Biblical Archaeology Society

The Biblical Archaeology society was founded by lawyer, turned amateur archaeologist, Hershel Shanks in 1974. Despite having never studied archeology or religion, Shanks was inspired by a year-long sabbatical to the archaeological digs of Jerusalem. 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. These propositions were rejected, which led Shanks to establish his own publication, Biblical Archeology Newsletter. 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. It was these early publications that Shanks suggests have led to now infamous excavation sites, such as David's burial palace and the entrance to Hezekiah's Tunnel. Shanks suggested that his desire was merely to publish 'a little newsletter about Israel as a land of stones' and that the subsequent successful circulation of the review was 'a dream'. In 1985, the Biblical Archaeology Society, under the direction of Shanks, focused its operations on the accessibility of the Dead Sea Scrolls. By 1991, the scrolls became widely publicised after the Biblical Archaeology Society published a two-volume of the scroll photographs and a computer generated version in a "final act in the drama to access the Dead Sea Scrolls". 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 in 2018. Cargill stepped down in 2021 and was replaced by Glenn J. Corbett. Hershel Shanks died in 2021, apparently due to the Covid-19 virus. == Activities ==

The Biblical Archaeology Review The Biblical Archaeology Society is the publisher of its own magazine, Biblical Archaeology Review, which has generated extensive public following. BAR is both nonsectarian and "non-academic" and as such, has been attributed with setting the agenda for discourse surrounding issues relating to both the Bible and archaeological matters. The Society's review has been suggested to have "a kind of de facto control" over mainstream media regarding biblical archaeological endeavours and as such, is considered "the gate keeper" for most major news outlets. In addition, the publication allows for a forum in which the analytical studies of important biblical artefacts can be questioned. The Society's delivery of archaeological news through the Biblical Archaeology Review has been suggested to use sensationalist tactics. 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. Meetings The Biblical Archaeology Society is the host of annual seminars and meetings in which contemporary archaeological and biblical matters are discussed. Additionally, the Society offers an ongoing Scholarship Program which provides funding for individuals to participate in excavations. Their contributions to the Umayri excavation assisted in developing a greater understanding surrounding the biblical genealogies and nature of the settlement process in relation to the Hebrew tribe of Reuben. The Ophel City Wall site was discovered to lie below the Temple Mount and above the City of David, further leading to revelations surrounding one of the Bible’s most coveted kings, Solomon. Discovered by Eilat Mazar, the bulla was deemed as being inscribed with the name of Isaiah, one of the most important Old Testament prophets. However, some scholars contest the biblical origins of the bulla as the prophet is not referred to as a definite article, merely "prophet", not "the prophet". ==Controversies==

Ivory pomegranate The Biblical Archaeology Society and its founder Hershel Shanks were first involved in a dispute of authenticity after the discovery of an ivory pomegranate with the inscription "Holy to the priests, belonging to the Temple of Yahweh", said to be the only remaining artefact from the First Temple of Solomon. After being purchased by academic epigraphist André Lemaire in a Jerusalem antiquities dealership for US$3,000, Shanks provided an accessible account of the pomegranate's discovery in the Biblical Archaeology Review. In May 2002, Tel Aviv engineer Oded Golan purchased a limestone ossuary (burial box) from the 1st century, adorned with the Aramaic inscription "James, Son of Joseph, Brother of Jesus". The Authority suggested that the discovery was "the fraud of the century". The Ossuary's original dealer was subsequently charged, and later acquitted, for operating an international forgery ring and for faking the inscription in question. Regarding the Biblical Archaeology Society's ongoing insistence of the Ossuary's authenticity, some scholars have suggested at the financial motives and public exposure gained through its legitimacy. Dead Sea Scrolls Whilst the Biblical Archaeology Society was decisive in the releasing of the Dead Sea Scrolls, in August 2000, Qimron objected to both the publication of a working composite scroll text 'MMT' of which for years he had been actively engaged in translating, in addition to the publications forward whereby Shanks alluded to the preventative and controlling behaviours of interested scholars. Shanks and the Biblical Archaeology Society refuted this claim, suggesting that the work was published in an attempt to illuminate "how hard the establishment was working to keep things to themselves." The Judge concluded that Qimron did in fact have copyright to his work due to the necessary assembly of 'MMT' depending on linguistic research, consisting original creation. Subsequently, Shanks and the Biblical Archeology Society were sued over copyright violation and liable for $100,000 in damages due to loss of publishing royalties, loss of income, mental anguish and injury to Qimron's reputation. In his 2010 autobiography Freeing the Dead Sea Scrolls: And Other Adventures of an Archaeology Outsider, Shanks addresses events and admits that the Biblical Archaeology Society was often charged with accusations of "controversy". The book also discusses yet another controversy the society was involved in, whereby it was associated with the discovery of the Yehoash Plaque, a 15-line Hebrew inscription that was also deemed a forgery. However, Shanks goes on to accuse the Israel Antiquities Authority of "engaging in politicised archaeology" on matters of authenticity. ==References==