Skip to main content

Boyd Seevers

University of Northwestern-St. Paul, Biblical & Theological Studies, Faculty Member

Followers

215

Following

25

Co-authors

9

Mentions

79

Public Views

Phone: 651-628-3315
Address: University of Northwestern - St. Paul
3003 Snelling Ave. N.
St. Paul, MN 55432

less

InterestsView All (6)

Uploads

Papers by Boyd Seevers

The Roman Conquest of Shiloh (AD 69): A Military Analysis and Reconstruction

by Kenneth Downer and Boyd Seevers

Near East Archaeological Society Bulletin, 2023

Military artifacts unearthed at ancient Shiloh north of Jerusalem reveal not just that there was ... more Military artifacts unearthed at ancient Shiloh north of Jerusalem reveal not just that there was a previously unknown Roman attack on the village in AD 69, but also a great deal about the nature of the attacking and defending forces. Through detailed analysis of the artifacts found, combined with observations from ancient sources and modern military assessment, it is possible to draw conclusions about the size and composition of the attacking force and how the actual attack may have taken place. This article examines key military artifacts found at the Shiloh dig site and extrapolates what each reveals about the fight. It then combines the conclusions reached into a complete, plausible narrative that describes how the battle at Shiloh may have unfolded from beginning to end.

The Roman Conquest of Shiloh (AD 69): The Archaeological Evidence

Near East Archaeological Society Bulletin, 2023

Ongoing excavations at ancient Shiloh north of Jerusalem 3 have uncovered extensive evidence of a... more Ongoing excavations at ancient Shiloh north of Jerusalem 3 have uncovered extensive evidence of a previously unknown attack by the Roman military, likely carried out by a portion of the Tenth Roman Legion (Legio X Fretensis). Roman slingstones, arrowheads, javelin (pilum) heads, ballista balls, and other equipment all bear witness to the attack and find parallels at other Jewish sites attacked during the First Revolt. Bits of Roman armor and two suture needles even suggest the area of the most intense fighting. Defenders' weapons included hand-thrown stones and roughly made arrowheads. The finds, plus Josephus' account of the revolt, suggest the probable context for the attack was Vespasian's campaign in the northern Judean hill country in AD 69 as he prepared to lead his army in the siege of Jerusalem. The Jewish village of Shiloh had flourished in the period leading up to the devastating attack but saw only limited habitation in the decades that followed.

Roman Auxiliary Slingers in First Century Judea: Shiloh and Beyond

by Boyd Seevers, James Barber, and Kenneth Downer

Judea and Samaria Research Studies, 2024

Ongoing excavation at the northern end of ancient Shiloh, north of Jerusalem, has uncovered score... more Ongoing excavation at the northern end of ancient Shiloh, north of Jerusalem, has uncovered scores of slingstones, part of the evidence for a Roman attack on the site in 69 CE. A small number of ancient texts and general Roman practice suggest that the slingers at Shiloh were auxiliary troops drawn from allies in the region. This article will describe the slingstones found at Shiloh and will analyze how and where they may have been made and brought to Shiloh, and how they were likely used in battle there. It will also synthesize the available information about such Roman auxiliary units to understand more fully these slingers who fought for Rome at Shiloh and other sites in Judea during that time.

Roman Militaria at Khirbet el-Maqatir

The Excavations at Khirbet el-Maqatir: 1995–2001 and 2009–2016. Vol. 2, The Late Hellenistic, Early Roman, and Byzantine Periods, by Scott Stripling, edited by Scott Stripling and Mark A. Hassler. Oxford: Archaeopress., 2023

The Early Roman military artifacts at Khirbet el-Maqatir suggest a Roman attack at the site, appa... more The Early Roman military artifacts at Khirbet el-Maqatir suggest a Roman attack at the site, apparently part of Vespasian's campaign in the hill country north of Jerusalem in A.D. 69, as well as a continued Roman garrison occupying the site for some time afterward. The finds include hobnails, slingstones and ballista balls, sling pellets, arrowheads, javelin heads, blades, and equestrian fittings. Though most of these artifacts came from Early Roman contexts (Stratum 3b), the dating of the whole collection may extend from the Late Hellenistic period to the mid-third century CE. Overall, the Early Roman militaria found at Khirbet el-Maqatir seems to support the excavators' assertion that the Late Hellenistic and Early Roman settlement was founded in the second century BCE, destroyed by the Romans in 69 CE, and subsequently occupied by Roman soldiers until sometime before the Second Jewish Revolt (132-135 CE) when a Jewish population resettled the site.

