The Biblical Archaeology Society Celebrates its 200th Issue

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      The Biblical Archaeology Society is celebrating the publication of the 200th issue of Biblical Archaeology Review (BAR) this summer. Since 1975, BAR has provided readers with the latest happenings in the world of Biblical Archaeology. For its 200th issue, BAR will publish a retrospective of its adventures over the last three decades, as well as pay tribute to some of the greatest discoveries and people in the field. 

      Among the articles featured in the celebratory issue is a tribute to Jerusalem’s late David Harris, whose photographic genius documented some of the greatest archaeological discoveries of our time. “How BAR Was Born” will chronicle the evolution of BAR—from an idea inspired by Hershel Shanks’s year-long sabbatical in Israel to a magazine that reaches out to hundreds of thousands people with every new issue. Also included is a run-down of ten top archaeological discoveries that have been published in the magazine over the years, as well as “the one that got away”—the long-awaited BAR publication of a silver amulet from Ketef Hinnom that bears the earliest inscription of a Biblical text. “BAR’s Crusades” will chronicle the pivotal—and sometimes controversial—role that the magazine and the Biblical Archaeology Society have played in some of the most dramatic debates, discoveries and issues in the last 35 years of Biblical archaeology. 

      Of course, BAR’s loyal readership is what has made it all possible. In a tribute to our readers, the 200th issue will offer a portrait of BAR’s diverse readers and fans. The results of our reader survey will be revealed, and some of our favorite letters to the editor will be featured to celebrate the opinions and thoughts of the readers that continue to make BAR so successful.