Ancient city found at 'Kana of the Galilee'

Jerusalem Post ^ | 3-13-06 | ETGAR LEFKOVITS

[afraidfortherepublic]

In a rare find, remnants of an ancient Israelite city that dates back three thousand years have been uncovered during excavations in the Israeli Arab village of Kfar Kana in the Lower Galilee, Israel's Antiquities Authority announced Monday.

The area, located north of Nazareth, is revered by Christians as the site where Jesus is said to have performed his first miracle.

The settlement being unearthed existed at the time of the United Kingdom of King Solomon and the Kingdom of Israel following the split between Israel and Judah, in the 10-9th centuries BCE.

A section of the ancient city wall and remains of buildings were exposed during recent excavations at the site, which began three months ago, the director of the excavation at the site, Yardenna Alexander said.

She added that evidence was found there indicating the place was destroyed during the 9th century BCE, probably by an enemy forces.

In addition to the wall, an assortment of pottery vessels, large quantities of animal bones, a scarab depicting a man surrounded by two crocodiles and a ceramic seal bearing the image of a lion were also discovered at the site.

Following the destruction the ancient Israelite city, the site was abandoned until its ruins were re-inhabited by Jewish settlers in the Early Roman period in the 1st century CE, Israel's top archaeological body said.

The identity of these residents as Galilean Jews is already known from previous excavations that were carried out at the site, and from historic information that identifies the settlement as "Kana of the Galilee" which is known from the New Testament as the site where Jesus performed his first miracle by turning water into wine at a Jewish wedding.

In the previous excavations at the site a few years ago, which identified the ancient Galilee settlement as Kana of the Galilee, archeologists discovered remnants of buildings, grinding stones, cooking ovens stone vessels and several Jewish ritual purification baths or mikvahs, one nearly 7 feet high with an arched roof.

Some of the ancient walls that were destroyed in the 9th century BCE were reused in the newer construction nearly one thousand years later in the 1st century CE and new floors were laid down.

The Jewish settlers built igloo-shaped pits on the ruins of the previous settlement, with the bedrock serving as the floor of the pit. A rock-hewn pit was discovered in one of the tunnels and in it were 11 complete storage jars characteristic of the second half of the 1st century CE.

Among the other antiquities discovered at the site include underground pits linked by short tunnels that were apparently built and hewn prior to the Great Revolt by the Jews against the Romans in 66 CE.

The pits are connected to each other by short tunnels which apparently were used as underground hiding places ahead of the revolt, Alexander noted.

[fanfan]

Ping

[afraidfortherepublic]

First Century CE storage jars at Kana of the Galilee Photo: Israel Antiquities Authority

[afraidfortherepublic]

Let me try those storage jars again:

If this doesn't post, there is some code in that picture preventing it. I'd suggest going to the article url for a look.

[lexington minuteman 1775]

Way cool!

[freema]

Ping

[PeterPrinciple]

1st century CE.


I really hate political correctness.

[AZRepublican]

This is just fascinating what they keep uncovering in the holy land.

[jwalburg]

This CE and BCE stuff is annoying.

[freema]

Miracle Ping

[Publius6961]

The possibility that these sites may fall under exclusively muslim control makes me see red.

Muslims have not shown themselves to be competent stewards of historically valuable sites and artifacts.

Actually, they have shown themselves to be corrupt and incompetent at just about everything.
These historic sites and artifacts belong to the whole world.

They mess with Israel, they mess with me; and a billion others like me!

[Ohioan from Florida]

Let's try this:

[SkyPilot]

Me too.

10-9th centuries BCE.

...Supporters of the Common Era alternative say that it is unfair to force a religious system on those who do not share its values. Indeed, many of those using the current AD/BC system do not do so out of choice, but out of several centuries of the Western world’s political, cultural and often military domination. By replacing the words 'Anno Domini' - meaning 'Year of our Lord' - with the more neutral 'Common Era', it is argued that the calendar system becomes less offensive, and less culturally damaging. Of course, the Common Era method is by no means without its detractors. To many, it is the epitome of 'political correctness gone mad' or a pointless attack on a traditional, yet now meaningless to many, term.

BCE = BS

[blam]

Good post, thanks.

[Brad’s Gramma]

Excellent!! Thank you!

[isrul]

I agree. Especially with this example. It's irritating.

[isrul]

If it isn't mohammedan, it has no value. I guess.

[ApplegateRanch]

Ping for the list?

[NYer]

AP - Mon Mar 13, 1:58 PM ET This undated but recent photo made available by the Israeli Antiquities Authority Monday March 13, 2006, shows an aerial view of the archaeological excavation site in Kfar Kana in northern Israel. Archaeologists said Monday they have uncovered underground chambers and tunnels constructed in northern Israel by Jews for hiding from the Romans during their revolt in A.D. 66-70. (AP Photo/Israeli Antiquities Authority)

Catholic Ping - Please freepmail me if you want on/off this list

[edcoil]

There they are, we lost them. I knew we left them somewhere- it was a heck of a party.