Taking a Sling: How David Defeated Goliath

Biblical Archaeology Review 48 (3), 2022

Is the biblical story of young David defeating the Philistine champion Goliath realistic and cred... more Is the biblical story of young David defeating the Philistine champion Goliath realistic and credible? This paper researches texts and images from the ancient world that include slinging, and describes as much as possible what slings and sling ammunition were like, how people actually slung, and how far and accurately slingers could sling. It then applies that information to the story of David and Goliath.

Genetics and the Bible: The Curious Case of the Left-Handed Benjamites

ne of the most colorful stories in the Bible tells how Ehud, the left-handed Israelite judge from... more ne of the most colorful stories in the Bible tells how Ehud, the left-handed Israelite judge from the tribe of Benjamin, freed Israel from Moabite domination (Judg. 3:12-30). When Ehud delivered Israel's annual tribute to the Moabites, he assassinated the fat Moabite king by using a doubleedged dagger he had hidden on his right thigh. This story is famous not only for its gory detail ("the fat closed over the blade … and the dung came out … 'Surely he is relieving himself'"), but also for its hero who succeeds, in part, because he is left-handed. 1 190 Perspectives on Science and Christian Faith

A Village from the Israelite Settlement: The Iron Age Remains at Khirbet el-Maqatir (NEASB 65 (2020): 25-42)

Near East Archaeological Society Bulletin, 2020

Recently concluded excavations at Khirbet el-Maqatir north of Jerusalem revealed, in part, remain... more Recently concluded excavations at Khirbet el-Maqatir north of Jerusalem revealed, in part, remains of an agricultural village dating mostly to Iron Age I, during the time of Judges. Although the majority of the village was destroyed by later building at the site, the extant remains reveal much about another of the several hundred known settlement sites established in early Iron Age I in Israel’s central highlands. The Iron Age remains at KeM reflect the general characteristics of these villages, with one exception. For reasons that are not clear, the few extant homes are markedly simpler in design and much smaller than those in nearby contemporary sites at et-Tell, Beitin, Khirbet Raddana, and the slightly later Khirbet ed-Dawwara. This article will summarize KeM’s Iron Age architectural remains, pottery, small finds, and fauna, and compare them with those of other relevant sites.

A Unique Early Roman Inkwell from Ancient Shiloh (NEASB 64 (2019): 51-55)

by Katherine Streckert and Boyd Seevers

Near East Archaeological Society Bulletin, 2019

A complete, intact early Roman inkwell recovered in excavations at ancient Shiloh adds to the lim... more A complete, intact early Roman inkwell recovered in excavations at ancient Shiloh adds to the limited number of inkwells known from the period. The ceramic item is somewhat small and poorly made, but its apparently handmade, inverted trapezoidal shape is unique among extant early Roman inkwells from Judea and adds a relatively small site to the list of places where inkwells have appeared.

A Monumental Fortification Tower and Militaria: Late Hellenistic and Early Roman Military Architecture and Equipment Discovered at Khirbet el-Maqatir, Israel

by Mark Hassler, Katherine Streckert, and Boyd Seevers

In the highland’s depth: Journal for the study of archaeology and history of the highlands region and underground cavities, 2020

At Khirbet el-Maqatir in the northern Judean highlands, archaeologists discovered a monumental fo... more At Khirbet el-Maqatir in the northern Judean highlands, archaeologists discovered a monumental fortification tower and military equipment from the Late Hellenistic and Early Roman periods. The tower’s megaliths, thick walls, and massive base made it one of the largest towers in Israel during the late Second Temple period. The military equipment at the village emerged gradually throughout the archaeological project, and included hobnails, slingstones and ballista balls, a sling pellet, arrowheads, a javelin head, metal blades, and equestrian fittings. All these elements fit within their historical and cultural milieu, and reinforce the excavators’ conclusion that the settlement was founded in the second century BCE, demolished by the Romans in 69 CE during the First Jewish Revolt, temporarily occupied by Roman soldiers soon thereafter, and then resided in by a small Jewish population that reused the hiding complex during the Second Jewish Revolt (132–135 CE), before being abandoned until the Late Roman and Byzantine periods.

