Archaeology Professor Holds A Record

As of December 2, 2025, Michael G. Hasel, PhD, professor of archaeology and director of the Institute of Archaeology at Southern Adventist University, has directed work at more biblical sites in Israel than any other U.S. archaeologist in the last 50 years.

“Of course, Israelis who live in the country have directed many more projects, which only makes sense,” Hasel shares. In Israel, Hasel has co-directed archaeological excavations dating from the biblical period (2500 BC through AD 70) at Khirbet Qeiyafa, Socoh, Tel Lachish, and Tel Hazor. His fieldwork experience also includes an additional seven sites in the Middle East.

Hasel has taught Near Eastern studies, biblical studies, and archaeology at Southern since 1998. He also directs the Lynn H. Wood Archaeological Museum, which was inaugurated on campus in 1999 before moving to its permanent location in Daniells Hall in 2004. Learn more at southern.edu/archaeology.