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Aren Maeir

Aren Maeir is an American-born Israeli archaeologist and Bar-Ilan University professor who directs the excavations at Tell es-Safi, identified as biblical Gath.

born 1958Excavations at Tell es-Safi/GathResearch on the PhilistinesBronze and Iron Age archaeology

Born: 18 March 1958, Rochester
Occupation: anthropologist, archaeologist, university teacher
Education: Hebrew University of Jerusalem

Aren Maeir was born in 1958 in Rochester

Aren Maeir was born in 1958 in Rochester, New York. He immigrated to Israel in 1969.

After serving in the IDF, he studied at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. He earned his PhD there in 1997 with highest honors. From 2002 to 2003 he was a postdoctoral fellow at the Dibner Institute for the History of Science and Technology at MIT.

He teaches at Bar-Ilan University and took part in excavations at Jerusalem, Hazor, Yoqneam, Tell Qasile and Beth-Shean. Since 1996 he has directed the dig at Tell es-Safi, identified as Philistine Gath. His research covers the Bronze and Iron Age cultures of the Eastern Mediterranean, including the Philistines and the Sea Peoples.

From 2005 to 2007 he chaired the Department of Land of Israel Studies and Archaeology at Bar-Ilan. With Steve Weiner of the Weizmann Institute he founded a joint program in archaeological science. He also co-directs the Minerva Center for the Relations between Israel and Aram in Biblical Times.

He is married to Adina Maeir, and they have 3 sons.