A Unique Early Roman Inkwell from Ancient Shiloh (NEASB 64 (2019): 51-55)

Near East Archaeological Society Bulletin, 2019

A complete, intact early Roman inkwell recovered in excavations at ancient Shiloh adds to the lim... more A complete, intact early Roman inkwell recovered in excavations at ancient Shiloh adds to the limited number of inkwells known from the period. The ceramic item is somewhat small and poorly made, but its apparently handmade, inverted trapezoidal shape is unique among extant early Roman inkwells from Judea and adds a relatively small site to the list of places where inkwells have appeared.

Iron Age I Remains at Khirbet el-Maqatir: A Preliminary Report

In the Highland's Depth, 2018

Excavations at Khirbet el-Maqatir (KeM) near et-Tell in the central West Bank have yielded modest... more Excavations at Khirbet el-Maqatir (KeM) near et-Tell in the central West Bank have yielded modest but meaningful remains of a settlement apparently dating to early Iron Age I as well as substantial Middle Bronze-Late Bronze and Late Hellenistic-Early Roman remains. Much of the Iron Age settlement was apparently destroyed by later building activity but a small row of one-room homes survived on the western side of the site. These homes were built against the Middle Bronze-Late Bronze fortification wall, much like at Shiloh. The homes included silos, simple pottery, and reflect rather poor building technique, all suggesting a date early in Iron Age I. On the eastern side of KeM, a few surviving Iron Age structural remains and pottery suggest that Iron Age habitation existed there in Iron Age I as well, and continued into Iron Age IIA in a limited area.

Iron Age I Looms: An Archaeological and Experiential Study. (NEASB 63 (2018): 19-25)

by Boyd Seevers and Arianna Winslow

Near East Archaeological Society Bulletin, 2018

A limited number of loom weights and spindle whorls have come to light in excavations in Israel a... more A limited number of loom weights and spindle whorls have come to light in excavations in Israel at sites dating to Iron Age I, including Khirbet el-Maqatir in the central highlands. These discoveries raise the question of what type of looms the Israelites might have used during Iron Age I as they settled into Canaan and established their material culture. Along with archaeological evidence, this article surveys loom styles from ancient Egypt, Greece, Canaan, Philistia, Iron Age II Israel, and even present-day Middle Eastern bedouin, for hints about a possible loom style in Iron Age I Israel. The article argues that Iron Age I Israelite looms were likely vertical and warp-weighted and probably very simple, given the rudimentary material culture of Iron Age I Israel. The article also includes a description and pictures of coauthor Winslow’s efforts to recreate and use such a simple loom using materials as authentic as possible, including spinning and dyeing the thread as well as weaving a simple pattern.

Slinging in the Biblical World: And What We Can Learn about David Defeating Goliath. (NEASB 63 (2018): 1-12)

Near East Archaeological Society Bulletin, 2018

Slings, such as those used by David and countless other slingers in the greater biblical world, h... more Slings, such as those used by David and countless other slingers in the greater biblical world, have served as weapons for millennia in warfare, herding, hunting, and sport. This paper surveys how slings are made and used, what types of ammunition slingers have used, how slingers have functioned throughout military history, how far and accurately a slinger could sling, and how much damage a sling could inflict. This information helps us better understand David’s defeat of Goliath.

An Iron Age II Horse’s Head from Ras et-Tahune. (NEASB 62 (2017): 30-35)

Near East Archaeological Society Bulletin, 2017

The head of a clay zoomorphic figurine was recently discovered on the surface of Ras et-Tahune ne... more The head of a clay zoomorphic figurine was recently discovered on the surface of Ras et-Tahune near Ramallah. It appears to be part of a clay horse, a common element in the material culture of Judah in the eighth-seventh centuries B.C. Although typical of such figurines in most respects, the head has red wash rather than the more common whitewash. It also lacks some features that many such figurines bear: any evidence of a human rider, the detailed representation of features (eyes, etc.), and the additional colored paint apparently depicting equestrian trappings. When added to the results of archaeological survey work done at Ras et-Tahune, the head helps suggest that the site would yield substantial Iron Age II remains.

