I am an archaeologist who deals with Biblical Archaeology (Bronze and Iron Age Archaeology of the Southern Levant). For the last 20+ years I have directed the archaeological project at Tell es-Safi/Gath (biblical Gath of the Philistines) that is one of the largest archaeological projects in the near east. In addition, I am co-director of the Minerva Center for the Relations between Israel and Aram in Biblical Times (aramisrael.org) and co-edit the Israel Exploration Journal. I am particularly interested in inter- and multi-disciplinary research on the ancient cultures of the ancient near east, with particular focus on that of the Philistines, Israelites, Judahites and Arameans.

Research Areas:

• Archaeology of the Land of Israel and its environs in the Bronze and Iron Age (Biblical Archaeology);
• The Philistines and their culture;
• Relations between Israel and Aram in the biblical period (Head of the Minerva Center for Israel and Aram Relations in the Biblical Period aramisrael.org)
• The Tell es-Safi/Gath Archaeological Project (https://gath.wordpress.com/);
• Ancient Jerusalem (Head of the Ingeburg Rennert Center for the Study of Jerusalem)
• Archaeological Science
• Relations of trade and culture in ancient times;
• Western Pacific cultures (Oceania);
• Associate editor of Israel Exploration Journal