Syria is trying to attract investment in tourism. Aleppo, Crac des Chevaliers, and Palmyra are not accessible, but other places are perfectly safe, according to the minister of tourism.
Israel’s Ministry of Tourism plans to increase the number of campgrounds around the country.
Nazareth will be the title of a new miniseries produced by Fox about the years Jesus spent growing up in this Galilean village. The Bible records nothing of this period in Jesus’ life.
Leen Ritmeyer provides some corrections to the story about the Temple Mount chisel.
Archaeologists working in southern Egypt have discovered two tombs, including one with “a trove of artifacts including reed pens and a bronze inkwell.” They date to about 600 BC.
A cave with human remains from the first century was discovered near Ein Tzurim south of Bethlehem.
Bruce Chilton revisits the issue of the authenticity of the James Ossuary.
Paleojudaica reflects on the latest developments with the Gospel of Jesus’ Wife. Bible History Daily has a much more thorough review.
Publications of the Oriental Institute, 1906-2014: Exploring the History and Civilizations of the Near East. Edited by Thomas G. Urban and Leslie Schramer, compiled by Zuhal K. Sharp. Chicago: The
Oriental Institute, 1991, 2014. Second revised edition. 28 pages (more than 750 titles). All titles published by the Oriental Institute, with active links to their web pages, alphabetically arranged.
The Final Days of Jesus is available today for Kindle for $0.99.
The weekly ASOR roundup is here.
HT: Jack Sasson