A Headless Judean Pillar Figurine from Tell el-Ful. (NEASB 61 (2016): 37-43)

by Boyd Seevers and Abigail Van Huss

Near East Archaeological Society Bulletin, 2016

Coauthor Abigail Leavitt discovered a headless Judean Pillar Figurine (JPF) on the surface of Tel... more Coauthor Abigail Leavitt discovered a headless Judean Pillar Figurine (JPF) on the surface of Tell el-Ful. Although it represents yet another of the nearly one thousand JPFs discovered to date, at least two characteristics make this JPF unusual. This article will explain where the JPF was found, describe JPFs in general and this one in particular, and explain how this JPF fits into the general typology of JPFs. This article will also offer a suggestion about what rounded item that this unusual JPF may be holding, and will present evidence suggesting that the JPF’s missing head may have been discovered in 1964.

Seals in Ancient Israel and the Near East: Their Manufacture, Use, and Apparent Paradox of Pagan Symbolism. (NEASB 61 (2016): 1-17)

by Boyd Seevers and Rachel Korhonen

Near East Archaeological Society Bulletin, 2016

The small stamp and cylinder seals from ancient Israel and the Near East often provide windows in... more The small stamp and cylinder seals from ancient Israel and the Near East often provide windows into the worlds in which they were used. One finds multiple references to seals and sealing in the Bible, and hundreds of Israelite seals and seal impressions have survived from the time of the late Israelite monarchy. The artistry of some ancient seal carvers amazes the modern viewer and the engraved artistic elements often provide insights and sometimes raise questions about the beliefs of the people who used them.

This article will begin with a brief survey of the history, use, and manufacture of seals in the ancient Near East, including Israel, and will summarize the scores of biblical references to seals and sealing, both literal and figurative. It will also describe the process for and insights from making modern seals. It will close by analyzing the art that appears on late Israelite seals (Iron Age II, mostly Judah) and conclude with analysis of how to understand pagan symbols on Israelite seals, particularly those of King Hezekiah of Judah.

Four-Chamber Gates in the Ancient Near East from the Middle Bronze through the Iron Ages (Batchelder Biblical Archaeology Conference, Univ. of Nebraska - Omaha, Nov. 2007)

Left-Handed Sons of Right-Handers. (BAR 39/3 (2013):26, 69)

Biblical Archaeology Review, 2013

The three left-handers mentioned in the Bible all belonged to the tribe of Benjamin, including th... more The three left-handers mentioned in the Bible all belonged to the tribe of Benjamin, including the famous judge Ehud. Did Benjamin produce more left-handers than other tribes? Is left-handedness a result of genetics, upbringing, or both? A Bible scholar and a geneticist examine the biblical and genetic evidence to try to answer these questions.

Select Biblical Customs in Light of Rwalan Bedouin Practices. (NEASB 52 (2007): 17-33)

Near East Archaeological Society Bulletin, 2007

How Big was Israel's Army? Dealing with Large Numbers in the Bible. (Artifax. Summer 2011: 18–19)

Artifax, 2011

The Roman Conquest of Shiloh (AD 69): A Military Analysis and Reconstruction

by Kenneth Downer and Boyd Seevers

Near East Archaeological Society Bulletin, 2023

Military artifacts unearthed at ancient Shiloh north of Jerusalem reveal not just that there was ... more Military artifacts unearthed at ancient Shiloh north of Jerusalem reveal not just that there was a previously unknown Roman attack on the village in AD 69, but also a great deal about the nature of the attacking and defending forces. Through detailed analysis of the artifacts found, combined with observations from ancient sources and modern military assessment, it is possible to draw conclusions about the size and composition of the attacking force and how the actual attack may have taken place. This article examines key military artifacts found at the Shiloh dig site and extrapolates what each reveals about the fight. It then combines the conclusions reached into a complete, plausible narrative that describes how the battle at Shiloh may have unfolded from beginning to end.

