Daniel Master

Dr. Daniel Master is a Professor of Archaeology at Wheaton College, specializing in Near Eastern Archaeology with a focus on the Philistines and Ancient Israel. His research has centered on the Leon Levy Expedition to Ashkelon since 2007, where he co-directed excavations uncovering the first Philistine cemetery—a groundbreaking discovery for understanding their origins and culture. Since 2016, he has led excavations at Tel Shimron, Northern Israel, investigating an ancient inland city spanning millennia. His work bridges archaeological methodology with biblical studies, emphasizing historical geography and material culture interpretation.

• Education: Ph.D. (2001), M.A. (2000) in Near Eastern Languages and Civilizations from Harvard University; M.A. (1995) in Ancient History from Miami University; B.S. (1992) in Bible from Philadelphia College of Bible.
• Research: Co-Director of Tel Shimron Excavations (2016–present); Co-Director of Leon Levy Expedition to Ashkelon (2007–present).
• Publications: Authored/co-authored key archaeological reports including Ashkelon 3 (2011, Levi-Sala Prize) and articles on Philistine burial practices (2017).

His research interests include urban economies, mortuary practices, and the intersection of archaeology with biblical texts. Notable awards include the Best of BAR award (2014) for his work on Ashkelon’s marketplace. He has curated major exhibitions such as Ashkelon: A Retrospective (2016–2017) and served as General Editor for the Oxford Encyclopedia of Archaeology and the Bible (2011–2013).