Open academic warfare in the articles - all kinds of warfare in the letters column. Angry Christians canceling their subscriptions in almost every issue. And poor old Herschel Shanks still grasping at straws for some actual archaeological evidence that Jesus (the Christ) actually lived.

I wouldn't miss it for anything.

PS: BAR's scope has widened a bit since it absorbed the publishers general archaeology magazine - but still sticks pretty much to the extent of the Roman Empire.