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The Book and The Spade Feed: Daily Summaries Delivered
by Gordon Govier
The Book and Spade program has the latest information on discoveries and developments in Biblical Archaeology.
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- 4 days ago14 min
What Happened to King Solomon's Gold - And Silver?
In King Solomon's day there was so much gold that silver "was considered as nothing." After Solomon the kingdom split, an Egyptian pharaoh invaded, and there went the gold, and silver. But that's not the end of the story. In this interview we follow the trail with professor Clyde Billington, my co-editor on ARTIFAX magazine.
- 1 weeks ago14 min
Excavating burnt wooden beams from the destruction of Jerusalem in 586 BC
Among the stories we've been covering is the recent excavation of burnt wooden beams from the 586 BC destruction of Jerusalem. Other stories include secret excavations under Jerusalem's western wall plaza, and a tunnel surprise at kibbutz Ramat Rachel, justs outside of Jerusalem.
- 2 weeks ago14 min
Huqoq synagogue and Machpelah Tomb updates
Among the latest biblical archaeology news stories reported in ARTIFAX magazine is our cover story on the new museum display about the excavation of the biblical mosaics at the Huqoq synagogue and the untold story of how Herod the Great planned to be buried alongside the patriarchs at the Cave of Machpelah in Hebron. These stories and more are discussed with professor Clyde Billington.
- 3 weeks ago14 min
Tel Shiloh Excavation 2026 - part 2
Tel Shiloh is annually one of the largest excavations in Israel, digging into the site that was the home of the tabernacle (including the Ark of the Covenant) and the unofficial capital of Israel before Jerusalem. This year the excavation continued in three areas: a monumental building that appeared to be the same size as the biblical dimensions of the tabernacle, the city gate, and the favissa (where sacrificial offerings are discarded). Scott Stripling is the director of the excavation for Associates for BIblical Research, as well as provost of The BIble Seminary in Katy, Texas, and president of the Near East Archaeological Socieity. In this episode, more details on what was found under the favissa, along with observations about other archaeological sites in Israel.
- Aug 12, 202614 min
Tel Shiloh Excavation 2026
Tel Shiloh is annually one of the largest excavations in Israel, digging into the site that was the home of the tabernacle (including the Ark of the Covenant) and the unofficial capital of Israel before Jerusalem. This year the excavation continued in three areas: a monumental building that appeared to be the same size as the biblical dimensions of the tabernacle, the city gate, and the favissa (where sacrificial offerings are discarded). Scott Stripling is the director of the excavation for Associates for BIblical Research, as well as provost of The BIble Seminary in Katy, Texas, and president of the Near East Archaeological Socieity.
- Aug 12, 202614 min
Remembering Keith Schoville
For the first 30 years of TB&TS, we enjoyed the expert commentary of professor Keith Schoville, who taught biblical archaeology at the University of Wisconsin. He was the author of the textbook BIBLICAL ARCHAEOLOGY IN FOCUS, and has served as president of the Near East Archaeological Society. He and his students excavated at Tel Dan, Tel Lachish, and Aroer. He lived an interesting life and when he passed away recently he was 98 years old. In 2008 he shared his spiritual journey at a CBMC luncheon, telling a story that started in a crowded 3-room farmhouse in rural Wisconsin. He built a solid foundation for this podcast that continues today.
- Aug 7, 202614 min
The Dead Sea Scrolls-Vendyl Jones and the Mystery of the Temple Incense
In1992: an estimated 600 kilograms of reddish-brown organic powder was found in a sealed cave near the Dead Sea, a find that has raised questions that have yet to be definitively answered. The search team was led by Vendyl Jones, an unconventionial archaeologist who devoted himself to deciphering the Copper Scroll found in 1952, which supposedly had directions for finding the hidden treasures of the Temple. Tests back then identified the power as Temple Incense. But because Jones held a news conference before an official report had been submitted, the antiquities authorities revoked his excavation permit. Jones died in 2010, and though the "incense" was put in storage very little of it remains today. I interviewed Vendyl Jones at Masada in 1992, shortly after the discovery was announced, but then lost track of the story. In this program, Dead Sea Scrolls scholar Michael Wise gives us his perspective as we update the information.
- Jul 29, 202614 min
The Dead Sea Scrolls Are Still in the Headlines - part 2
With episode 2001 its tempting to reference Stanley Kubricks famous Space Odyssey, and then maybe go on to the current (and controversial) Odyssey movie, but no. With program #2001 we continue our conversation with Michael Wise, professor of Hebrew Bible and Ancient Languages and Scholar in Residence at the University of Northwestern - Saint Paul. We discuss the intersection of his research with the latest news stories about the Dead Sea Scrolls, the single most important discovery in Biblical Archaeology in the last 100 years.
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