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Associate Professor and Director, Ancient Israel Program, Australian Catholic University

For as long as he can remember, Gil has been passionate about ancient history and archaeology. He grew up voraciously reading the works of ancient historians and following the exploits of famous archaeologists as they uncovered the secrets of the past. He loves sharing this with students, school teachers and the wider community. He is in his dream job setting up archaeology at the Australian Catholic University with a focus on Ancient Israel in its wider Ancient Near Eastern context. Each year, Gil takes dozens of students and school teachers to digs overseas and, Covid permitting, will do so again soon.

Gil's scholarly work focusses on the so-called 'late Archaic period' (6th - early 5th centuries BC) when so many changes happened that influence our lives today including the inventions of democracy and money. He seeks to understand the ancient Greeks, especially the Athenians, and how were they influenced by the long traditions and deep learning in the Near East. Above all, he examines money (numismatics) and the sources and movement of silver across the Mediterranean through texts and archaeometallurgy. He has published extensively in these areas, and for many years has been the Managing Editor of the Journal of the Numismatic Association of Australia, the peak body for numismatics in Australia.

Experience

  • –present
    Associate Professor and Director, Ancient Israel Program, Australian Catholic University