Samuel and the reign of King David.
Botanical Analysis
Analysis of botanical remains from archaeological contexts.
Botanical Remains
Remains of plants from archaeological contexts.
Brettler, Marc
Professor of the Bible at Duke University.
British Mandate in Palestine (1922-1948)
The period, after World
Bronze Age
The archaeological period after the Chalcolithic Periods (ca. 4500-3500 BCE) and before the Iron Age (ca. 1200-586 BCE). Most often divided into the Early Bronze Age (ca 3500-1900 BCE), Middle Bronze Age (ca. 1900-1500 BCE) and the Late Bronze Age (ca. 1500-1200 BCE).
Iron I cultic site in the northeast Samarian highlands.
Calah/Nimrud
Canaan
The ancient region of the Southern Levant (more or less modern Israel, Palestine, Jordan, Lebanon and Syria) during the Bronze Age.
Canaanite gods
The pantheon (collection of gods) in Canaanite religion.
Canaanites
The ancient peoples who lived in the region of Canaan.
Caprid (bones)
A general term for sheep and goats.
Casemate wall
City wall comprised of a double wall with cross walls that create rooms between the walls.
Carbon 14 Dating
Physical method for absolute dating of ancient organic remains.
Carbonized Remains
Organic materials (such as wood, seeds, etc.) that turned to charcoal, usually due to fire.
Carmel
A range of mountains in northern Israel in the region of modern-day Haifa.
Carmel Coast
The coastal region near the Carmel mountains.
CE (Common Era)
Similar to AD (Anno Domini).
Central Hills (highlands)
A region in the Land of Israel – the central mountainous region of the land, where, in the Iron Age, the core of the Israelite and Judahite cultures were located.
Central Levant
The Area of central and northern Syria of today.
Ceramic
Objects made of baked clay.
Chalice/Incense Burner
A vessel, usually a bowl on stand, which was used for burning incense.
Chance Discovery
An archaeological discovery that was found in unplanned circumstances, such as during construction.
Charred Remains
Burnt archaeological remains.
Christianity
A monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus.
Citadel
The fortified inner area of a city.
City gate
The gate of a city, which served both as part of the fortification and various everyday civic functions, such as a market, court, and meeting point.
City of David
A portion of the ancient City of Jerusalem, now referring to the SE portion of the ancient city, south of the Temple Mount.
City-states
A political unit usually consisting of a single city and its dependent territories.
Clermont-Ganneau, Charles
French explorer of the 19th cent. CE
Chronology
The timeline of past events.
Collared-rim jar
A large storage jar found very often in the early Iron Age settlement sites, with a typical “collar” on the bottom of the neck of the jar.
Conquest of Jericho
The biblical depiction, in the Book of Joshua, of the Israelite conquest of Jericho, the first site supposedly captured when the Israelites enter Canaan. Archaeologically, there is no evidence of this conquest.
Crete
A large island in the eastern Mediterranean, part of modern-day Greece. The home of the Bronze Age “Minoan” culture, and one of the regions from which part of the Philistine culture may have arrived from in the early Iron Age.
Cult
Ritual
Cultic
An archaeological location where cultic activities were conducted.
Cultic remains
Archaeological evidence relating to
A site where cultic activities were conducted in an unroofed area.
Culture
The social
Cuneiform
Method of writing used primarily in Mesopotamia, in which symbols in the shape of wedges, were marked on clay or stone. Various languages, such as Akkadian, were written with this system.
Curated texts
Ancient texts that were saved, and changed, over the ages.
Cyprus
A large island in the eastern Mediterranean Sea, with important cultures from the late Prehistoric periods and onwards. Throughout many periods, was closely connected through trade and other cultural relations with the cultures of the Southern Levant.
Damascus
Davidic Dynasty
The lineage of kings of the Kingdom of Judah whose lineage commenced with David.
Dead Sea Scrolls
Ancient scrolls, written on parchment or papyrus, mostly dating to the Hellenistic and Roman Periods, which were found in the region of the Dead Sea. Include among them some of the earliest known biblical texts.
Deity
A god.
Dental Tools
Various implements used by dentists for examining and cleaning teeth that are also used by archaeologists to excavate delicate finds.
De Vaux, Roland
French Biblical Scholar and archaeologist of the 20th cent. CE
Dever, William
Leading American archaeologist.
