Director

Director – Prof. Aren M. Maeir I was born in Rochester, NY, in 1958, and immigrated with my family to Israel in 1969, and I completed my elementary and secondary schooling in Jerusalem. Between 1977 and 1982 I served in the Israeli army, attaining the rank of Captain. I studied at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, attaining a B.A. in Archaeology and Jewish History (1986, summa cum laude), and a Ph.D. in Archaeology (1997, summa cum laude). My primary expertise is Biblical and Ancient Near Eastern Archaeology, with a particular focus on the Bronze and iron Ages of the Ancient Near East. I also have collaborated with many scholars in numerous inter- and multi-disciplinary projects, particularly those relating to the application of scientific methods in archaeology as as well as anthropological perspectives in archaeology. I have participated in excavations at numerous sites in Israel, including: Hazor, Jerusalem, Beth Shean, and Qasile, and have directed archaeological excavations and surveys in Jerusalem (The Western Wall Tunnels, Mamilla, Kikar Safra, Malha), Tell es-Safi/Gath, the Beth Shean Valley, and Tel Yavneh. Needless to say, my primary professional focus is the Tell es-Safi/Gath Archaeological Project. Over the years I have published more than 300 scholarly and popular studies in various journals and books, and have written and edited some 20 books. I have also received ca. US$8 million in research grants, mostly for projects relating to the Tell es-Safi/Gath Archaeological Project. I am based at (and formerly served as the chairmen of) the Martin (Szusz) Department of Land of Israel Studies and Archaeology at Bar-Ilan University, which is located in Ramat-Gan, Israel, where I teach Biblical and Ancient Near Eastern Archaeology, and serve as the head of the Institute of Archaeology. I am also the co-director of the “Minerva Center for the Relations between Israel and Aram in Biblical Times” (RIAB), the director the Ingeborg Rennert Center for Jerusalem Studies, and serve as co-editor of the Israel Exploration Journal. I am married to Adina (neé Hartman), and we have three sons, a daughter in law, four grandchildren, and live in Jerusalem (see here for my CV and list of publications, and here for my academia.edu page with most of my publications). Here is a short clip about me (from the very popular MOOC on biblical archaeology): Lectures: Over the years, I have lectured before very diverse crowds (of various cultures, ages, denominations, faiths, and backgrounds), and have been interviewed by various printed and electronic media. My lectures are can be geared for academic, semi-popular, and/or popular settings, and are always accompanied with an extensive color PowerPoint presentation. I am completely fluent in both Hebrew and English. Among the public lectures that I have presented in the past: The Search for Goliath – Excavating Biblical Gath of the Philistines Goliath in myth, text and reality What do we know about the Philistines? What do we know about the early Israelites and Judahites? What’s “new” (or “old”) in biblical archaeology? Recent finds and current debates The Archaeology and History of the Temple Mount in Jerusalem: Perspectives from the past – prospectives for the future What’s new in the archaeology of Israel? The Archaeology of Biblical Jerusalem Archaeology and politics in contemporary Israel An archaeologist’s perspective on Papua New Guinea Feasting in Papua New Guinea and and insights for the study of the Ancient Near East How the ancient Israelites worshipped – the view from archaeology The art of warfare in biblical times Archaeology and the Bible – working together in a modern paradigm Archaeology and Science – combining approaches If you are interested in the possibility of coordinating lectures, please contact: Prof. Aren M. Maeir The Martin (Szusz) Department of Land of Israel Studies and Archaeology Bar-Ilan University Ramat-Gan 5290002, ISRAEL Tel: ++972-54-620-5082 Fax: ++972-3-635-4941 arenmaeir@gmail.com