Josef Mario Briffa SJ

Pontifical Biblical Institute
(of the Pontifical Gregorian University)
Director of Academic Programmes (Jerusalem)
Associate Professor, Biblical Faculty

Curriculum Vitae

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ORCiD: 0000-0001-5073-3219

Publications

Books

• BRIFFA J.M. (2017) The Figural World of the Southern Levant during the Late Iron Age. PhD Thesis, University College London. (Open Access publication on UCL Discovery)
• BRIFFA J.M. and C. SAGONA (2017) Catalogue of Artefacts from Malta in the British Museum. Oxford: Archaeopress.
• BRIFFA J.M. (2023) Ignatius in the Holy Land. A Guided Pilgrimage.Dublin: Messenger Publications.

Edited volume

• SPARKS R.T., FINLAYSON B., WAGEMAKERS B., and BRIFFA J.M.,, eds. (2020) . Digging Up Jericho. Past, Present and Future. Oxford: Archaeopress.

DISPENSA / Course notes (UNPUBLISHED)

• BRIFFA, J.M., (2025) Archaeologia et Geografia Biblica. Dispensa non pubblicata. Pontificio Istituto Biblico, Roma e Gerusalemme 2025. 1a redazione 25 marzo 2025.
• BRIFFA, J.M., (2026) Archaeology & Geography of the Bible. Unpublished course notes. Pontifical Biblical Institute, Rome and Jerusalem. Expected, 25 March 2026. (First full draft, December 2025, already in use by my students).

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Book chapters & Journal papers

Iron Age figurines

• BRIFFA J.M. (forthcoming), “Gendered figuration: ancient representations, modern readings of figurines from the Iron Age southern Levant” (submitted in 12.2024)
• BRIFFA J.M. (Forthcoming) “Iron Age Figurines” chapter in the report of The Lautenschläger Azekah Expedition. (Submitted in 06.2018, volume in preparation by the excavation team)
• BRIFFA J.M. (Forthcoming) ”Terracotta figurines” chapter in the report of Tel Bet Shemesh East Salvage Excavation, directed by Boaz Gross. (submitted in 10.2020, updated 05.2022, volume in preparation by the excavation team.)
• BRIFFA J.M. (Forthcoming) “Chapter 16. Iron Age Figurines,” Report on the renewed excavations at Ramat Raḥel, the Tel Aviv–Heidelberg Expedition (2005–2010). (Submitted in 01.2021, volume in preparation by the excavation team.)
  
• BRIFFA J.M. (2023) “Notes on the figurines of Tell es-Sa’idiyeh”, pp. 2-5 in I.L. Finkel, J.A. Fraser and St J. Simpson (eds.), ‘To Aleppo gone …’ Essays in honour of Jonathan N. Tubb, Ancient Near Eastern Archaeology 10. Oxford, Archaeopress. DOI: https://doi.org/10.2307/jj.3643595.5
• BRIFFA J.M. (2022) “Iron Age figurines from Tall al Mashhad” pp. 123-129 in F.M. Benedettucci (con contributi di L. Aprile, J.M. Briffa, P. Conti, N. Pini, É. Puech), Tell al-Mashhad. Lo scavo. (CoSMO. Collana di Studi Mediterranei e Orientali) Roma, editore Espera. [Editore Espera]
• BRIFFA J.M. (2020) “Figurines and the interpretation of teraphim.” pp. 213-222 in: F. Capek, P. Sláma (eds.), And God Saw That It Was Good (Gen 1:12): The Concept of Quality in Archaeology, Philology and Theology. Münster, LIT Verlag. [Festschrift in honour of Prof. Martin Prudký, Charles University Prague]
• BRIFFA J.M. (2020) “The Iron Age Figurines from Mount Nebo. Connections on both sides of the Jordan” pp. 121-129 in: A. Coniglio & A. Ricco (eds.), Holy Land. Archaeology on Either Side. Archaeological Essays in Honour of Eugenio Alliata ofm. Milano, Santa Terra Edizioni.
• BRIFFA J.M. (2019) “Through a Glass Darkly: Figurines as a Window on the Past” pp. 181-199 in: O. Lipschits & F. Čapek (eds), The Last Century in the History of Judah. The Seventh Century BCE in Archaeological, Historical and Biblical Perspectives. (Ancient Israel and Its Literature 37). SBL Press. DOI: https://doi.org/10.2307/j.ctvr7fc18.12
• BRIFFA J.M. (2015) “Más allá de Ašerah. Las estatuillas en terracota del Levante meridional en los siglos VIII-VI a.C.” pp. 25-37 in: E. Ferrer Albelda, and Á. Pereira Deldago, eds., Hijas de Eva. Mujeres y Religión en la Antigüedad. SPAL Monografías XIX. Seville, Editorial Universidad de Sevilla.

