Emory University, USA
Prof. Dr. Oded Borowski, Emeritus
Professor Emeritus of Biblical Archaeology and Hebrew
Department of Middle Eastern and South Asian Studies
Official University Profile: Emory University – Oded Borowski
Expertise: Biblical Archaeology; Archaeology of Ancient Israel and Judah; Iron Age Studies; Ancient Israelite Daily Life and Material Culture; Household Archaeology; Ancient Agriculture and Economy; Excavation Methodology; Historical Geography of Ancient Israel; Hebrew and Biblical History.
CURRICULUM VITAE
Academic Profile
Prof. Dr. Oded Borowski is Professor Emeritus of Biblical Archaeology and Hebrew at Emory University. During more than four decades at Emory, he played a central role in developing the university’s programs in Hebrew, Arabic, and Near Eastern Studies, founding both the Hebrew and Arabic language programs and leading the creation of the Department of Near Eastern Studies, now the Department of Middle Eastern and South Asian Studies.
Born in British Mandate Palestine, Borowski was a member of Kibbutz Lahav before pursuing higher education in the United States. His academic career has combined biblical archaeology, Hebrew language, and the archaeology of ancient Israel with extensive archaeological fieldwork throughout Israel. Since 1976 he has been closely associated with the Lahav Research Project at Tell Halif, serving as its director during Phase IV.
His scholarship is particularly recognized for reconstructing everyday life in ancient Israel through archaeology, agriculture, material culture, architecture, and environmental evidence rather than focusing exclusively on political history.
QUALIFICATIONS
B.H.L. (Bachelor of Hebrew Letters), Midrasha – College of Jewish Studies.
B.A. in History and Anthropology, Wayne State University.
M.A. in Near Eastern Studies, University of Michigan.
Ph.D. in Near Eastern Studies, University of Michigan.
ACADEMIC POSITIONS AND APPOINTMENTS
Professor Emeritus of Biblical Archaeology and Hebrew, Emory University.
Founder of the Hebrew Language Program, Emory University.
Founder of the Arabic Language Program, Emory University.
Founding Director of the Department of Near Eastern Studies (now Middle Eastern and South Asian Studies).
Director, Lahav Research Project – Phase IV.
Participant in archaeological excavations at Tel Gezer, Tel Dan, Ashkelon, Beth Shemesh, and Tell Halif.
RESEARCH
Prof. Borowski’s research focuses on biblical archaeology and the archaeology of ancient Israel during the Bronze and Iron Ages. His work examines agriculture, food production, animal husbandry, household economy, architecture, and daily life in biblical societies.
His long-term archaeological investigations at Tell Halif have significantly advanced understanding of settlement history in Judah, especially during the Iron Age. Through excavation, environmental archaeology, and material culture studies, he has reconstructed patterns of domestic life, economy, and social organization in the biblical world.
His interdisciplinary approach integrates archaeology, history, anthropology, biblical studies, and environmental evidence to illuminate the historical context of the Hebrew Bible.
RESEARCH INTERESTS
Biblical Archaeology
Ancient Israel and Judah
Iron Age Archaeology
Daily Life in Biblical Times
Agriculture in Ancient Israel
Material Culture
Household Archaeology
Ancient Economy
Historical Geography
Hebrew Language
Biblical History
Near Eastern Archaeology
ACADEMIC LEADERSHIP
Professor Emeritus, Emory University.
Founder of Hebrew and Arabic language programs at Emory University.
Founding Director of the Department of Near Eastern Studies.
Director, Lahav Research Project – Phase IV.
Leader of numerous archaeological expeditions and collaborative international research projects.
PUBLICATIONS
Selected Publications
Agriculture in Iron Age Israel. Eisenbrauns / American Schools of Oriental Research.
Every Living Thing: Daily Use of Animals in Ancient Israel. AltaMira Press.
Daily Life in Biblical Times. Society of Biblical Literature / Brill.
Lahav III: The Iron Age II Cemetery at Tell Halif (Site 72). Eisenbrauns.
Lahav VIII: Tell Halif Excavations in Field III. (with Joe D. Seger).
Author of numerous books, excavation reports, encyclopedia entries, and peer-reviewed articles on biblical archaeology, daily life in ancient Israel, Iron Age Judah, agriculture, and the archaeology of Tell Halif.