LECTURES

The course on offer for the fall 2019 semester is:

The So-Called 'Israelite Religion' - An Archaeological Perspective with archaeologist Shua Kisilevitz

Tuesdays, 10:15-11:45 at Gilman Building, Room #282

Traditionally, the study of early 'Israelite religion' has primarily centered on the biblical accounts, which are laced with later additions and religious agenda and remain heavily debated among scholars. This eventuality is a combination of the everlasting popularity of religious studies, and the paucity of contextualized cultic finds unearthed in the region. However, with the growing corpus of Iron Age cultic finds throughout the southern Levant in recent years, the time has come for a reassessment of the so-called 'Israelite Religion’. 

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In this course we will utilize archaeological and social criteria for the definition of cultic remains and places throughout the southern Levant, traversing the period spanning the Late Bronze Age through the Iron Age. The Iron Age cultic finds will be examined considering the cultural influences they reflect and against the backdrop of the ancient Near East. Emphasis will be given to the impact the biblical narrative has had on the perception and study of Iron Age cult and religion, predominately pertaining finds attributed to the Kingdoms of Judah and Israel.  

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IMPORTANT NOTE:  It will be possible to attend the first lecture on Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2019 for free, BEFORE committing to the whole lecture series.

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Cost for the semester: 550 NIS

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Location: Gilman Building, Room 282, Tel Aviv University

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Time: 10:15 AM - 11:45 AM

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