Joel Kramer
Staff Archaeologist
Joel Kramer serves as our staff archaeologist and in-country consultant. 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 Archaeology to provide excavational opportunities for students and plan future dig projects.
DEGREES:
- BA University of Arizona
- MA University of the Holy Landa
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)
EXCAVATIONS
- Mount Zion Dig – Jerusalem
- Church of the Nativity – Bethlehem
- Khirbet el-Maqatir
- Suba
- El-Qanabiz
- Et-Tell
Books
Beyond Fear: A Harrowing Journey Across New Guinea Through Rivers, Swamps, Jungle and the Most Remote Mountains in the World (Lyons Press, 1995)
Where God Came Down: The Archaeological Evidence (Innovo, 2020)
Video Resources
