Biblical Archaeology Review

Biblical Archaeology Review, commonly abbreviated BAR, is a quarterly magazine devoted to communicating archaeological and historical research concerning the world of the Bible to a general audience. It was launched in 1975 and is published by the nonsectarian, nonprofit Biblical Archaeology Society. The publication occupies an intermediary position between specialist scholarship and popular history: it reports on archaeological discoveries, excavations, artifacts, inscriptions, textual interpretation, and scholarly controversies while presenting the material in an accessible magazine format. Its geographical scope centers on the ancient lands associated with the Hebrew Bible and the New Testament, including Israel, Jordan, Turkey, the broader Levant, and neighboring areas of the Near East and Middle East. Its coverage has also addressed questions involving biblical texts, the historical settings of biblical narratives, and developments in the academic study of both the Hebrew Bible and the New Testament. The magazine is therefore broader than a narrowly technical archaeology journal, combining field archaeology, epigraphy, art history, ancient history, and critical biblical scholarship. BAR was created to connect academic research with readers who want to understand the ancient world without necessarily belonging to a university or archaeological excavation. Its editorial model has emphasized current discoveries and debates, including subjects that can attract disagreement among scholars and the wider public. The magazine's connection with the Biblical Archaeology Society places it within a nonprofit publishing program focused on public access to research about the Bible and its historical environment. The publication's editorial leadership was closely associated with founder and longtime editor-in-chief Hershel Shanks, who led the magazine from its first issue through his retirement at the end of 2017. Robert R. Cargill succeeded him as editor-in-chief and served from 2018 until stepping down in March 2021. Glenn J. Corbett then became editor-in-chief and is identified as serving in that role from 2021 onward. Hershel Shanks was also the magazine's publisher through 2003; Susan Laden has served as publisher since 2004. The Biblical Archaeology Society developed related publications alongside BAR. Bible Review appeared from 1985 to 2005 and presented critical and historical interpretations of biblical texts for a general readership. Archaeology Odyssey ran from 1997 to 2005 and focused on classical archaeology. After 2005, Bible Review was merged into BAR, consolidating the society's general-audience biblical scholarship under the BAR brand. The society also provides digital access through its BAS Library and All Access Membership program. The online archive includes the complete run of BAR from 1975 onward as well as the full runs of Bible Review and Archaeology Odyssey. Today, Biblical Archaeology Review remains an active magazine brand and an important public-facing outlet for discussion of biblical archaeology and related ancient-world studies. Its distinguishing proposition is not the publication of highly specialized research alone, but the interpretation and presentation of scholarly work for readers interested in the historical, archaeological, and textual contexts of the Bible.

Biblical Archaeology Review was established in 1975 by Hershel Shanks as a quarterly magazine intended to make archaeological and biblical scholarship accessible to a broad readership. The publication was created within the framework of the Biblical Archaeology Society, a nonsectarian and nonprofit organization. From its beginning, BAR focused on the relationship between archaeological evidence and the historical world represented by the Hebrew Bible and New Testament, while also reporting on scholarly disputes and new interpretations. The magazine's coverage has extended across the Levant and neighboring regions, including Israel, Jordan, Turkey, and the wider Near East. Its subject matter includes excavations, artifacts, inscriptions, ancient sites, archaeological methods, historical reconstruction, and critical study of biblical texts. Rather than functioning solely as a technical research journal, BAR has presented academic findings in a magazine format designed for interested nonspecialists as well as scholars. Hershel Shanks served as editor-in-chief from the first issue until his retirement at the end of 2017. He also served as publisher through 2003. Robert R. Cargill became editor-in-chief in 2018, following Shanks's retirement, but left the position in March 2021. Glenn J. Corbett succeeded Cargill and has served as editor-in-chief from 2021 onward. Susan Laden became publisher in 2004 and is identified as continuing in that role. The Biblical Archaeology Society expanded its publishing program with related titles. Bible Review, launched in 1985, presented historical and critical approaches to the Old and New Testaments in a reader-friendly form. Archaeology Odyssey, published from 1997, concentrated on classical archaeology. Both titles ended in 2005; Bible Review was subsequently merged into BAR, while the society's archive preserved the publications' back issues. Digital distribution has become an important part of the brand's availability. The Biblical Archaeology Society's BAS Library and All Access Membership service provide access to every issue of BAR since 1975, along with complete runs of Bible Review and Archaeology Odyssey. This archive extends BAR beyond its quarterly publication cycle and makes its historical coverage available as a continuing research and reference resource. BAR remains an active publication associated with the Biblical Archaeology Society. Its enduring role is to mediate between academic study and public interest, covering the archaeology of the biblical world and the scholarly interpretation of the Bible without presenting itself as a sectarian publication.

