The Bible For Normal People Episode 175: Jodi Magness - The Jesus of Archaeology
Aug 9, 2021
Archaeologist Jodi Magness discusses the challenges of linking Jesus to specific artifacts in her Jewish context. They explore the limitations of archaeology and the importance of gaining insights into the broader era. The conversation also touches on daily life in ancient times, from hygiene practices to societal structure.
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Jodi Magness' Personal Journey
- Jodi Magness moved to Israel alone at age 16 after falling in love with the country on a tour.
- She finished high school there and pursued archaeology at Hebrew University.
Archaeology vs History
- Archaeology studies human material culture left behind, such as buildings, pottery, and tools.
- It differs from history, which focuses on written sources about the past.
Limits of Archaeology on Jesus
- Archaeology rarely produces artifacts linked to specific individuals like Jesus, mostly only wealthy elites leave identifiable traces.
- However, archaeology reveals the general cultural and physical world Jesus lived in, such as village houses and ancient Jerusalem details.