The Roman Conquest of Shiloh (AD 69): The Archaeological Evidence

Near East Archaeological Society Bulletin, 2023

Ongoing excavations at ancient Shiloh north of Jerusalem 3 have uncovered extensive evidence of a... more Ongoing excavations at ancient Shiloh north of Jerusalem 3 have uncovered extensive evidence of a previously unknown attack by the Roman military, likely carried out by a portion of the Tenth Roman Legion (Legio X Fretensis). Roman slingstones, arrowheads, javelin (pilum) heads, ballista balls, and other equipment all bear witness to the attack and find parallels at other Jewish sites attacked during the First Revolt. Bits of Roman armor and two suture needles even suggest the area of the most intense fighting. Defenders' weapons included hand-thrown stones and roughly made arrowheads. The finds, plus Josephus' account of the revolt, suggest the probable context for the attack was Vespasian's campaign in the northern Judean hill country in AD 69 as he prepared to lead his army in the siege of Jerusalem. The Jewish village of Shiloh had flourished in the period leading up to the devastating attack but saw only limited habitation in the decades that followed.

Roman Auxiliary Slingers in First Century Judea: Shiloh and Beyond

by Boyd Seevers, James Barber, and Kenneth Downer

Judea and Samaria Research Studies, 2024

Ongoing excavation at the northern end of ancient Shiloh, north of Jerusalem, has uncovered score... more Ongoing excavation at the northern end of ancient Shiloh, north of Jerusalem, has uncovered scores of slingstones, part of the evidence for a Roman attack on the site in 69 CE. A small number of ancient texts and general Roman practice suggest that the slingers at Shiloh were auxiliary troops drawn from allies in the region. This article will describe the slingstones found at Shiloh and will analyze how and where they may have been made and brought to Shiloh, and how they were likely used in battle there. It will also synthesize the available information about such Roman auxiliary units to understand more fully these slingers who fought for Rome at Shiloh and other sites in Judea during that time.

Roman Militaria at Khirbet el-Maqatir

The Excavations at Khirbet el-Maqatir: 1995–2001 and 2009–2016. Vol. 2, The Late Hellenistic, Early Roman, and Byzantine Periods, by Scott Stripling, edited by Scott Stripling and Mark A. Hassler. Oxford: Archaeopress., 2023

The Early Roman military artifacts at Khirbet el-Maqatir suggest a Roman attack at the site, appa... more The Early Roman military artifacts at Khirbet el-Maqatir suggest a Roman attack at the site, apparently part of Vespasian's campaign in the hill country north of Jerusalem in A.D. 69, as well as a continued Roman garrison occupying the site for some time afterward. The finds include hobnails, slingstones and ballista balls, sling pellets, arrowheads, javelin heads, blades, and equestrian fittings. Though most of these artifacts came from Early Roman contexts (Stratum 3b), the dating of the whole collection may extend from the Late Hellenistic period to the mid-third century CE. Overall, the Early Roman militaria found at Khirbet el-Maqatir seems to support the excavators' assertion that the Late Hellenistic and Early Roman settlement was founded in the second century BCE, destroyed by the Romans in 69 CE, and subsequently occupied by Roman soldiers until sometime before the Second Jewish Revolt (132-135 CE) when a Jewish population resettled the site.

Taking a Sling: How David Defeated Goliath

Biblical Archaeology Review 48 (3), 2022

Is the biblical story of young David defeating the Philistine champion Goliath realistic and cred... more Is the biblical story of young David defeating the Philistine champion Goliath realistic and credible? This paper researches texts and images from the ancient world that include slinging, and describes as much as possible what slings and sling ammunition were like, how people actually slung, and how far and accurately slingers could sling. It then applies that information to the story of David and Goliath.

Genetics and the Bible: The Curious Case of the Left-Handed Benjamites

ne of the most colorful stories in the Bible tells how Ehud, the left-handed Israelite judge from... more ne of the most colorful stories in the Bible tells how Ehud, the left-handed Israelite judge from the tribe of Benjamin, freed Israel from Moabite domination (Judg. 3:12-30). When Ehud delivered Israel's annual tribute to the Moabites, he assassinated the fat Moabite king by using a doubleedged dagger he had hidden on his right thigh. This story is famous not only for its gory detail ("the fat closed over the blade … and the dung came out … 'Surely he is relieving himself'"), but also for its hero who succeeds, in part, because he is left-handed. 1 190 Perspectives on Science and Christian Faith

A Village from the Israelite Settlement: The Iron Age Remains at Khirbet el-Maqatir (NEASB 65 (2020): 25-42)