Dibon/Dhiban Jordan
Ancient and modern settlement in central Jordan (70 km south of Amman), which served as the capital of the Kingdom of Moab during the reign of Mesha. The “Mesha Inscription” was found at this site.
Differential GPS instruments
Global Positioning System: A highly accurate instrument for measuring location, utilizing satellite positioning systems.
DNA Study
Genetic study (human, animal or plant).
Dothan, Trude
Famous Israeli archaeologist (1922-2016).
Eastern Mediterranean
The region surrounding the eastern side of the Mediterranean Sea (see also Ancient Eastern Mediterranean).
Ecofact/Geofact
Data about an archaeological site and its surroundings based on ecological or geological research.
Edom (Kingdom of Edom)
Egypt
A modern and ancient country situated along the Nile river.
Ekron
The archaeological site of Tel Miqne-Ekron in northern Philistia. During the Iron Age an important Philistine site.
Environmental Information/Data
Data about an archaeological site and its surroundings based on environmental research.
Early Israelite
The Israelites during the early Iron Age.
Excavation Area
A defined area in an archaeological site where excavations are conducted. Often, there can be several excavation areas at a site that is being excavated.
Excavation Lab
Laboratory where finds from
Excavation Season
The period in which an excavation is conducted each year.
Exile (Assyrian / Babylonian)
The exile of the peoples of the Kingdoms of Israel and Judah to Mesopotamia, after the conquests of the kingdoms by the Assyrians and the Babylonians.
Exodus
The Biblical story of the Israelite peoples leaving Egypt after the period of slavery under Pharoah. Depicted in the biblical Book of Exodus.
Extra-biblical historical evidence
Historical (written) evidence from non-biblical sources, such as epigraphic finds from the southern Levant and adjacent regions. Can be used, inter alia, to cross-check events, peoples and places mentioned in the biblical sources.
Faunal Analysis
Analysis of animal remains from archaeological contexts.
Faunal Remains
Archaeological finds deriving from animals, such as bones, teeth and ivory.
Faynan
An important Bronze and Iron Age site in southern Jordan for the extraction of copper during the Bronze and Iron Age, with important remains from the 10th and 9th centuries BCE.
Feature
Various types of objects and installations found in an archaeological excavation, usually of architectural character.
Field Archaeology
The practice of archaeology in the field.
Field Office
The offices and facilities used during an excavation.
Field Staff
The staff of an excavation.
Field/Surface Survey
A method of collecting archaeological information by picking up archaeological finds from the surface.
Final Report
The final scientific report, often in book form, of the results of an archaeological excavation.
Finds
Archaeological remains.
Finkelstein, Israel
Israeli archaeologist.
First Temple (AKA: The “Solomonic” Temple)
The Iron Age temple in Jerusalem, on the Temple Mount, attributed to Solomon in the Biblical text. No physical remains of this temple survive today.
Flotation Machine
A machine which enables separation of botanical (and other micro-remains) from archaeological sediments, by use of a water system.
Fortified city
A city with fortifications – a wall, gate, etc.
Foothills (western and eastern)
The region in Israel between the southern Coastal Plain and the Central Hills, known in Hebrew as the “Shephelah”. During the Iron
Fortification
A defensive wall or reinforcement built to protect a site against attack.
Four-room house / Pillared house
A type of house typical of the Iron Age southern Levant, very common in Israelite and Judahite contexts.
Gad
One of the 12 Israelite tribes depicted in the biblical narratives, whose region of
Galilee
A region of northern Israel, between the Jezreel Valley in the south and modern-day Lebanon in the north.
Garfinkel, Yossi
Israeli archaeologist
Gath, Tell es-Safi
Multi-period site in central Israel, identified as Philistine Gath, an important Philistine city, and one of the largest kingdoms in the Land of Israel during the Iron Age I-IIA.
Gaza
An important archaeological
Geographical data
Data about an archaeological site and its surroundings based on geographical research.
Geshurites
An Aramean people mentioned in the Bible, located in the region of the modern-day Golan Heights, east of the northern Sea of Galilee.
Gezer
Important multi-period
Giloh
Early Iron Age site south of Jerusalem.
Goliath
A Philistine champion mentioned in the biblical text, well-known in the context of the supposed battle between David and Goliath in the Valley of Elah, in the Shephelah.
Gottwald, Norman
American biblical scholar.
Greece
An ancient and modern-day country, with important archaeological remains. The Bronze Age culture of Greece is the Mycenaean culture.