Teleilat Ghassul

• BRIFFA J.M. (Forthcoming) “Searching for Sodom. The legacy of the Pontifical Biblical Institute excavations at Teleilat Ghassul.” (Submitted 16.09.2024)
• BRIFFA J.M. (Forthcoming) “The worked bone items in the collection and archival record” in G. Petrullo (ed.), Studio tecno-funzionale su manufatti di origine animale di Teleilat Ghassul. Scavi del Pontificio Istituto Biblico (1929-38, 1959-60). (provisional title) Cahiers de la Revue Biblique. Series archaeologica. (Submitted in 10.2021, volume in preparation by the editor.)

History of Archaeology, Near East, Bible

• BRIFFA J.M. (forthcoming), “Life and death, sex and God: can the wisdom of ancient purity laws be relevant to the Church today?” (submitted 11.2023)
• BRIFFA J.M. (2025) “The World of the Gospels in the Light of Archaeology Today” in P. Costa (ed.), The New Testament in the Greco-Roman World. (Analecta Biblica – Studia 20). Peeters.
• BRIFFA J.M. (2023) “Mount Carmel: The Holy Mountain,” Mount Carmel. A Review of the Spiritual Life. 71/3 (July-September 2023): 54-62.
• BRIFFA J.M. (2022) 第一章　聖經地理 “Chapter 1. Biblical geography” and 第二章　聖經考古學 “Chapter 2. Biblical archaeology” in Fu Jen Theological Publications Association, 公教會聖經百科全書 (Catholic Bible Encyclopedia), Taipei, Taiwan: Kuangchi Cultural Group. (Submitted for publication on 31.12.2018.) https://www.kcg.org.tw/detailbook.php?id=891#YU3
• BRIFFA J.M. (2022) “Il Museo del Pontificio Istituto Biblico a Gerusalemme,” in A. Amenta, C. Felli, M. Cappozzo (a cura di), Materiale dal Vicino oriente Antico, La Collezione del Pontificio Istituto Biblico 2, Edizioni Musei Vaticani.
• BRIFFA J.M. (2021) “The Murder of James Leslie Starkey Near Lachish. A Different View from A Colonial Office File.” Palestine Exploration Quarterly 153: 173-190. (Accepted for publication 26.04.2018) DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/00310328.2021.1904172

Archaeology of Malta, Fr Emmanuel Magri

• BRIFFA J.M. and VELLA N.C. (2021) “4.2 Archaeology in Malta before 1924. / Magri, new standards and the Phoenician chimera” pp. 171-186 in: A. Pessina, N.C. Vella, with contributions by A. Bugeja, J.M. Briffa, H. Frendo and O.J. Gilkes, Malta and Mediterranean Prehistory: Luigi Maria Ugolini, politics and archaeology between the two World Wars. Malta: Midsea Books.
• BRIFFA J.M. (2009) “Historical Introduction” and “Related Documents” In: E. Magri, The Ruins of a Megalithic Temple in Xeuchia (Shewkiyah), Gozo. First Report. Ed. by Charles Cini SDB, Heritage Malta & SDB (Malta).
• BRIFFA J.M. (2005) “New light on Fr Magri’s exploration of the Hypogeum. Notes from correspondence with the British Museum” [external link], Malta Archaeological Review 6 , 41-46.
• BRIFFA J.M. (2001)  N. Vella, K. Borda, J.M. Briffa, K. Fenech, K. Grinde, E. Scerri, M. Sisk, H. Stöger, M.E. Zammit, “Għajn Klieb, Rabat (Malta). A preliminary report of an archaeological survey” [external link], Malta Archaeological Review 4, 10-16.
• BRIFFA J.M. (2000) A. Bonanno, J.M. Briffa, “Roman Villa, Zejtun: report on excavations undertaken in 1976.“ Unpublished typescript (University of Malta / Department of Classics and Archaeology, archives / “Żejtun Roman Villa Excavations”).

