Issue 31

In 1967, the newly-wed Wendy and Andrew Selkirk set about launching Britain's first archaeology magazine, Current Archaeology. It was produced from their kitchen table (Wendy) and study overlooking the garden (Andrew). The magazine proved a hit, and soon, possibly to Andrew's chagrin, Current Archaeology became part of the Archaeological Establishment. The decades rolled on and with the turn of the new millennium, their publisher son proposed the launch of a sister magazine to deal with archaeology from the rest of the world.
It was in June 2003 that Andrew and I were both at a lecture on Jordan's Lot's Monastery by its site director, Dino Politis (see page 48), when Andrew told me of his innovative plans and invited me on board. That autumn we launched Current World Archaeology, Britain's first global archaeology magazine. This issue marks our fifth anniversary and in celebration, we have given the magazine a splendid new look.
As ever, we offer the latest on digs and discoveries from around the world, such as our cover feature on how archaeology is rewriting the Bible. According to the Old Testament, David and Solomon were the important kings of Israel. However, Jonathan Tubb, of the British Museum, draws together a wide range of evidence to reveal why this position should be taken by Omri and his son, the 'evil' Ahab. Moreover, he explains why this relatively forgotten duo should be seen as the very first kings of Israel.

Issue 31

CWA 31

This issue marks our fifth anniversary and in celebration, we have given the magazine a splendid new look.As ever, we offer the…

Issue 31/Features/Israel

Israel’s first Kings

Our cover story reveals why, contrary to Old Testament teachings, the 'evil' Ahab and his father Omri should be regarded as the…

Issue 31/Features/France

Towers and tombs

How rescue archaeology is revolutionising our knowledge of the past…

Issue 31/Features/Thailand

Recasting Thailand

Prof. Charles Higham reports on the latest discoveries from Ban Non Wat, one of the world's richest archaeological digs…

Issue 31/Features/USA

Petroglyphs, Petroforms and Pictographs`

Paul Bahn reflects on the potency of Nevadan rock art…

Issue 31/Features/Turkey

Celebrating World Archaeology

It is the magazine's fifth anniversary, so, in celebration, we look back at some of our most memorable reports from across the…

Issue 31/Yemen

Early irrigation systems in ancient Yemen

Archaeologists working in Yemen have discovered evidence for agriculture dating back to the 3rd millenium BC…

Issue 31

Unesco inscribes 29 new World Heritage Sites

UNESCO inscribes 29 new World Heritage Sites: Meeting in Quebec in July 2008, the World Heritage Committee added 29 new sites to…

Issue 31/Egypt

Early Egyptian silos

The discovery of large grain silos alters our understanding of life in Ancient Egypt…

Issue 31

Populating the islands of Southeast Asia

New evidence suggests that modern humans may have been present in South East Asia for longer than previously invisaged…

Issue 31/Middle East

Excavated Jericho bones may help combat TB

Scientists use ancient bones to try to uncover the origins and evolution of tuberculosis…

Issue 31/Syria

Dramatic end for Syrian acrobat

Archaeologists investigate the mysterious death of an acrobat who met his end around 2300 BC…