A side-comment in one of the grant applications I submitted together with some additional scholars recently mentioned (not negatively, but matter-of-factly) some surprisingly low H-indexes for us based on information from Clarivate's WebofScience (WoS) database. I have never

IOSOT is starting tomorrow in Berlin and, unfortunately, I will not be able to attend physically (for personal reasons). However, the panel chairs were gracious enough to allow me to present my papers via zoom. The schedule will be (all on Aug. 14, 2025, all Berlin time): 1.

I am excited to be back in Washington D.C. next month to speak at the "Jews and the Persianate World: Politics, Culture, and Historical Ties" conference at Georgetown University University - co-organized by Center for Jewish Civilization - CJC and the AISS (Afghan Institute for

This episode turned out to be a 3-hour deep(er)-dive into my two IOSOT papers covering Samari(t)an/Israelite identity (+Hananiah)- which, given the conference's time limitations, could only scratch the surface of the study . I'm grateful to have the opportunity to present the

The article in Archaeology Magazine on Elephantine that came out almost a year ago is now available online (at least, I only learned of it now...). The article provides a great and very accessible overview with quotes from Bezalel Porten z"l, Diana Edelman, Karel van der Toorn, and

New article out! Barnea, Gad (2025). Some Achaemenid Zoroastrian Echoes in Early Yahwistic Sources. Iran, 1–10. Abstract In her magnum opus, A History of Zoroastrianism, Mary Boyce perceptively noted that often, in the history of this Iranian religion, “developments within Iran

I'm pleased to inform you all that this article is now in open access and freely available for download.

Many of these beautiful implements made from green chert (from Afghanistan) are inscribed with formulaic administrative texts. The context of their use reflects the intersection between imperial taxation and Zoroastrianism. I analyzed these fascinating and unique finds recently

This Wednesday-Thursday, I will be in Köln and Paris under two hats: the main purpose of the trip is related to a forthcoming performance/recording of my music and the second, the continuation of my study on an ostracon at the Académie des Inscriptions et Belles Letters. Looking

Looking forward to being part of this important and inspirational conference! Georgetown university, Washington. Sept. 29th, 2025.

Just finished recording an episode with Jacob Berman and Jacob Berman | History Valley . Here's the link: youtube.com/live/W0NBhR53U…

Wrapping up a thoroughly enjoyable conference at Georgetown University and the AISS. Where I participated in the panel titled "Ancient Wisdom & Mutuality: Jewish-Persian Relations in Antiquity" alongside Dr. Parvaneh Pourshariati (CUNY) and Dr. Michael Rubin (the American

My contribution to the volume "A Prophet to the Nations: Archaeological and Historical Perspectives on Jeremiah 46–51" edited by Jordan Davis and Benedikt Hensel is now available in open access (as is the entire book, which I highly recommend!). This article places the Oracles

The first panel from last week's conference at Georgetown University in collaboration with the AISS "Ancient Wisdom & Mutuality: Jewish-Persian Relations in Antiquity" in now online. My talk dealt with Iranian-Jewish contact points in antiquity through the epigraphic record, the

One of the more meaningful and delightful experiences scholars can have is seeing our hard work go beyond the walls of academia, reach the general public, have some level of impact, and be unpacked and shared by those who naturally gravitate to our field of research. This

I enjoyed our conversation. Thanks Jared.

Je me suis récemment souvenu d’un court poème (d’une seule phrase) que j’avais écrit jadis et qui me plaît toujours: Gris: « Je nage dans la transparente saleté d'ici. Là, je commeurs le feu » Il contient un mot que j’ai inventé pour parachever ce poème (Je vous laisse deviner

A photo I took in the Egyptian museum in Cairo a couple of years ago. This is the funerary stele of Djedherbès (Cairo Museum JE 98807) which was found in Saqqara in 1994. It dates to the first Achaemenid rule in Egypt and shows an unusual winged sun-disk which seems to express a