Current Events Articles: January 2016

Faulkner University Hosting Khirbet el-Maqatir Exhibit posted by Bryan Windle

Kearley exhibit banner

Buried for thousands of years, the remains of two biblical cities, one on top of the other, have recently been unearthed, shedding light on the ancient world of Scripture. Now you can see these findings firsthand in the exhibit, "Khirbet el-Maqatir: History of a Biblical Site." Over 60 artifacts will be on display throughout 2016 at Faulkner University in Montgomery, AL, including lamps, storage pots, a mortar and pestle, sling stones, coins, and many other items of historical significance.
 
At Khirbet el-Maqatir archaeologists have discovered the probable remains of the city of Ai, which Joshua conquered (Joshua 7-8). From 1995-2000 and 2009-present, the Associates for Biblical Research (ABR) have collected geographic, historical, and archaeological evidence that matches the biblical criteria for Joshua's Ai. These discoveries include a Late Bronze I city gate and wall system, large amounts of pottery from the time of Joshua, remains from the Judges period, evidence of destruction by fire, and a rare 15th century BC Egyptian scarab (named Christianity Today's top biblical archaeological find of 2013).
 
Recent excavations have also revealed the remains of a city from the time of Jesus (in the ancient world, cities were often rebuilt on the foundations of other cities that had been destroyed). In addition to first-century pottery and coins, the fortification system suggests the site was not just a settlement or village, but a small city. It may, in fact, be the city of Ephraim mentioned in John 11:53-54.
 
At Khirbet el-Maqatir, ABR is digging Joshua's Ai and searching for Jesus' Ephraim. The exhibit focuses on two millennia of human history at the site, and helps us understand the people who lived there between 3500 and 1500 years ago.
 
"Khirbet el-Maqatir: History of a Biblical Site" will run through December 2016 at Faulkner University, and the artifacts will be in the F. Furman Kearley Library. The grand opening of the exhibit will be during the university's annual Faulkner Lectures, Feb. 28 – March 3, 2016. All artifacts in the exhibit are on loan from the Civil Administration of Judea and Samaria.

Read Faulkner University's announcement here:
https://www.faulkner.edu/2016/01/faulkner-university-announces-archaeological-exhibit/

Learn more about Khirbet el-Maqatir here:
http://www.biblearchaeology.org/page/Khirbet-el-Maqatir-Excavation-Reports.aspx

Multiple New Testament Manuscripts Discovered posted by Bryan Windle

Staff from the Center for the Study of New Testament Manuscripts (CSNTM) have discovered as many as 17 New Testament manuscripts at the National Library of Greece. While some were known to those at the library, these manuscripts had not been officially catalogued by the Institute for New Testament Textual Research (INTF) -- the official cataloging house of all Greek New Testament manuscripts. The oldest one discovered dates from the seventh century. Since 2002, CSNTM staff have discovered more than 90 New Testament manuscripts with more than 20,000 pages of text.
 
Off-site Links:
- http://csntm.org/Blog/Archive/2016/1/26/NewManuscriptDiscoveriesAthens
- http://danielbwallace.com/2016/01/27/new-manuscript-discoveries-in-athens/

Possible Pilgrimage Road to Jerusalem Identified posted by Bryan Windle

For hundreds of years, in both Old and New Testament times, Jewish people would make their way to Jerusalem for numerous festivals. Until the temple was destroyed in 70 AD, the average Jewish person would travel to Jerusalem at least three times per year. An ancient road near Beit Horon may have been one of the "pilgrim roads" they traveled. The road is about 10 miles northwest of Jerusalem and is comprised of steps cut right out of the rock, measuring 5.5 feet in width. A Roman imperial road is also nearby; both roads lead to Jerusalem.

Off-site Link:
- http://www.biblicalarchaeology.org/daily/ancient-cultures/ancient-israel/jerusalem-pilgrimage-road-identified/

Ancient Greek City of Knossos Larger Than Previously Thought posted by Bryan Windle

Recent excavations at the ruins of Knossos on the island of Crete, Greece have revealed that the ancient city was significantly larger than previously thought. Archaeologists believed the city had suffered decline beginning around 1200 BC. The findings suggest this was not the case, and that Knossos had instead prospered. Many Iron Age ceramics and artifacts were discovered both in dwellings and in cemeteries, which showed its imports came from Cyprus, Greece, Iran, Italy, Egypt, and Sardinia. The island of Crete is the destination of the Apostle Paul's letter to Titus, whom he had left there to "straighten out what was left unfinished and appoint elders in every town" (Titus 1:5).
 
Off-site Links:
- http://greece.greekreporter.com/2016/01/07/ancient-greek-city-of-knossos-was-larger-than-previously-thought/
- http://www.newhistorian.com/ancient-city-of-knossos-three-times-bigger-than-thought/5743/

3400-Year-Old Canaanite Citadel Unearthed in Israel posted by Bryan Windle

The remains of an ancient Canaanite citadel were recently discovered in the coastal city of Nahariya at the site of a planned residential high-rise building. "It seems that the citadel that we uncovered was used as an administrative center that served the mariners who sailed along the Mediterranean coast 3,400 years ago," say the excavation directors, on behalf of the Israel Antiquities Authority. Numerous artifacts were discovered in its rooms, including ceramic figurines, bronze weapons and imported pottery vessels. Part of the citadel will remain intact and be incorporated into the design of the basement level of the building, there to be enjoyed by residents and visitors.

Off-site Links:
- http://www.jpost.com/Israel-News/Remains-of-3400-year-old-Canaanite-citadel-unearthed-in-Nahariya-439609
- http://www.jewishpress.com/news/theres-a-3400-year-old-canaanite-citadel-in-my-basement/2016/01/06/

Corinth's Ancient Harbor Excavated posted by Bryan Windle

For over 1000 years, the city of Corinth derived most of its wealth from the maritime trade that passed through its two harbors. It remained one of the most prosperous and powerful cities of the Greek, Roman and Byzantine periods, earning her the nickname "Wealthy Corinth." A group of Greek and Danish archaeologists have conducted underwater excavations of the submerged Lechaion harbor. Hopefully the Lechaion Harbor Project will lead to a better understanding of how Corinth grew into the significant city it was.
 
Off-site Links:
- http://www.heritagedaily.com/2015/12/greek-and-danish-archaeologists-excavate-the-ancient-greek-harbour-town-lechaion/108880
- http://greece.greekreporter.com/2014/10/31/ancient-greek-port-revealed-near-corinth-peloponnese/

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