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Review articles

• BRIFFA J.M. (2023) Review of D.-M. Cabaret, La topographie de la Jérusalem antique. Essais sur l’urbanisme fossile, défenses et portes. II^e s.av. – II^e s.ap. J.-C. Leuven: Peeters, 2020. In: Biblica 104.1, 153-155.
• BRIFFA J.M. (2021) Review of K. Dark, The Sisters of Nazareth Convent. A Roman-Period, Byzantine, and Crusader Site in Central Nazareth (PEF ANNUAL XVI), Routledge, 2021. In: Strata. The Bulletin of the Anglo-Israel Archaeological Society 39, 217-219.
• BRIFFA J.M. (2020) Review of S. Donnat, R. Hunziker-Rodewald, I. Weygand (eds.), Figurines féminines nues. Proche-Orient, Égypte, Nubie, Méditerranée orientale, Asie centrale (VIII^e millénaire av. J.C. – IV^e siècle ap. J.-C.) Paris: Éditions de Boccard, 2020. In: Strata. The Bulletin of the Anglo-Israel Archaeological Society 38, 181-184.
• BRIFFA J.M. (2019) Review of R. Bauckham (ed), Magdala of Galilee. A Jewish City in the Hellenistic and Roman Period (Waco, Texas: Baylor Press, 2018) In: Salmanticensis 66/1, 143-146.
• BRIFFA J.M. (2018) Review of D.H. Wenkel, Coins as Cultural Texts in the World of the New Testament. In: Biblica 99/3, 466-469.
• BRIFFA J.M. (2016) Review of E. Darby, Interpreting Judean Pillar Figurines (FAT II/69; Tübingen, Mohr Siebeck, 2014). in: Strata: The Bulletin of the Anglo-Israel Archaeological Society 34, 216-218.
• BRIFFA J.M. (2014) Review of M.D. Press, Ashkelon 4. The Iron Age Figurines of Ashkelon and Philistia (Harvard Semitic Museum Publications; Winona Lake: Eisenbrauns, 2012). In: Strata. The Bulletin of the Anglo-Israel Archaeological Society 32, 121-123.
• BRIFFA J.M. (2008) Review of Byzantium 330-1453 (exhibition at the Royal Academy of Arts, London) in ThinkingFaith, 24 November 2008 [http://www.thinkingfaith.org/articles/20081124_1.htm]

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Conference Posters

• BRIFFA J.M. (2021) From Sodom to Ghassul. The Legacy of the Ghassul excavation at 90. ICAANE 2021, Bologna, 6-10 April 2021. Zenodo: http://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.4593713
• BRIFFA J.M. (2015) Late Iron Age Jericho and its neighbours. Figurines and contacts. International Symposium “Digging Up Jericho: Past, Present, Future” organised by the CBRL, UCL Institute of Archaeology and NPAPH, 29-30 June 2015.
• BRIFFA J.M. (2015) The Figural World of late Iron Age Judah, BANEA 2015 conference, London, 7-9 January 2015. Awarded the Routledge Poster Prize.

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Popular articles / Articoli divulgativi

L-Iklin

A series of popular articles in very local journals, about the local archaeological and historical heritage of the area where I grew up. I have recently continued this research and exercise in public heritage through my blog here [link].

• BRIFFA J.M. (2025), “Il‑Kappella ta’ San Mikiel”, pp. 31-38, AA.VV., Il-Kamra tan-Nar San Mikiel. 100 sena storja ta’ suċċess. Kamra tan-Nar San Mikiel.
• BRIFFA J.M. (1998) “Siti arkeoloġiċi fl-Iklin,” Tabor. Fl-Okkażjoni tal-Festa tas-Salvatur Ħal Lija, 69-71.
• BRIFFA J.M. (1995) “Il-Kappella ta’ San Mikiel,” Villa Lija (Ottubru 1995), 4.
• BRIFFA J.M. (1995) “L-Iklin. L-Għaqda tan-Nar ta’ San Mikiel,” L-Iklin. Leħen il-Kunsill. 4 (Ottubru-Diċembru 1995), 7.
• BRIFFA J.M. (1995) “L-Istorja Pastorali ta l-Iklin,” Il-Miġemgħa, no. 1, Lulju 1995, 14-15.
• BRIFFA J.M. (1995) “L-Iklin. Il-Kappella ta’ San Mikiel,” L-Iklin. Leħen il-Kunsill. 3 (Ġunju 1995), 7. [Verżjoni b’korrezzjoni]
• BRIFFA J.M. (1994) “L-Iklin. It-Triq minn Żona għal Raħal,” L-Iklin. Leħen il-Kunsill. 2 (Diċembru 1994), 7.

Ignatian spirituality, Ignatian pedagogy

• BRIFFA J.M. (2018) “ ‘Vattene dalla tua terra!’ Oltre le frontiere: la sfida di essere ‘Chiesa Pellegrina’,”Azimut. La rivista dei capi del Lazio 4.2018, 18-19. 
• BRIFFA J.M. (2018) “Il discernimento come scouting: un modo di vivere con gli occhi aperti per osservare, dedurre e agire,” Azimut. La rivista dei capi del Lazio 3.2018, 26-28. 
• BRIFFA J.M. (2010)  “What has the ‘priestly character’ of the Society of Jesus meant, and what does it mean to me as a scholastic?”, Review of Ignatian Spirituality, XLI, 2/2010, 64-68.
• BRIFFA J.M. (2006)  “Inclusive Education and Ignatian Pedagogy. MAPS: Making Action Plans,” Orbis 5/3 (Autumn 2006): 9-11.
• BRIFFA J.M. (2005)  “Collaborare con i laici: tradizione o novità?” pp. 9-16 in: M. Pace Asciak, ed., I Gesuiti e la collaborazione dei laici. Atti del XXII Convegno internazionale “I Gesuiti e la storia”. Malta, 30 marzo – 2 aprile 2005. Malta, St. Aloysiusʼ College.

updated 30.06.2025