Grinding stone
A stone implement used for grinding materials, such as turning wheat into flour.
Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR)
Hatti
Akkadian term for the region of the Land of Israel and its surroundings.
Hattusa/Hattusha
The capital of the Hittite Empire, located in central Turkey of today
Hazor
Multi-period site in the Northern Jordan Valley, one of the most important sites in the land in the Bronze and Iron Ages.
Hebrew (ancient)
The Northwest Semitic language
Hebrew (biblical)
The Northwest Semitic language
Hebrew Bible
Jewish title for biblical books from Genesis to Chronicles, equal to the Christian term “Old Testament”.
Hellenistic Period
332-37 BCE
Hieroglyphics
The ancient Egyptian system of writing.
Historical kernel
The actual historical part of a text.
Historical
Ancient written materials.
Historical-Critical Perspective
A branch of biblical research that attempts to investigate the origins of ancient texts in order to understand "the world behind the text".
History (period)
The human past based on the study of written documents.
History (research)
The study of the human past based on the study of written documents.
Hittites
The Bronze Age culture of the central part of modern Turkey, whose capital was at Hattusa/Hattusha.
Hoe
Home Institution
The Academic institution, usually a university, from where the excavators come from.
Hominin
The biological group consisting of modern humans, extinct human species and all our immediate ancestors.
Humanities
Field of academic research that studies human culture, including topics such as history, philosophy, and literature.
I
Iconography
The study of images.
Ideology
A set of opinions or beliefs of an individual or a group, often connected to religious and political concepts.
Incense
Substances that when burned create a sweet smell, often used in
Infrared Spectrometry
Infrared Spectroscopy is the analysis of infrared light interacting with a molecule and is used in archaeology to identify the makeup of archaeological materials.
Inter/Multi-disciplinary
Research which uses and combines different types of research fields/perspectives.
Intrusive object/material
An object from an earlier or later context that is found in a specific archaeological context, usually due to disturbances.
Iron Age
ca. 1200 to 586 BCE
Iron Age I
ca. 1200-950 BCE
Iron Age II
ca. 950-586 BCE
Islam
A monotheistic religion of the followers of Muhammad, that originated in Arabia in the early 7th century CE.
Isotopic Study
Defining the “isotopic signature”, or the abundance of certain stable isotopes within organic and inorganic compounds, which can be used in archaeology to study the diet, health and origins of humans, animals, and plants.
Israel/Palestine (ancient and modern)
The region of modern-day Israel and Palestine.
Israel Antiquities Authority
The official governmental institution in the State of Israel in charge of protection, preservation and excavation of antiquities.
Israelite kingdom
The northern kingdom, which according to the biblical narrative was formed after the death of Solomon. Existed side by side with the Judahite (southern) Kingdom and was destroyed by the Assyrians in 722 BCE.
Israelite settlement site
An early Iron Age site associated with the appearance of the Israelites in Canaan.
Israelite tribe
One of the 12 tribes of the Israelite people according to the biblical narrative.
Izbet Sarta
Early Iron Age site on the western foothills of Samaria.
Jericho
Ancient multi-period site in the southern Jordan Valley. In the Book of Joshua, this site is noted as the first and perhaps the most important site captured by Joshua. However, no archaeological remains of this conquest have been found.
Jerusalem
Multi-period site in central Israel, capital of the Judahite Kingdom during the Iron Age
Jewish dietary customs (Kashrut)
Jewish traditions of food preferences, including prohibitions of eating various foodstuffs.
Jezreel Valley
Large fertile valley in north-central Israel, which served a major east-west route.
Jordan
The modern term for the area east of the Jordan river and Arabah Valley similar to “Transjordan”.
Jordan River
The river running from Huleh Valley in northeastern Israel emptying into the Dead Sea.
Jordan Valley
A region in the Land of Israel, part of the Syro-African Rift Valley, situated between the Sea of Galilee in the north and the Dead Sea on the south, to the east of the Central Hills region.
Joshua
According to the biblical narrative, the leader of Israel after Moses, who brought the Israelites into the Land of Israel.
Joshua’s altar
The biblical narratives (Deut 27 and Joshua 8) describe an altar built by Joshua on Mt. Ebal, near Shechem (modern-day Nablus). The late Adam Zertal, the excavator of the early Iron Age cultic site at Mt. Ebal suggested associating this site with the biblical story, but most scholars don’t accept this identification.
