Posted on 11/21/2007 6:31:10 AM PST by blam
Public release date: 20-Nov-2007
Contact: George Hunka
ghunka@aftau.org
212-742-9070
American Friends of Tel Aviv University
Digging biblical history, or the end of the world
Professor Israel Finkelstein
Some come to dig the Tel Aviv University-directed archeological site at Tel Megiddo because they are enchanted by ancient stories of King Solomon. Others come because they believe in a New Testament prophecy that the mound of dirt will be the location of a future Judgment Day apocalyptic battle. Hence the second, rather more chilling name for the site: "Armageddon."
Tel Megiddo has been the subject of a number of decisive battles in ancient times (among the Egyptian, Hebrew and Assyrian peoples) and today it holds a venerated place in archaeology, explains site co-director and world-renowned archeologist Prof. Israel Finkelstein.
Says Prof. Finkelstein, from the Department of Archaeology and Ancient Near Eastern Cultures at Tel Aviv University, "Megiddo is one of the most interesting sites in the world for the excavation of biblical remains. Now volunteers and students from around the world can participate in the dig which lets them uncover 3,000 years worth of history -- from the late 4th millennium B.C.E. to the middle of the first millennium C.E."
At the Megiddo Dig: The Assyrian palace of Stratum III
Prof. Finkelstein, who belongs to the Sonia and Marco Nadler Institute of Archaeology at Tel Aviv University, has been co-directing the site with Prof. David Ussishkin, also of Tel Aviv University, since 1994.
Prof. Finkelstein has co-authored a best-selling book on archaeology and biblical history (The Bible Unearthed, 2001). Earlier this month he released a book (written with A. Mazar) that contains surprising commentary on biblical archaeology and history, The Quest for Biblical Archeology, published by the Society of Biblical Literature in the United States. He is also the recipient of the prestigious international Dan David Prize in the category of Past Dimension (2005).
Likened to a "lightening rod" by the journal Science (2007), Prof. Finkelstein is famous for his unconventional way of interpreting biblical history: he puts emphasis on the days of the biblical authors in the 7th century B.C.E. and theorizes that ancient rulers such as David and Solomon, who lived centuries earlier, were "tribal chieftains ruling from a small hill town, with a modest palace and royal shrine."
At the Megiddo Dig: A general view of early Bronze Age temples
Yet, "new archaeological discoveries should not erode one's sense of tradition and identity," he states.
Prof. Ze’ev Herzog, who heads the archaeology institute at Tel Aviv University, says, "There has been an important revolution in biblical history in the last decades. We are now uncovering the difference between myth and history, and between reality and ideology of the ancient authors. This is the role of our generation of archaeologists -- to unearth the real historical reality to find out why and how the biblical records were written."
The archeologists aren't the only ones looking for answers. More than one hundred volunteers come from all corners of the world to dig Megiddo alongside Prof. Finkelstein every year. They are teachers, journalists, actors, construction workers, professors and housewives, as well as archaeology, history and divinity students who dig for credit.
The Megiddo dig is offered as a three-week, four-week or seven-week program. As part of the experience, volunteers live in a nearby kibbutz and are exposed to lectures and debates about their findings. The dig is partnered with the George Washington University, represented by Prof. Eric Cline, the American associate director of the dig. This makes it an ideal stomping ground for Americans who want a hands-on education in archaeology.
"Team and staff members come from all around the world for many reasons: the adventure of foreign travel in a safe yet educational environment, intellectual stimulation, and -- yes -- even a love of digging in the dirt,” notes Prof. Finkelstein.
And those with no prior knowledge or degrees are welcome, he stresses. "We cater to all of the volunteers' backgrounds and teach them field methods, archeological techniques as well as the history of biblical archeology. It is truly a wonderful experience."
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American Friends of Tel Aviv University supports Israel’s largest and most comprehensive center of higher learning. It is ranked among the world’s top 100 universities in science, biomedical studies, and social science, and rated one of the world’s top 200 universities overall. Internationally recognized for the scope and groundbreaking nature of its research programs, Tel Aviv University consistently produces work with profound implications for the future.
Some believe, because the Aztec calendar ends in 2012, that the world will end.
Actually, if we believe what Jesus said, we must be ready for the end ALL the time.
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Thanks Blam. Finkelstein is IMHO mostly full of it. He attributes to mythical Canaanite culture the very things built during the early kingdom, then claims there are no traces of the early kingdom. |
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Fascinating stuff. One of my dreams is to volunteer on this dig once life allows me to free up enough time.
This is just standard academic terminology. It can be a little annoying but it shouldn't get in the way of appreciating what is being described.
I always took the whole "wisest ruler" description as ironic. After all, his kingdom broke up immediately after his death. Doesn't sound like a well ruled place to me.
Please add me to your ping list. Thanks.
Me too, but I also let my subscription lapse. The disputes among academicians in this field can get really unpleasantly nasty. Got tired of reading one professor calling another professor evil, or a criminal. I can't think of another scientific field where the disputes are so vicious and personal.
I love BCE and CE.
Surely there was one person at The International Political Correctness
Convention that instituted those notations...that said “Guys, I
think you are just going to get laughed at by a lot of people because
of ‘varying interpretations’ of your new notations!”
Exactly...however, one could make the arguement that 2013 does come around, only the world you know has ended...
After the Hildabeast and her clowns get through with the World.
Bookmark and thanks
The first time I saw these terms used was actually in my extremely theologically conservative, biblical literature text book used for an online class with Liberty University. I thought that was pretty funny.
It still kind of annoys me to see them used - not because of the terms themselves which I understand have been used in hisory references for quite awhile - but because of how liberals/atheists embrace them more and more for their own agenda.
marinamuffy
Just remember what the dividing line between BCE & CE is! :^)
>God’s Word says that Solomon was the wealthiest and wisest ruler EVER? I believe God.>
“I always took the whole “wisest ruler” description as ironic. After all, his kingdom broke up immediately after his death. Doesn’t sound like a well ruled place to me.”
His disobediance to God was profound and his actions later in his life were definately unwise. Look at the book of Ecc. and you will see he died as a rather empty man and disavowed his persuit of wisdom as vanity. His attempt to secure his empire through marriage with foriegn women rather than trusting God was what eventually destroyed his family’s rule and led to the Jews being taken from the land.
B.C Befiore Christ
B.C.E. They changed it to something common era.
Many found Christ offensive.
Nothing.
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