Recent Excavations at Biblical Shiloh: Archaeological Evidence for the Israelites

The Associates for Biblical Research (ABR), in cooperation with the Staff Officer for Judea and Samaria, recently completed their eighth season of excavation at Shiloh. ABR's research reveals eight strata from the Middle Bronze II to the Islamic period. Of particular interest is evidence from Strata Five and Six (LB and IA respectively) that indicate the presence of a new people group corresponding with a significant increase in cultic activity at the site.

ABR excavates on the northern end of the site and focuses on three key areas: the gate complex, a monumental structure, and Area D, the location of a Late Bronze Age bone favissa.

A number of discoveries align with the biblical description of ancient Israelite presence at the site, including a destruction layer that dates to ca. 1070 BC and is likely attributable to the Philistines in the aftermath of the Battle of Ebenezer (1 Sam 4; Ps 78:60–61).

In 2026, ABR's excavations yielded three significant discoveries.

Bryan Windle is an archaeologist and Director of Marketing and Public Relations for Associates for Biblical Research (ABR). He serves on the excavation staff of ABR's archaeological project at biblical Shiloh and has participated regularly in fieldwork at the site.

During the 2026 excavation season, ABR's eighth season at Shiloh, Windle served as a Square Supervisor. His field experience at the site is directly connected with his conference presentation on new archaeological evidence relating to Israelite sacrifice and the continuing investigation of the archaeological context of the Tabernacle at Shiloh.

Windle holds an M.A. in Archaeology and Biblical History from Trinity Southwest University and is currently pursuing doctoral studies at Veritas International University.

His research and publications focus on biblical archaeology, the archaeology of Jericho and Shiloh, ancient Israel, archaeological chronology, and the relationship between archaeological evidence and the historical world described in biblical texts.

His graduate research on Jericho was subsequently published by Trowel Press as the monograph Joshua's Jericho: The Latest Archaeological Evidence for the Conquest.

Windle has published numerous articles in Bible and Spade and other magazines and journals. He also writes archaeological news and research reports for Associates for Biblical Research and publishes Bible Archaeology Report, where he regularly discusses recent discoveries and developments in biblical archaeology.

He has also appeared in more than fifty episodes of Associates for Biblical Research's Digging for Truth television program.