Current Events Articles: May 2016

Statue of Aphrodite Discovered at Biblical Gerasa posted by Bryan Windle

A partial statue of Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of love, was recently found in Jerash, northern Jordan (biblical Gerasa). Only the lower half of the statue was found, yet it alone is over five feet tall. Researchers estimate that when they find the upper half, the full statue will stand over ten feet tall. An inscription on the base says it represents the Greek goddess of love, passion and beauty. It also states that the statue was made to request that the gods heal a sick emperor. The excavations were the collaboration of a French/German group, the Department of Antiquities, and the University of Jordan. It was in this area around Gerasa that Jesus healed the demon-possessed man who lived among the tombs (Mark 5/Luke 8).

Off-site Links:

- http://www.realmofhistory.com/2016/05/20/aphrodite-statue-found-jerash-jordan/
- https://archaeologynewsnetwork.blogspot.ca/2016/05/aphrodite-statue-discovered-in-jerash.html#MJPmea7oLYBLZiBi.97

Statues and Coins Found at Ancient Shipwreck Off Israel's Coast posted by Bryan Windle

Divers recently discovered the remains of a 1600-year-old shipwreck in the Mediterranean Sea harbor of Caesarea. The Israel Antiquities Authority called the find the biggest discovery of marine artifacts recovered in past 30 years. Numerous bronze statues and thousands of coins were brought to the surface, including a bronze lamp depicting the image of the Roman sun god Sol, a figurine of the moon goddess Luna, and fragments of three life-size bronze cast statues. The coins from the Byzantine era bear the images of the emperors Constantine and Licinius. "These are extremely exciting finds, which apart from their extraordinary beauty, are of historical significance," Jacob Sharvit, director of the IAA marine archaeology unit and Dror Planer, deputy director of the unit, said in a statement.
 
Off-site Links:
- http://news.discovery.com/history/archaeology/hoard-of-coins-and-bronze-statues-found-off-israel-160516.htm
- http://www.jpost.com/Israel-News/Culture/Ancient-Roman-treasure-trove-found-off-coast-of-Caesarea-454096

Second Temple-Era Site Suffers Damage posted by Bryan Windle

The outer wall of one of Solomon's Pools has collapsed, and visitors are asking the proper authorities to make repairs. The pools are a series of impressive 2000-year-old reservoirs that provided water to both Bethlehem and Jerusalem from ancient times until recently. The pools collected water from both the rain and two aqueducts and funnelled it to the towns and the temple. While the pools, as they are seen today, were largely constructed (or enlarged) by King Herod, some believe they are in the same location as the original ones built by King Solomon and mentioned in the Book of Ecclesiastes, where he says that he "made reservoirs to water groves of flourishing trees" (Eccl. 2:6).
 
Off-site Links:
- http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4801309,00.html
- http://www.christianpost.com/news/solomons-pool-in-bibles-second-temple-era-at-risk-of-collapsing-visitors-fear-163666/

Rare 3700-Year-Old Egyptian Scarab Seal Discovered posted by Bryan Windle

A man birdwatching near Tel Dor, the archaeological site of the ancient port city of Dor at the foot of Mt Carmel, recently discovered an Egyptian scarab seal dating to the 18th century BC. The seal is encircled with gold and is in exceptional condition. An initial study shows that the stone scarab is engraved with the name of its owner as well as his position. While the owner's name has not yet been deciphered, his title of "Overseer of the Treasury" suggests he was an important Egyptian official in the kingdom of the 13th Dynasty, possibly in a role similar to the one Joseph held in Egypt. 
 
Off-site Links:
- http://www.timesofisrael.com/3700-year-old-scarab-seal-found-by-birdwatcher-near-haifa/
- http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4795739,00.html

Dr. Bryant Wood Visits University of Pikeville posted by Bryan Windle

Dr. Bryant Wood, Research Director of Associates for Biblical Research, was the honored guest at the University of Pikeville's "Weekend of Discovery with a Biblical Archaeologist" on April 29-30.

Bryant and Tommy at Pikeville

Dr. Bryant Wood (right) and Exhibit Director Tommy Chamberlin at Pikeville.

Bryant Wood teaching religion class
Dr. Bryant Wood teaching religion
class at Pikeville.

Dr. Wood spoke to two college religion classes and a local high school class, as well as opened a preview exhibit at Pike County library of 35 artifacts from the biblical world. Dr. Wood also gave two public lectures. One was entitled "Digging Up the Truth at Jericho," which explained how a careful examination of the pottery and archaeology of the site support the biblical account.  The second was entitled "Discovery of the Lost Fortress of Ai," which demonstrated how the archaeology and geography of Khirbet el-Maqatir have led to its identification as the Old Testament site of Ai.

Dr. Wood's visit was one of the events leading up to the University of Pikeville hosting "Khirbet el-Maqatir—A Journey through Biblical History." You can learn more about this exhibit at the links below.

Links:
- http://www.biblearchaeology.org/post/2016/03/08/Khirbet-el-Maqatir-Exhibit-Preview-in-Pikeville-KY.aspx
- http://www.biblearchaeology.org/post/2016/04/26/View-Presentation-of-Biblical-Artifacts-From-Genesis-To-Jesus.aspx

Tomb of Christ Shrine to be Repaired posted by Bryan Windle

The 206-year-old shrine in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre that many believe houses the tomb of Jesus Christ will be repaired. Fearing the risk of collapse, the Greek Orthodox, Armenian Orthodox and Roman Catholic churches reached an agreement on the $3.4 million dollar renovations to conserve the structure. These include plans to remove the marble slabs, repair the 12th-century Crusader shrine underneath, and fill the cracks in the rock-hewn tomb below that. The cost of the work was to have been split equally between the three Christian groups, but the King of Jordan has stepped forward to fund the repairs personally.
 
Off-site Links:
- http://www.nytimes.com/2016/04/07/world/middleeast/jerusalem-christians-jesus-tomb.html
- http://www.christiantoday.com/article/why.jerusalems.church.of.the.holy.sepulchre.is.falling.down/83532.htm
- http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/210688#.Vyd123B8U0I

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