Pontifical Catholic University of Argentina (Universidad Católica Argentina – UCA), Argentina
Prof. Dr. Juan Manuel Tebes
Professor and Researcher
Center for Studies of the History of the Ancient Near East (CEHAO)
Faculty of Social Sciences
Official University Profile: Pontifical Catholic University of Argentina – Juan Manuel Tebes
Expertise: Ancient Near Eastern History; History and Archaeology of the Southern Levant; Iron Age Levant; Ancient Arabia; Biblical Archaeology; Hebrew Bible in Historical Context; Edom; Ancient Israel and Judah; Landscape Archaeology; Sacred Landscapes.
CURRICULUM VITAE
Academic Profile
Prof. Dr. Juan Manuel Tebes is Professor and Researcher at the Pontifical Catholic University of Argentina (UCA) and an Independent Researcher of CONICET (Argentina’s National Scientific and Technical Research Council). He serves as Director of the Center for Studies of the History of the Ancient Near East (CEHAO), one of Latin America’s leading research centers devoted to the ancient Near East.
An internationally recognized specialist in the archaeology and history of the southern Levant and northwestern Arabia, his work combines archaeology, ancient history, epigraphy, and biblical studies to investigate the societies of the Late Bronze and Iron Ages. His research has significantly advanced the study of Edom, ancient Arabia, desert societies, and the historical context of the Hebrew Bible.
Prof. Tebes is also active in international scholarly organizations, including the Society of Biblical Literature, where he has held leadership roles promoting international cooperation among researchers.
QUALIFICATIONS
B.A. in History, University of Buenos Aires.
Ph.D. in History, University of Buenos Aires.
M.A. in History, The Pennsylvania State University.
ACADEMIC POSITIONS AND APPOINTMENTS
Professor, Pontifical Catholic University of Argentina.
Director, Center for Studies of the History of the Ancient Near East (CEHAO).
Independent Researcher, CONICET.
Director, Program for the Study of Premodern Societies.
Chair, International Cooperation Initiative, Society of Biblical Literature.
Chair, Travel Grants Committee, Society of Biblical Literature.
Co-Editor, Ancient Near East Monographs.
Member of numerous international archaeological and biblical studies associations.
RESEARCH
Prof. Tebes specializes in the history and archaeology of the southern Levant and the Arabian Peninsula during the Late Bronze and Iron Ages. His work integrates archaeological evidence, ancient Near Eastern texts, biblical literature, epigraphy, and landscape archaeology to reconstruct the political, economic, and religious development of ancient societies.
A major focus of his scholarship concerns Edom, ancient Israel, Judah, and northwestern Arabia, particularly the interaction between nomadic and sedentary populations, trade networks, desert sanctuaries, and sacred landscapes. His recent projects investigate cult places and religious landscapes in the arid southern Levant using archaeological survey, GIS, and interdisciplinary historical methods.
His publications also explore biblical archaeology, Iron Age chronology, the origins of Yahweh worship, copper production, and cultural interaction across the Levant and Arabia.
RESEARCH INTERESTS
Ancient Near Eastern History
Biblical Archaeology
Southern Levant
Ancient Arabia
Iron Age Archaeology
Late Bronze Age
History of Ancient Israel
History of Edom
Historical Geography
Sacred Landscapes
Landscape Archaeology
Ancient Religion
Ancient Trade Networks
Hebrew Bible and Archaeology
ACADEMIC LEADERSHIP
Director, Center for Studies of the History of the Ancient Near East (CEHAO).
Independent Researcher, CONICET.
Chair, International Cooperation Initiative, Society of Biblical Literature.
Chair, Travel Grants Committee, Society of Biblical Literature.
Co-Editor, Ancient Near East Monographs.
Organizer of numerous international conferences and collaborative research projects in Near Eastern archaeology and biblical studies.
PUBLICATIONS
Selected Publications
Nomads, Tribes, and the State in the Ancient Near East: Cross-Disciplinary Perspectives. (Editor).
Unearthing the Wilderness: Studies on the History and Archaeology of the Negev and Edom in the Iron Age.
The Archaeology of Cult and Religion in Ancient Arabia and the Southern Levant. (Co-editor).
The Chronology of Edom in the Iron Age: A Critical Review of the Evidence.
Revolution in the Desert: A Reassessment of the Late Bronze/Early Iron Ages in Northwestern Arabia and the Southern Levant.
Yahweh’s Desert Origins.
Author and editor of numerous books, peer-reviewed articles, and edited volumes on the archaeology and history of the southern Levant, ancient Arabia, Edom, biblical archaeology, Iron Age chronology, and the historical context of the Hebrew Bible.