Judaean Mountains
The southern portion of the Central Hills in Israel/Palestine, more or less from the region of Jerusalem to south of Hebron.
Judahite kingdom
The southern Kingdom of the two kingdoms associated with the Israelites/Judahites, which according to the biblical text were divided into two after the reign of Solomon. Existed until 586 BCE, when it was destroyed by the Babylonians.
Judahite tribe
One of the 12 tribes of the Israelites according to the biblical text.
Judaism (the Jewish religion)
The monotheistic religion of the Jewish People.
Judean kings
Kings of the Kingdom of Judah during the Iron Age II (ca. 1000-586 BCE).
Judeo-Christian
Culture and beliefs deriving from the Jewish and Christian traditions.
Judges (Period)
The time frame of the biblical depiction in the Book of Judges. Often associated with the early Iron Age.
Kenyon, Kathleen
British archaeologist of the 20th cent.
Khirbet Qeiyafa
Fortified site in the Judean Shephelah, whose main phase dates to the 10th century BCE, which according to the excavators is associated with the reign of King David of Judah.
Kimmel Center for Archaeological Science, Weizmann Institute - Rehovot, Israel
A leading
King Ahab
King of Israel (c. 871 – c. 852 BCE). One of the most important kings of the Kingdom of Israel.
King David
The first king of Judah and founder of the Davidic Dynasty (ca. early 10th cent BCE).
King Hazael
Important king of the Aramean Kingdom of Aram Damascus (reigned 842 BC–796 BCE). Well known for his conquests in the Southern Levant, including at sites such as Dan, Rehov and Gath. The Dan “Bet David” inscription is attributed to him.
King Jehu
King of Israel (reigned 841–814 BCE).
King Jeroboam I (son of Nebat)
The first king of the Kingdom of Israel, according to the biblical text, reigned ca. 931 to 910 BCE.
King Jeroboam II
King of Israel, reigned ca. 793 -753 BCE. According to the biblical text was one of the important kings in the history of the Kingdom.
King Omri
King of Israel, father of Ahab, first king of the Omride Dynasty, reigned ca. 884-873 BCE
King Rehoboam
Son of Solomon according to the biblical text (reigned ca. c. 931 - 913 BCE).
King Shalmaneser III
King of Assyria (reigned ca. 859–824 BC). His inscriptions mention Ahab and Jehu, Kings of Israel.
King Solomon
King of David, second king of the Kingdom of Judah, according to the biblical text (ca. 970-931 BCE).
Kingdom of Jordan (modern)
The Hashemite Kingdom located in Transjordan, formed after World War I.
King Adad-Nirari III
King of Assyria (reigned ca.811 to 783 BC).
King Ahaziah/Ahazyahu
King of Israel, son of Ahab, brother of Joram, reigned ca. 853-852 BCE.
King Hoshea
Last King of Israel (reigned ca. 732–723 BCE).
King Joash
King of Israel (reigned ca. 798 – 782 BCE).
King Joram/Jehoram (of Israel)
King of Israel, son of Ahab, brother of Ahaziah, reigned ca. 852–841 BCE.
King Menachem
King of Israel (reigned ca. 752 – 742 BCE).
King Mesha
King of Moab in the 9th century BCE, known for the “Mesha Inscription”.
King
King of Babylon 605-562 BCE.
King Pekah
King of Israel (reigned ca. 740/739 - 732/731 BCE).
King Pekahiah
King of Israel, son of Menahem, reigned ca. 742–740 BCE.
King Sargon II
King of Assyria (reigned 722–705 BCE), captured and destroyed the Kingdom of Israel in 721 BCE.
King Saul
King of Israel (reigned ca. 752 – 742 BCE).
King Sennacherib
King of Assyria 705-681 BCE.
King Shalmaneser V
King of Assyria (reigned 727 - 722 BCE).
King Tiglath-Pileser III
King of Assyria (reigned 744-727 BCE).
King Yehoyakhin/Jehoiachin
King of Judah, son of Josiah, 608-598 BCE.
King Zedekiah (Mettaniah)
Last King of Judah, 597-586 BCE.
Land of Israel
The region of modern-day Israel and Palestine, often termed Palestine, the Holy Land, or the Southern Levant.
Late Bronze Age
1500-1200 BCE
Layer
A distinct level in an archaeological site, representing a period of use of a site. At times known as a Level or Stratum.
Lebanon
Modern country on the eastern coast of the Mediterranean, most probably the homeland of the Phoenicians.