• 2021

  Glenn J. Corbett becomes editor-in-chief

  [1]Biblical Archaeology Reviewen.wikipedia.org

  Following Cargill's departure in March, Glenn J. Corbett assumes the editor-in-chief role.

• 2018

  Robert R. Cargill becomes editor-in-chief

  [1]Biblical Archaeology Reviewen.wikipedia.org

  Robert R. Cargill succeeds Shanks as editor-in-chief.

• 2017

  Hershel Shanks retires as editor-in-chief

  [1]Biblical Archaeology Reviewen.wikipedia.org

  After leading the magazine since its founding, Shanks retires at the end of 2017.

• 2005

  Related publications are consolidated

  [1]Biblical Archaeology Reviewen.wikipedia.org

  Bible Review and Archaeology Odyssey cease publication; Bible Review is merged into Biblical Archaeology Review.

• 2004

  Susan Laden becomes publisher

  [1]Biblical Archaeology Reviewen.wikipedia.org

  Susan Laden succeeds Hershel Shanks as publisher of the publication program.

• 1997

  Archaeology Odyssey is launched

  [1]Biblical Archaeology Reviewen.wikipedia.org

  The society introduces Archaeology Odyssey, a related publication focused on classical archaeology.

• 1985

  Bible Review is launched

  [1]Biblical Archaeology Reviewen.wikipedia.org

  The Biblical Archaeology Society begins publishing Bible Review as a general-audience outlet for critical and historical biblical scholarship.

• 1975

  Biblical Archaeology Review begins publication

  [1]Biblical Archaeology Reviewen.wikipedia.org

  The first issue of the quarterly magazine is published under the leadership of Hershel Shanks.

A nonsectarian, nonprofit, general-audience publication that interprets academic archaeology and biblical scholarship for readers interested in the ancient Near East and the historical settings of the Bible.

• Quarterly magazine · 1975

  Biblical Archaeology Review

  The core publication of the Biblical Archaeology Society. BAR reports on archaeological discoveries, excavations, inscriptions, artifacts, ancient sites, and interpretive debates connected with the biblical world and the ancient Near East. It also presents historical and critical perspectives on the Hebrew Bible and New Testament for a broad, non-specialist readership.

• Biblical scholarship magazine · 1985

  Bible Review

  A former Biblical Archaeology Society publication that ran from 1985 to 2005. It was designed to communicate critical and historical interpretations of the Old and New Testaments in an accessible format. After its publication ended, its editorial scope was merged into Biblical Archaeology Review.

• Classical archaeology magazine · 1997

  Archaeology Odyssey

  A former sister publication covering classical archaeology. It was published by the Biblical Archaeology Society from 1997 until 2005 and is now represented through archived access rather than as a current standalone magazine.

• Digital archive

  BAS Library

  A digital archive associated with the Biblical Archaeology Society that provides access to the complete run of Biblical Archaeology Review since 1975 and archived runs of Bible Review and Archaeology Odyssey through the society's membership access programs.

• 2005

  Merge Bible Review into Biblical Archaeology ReviewStrategy

  Background

  The Biblical Archaeology Society had operated Bible Review as a separate general-audience biblical scholarship magazine since 1985.

  Action taken

  After Bible Review ended publication in 2005, its coverage was consolidated within Biblical Archaeology Review.

  Aftermath

  The consolidation placed the society's general-audience biblical archaeology and biblical studies content under the BAR brand, while the earlier title remained available in the society's archive.

  Source

1. 1Biblical Archaeology Reviewen.wikipedia.org
2. 2Biblical Archaeology Review magazinebiblicalarchaeology.org