User:Amphilogia/Ephraim Stern

Ephraim Stern (born January 15, 1934) is a leading Israeli archeologist and a recognized expert, specializing in the research of the Late First Temple period (Assyrian Age), the Babylonian period and the Persian period. In addition, he has extensively studied and written about the Phoenicians. Prof. Stern is closely associated with the excavations of Tel Dor. A professor Emeritus of the Hebrew University, he is a prolific author and has been engaged in scientific and popular writing and editing in the field of archeology. In 2005, he received the Israeli Prime Minister's award - the EMET Prize which is awarded for "...excellence in academic and professional achievements that have far reaching influence and significant contribution to society."

Biography
Prof. Ephraim Stern was born in Haifa, Israel in 1934. He graduated from the city's The Hebrew Reali School in 1952 and joined the newly-established Israeli army (Israel Defense Forces ) the same year. Participating in Israel's wars of 1956, 1967 and 1973, he had later risen to a Major rank. In 1953, while still a young adult, he lost both of his parents within six month period and subsequently helped support his younger brother. He married Tamar (nee Brutzkus) in 1960 and raised two sons. Prof. Stern lives with his wife in Jerusalem, Israel.

Academic Career
Prof. Stern started his academic career at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem where he studied in the Departments of Archaeology and History of the Jewish People. Prof. Stern completed his Ph.D. (with distinction) in 1968. After receiving his M.A. he began teaching in the Department of Archaeology at Tel Aviv University. After eight years there, Prof. Stern returned to the Hebrew University In 1971, following Professor Yigael Yadin's invitation.

Prof. Stern is widely recognized as expert in the study of three historical periods: the Late First Temple period (Assyrian Age), the Babylonian period and the Persian period. In addition, he has studied and written about the culture of the Phoenicians.

Prof. Stern served as a visiting professor in leading universities, teaching students in New York, London, Philadelphia and South Korea. Prof. Stern retired from the Hebrew University in 2002.

Notable Excavations
Prof. Stern participated in numerous archaeological excavations in various sites in israel including the initial excavations at Massadah and Hazor, Tel Beer Sheva , Tel Mor and En Gedi (see:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ein_Gedi). In addition, he led numerous excavations, including those at Gilam, Tel Kadesh and Tel Mevorakh.


 * Tel Dor Excavations

In addition to the abovementioned excavations, Prof. Stern is closely associated with Tel Dor, as he directed the excavations of the site for twenty years, while leading large groups of archeologists and layman volunteers from the U.S., Europe and Asia. Tel Dor is one of the major sites in Israel preserving important relics from the Israelite-Phoenician and Northern Sea Peoples' cultures. The documented history of the site begins in the Late Bronze Age and ends in the Crusader period. The port dominated the fortunes of the town throughout its 3000-odd year history and It served as the main port of the region up to the time of Herod the Great.

Prof. Stern initiated the Tel Dor Project in 1980 and directed it until 2000. He continues to be involved with the publication of areas excavated under his directorship.

Public Roles and Recognition
In additionan to his active role as a scholar, Prof. Stern has served as chairman of the Hebrew University's Institute of Archaeology and as director of the Yad Ben Zvi Institute for the Research of the Land of Israel, and received the Israel Museum's Percia Schiemmel award for his contributions to the archaeology of Israel.

In 2005, Prof. Ephraim Stern was awarded with the EMET Prize for his research and professional work, which have placed him in the forefront of Israeli archaeology; for "disseminating archaeological knowledge through scientific editing and publishing; for the extensive excavations in which he has been involved as team member and director; and for his broad and in-depth knowledge of the Land of Israel and its material culture between the First and Second Temple periods".
 * The EMET Prize

Books and Other Publications
Prof. Stern has published numerous books based on his research and field work. Further, he served as editor of the journal Qadmoniot, published by the Israel Exploration Society, and was co-editor of Cathedra, published by the Yad Ben-Zvi Institute. His most significant written contributions are as follows:
 * Prof. Stern was elected editor-in-chief of the four-volume New Encyclopedia of Archaeological Excavations in the Holy Land and is currently editing the fifth volume of this work. He has served as member of editorial boards of numerous other important archaeological publications.
 * His book The Material Culture of the Land of the Bible in the Persian Period (Hebrew edition 1978, English Edition 1982), is considered to be the standard textbook on this period and has won him the Ben Zvi prize.
 * His book the Biblical Archaeology Review won an award for best scholarly book on archaeology in the year 1984.
 * His popular book on Dor, Dor - Ruler of the Seas (Hebrew edition 1992, English editions 1994 and 1999), has been awarded the Irene Levi-Sala book prize.
 * Another significant contribution is the book Archaeology of the Land of the Bible, Volume II: The Assyrian, Babylonian, and Persian Periods.