Legendary Material
Parts of the Bible which refer to legendary, non-historical aspects.
Light Detecting and Ranging (LiDAR) Scanning
a remote sensing method that measures distance by bouncing laser beams off a target and measuring the reflected pulses with a sensor. Is used in archaeology to produce accurate maps and at times detect archaeological features covered by dense vegetation
Locus
A spatially define archaeological context, often associated with specific activities.
Macalister, Robert A.S.
Scottish archaeologist of the late 19th and early 20th centuries CE.
Magnetometry
A remote sensing method that measures and maps patterns of sub-surface magnetism in sediments, and can be used to detect archaeological features prior to excavation.
Manasseh
One of the 12 tribes of Israel according to the biblical text, half of which supposedly settled in Transjordan.
Material Culture
The physical objects relating to a specific culture.
Material Remains
The physical archaeological finds.
Mazar, Amihai
Israeli archaeologist.
Mazar, Eilat
Israeli archaeologist.
Mediterranean diet
Eating habits (diet) common in the Mediterranean region, with a strong emphasis on plant-related food, including olive, grain, legumes, fruits and vegetables, and moderate consumption of dairy, fish, meat and alcohol.
Mediterranean region
The region around the Mediterranean Sea, well-known for the many ancient cultures that flourished there. The Mediterranean is known for its temperate climate.
Megiddo
Multi-period site in the Jezreel Valley, one of the most important sites in the land in all historical periods.
Mendenhall, George
American biblical scholar (1916-2016).
Merneptah
Egyptian king of the 19th Dynasty, son of Ramses II, ruled 1213-1203 BCE.
Merneptah “Israel” Stele
Inscription from the time of Merneptah (ca. 1210 BCE) with the apparent earliest mention of the name of the ethnonym “Israel”.
Mesha Inscription
An inscription found at Dhiban/Dibon, written by Mesha King of Moab, mentioning his battles and conquests against the Israelites in the 9th century BCE.
Mesopotamia
The “Land between the Rivers” - between the Tigris and the Euphrates Rivers, roughly ancient Iraq of today.
Metallurgy
The production of metal and metal objects.
Microarchaeology
Archaeology of finds at the microscopic scale.
Microartifacts
Microscopic finds from archaeological contexts.
Microscopy
Analyses through the use of a microscope.
Moab
A region and Iron Age kingdom in Transjordan.
Monolithic pillar
A pillar made of one piece of stone, very common in public and private architecture in ancient Israel and Judah.
Monotheism
The religious belief in one god.
Mount Ebal
Iron I cultic site north of Shechem/Nablus.
Mycenaean
The Bronze Age culture of ancient mainland Greece.
Nahal
A rural early Iron Age site in the northwestern Negev with a small Philistine temple.
Negev
Desert region of southern Israel.
Neo-Assyrian Empire
The Assyrian Empire between 911 and 609 BC.
Neolithic Period
Late Prehistoric Period, ca. 1200-6500 BCE in which early villages and agriculture appeared.
Nimshide Dynasty
Dynasty of kings of the Kingdom of Israel, from the reign of Jehu (son/grandson of Nimshi; reigned ca. 841-814 BCE) until the reign of Zechariah (reigned ca. 753-752 BCE).
Northern Levant
The region of modern northern Syria and southern Turkey.
Noth, Martin
German Biblical Scholar of the 20th cent. CE
Object
An archaeological find.
Olive press
An installation for the production of olive oil.
Omride Dynasty
Dynasty of the Kings of Israel from the reign of Omri (reigned ca. 884-873 BCE), father of Ahab, until the revolt by Jehu (ca. 841 BCE).
Oral literature
Literature that was passed down orally until written down.
Organic Remains
Archaeological finds derived from living organisms, such as wood, seeds, bones, teeth, etc.
Palace of David
A large Iron Age building in the City of David which has been identified as the palace of King David.
Palaeontology
The study of non-human animal life before the Holocene (the geological period starting ca. 11,000 before today).
Period
A defined period of historical or archaeological time, usually coinciding with technological developments (such as the use of stone, bronze or iron) or historical events.
Persian Period
Ca. 550-330 BCE.
Petrie, William Flinders
British archaeologist of the late 19th and early 20th centuries CE.
Philistia
The region of the Southern Coastal Plain of Israel, named such as this was the region in which the Philistines resided during the Iron Age.
