Episodes
The Tel Dan Stele is arguably the most important artifact ever discovered in the world of biblical archaeology, containing the earliest confirmed mention of King David. In light of the opening celebration, Let the Stones Speak host Brent Nagtegaal interviewed epigrapher and historian Prof. Michael Langlois, who is currently researching the Stele.
Published 09/26/24
Published 09/26/24
The team from Hebrew University and the Armstrong Institute of Biblical Archaeology is about to start excavations again in the royal quarter of ancient Jerusalem—the Ophel. On today’s program, host Christopher Eames talks with excavation directors Prof. Uzi Leibner and Dr. Orit Peleg-Barkat about the upcoming Ophel dig.
Published 08/26/24
The Givati Parking Lot excavations at the northwestern edge of the City of David have upended our ideas about what ancient Jerusalem looked like. A sensational new discovery has revealed the city had a moat. Not one that contained water but rather a monumental artificial valley that separated the northern part of the city (the Ophel and Temple Mount) from the southern region (the City of David), serving as a distinguishing feature of the city during the days of the biblical kings. On today’s...
Published 08/07/24
Shiloh is famous as the location of the biblical tabernacle. Archaeological excavations have been taking place annually on the north side of the ancient tel. Excavation director Dr. Scott Stripling believes his team may have found remains from the tabernacle itself, as well as the city gate and sacrificial deposits. In this end-of-season interview, Let the Stones Speak host Christopher Eames interviews Dr. Stripling about finds from the 2024 season, including some intriguing gold...
Published 06/27/24
Over the past decade, archaeologists and scientists have collected and analyzed carbon samples from archaeological strata dating from 3,000 years ago—the time of the biblical kings of King David’s dynasty. Now, the results are finally in. What it revealed is a stunning overlap between biblical history and who built what in Jerusalem during the time of the biblical kings.
Published 06/03/24
Can you confirm the identity of Moses in Egyptian history?
Published 05/22/24
On today’s program, Prof Michael Langlois joins host Brent Nagtegaal to discuss the Mesha Stele along with current scholarship’s unscientific reluctance to accept the historicity of King David.
Published 04/22/24
The Bible describes several peculiar architectural features of Solomon’s temple and palace complex. Remarkable parallels to these features were discovered on a 3,000-year-old strange stone model at Khirbet Qeiyafa. On today’s program, Let the Stones Speak host Christopher Eames interviews Dr. Madeleine Mumcuoglu, a lead researcher of the shrine model. They also discuss her discovery of the earliest alphabetical sentence ever found in Israel—the Lachish Comb Inscription.
Published 04/11/24
Another year in biblical archaeology is behind us—and a big year it was, particularly in discoveries and research relating to kings David and Solomon.
Published 03/06/24
For today’s program, Let the Stones Speak host Brent Nagtegaal traveled to Ein Hatzeva, located in southern Israel, to interview Israel Antiquities Authority archaeologist Dr. Tali Erickson-Gini at what she believes is one of the many military outposts dating to King David’s time.
Published 11/15/23
On today’s podcast, host Brent Nagtegaal talks to Professor Ben-Yosef about how the copper production site in Timna—as well as the wider Aravah Valley area—could have contributed to the power and wealth of the kingdom of David and Solomon, as well as the Edomites.
Published 11/01/23
This amazing discovery was made on one of the final days of the Ophel excavation in Jerusalem. On this program, host Brent Nagtegaal speaks with dig codirector Dr. Orit Peleg-Barkat, one of the world’s foremost experts on Second Temple Period architecture, about the ornate ceiling panel.
Published 08/17/23
AIBA’s Christopher Eames presents the first full accounting of Jerusalem inscriptions from the Iron ii period at the distinguished “Epigraphy in Judah” conference in Jerusalem.
Published 05/24/23
On today’s program, host Brent Nagtegaal interviews the lead author of the paper, archaeologist Dr. Scott Stripling, about the discovery and its final publication.
Published 05/17/23
Interview with excavation director Prof. Uzi Leibner
Published 05/04/23
A journey through one of the most important sites in biblical archaeology
Published 05/01/23
On today’s program, host Brent Nagtegaal interviews Dr. Vainstub about his new reading of the inscription and its connection to the biblical narrative.
Published 04/23/23
On today’s program, host Brent Nagtegaal talks about how an honest archaeological mistake led to an all-too-wonderful discovery. Then he discusses how the famous Persian king was critical in the construction of the second temple in Jerusalem.
Published 03/17/23
A somewhat belated discussion about another amazing year of discovery
Published 02/22/23
We talk with the City of David Foundation’s Ze’ev Orenstein about an excavation two decades in the making.
Published 02/15/23
A journey through one of the most important sites in biblical archaeology
Published 02/05/23
One of the most important archaeological discoveries in Jerusalem is the Ophel Gatehouse, uncovered by the late Dr. Eilat Mazar. On today’s program, host Brent Nagtegaal takes you on a tour of the gatehouse and discusses its 10th-century B.C.E. dating.
Published 01/09/23
On today’s program, host Brent Nagtegaal speaks with archaeologist Christopher Eames about four ancient gatehouses that have been attributed to King Solomon’s era.
Published 12/26/22
Following a careful cleaning process, a new discovery can be revealed to the public: an exceptionally rare silver half-shekel coin, from Year 3 of the Great Revolt. On today’s program, we talk with Dr. Yoav Farhi who analyzed the coin.
Published 12/13/22