Near East Archaeological Society Bulletin, 2020

Recently concluded excavations at Khirbet el-Maqatir north of Jerusalem revealed, in part, remain... more Recently concluded excavations at Khirbet el-Maqatir north of Jerusalem revealed, in part, remains of an agricultural village dating mostly to Iron Age I, during the time of Judges. Although the majority of the village was destroyed by later building at the site, the extant remains reveal much about another of the several hundred known settlement sites established in early Iron Age I in Israel’s central highlands. The Iron Age remains at KeM reflect the general characteristics of these villages, with one exception. For reasons that are not clear, the few extant homes are markedly simpler in design and much smaller than those in nearby contemporary sites at et-Tell, Beitin, Khirbet Raddana, and the slightly later Khirbet ed-Dawwara. This article will summarize KeM’s Iron Age architectural remains, pottery, small finds, and fauna, and compare them with those of other relevant sites.

A Unique Early Roman Inkwell from Ancient Shiloh (NEASB 64 (2019): 51-55)

by Katherine Streckert and Boyd Seevers

Near East Archaeological Society Bulletin, 2019

A complete, intact early Roman inkwell recovered in excavations at ancient Shiloh adds to the lim... more A complete, intact early Roman inkwell recovered in excavations at ancient Shiloh adds to the limited number of inkwells known from the period. The ceramic item is somewhat small and poorly made, but its apparently handmade, inverted trapezoidal shape is unique among extant early Roman inkwells from Judea and adds a relatively small site to the list of places where inkwells have appeared.

A Monumental Fortification Tower and Militaria: Late Hellenistic and Early Roman Military Architecture and Equipment Discovered at Khirbet el-Maqatir, Israel

by Mark Hassler, Katherine Streckert, and Boyd Seevers

In the highland’s depth: Journal for the study of archaeology and history of the highlands region and underground cavities, 2020

At Khirbet el-Maqatir in the northern Judean highlands, archaeologists discovered a monumental fo... more At Khirbet el-Maqatir in the northern Judean highlands, archaeologists discovered a monumental fortification tower and military equipment from the Late Hellenistic and Early Roman periods. The tower’s megaliths, thick walls, and massive base made it one of the largest towers in Israel during the late Second Temple period. The military equipment at the village emerged gradually throughout the archaeological project, and included hobnails, slingstones and ballista balls, a sling pellet, arrowheads, a javelin head, metal blades, and equestrian fittings. All these elements fit within their historical and cultural milieu, and reinforce the excavators’ conclusion that the settlement was founded in the second century BCE, demolished by the Romans in 69 CE during the First Jewish Revolt, temporarily occupied by Roman soldiers soon thereafter, and then resided in by a small Jewish population that reused the hiding complex during the Second Jewish Revolt (132–135 CE), before being abandoned until the Late Roman and Byzantine periods.

A Unique Early Roman Inkwell from Ancient Shiloh (NEASB 64 (2019): 51-55)

Near East Archaeological Society Bulletin, 2019

A complete, intact early Roman inkwell recovered in excavations at ancient Shiloh adds to the lim... more A complete, intact early Roman inkwell recovered in excavations at ancient Shiloh adds to the limited number of inkwells known from the period. The ceramic item is somewhat small and poorly made, but its apparently handmade, inverted trapezoidal shape is unique among extant early Roman inkwells from Judea and adds a relatively small site to the list of places where inkwells have appeared.

Iron Age I Remains at Khirbet el-Maqatir: A Preliminary Report

In the Highland's Depth, 2018

Excavations at Khirbet el-Maqatir (KeM) near et-Tell in the central West Bank have yielded modest... more Excavations at Khirbet el-Maqatir (KeM) near et-Tell in the central West Bank have yielded modest but meaningful remains of a settlement apparently dating to early Iron Age I as well as substantial Middle Bronze-Late Bronze and Late Hellenistic-Early Roman remains. Much of the Iron Age settlement was apparently destroyed by later building activity but a small row of one-room homes survived on the western side of the site. These homes were built against the Middle Bronze-Late Bronze fortification wall, much like at Shiloh. The homes included silos, simple pottery, and reflect rather poor building technique, all suggesting a date early in Iron Age I. On the eastern side of KeM, a few surviving Iron Age structural remains and pottery suggest that Iron Age habitation existed there in Iron Age I as well, and continued into Iron Age IIA in a limited area.