Philistine Gath
The site of Tell es-Safi/Gath in central
Philistine Pentapolis
The five primary cities of the Philistine culture - Ashdod, Ashkelon, Gaza, Ekron and Gath.
Philistines
A culture group, one of the so-called Sea Peoples, that appears in the southern coastal plain of Israel during the early Iron Age, and continue to be an important culture throughout the Iron Age.
Phoenician
Northwest Semitic language used by the Phoenicians.
Phoenicians
A culture group,
Phytolith analysis
Analysis of microscopic silica structures in various plants. Remains of phytoliths in archaeological contexts enables to construct the uses of plants and their products in ancient contexts.
Pick
A large hand tool used for excavation.
Picking
The action of picking small finds from sediments found in an archaeological excavation, usually done with a tweezer in the lab.
Pim/
An ancient Judahite weight, ca. 7.5 grams, probably 2/3 or a shekel.
Podium
Raised platform.
Polity
A political unit, such as a tribe, kingdom and state.
Pottery
Objects formed from the firing of clay mixed with water, straw and other additives. Appears in the Levant from the Neolithic Period.
Pottery (Bichrome / Philistine 2)
A style of decorated pottery typical of the early Iron Age Philistine culture.
Pottery (Mycenaean IIIC / Philistine 1)
A style of decorated pottery typical of the early Iron Age Philistine culture.
Pottery Bucket
A collection of pottery from a specific area of the excavations, usually a specific locus.
Pottery "Reading"
Inspecting pottery pieces in order to identify the types, periods and cultures of pottery found in an excavation.
Pottery Restoration
The process of rebuilding ancient pottery vessels from the sherds found in the excavation.
Pottery Restorer
An expert who conducts pottery restoration.
Prehistory
The archaeological periods before the Bronze Age, in the Levant, from ca. 1 million years ago up to ca. 3500 BCE.
Prehistorical Archaeologist
Archaeologist whose expertise is the study of archaeological remains from Prehistoric cultures and periods.
Protective Tarpaulin (tarp)
Special tarpaulins (often called “
Publication (archaeological)
Detailed scientific publication of the results of an archaeological excavation.
Qumran
An ancient site on the northwestern shore of the Dead Sea, where an ancient Jewish sect, the Essenes, lived during the early Roman Period (1st cent BCE - 1st cent CE). In caves surrounding the site, many of the Dead Sea Scrolls were found.
Ramses III
Egyptian king of the 20th Dynasty, (reigned ca. 1186-1155). Well-known for the depiction of his battles against the Sea Peoples as depicted in his mortuary temple located at Medinet Habu in Egypt.
Ramses III Mortuary Temple, Medinet Habu, Egypt
The mortuary temple (temple erected in the vicinity of the tomb of an Egyptian king, used in the cult and commemoration of the king) of Ramses III. Well-known for the depiction of the battle with the Sea Peoples.
Relief
A depiction carved in stone.
Remote Sensing
Geophysical methods that can enable to “see” below the surface without excavation.
Reuben
One of the 12 tribes of the Israelites according to the Bible, supposedly settled in Transjordan.
Ritual
A sequence of activities involving gestures, words, and objects, most often performed in a special location, and according to defined sequences, often, but not always, related to religious practices.
Robinson, Edward
American Biblical geographer of the 19th cent CE.
Roman Period
In the near east, ca. 37 BCE – 330 CE.
Sabbath (Shabbat)
The seventh day of the week according to Jewish tradition, considered a day of rest and ritual.
Salvage Excavation
Archaeological excavation conducted due to modern development (such as building or road construction).
Samaria Ostraca / Letters
Group of ostraca (ceramic sherds with ink inscriptions) found in the Israelite palace at Samaria, which document rations/taxes allocated by the king (probably Jeroboam II) to clans in the kingdom in the 1st half of the 8th century BCE.
Samaria (region)
The area of the northern Central Hills of Israel.
Samaria (site)
An ancient site of the Iron Age, Hellenistic, Roman, Byzantine and later periods. During the Iron Age II was the capital of the Kingdom of Israel, destroyed in 722 BCE by the Assyrians.
Samson
According to the biblical narrative, one of the Judges of early Israel,
Samson Cycle
The biblical stories relating to the figure of Samson.
Sea Peoples
Groups of peoples, including the Philistines, who appear in the eastern Mediterranean in the transition between the Late Bronze and Iron Ages, and who supposedly fought the Egyptian army under Ramses III in ca. 1180 BCE.
