Current Events Articles: February 2016

Unprecedented Discovery: 3000 Year-Old Textiles posted by Bryan Windle

For the first time ever, a collection of fabrics from the era of Kings David and Solomon have been found. The textiles were discovered at the Timna copper mines in the Arava Valley, believed by some to be the site of King Solomon's mines. The fragments, most 5 x 5 centimeters in size, are from clothing, bags, tents, and rope and vary in color, weave, and ornamentation. This discovery sheds a unique light on the fashions of the time period.
 
Off-site Links:
- http://www.jpost.com/Israel-News/Archaeologists-discover-unprecedented-fabric-collection-dating-to-Kings-David-Solomon-445974
 
- http://www.timesofisrael.com/where-solomon-mined-3000-year-old-fashion-collection-unearthed/

Copper Age Settlement Found in Jerusalem posted by Bryan Windle

Archaeologists have discovered the oldest known remains of an ancient settlement in northeastern Jerusalem. Excavations of two Chalcolithic era (Copper Age) houses revealed complex dwelling structures, as well as pottery vessels, flint tools and a basalt bowl, which were all typical of the time. Artifacts such as small sickle blades, chisels, polished axes and mortars and pestles indicate the kinds of activities that were practiced in the community. The discovery points to a thriving population in the area, much earlier than previously believed.
 
Off-site Links:
- http://www.jpost.com/Israel-News/Culture/Archaeologists-discover-7000-year-old-Jerusalem-settlement-from-Chalcolithic-period-445206
- http://www.timesofisrael.com/jerusalem-was-inhabited-as-far-back-as-7000-years-ago-archaeologists-find/
- http://mfa.gov.il/mfa/israelexperience/history/pages/remains-of-fifth-millennium-bce-settlement-found-in-jerusalem-17-february-2016.aspx

Ancient Egyptian Boat Unearthed posted by Bryan Windle

A team from the Czech Institute of Egyptology recently discovered a 60-foot-long funerary boat buried near a tomb at Abusir, Egypt. Pottery in the boat and a stone bowl in the tomb bearing the name of King Huni from the Third Dynasty have been used to date the boat to circa 2550 BC. The boat is in remarkable condition, with the wooden pegs and rope holding the boat together surviving millennia in the sand. The boat does not appear to belong to royalty, but rather linked to an important member of Egypt's elite buried in the impressive tomb nearby. Archaeologists hope to learn from it more about the burial customs and shipbuilding methods of ancient Egypt.

Off-site Links:
http://www.archaeology.org/news/4113-160201-egypt-abusir-boat
http://www.history.com/news/archaeologists-uncover-rare-egyptian-funerary-boat-near-pyramid

3500-Year-Old Egyptian Scarab Discovered In Galilee posted by Bryan Windle

An Israeli man and his family were out for a hike at the Horns of Hattin in the Galilee when he spotted a small white object with engravings on it. He quickly handed it over to the Israel Antiquities Authority. It has been identified as a 3500-year-old Egyptian scarab with a carving of Pharaoh Thutmose III sitting on his throne, along with a cartouche of his name in hieroglyphics. The amulet is a seal, which was likely used to stamp objects such as pottery or papyri.
 
Off-site Links:
- http://www.jpost.com/Israel-News/Israeli-hiker-discovers-3500-year-old-Egyptian-seal-in-Galilee-443605
- http://www.timesofisrael.com/hiker-discovers-3500-year-old-egyptian-antiquity-in-galilee/
- http://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/.premium-1.701007

Matching Gift Opportunity for ABR Dig posted by Bryan Windle

ABR has received a $10,000 matching gift pledge for its archaeological dig at Khirbet el-Maqatir

Kirbet el-Maqatir 2016 group

The Lord continues to miraculously bless the excavations at Joshua’s Ai in Israel! An anonymous donor has come forward with an offer to match every gift to the Khirbet el-Maqatir Excavations, dollar-for-dollar, through the end of March 2016, up to $10,000!  Gifts of any size will be a vital part of our continuing to excavate in Israel and demonstrate how archaeology supports the reliability of the Bible.

Please prayerfully consider making a donation today so we might receive the full blessing of this matching gift pledge. Donate towards the Khirbet el-Maqatir excavations using the link below. Type "Matching Gift Campaign" into the Special Instructions field.
 
Link: 
https://www.biblearchaeology.org/support/supportform.aspx?action=donate

1700-Year-Old Inscriptions Unearthed in Galilee posted by Bryan Windle

A group of 1,700-year-old tombstones was recently discovered in the ancient city of Tzipori (commonly known by its ancient Greek name, Sepphoris), near Galilee. The stone slabs are inscribed in Greek and Aramaic with the names of various rabbis. Tzipori grew to be a prominent Jewish city after the temple was destroyed. It was there that Rabbi Yehuda Hanasi compiled the Mishna, a record of Jewish oral tradition. This discovery will help archaeologists to understand the culture and daily life of the Jewish people at that time.

Off-site Links:
- http://www.jpost.com/Israel-News/1700-year-old-inscriptions-linked-to-rabbis-unearthed-in-Galilee-442924
- http://www.haaretz.com/jewish/archaeology/1.699872
- http://virtualjerusalem.com/news.php?Itemid=19546

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