 * A link to Prof. Stern's List of Publications: http://aleph3.libnet.ac.il/F/574D8EGD93384IS11ITFRSECSN5TBNTJ7TE6SJU9KELD5IMY7E-00124?func=short-sort&set_number=325518&sort_option=01---D02---A. The link reflects information contained in RAMBI an "Index of Articles on Jewish Studies.''

Links to Articles Authored by Prof. Stern 


 * 1) Goddesses and Cults at Tel Dor   http://books.google.com/booksid=oYearm8YobQC&pg=PA177&lpg=PA177&dq=ephraim+stern+hebrew&source=bl&ots=YpUXnKobop&sig=butmISNhL1qs1SujX3ihg5x61H8&hl=en&ei=bwQyTdfzAoeisAO5-pzcBQ&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=9&sqi=2&ved=0CFMQ6AEwCA#v=onepage&q=ephraim%20stern%20hebrew&f=false
 * 2) The Many Masters of Dor, Part 1, Ephraim Stern, BAR 19:01, Jan/Feb 1993 http://cojs.org/cojswiki/The_Many_Masters_of_Dor%2C_Part_1%2C_Ephraim_Stern%2C_BAR_19:01%2C_Jan/Feb_1993
 * 3) The Many Masters of Dor, Part 2: How Bad Was Ahab? Ephraim Stern, BAR 19:02, Mar/Apr 1993. - http://cojs.org/cojswiki/The_Many_Masters_of_Dor%2C_Part_2:_How_Bad_Was_Ahab%3F_Ephraim_Stern%2C_BAR_19:02%2C_Mar/Apr_1993.
 * 4) The Many Masters of Dor, Part 3: The Persistence of Phoenician Culture, Ephraim Stern, BAR 19:03, May/Jun 1993. http://cojs.org/cojswiki/The_Many_Masters_of_Dor%2C_Part_3:_The_Persistence_of_Phoenician_Culture%2C_Ephraim_Stern%2C_BAR_19:03%2C_May/Jun_1993.
 * 5) Buried Treasure: The Silver Hoard from Dor, Ephraim Stern, BAR 24:04, Jul/Aug 1998. http://cojs.org/cojswiki/Buried_Treasure:_The_Silver_Hoard_from_Dor%2C_Ephraim_Stern%2C_BAR_24:04%2C_Jul/Aug_1998.
 * 6) Prize Find: Priestly Blessing of a Voyage, Ephraim Stern, BAR 21:01, Jan/Feb 1995. http://cojs.org/cojswiki/Prize_Find:_Priestly_Blessing_of_a_Voyage%2C_Ephraim_Stern%2C_BAR_21:01%2C_Jan/Feb_1995.
 * 7) The Babylonian Gap - The Assyrians impressed their culture on Israel … the Babylonians left no trace:  http://cojs.org/cojswiki/The_Babylonian_Gap,_Ephraim_Stern,_BAR_26:06,_Nov/Dec_2000.
 * 8) Yes There Was - The Babylonian Gap Revisited http://www.123people.com/ext/frm?ti=person%20finder&search_term=ephraim%20stern&search_country=US&st=person%20finder&target_url=http%3A%2F%2Fmembers.bib-arch.org%2Fpublication.asp%3Fpubid%3Dbsba%26volume%3D28%26issue%3D3%26articleid%3D3
 * 9)  The Babylonian Gap: The Archaeological Reality http://jot.sagepub.com/content/28/3/273.abstract
 * 10)  Judah and the Judeans in the Persian period http://books.google.com/books?id=1zi2i_C1aNkC&pg=PA199&lpg=PA199&dq=ephraim+stern+hebrew&source=bl&ots=D7Sr-XbwQc&sig=S9EyxHaBD6OLfO12a8im8G6n8FQ&hl=en&ei=xgkyTfvZHMX0gAfVlPzeCw&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=10&ved=0CEsQ6AEwCTge#v=onepage&q=ephraim%20stern%20hebrew&f=false