Seal of Shema servant of Jeroboam
Stamp seal made of jasper found in the first excavations at Megiddo, with an inscription of “Shema, the servant of Jeroboam” - undoubtedly Jeroboam II (1st half of 8th century BCE). Present location, and
Section
A vertical view of part of the archaeological sequence, as a cross section, and illustrating its profile and stratigraphy, usually done on the unexcavated
Sediment
The deposited materials in an excavation, often mistakenly called “soil”.
Shasu nomads
Nomadic groups in the Levantine region during the Bronze and Iron Age depicted in the Egyptian sources.
Shechem/Nablus
Important site located in the northern Central Hills. The ancient tell in the
Shephelah
The Judean Hill Country – the region between the Southern Coastal Plain (Philistia) and the Central Hills in the Land of Israel.
Shiloh
Multi-period site in central highlands, between Jerusalem and Shechem/Nablus, which was a cultic
Shishak (AKA: Shoshenq)
Sheshonq I (in Bible - Shishak), King of Egypt of the 22nd Dynasty (reigned c. 943–922 BC). Well known for his campaign to Palestine in ca. 925 BCE.
Six-chambered Gate
Type of city gate in Iron Age II Southern Levant, which is associated by some scholars to the reign of Solomon in the 10th cent. BCE.
Six-Day War (1967)
Social Anthropology
The study of contemporary human societies and culture.
Social Sciences
The study of human society and social relationships.
Southern Anatolia
A region in modern Turkey of today.
Southern Coastal Plain (Philistia)
Southern Levant
The region of modern-day Israel/Palestine, Lebanon, Jordan and Southern Syria.
Space Archaeology
Archaeological information obtained from space, particularly from satellite-based remote sensing.
Standing stone
A stone, often found in an upright position, often associated with a cultic context, known from many ancient Levantine cultures. Often called a “massebah” - an ancient Hebrew term for such a stone.
Stratigraphy
The definition of the archaeological related layers/levels (strata) at an archaeological site.
Stratum
A distinct level of material culture at a site, usually representing a defined period.
Square
Most often, the areas of archaeological excavations are divided into square excavation zones, often 5X5 meters large.
Stone Tool
An ancient ancient archaeological object made of stone.
Storehouse
A public building which served for storing various items. In ancient Israel and Judah often a tripartite building with pillars.
Supervisor
Archaeologist in charge of part of an excavation.
Syria
A modern country in the eastern Mediterranean. The homeland of the Arameans in the Iron Age.
Taanakh (Taanach)
A site in northern Samaria, on the southern side of the Jezreel Valley, near the modern-day city of Jenin. Was an important fortified site in the Iron Age, associated with the Israelite Kingdom.
Tabernacle
The movable temple which according to the biblical narrative was used by the Israelites during the sojourn in the desert and then erected at Shiloh in the Central Hills.
Talents (of silver and gold)
An ancient measure of weight, ca. 100 lb/50 kg.
Taylor Prism
One of the three copies of the Annals of Sennacherib which describe Sennacherib’s campaign to Judah in 701 BCE.
Tel Dan Inscription / Stele (AKA: House of David Inscription, BYT DWD Inscription)
Aramaic inscription found at Tel Dan in northern Israel, probably written by Hazael, King of Aram Damascus, ca. 940 BCE, mentioning “the King of Israel” and the “King of the House of David”.
Tel Dan
Important archaeological site in northern Israel.
Tell Abu Kharaz
A Bronze and Iron Age site in the central Jordan Valley, in modern Jordan.
Tel Azekah
An important archaeological site in the central Shephelah, west of Tell es-Safi/Gath, on the southern bank of the Elah river, near the supposed location of the battle between David and Goliath as depicted in the biblical narrative.
Tel Beth Shemesh (Tell Beit Shemesh)
An important archaeological site in the northern Shephelah, associated with the Kingdom of Judah during the Iron Age.
Tell Deir Alla
An archaeological site in the central Jordan Valley, in modern Jordan. The site has various finds, including a temple of the early Iron Age, and an Iron II sanctuary with inscriptions mentioning the seer Balaam, known from the biblical texts as well.
Tel Dor
An important archaeological site on the Carmel coast of Israel, associated during the Iron Age with the Phoenicians.
Tell el-Farah (South)
Important Bronze and Iron Age site in southern Israel, first excavated by the British archaeologist Petrie.