Iron Age I Looms: An Archaeological and Experiential Study. (NEASB 63 (2018): 19-25)

by Boyd Seevers and Arianna Winslow

Near East Archaeological Society Bulletin, 2018

A limited number of loom weights and spindle whorls have come to light in excavations in Israel a... more A limited number of loom weights and spindle whorls have come to light in excavations in Israel at sites dating to Iron Age I, including Khirbet el-Maqatir in the central highlands. These discoveries raise the question of what type of looms the Israelites might have used during Iron Age I as they settled into Canaan and established their material culture. Along with archaeological evidence, this article surveys loom styles from ancient Egypt, Greece, Canaan, Philistia, Iron Age II Israel, and even present-day Middle Eastern bedouin, for hints about a possible loom style in Iron Age I Israel. The article argues that Iron Age I Israelite looms were likely vertical and warp-weighted and probably very simple, given the rudimentary material culture of Iron Age I Israel. The article also includes a description and pictures of coauthor Winslow’s efforts to recreate and use such a simple loom using materials as authentic as possible, including spinning and dyeing the thread as well as weaving a simple pattern.

Slinging in the Biblical World: And What We Can Learn about David Defeating Goliath. (NEASB 63 (2018): 1-12)

Near East Archaeological Society Bulletin, 2018

Slings, such as those used by David and countless other slingers in the greater biblical world, h... more Slings, such as those used by David and countless other slingers in the greater biblical world, have served as weapons for millennia in warfare, herding, hunting, and sport. This paper surveys how slings are made and used, what types of ammunition slingers have used, how slingers have functioned throughout military history, how far and accurately a slinger could sling, and how much damage a sling could inflict. This information helps us better understand David’s defeat of Goliath.

An Iron Age II Horse’s Head from Ras et-Tahune. (NEASB 62 (2017): 30-35)

Near East Archaeological Society Bulletin, 2017

The head of a clay zoomorphic figurine was recently discovered on the surface of Ras et-Tahune ne... more The head of a clay zoomorphic figurine was recently discovered on the surface of Ras et-Tahune near Ramallah. It appears to be part of a clay horse, a common element in the material culture of Judah in the eighth-seventh centuries B.C. Although typical of such figurines in most respects, the head has red wash rather than the more common whitewash. It also lacks some features that many such figurines bear: any evidence of a human rider, the detailed representation of features (eyes, etc.), and the additional colored paint apparently depicting equestrian trappings. When added to the results of archaeological survey work done at Ras et-Tahune, the head helps suggest that the site would yield substantial Iron Age II remains.

A Headless Judean Pillar Figurine from Tell el-Ful. (NEASB 61 (2016): 37-43)

by Boyd Seevers and Abigail Van Huss

Near East Archaeological Society Bulletin, 2016

Coauthor Abigail Leavitt discovered a headless Judean Pillar Figurine (JPF) on the surface of Tel... more Coauthor Abigail Leavitt discovered a headless Judean Pillar Figurine (JPF) on the surface of Tell el-Ful. Although it represents yet another of the nearly one thousand JPFs discovered to date, at least two characteristics make this JPF unusual. This article will explain where the JPF was found, describe JPFs in general and this one in particular, and explain how this JPF fits into the general typology of JPFs. This article will also offer a suggestion about what rounded item that this unusual JPF may be holding, and will present evidence suggesting that the JPF’s missing head may have been discovered in 1964.

Seals in Ancient Israel and the Near East: Their Manufacture, Use, and Apparent Paradox of Pagan Symbolism. (NEASB 61 (2016): 1-17)

by Boyd Seevers and Rachel Korhonen

Near East Archaeological Society Bulletin, 2016

The small stamp and cylinder seals from ancient Israel and the Near East often provide windows in... more The small stamp and cylinder seals from ancient Israel and the Near East often provide windows into the worlds in which they were used. One finds multiple references to seals and sealing in the Bible, and hundreds of Israelite seals and seal impressions have survived from the time of the late Israelite monarchy. The artistry of some ancient seal carvers amazes the modern viewer and the engraved artistic elements often provide insights and sometimes raise questions about the beliefs of the people who used them.

