Dr. Mark Hamilton (http://www.acu.edu/academics/gst/faculty/hamilton.html), professor of Old Testament for the Graduate School of Theology, was named the Seymour Gitin Distinguished Professor, Albright Institute for Archaeological Research for Fall 2014. The honor is open to internationally recognized scholars of all nationalities who have made significant contributions to their field of study. During Dr. Hamilton’s sabbatical leave, he intends to work on publications related to divine kingship and divine embodiment.

The W.F. Albright Institute of Archaeological Research (AIAR) in Jerusalem is the oldest American research center for ancient Near Eastern studies in the Middle East.  Founded in 1900 as the American School of Oriental Research (ASOR), it was renamed in 1970 after its most distinguished director, William Foxwell Albright.  Today, the Albright is one of three separately incorporated institutes affiliated with ASOR, the others being in Amman and Nicosia.

For more than a century, Albright/ASOR has provided scholars with an unparalleled international cultural environment and a unique program that spans the broad spectrum of ancient Near Eastern studies.  Each year, Albright Fellows, primarily from the United States, Canada, Europe and also from Asia, Australia, and South Africa, as well as Israelis and Palestinians, exchange information and ideas with hundreds of researchers from countries in the Eastern Mediterranean basin.  Dedicated to the advancement of the study of the literature, history and culture of the ancient Near East, including the disciplines of the Archaeology of Palestine and Biblical Studies, the Albright continues to be a major research center and to strive for excellence in scholarship.

Now, as in the past, the Albright Institute provides annually a wide range of programs and facilities for doctoral and post-doctoral research, as well as information-sharing, internship and field work programs for more than 3,000 persons.  These include a series of eighty-five scholarly presentations, study tours and social events, and support for twenty-five ASOR-affiliated/AIAR-assisted excavation, survey and publications projects.  It also includes a publications program, an extensive research library, workshops and living accommodations.  The Albright Institute jointly sponsors with the Institute of Archaeology of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem the long-term Tel Miqne-Ekron excavation and publications project.  It also initiated and administers the international research project, “The Neo-Assyrian Empire in the 7th Century BC: A Study of the Interactions between Center and Periphery,” involving fifty researchers working in thirteen countries in the Middle East and Mediterranean basin.

Congratulations Mark!