Tell el-Umayri
An important archaeological site in central Jordan, associated with the Moabites.
Tell es-Saidiyeh
Archaeological site in the Central Jordan Valley in modern Jordan.
Tel Hadar
An archaeological site on the northeastern side of the Sea of Galilee, most likely of one of the Aramean groups (Geshurites?) in this region.
Tell Hesban
Archaeological site in the Central Jordan Valley in modern Jordan, which according to the biblical text was part of the territory of the Tribe of Reuven.
Tel Jezreel
An important site in the Jezreel Valley at which a large palace of the Israelite Kingdom was found. Dates to either the time of Ahab (9th century BCE) or the time of Jeroboam II (1st half of 9th century BCE).
Tel Kinrot (Tel Chinnereth)
An important archaeological site of the Bronze and Iron Ages on the northwestern shore of the Sea of Galilee.
Tell Lahun
A site in central Jordan with Iron Age remains associated with the Moabites.
Tell Pella
An important archaeological site in the Central Jordan Valley in modern Jordan.
Tell Qasile
An archaeological site in modern-day Tel Aviv, with a series of Philistine temples, dating to the Iron Age I.
Tel Rehov
Important Bronze and Iron Age site in the Central Jordan Valley, just to the south of Modern Beth Shean. The rich finds from the various stages of the Iron Age include a unique apiary (beekeeping installation) for the production of wax and honey.
Temple Mount
The area in Jerusalem where the 1st (Iron Age) and 2nd (Persian through Roman) temples were situated.
The British Palestine Exploration Fund (PEF)
A British society, founding in the 19th century CE, for the historical and archaeological study of the region of Palestine.
The Broad Wall
A section of the ancient fortification of Jerusalem, now often referring to a section of the northern fortification of Iron II Jerusalem, found within the Jewish Quarter of the Old City of Jerusalem, built, apparently, prior to Sennacherib’s campaign to Judah.
The Conquest of the Land of Israel
The biblical account of the conquest of the Land of Israel/Canaan by the Israelites in the Book of Joshua.
Thematic Issue
A specific topic
Time Period
A defined span of time in historical and archaeological research.
Timna
Archaeological site in the southern Negev with extensive evidence of copper mining and production during the Bronze and Iron Ages, including evidence of activities during the 10th and 9th centuries BCE.
Third Campaign of Sennacherib
The military campaign of Sennacherib, King of Assyria, in 701 BCE, to the Levant, in which he captured parts of Judah and besieged Jerusalem.
Total Station
An instrument, using a laser light, which measures distance and location. Used in archaeology to measure the location of finds.
Transcultural / entangled culture
A culture formed by the combination of other cultures mixed together.
Transjordan
The region to the east of the Jordan River and the Arabah Valley, equal to the modern Kingdom of Jordan.
Transjordanian peoples
Peoples who resided in Transjordan
Turkey
The modern state.
Typology
The study and classification of types.
Ugarit
Major late Bronze Age city on the northern coast of modern-day Syria.
Ugaritic
Northwest Semitic language (very similar to biblical Hebrew) used in the Late Bronze Age city of Ugarit in northern Syria, which was written with a cuneiform alphabet.
United Monarchy (AKA: Early Israelite Monarchy / Kingdom of David and Solomon / Kingdom of Israel - prior to the split of the north and south - Kingdom of David and Solomon)
The Judahite Kingdom under the reigns of David and Solomon (ca. 10th cent BCE) which according to the biblical text included both Israel and Judah.
Urbanism
The way of life and development characteristic of life in towns and cities.
Vassal
Someone subordinate to another person.
Warren, Charles
British archaeologist of the 19th cent. CE.
Water System (Hazor)
Water System (Megiddo)
Wilson, Charles
British archaeologist of the 19th cent. CE.
Wright, G. Ernst
American archaeologist of the 20th cent.
Writing / Written Record
Historical documents.
Yarkon River
River in central Israel emptying into the Mediterranean Sea near modern-day Tel Aviv.
Ya’uda
The Akkadian name of ancient Judah.
Yadin, Yigal
Israeli archaeologist of the 20th cent CE, who excavated many sites, including Iron Age levels at Megiddo and Hazor.
YHWH
The name of the Israelite/Judahite god.
Zooarchaeology
The study of animal remains from archaeological contexts.
Zooarchaeological remains
Animal remains from archaeological contexts.
Zertal, Adam
An Israeli archaeologist (1936-2105).