This article will begin with a brief survey of the history, use, and manufacture of seals in the ancient Near East, including Israel, and will summarize the scores of biblical references to seals and sealing, both literal and figurative. It will also describe the process for and insights from making modern seals. It will close by analyzing the art that appears on late Israelite seals (Iron Age II, mostly Judah) and conclude with analysis of how to understand pagan symbols on Israelite seals, particularly those of King Hezekiah of Judah.

Four-Chamber Gates in the Ancient Near East from the Middle Bronze through the Iron Ages (Batchelder Biblical Archaeology Conference, Univ. of Nebraska - Omaha, Nov. 2007)

Left-Handed Sons of Right-Handers. (BAR 39/3 (2013):26, 69)

Biblical Archaeology Review, 2013

The three left-handers mentioned in the Bible all belonged to the tribe of Benjamin, including th... more The three left-handers mentioned in the Bible all belonged to the tribe of Benjamin, including the famous judge Ehud. Did Benjamin produce more left-handers than other tribes? Is left-handedness a result of genetics, upbringing, or both? A Bible scholar and a geneticist examine the biblical and genetic evidence to try to answer these questions.

Select Biblical Customs in Light of Rwalan Bedouin Practices. (NEASB 52 (2007): 17-33)

Near East Archaeological Society Bulletin, 2007

How Big was Israel's Army? Dealing with Large Numbers in the Bible. (Artifax. Summer 2011: 18–19)

Artifax, 2011

A Scarab of Psametik I from Kh. el-Maqatir

by Scott Stripling, Baruch Brandl, and Boyd Seevers

Palestine Exploration Quarterly , 2017

A molded paste scarab bearing the name Psametik was discovered at Kh. el-Maqatir near Deir Dibwan... more A molded paste scarab bearing the name Psametik was discovered at Kh. el-Maqatir near Deir Dibwan during the 2015 season of excavations under the direction of Dr. Scott Stripling. This article will describe and analyze the scarab and explain the archaeological context in which it was discovered, along with an analysis of the related pottery. This scarab is the first one found in Israel that bears the nomen Psametik, and it is suggested here that it should be attributed to Psametik I, the founder of the 26 th Egyptian Dynasty. In what follows, an attempt has been made to list all of the excavated parallels to provide a basis for future studies. Parallels from collections are cited only where they are essential to the discussion. If there is an earlier discussion by other scholars of a specific issue, we refer to that discussion in order to avoid repetition. To prevent side-discussions, mainly of a technical nature, several topics are arranged here according to the same headings under which they appear in the discussion that follows. Material: Paste: The scarab is composed of an artificial material like glass and faience. Since scarabs made of paste were heated at a relatively low temperature, their surfaces do not have a crust or glaze, thus causing them to become very soft.1 The original color of the paste, most probably blue or green, is often faded into yellow or white2 due to the chemical conditions of the archaeological accumulations in the various sites. Dimensions: The three dimensions used here are (in alphabetical order): H = height, L = length, W = width. Scarab Shape: Two classification systems or typologies relate to the shape of the Iron Age II scarabs:3 1. Alan Rowe defined the first classification.4 This typology segments into three elements, (HC = Head and Clypeus, EP = Elytra and Prothorax and Side) and thus accommodates a great number of variations.

Chapter 12: Militaria

by Katherine Streckert and Boyd Seevers

The Excavations at Khirbet el-Maqatir: 1995–2001 and 2009–2016 Volume 2: The Late Hellenistic, Early Roman, and Byzantine Periods, 2023

The Late Hellenistic and Early Roman military artifacts at Khirbet el-Maqatir fit into seven grou... more The Late Hellenistic and Early Roman military artifacts at Khirbet el-Maqatir fit into seven groups: hobnails, slingstones and ballista balls, sling pellets, arrowheads, javelin heads, blades, and equestrian fittings. Though most of these artifacts came from Early Roman contexts (Stratum 3b), the dating of the whole collection may extend from the Late Hellenistic period to the mid-third century CE. Overall, the Early Roman militaria found at Khirbet el-Maqatir seems to support the excavators' assertion that the Late Hellenistic and Early Roman settlement was founded in the second century BCE, destroyed by the Romans in 69 CE, and subsequently occupied by Roman soldiers until sometime before the Second Jewish Revolt (132-135 CE) when a Jewish population resettled the site.