Joel Kramer serves as Research Professor of Biblical Archaeology — our “archaeologist in the field.” His connection to the region began as a young boy, when his father moved the family to Saudi Arabia.
Joel eventually traded the Arabian desert of Saudi for the Sonoran Desert near Tucson, where he attended the University of Arizona, earning a BA in Communications in 1991. His diverse experiences and expeditions prepared him well for a career in photojournalism where he produced numerous documentary films.
His interests in history, culture, texts, and antiquity led him to study at the University of the Holy Land (UHL) under Dr. Shimon Gibson, where he graduated summa cum laude with an MA in Archaeology. For over a decade, he participated in numerous dig projects and gained invaluable field experience — serving in every position at an excavation from lowly digger to supervisory dig staff.
In 2017, Joel moved to Amman, Jordan, where he currently resides with his lovely wife, Cathy, and their three teenage children. He continues to participate in archaeological excavations and assists Shepherds’Department of Biblical Archaeologyto provide excavational opportunities for students and plan future dig projects.
Degrees
BA University of Arizona MA University of the Holy Land
Films
DNA vs The Book of Mormon (2003) Called to Be Free (2004) The Bible vs the Book of Mormon (2005) Lifting the Veil of Polygamy (2006) The Jesus Tomb Unmasked (2007) Jericho Unearthed (2008) The Bible vs Joseph Smith (2010) The Sacrifice (2012) The Soul Shepherd (2015)