The Boomer Archaeologist
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Archaeology is science and adventure rolled into one. The Boomer Archaeologist: A Graphic Memoir of Tribes, Identity and the Holy Land traces the 20th century evolution of a field, known to the public mostly through Indiana Jones, into a 21st century state-of-the-art transdisciplinary research endeavor with global implications. A coming-of-age story beginning in the wild 1960s, the graphic memoir embodies the ‘American Dream’ where citizens can rise to the pinnacle of their chosen professions. The Boomer Archaeologist reflects on a career dedicated to understanding the evolution of social inequality and the importance of cultural identity both in the past and present. Boomer highlights how risk taking and ‘pushing the envelope’ can promote new directions in academic work, even in the context of changing and disappointing values in elite US research universities over the past 30 years.
Published: Jul 1, 2025
Reviews
A creative and completely unique self-excavation by a gifted archaeologist equally at
home in America and the Middle East, in the present and in Biblical times. The Boomer Archaeologist is at once playful, serious, and deeply touching.
Matti Friedman, author of Who by Fire: Leonard Cohen in the Sinai
If there were an award for the most surprising book of the year, I’d nominate The
Boomer Archeologist. In this coming-of-age story of the makings of a brilliant
archeologist, Tom Levy takes us on an extraordinary journey through desert excavations
and underwater digs, exploring ancient civilizations from Israel and Jordan to India and
Africa. Along the way he unpacks wider stories – the archeological controversies over
the veracity of the biblical narrative, the growing challenges of being an American Jew,
the possibilities of friendship and respect between Jews and Arabs. Levy writes with
charm and humor and most of all wonder at the adventure that has been his life. One of
the most fascinating Jewish autobiographies of our time.
Yossi Klein Halevi, senior fellow, Shalom Hartman Institute, author of the New York
Times bestseller, Letters to My Palestinian Neighbor
For people of our generation, archaeology was more than just a career. It was a passion fueled by our fascination with the past and how that past can enrich our collective lives.
Archaeology combines the love of scientific discovery with history, philosophy and anthropology. As Levy says, it gives us the intellectual tools to understand the human
condition. Tom’s delightful book illustrates the joy of archaeology through a lifetime
journey of discovery, both personal and scientific. For me, Tom’s career and life embody
the ideal of the professional archaeologist of any age.
Charles (Chip) Stanish, Exec. Dir. Institute for the Advanced Study of Culture and Environment, University of South Florida, Tampa Campus, USA and Director and Prof. Emeritus, Cotsen Institute of Archaeology at UCLA
Tom Levy’s Boomer Archaeologist is one of the most charming, entertaining and
intelligent autobiographies I have ever read. Among the leading Eastern Mediterranean
archaeologists of our generation, Tom has been a visionary and pioneer in many fields,
including the study of early complex societies, introduction of the exact life sciences to
archaeology, ancient metallurgy, and recently, cyber archaeology. Not surprising, this
engaging book is also an exception. Tom tells his story, in many ways the story of
archaeology in our region, in alluring graphics drawn by Lily Almeida. He does this in a
moving personal tone -- with wit and emotion, courageously not caching matters of
culture and identity. A rare delight.
Israel Finkelstein, Professor and Head of the School of Archaeology and Maritime Cultures, University of Haifa, Israel and Member, the Israel Academy of Sciences and Humanities
Foreign member, the French Académie des Inscriptions et Belles-Lettres and Foreign member, American Academy of Arts and Sciences
A very personal and entertaining narrative, looking behind the scenes of a life well lived. Tom Levy’s reminiscences of his experiences as a ground-breaking archaeologist are amusing and thought-provoking by turns, well worth reading and contemplating by
students, specialists, and the general public alike.
Eric H. Cline, Professor of Classics, History, and Anthropology, The George Washington University and author of After 1177 B.C.: The Survival of Civilizations (Princeton University Press)
Levy’s graphic memoir is a compelling story of identity, resilience, and global adventure, shaped by his roots as the son of a WWII veteran. From his Californian
upbringing to his archaeological work in Israel and Jordan—where he forged
groundbreaking partnerships between Jews and Arabs after the 1990s peace
accords—and his journeys to India, Greece, and Sheffield, Levy’s life exemplifies
curiosity and cooperation. Through vibrant illustrations, he reflects on being a proud
Jewish American while confronting the rise of antisemitism in academia. A poignant
epilogue on October 7th brings added depth to this timely and inspiring memoir.
Jonathan Sandler, author of The English GI, World War II Graphic Memoir
In this vivid graphic memoir, archaeologist Tom Levy delivers a unique inside view of his decades of groundbreaking discoveries that have transformed our understanding of the ancient Holy Land. He also presents an absorbing personal story of growing up as a
Californian boomer and rediscovering his heritage in Israel in the midst of turbulent
political events. Highly recommended!
Evan Hadingham, author of Discovering Us, The Leakey Foundation
This illustrated book by noted anthropologist and Biblical archaeologist Thomas Levy is
a unique story about his family, life and professional career. It a testimony of the world
that used to be and the one we are in these past one hundred years. Levy’s contribution
to the archaeology of the Near East can’t be exaggerated. Enjoy this journey and follow
Tom on travels in time and human history through HIS thoughts and deeds. It will
change your perspective of the world we live in.
Miroslav Bárta, Prof. Dr., Czech Institute of Egyptology, Director of the Abusir mission
Charles University, Prague, and Senator, Parliament of the Czech Republic
Graphic novels are hardly the stock in trade for distinguished scientists. In The Boomer Archaeologist, Tom Levy and his niece, the able illustrator Lily Almeida, provide a (literally) colorful journey through Levy's adventurous life in the trenches, with a no-holds-barred look at his personal struggles, Zionism, and the identity politics roiling
today's college campuses. An innovative and engaging memoir.
Andrew Lawler, author of Under Jerusalem: The Buried History of the World's Most
Contested City (Doubleday)