Biblical archaeology expands beyond ancient Israel into new regions

Biblical archaeology has undergone significant transformation over the past five decades, according to an article by Erin Darby in the Fall 2025 issue of Biblical Archaeology Review. The field has expanded both methodologically and geographically. New theories and refined analytical techniques now enable archaeologists to study aspects of daily life in antiquity—including foodways and textile production—that illuminate how ordinary people are portrayed in biblical texts. Geographically, archaeologists have pushed beyond the traditional focus on the Levant, Mesopotamia, Cyprus, Egypt, and the Mediterranean into regions including the Caucasus, the Arabian Peninsula, and East Africa. Sites like Medain Saleh (ancient Hegra) in northwestern Saudi Arabia exemplify this expansion. The field has also developed increased scrutiny of how archaeology itself is conducted, including excavation, preservation, curation, and public display. Archaeologists now recognize the role of archaeological parks and museums as instruments of "soft diplomacy" with political and ideological implications. A major concern has been the looting of antiquities, which severs crucial archaeological context. The scholarly community has established standards requiring detailed ownership histories for unprovenienced artifacts and increasingly partners with local communities to discourage looting and promote careful preservation of excavated remains.

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Source: Biblical Archaeology Society — https://www.biblicalarchaeology.org/daily/ancient-cultures/the-expanding-world-of-biblical-archaeology/