Current Events Articles: February 2018

Possible Seal Impression of the Prophet Isaiah Found posted by Bryan Windle

The discovery of a clay impression (called a bulla) that may have been from the Prophet Isaiah's personal seal was recently announced. The bulla was unearthed by archaeologist Eilat Mazar and her team in the Ophel excavations just south of the Temple Mount. It was in a batch of seal impressions that included the famous Hezekiah bulla (see HERE) which was discovered in 2015. The 2700-year old bulla is not fully intact, with the top and left side partially damaged. Enough of the bulla is legible to clearly read the name "Isaiah" in the middle portion and the letters "N-V-Y" - the first three letters of the Hebrew word "prophet" - below it. Unfortunately, the crucial letter aleph to complete the word "prophet" is missing. By reconstructing the missing part of the border ring, it is likely that another letter was present on the damaged portion of the seal. This fact, along with its discovery within a few feet of the Hezekiah bulla, have led many to believe this is likely the impression of the personal seal of Isaiah the prophet. In the Bible, King Hezekiah and the prophet Isaiah were more than just contemporaries, they were personally close, and their names appear together at least 14 different times (2 Kings 19-20; Is 37-39).

Off-site Links:

- https://www.biblicalarchaeology.org/daily/people-cultures-in-the-bible/people-in-the-bible/prophet-isaiah-signature-jerusalem/
- https://www.haaretz.com/archaeology/MAGAZINE-prophet-isaiah-s-seal-mark-may-have-been-found-in-jerusalem-1.5844352
- https://www.timesofisrael.com/in-find-of-biblical-proportions-proof-of-prophet-isaiah-believed-unearthed/
- https://www.ritmeyer.com/2018/02/22/a-seal-impression-of-isaiah-the-prophet/

Roman Temple Discovered in Egypt posted by Bryan Windle

A Roman temple dating to the second century AD has been unearthed in Aswan, Egypt. The sandstone temple has a three-chambered sanctuary leading to a series of halls which are accessed by a ramp. Excavators also found stone engravings with stars inside the temple, which may be the remains of the ceiling. The cartouches of several Roman emperors, including Domitian (81-96 AD), Hadrian (117-138 AD) and Antoninus Pius (138-161 AD) helped to date the structure. It has been suggested that the temple may be linked to the Gebel Silsila quarries, serving as a place of worship for workers who resided nearby. Silsila was a major sandstone quarry in use from the 18th Dynasty though until Greco-Roman times.

Off-site Links:

- http://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/9/40/290966/Heritage/Ancient-Egypt/nd-century-Roman-temple-uncovered-in-Aswan.aspx
- http://luxortimesmagazine.blogspot.ca/2018/02/roman-temple-remains-discovered-in.html

4500-Year-Old Tomb of Egyptian Priestess Unearthed posted by Bryan Windle

The discovery of 4500-year-old tomb belonging to a woman named Hetpet, who was a priestess of Hathor, has been announced in Egypt. Hetpet's name first appeared near the tomb in 1909, but it wasn't until October 2017 that her tomb was actually unearthed near the pyramid of Khafre in the Giza western cemetery. Hetpet lived during the Fifth Dynasty, a period of prosperity and great building in Egypt's history. It's clear from the architecture and paintings that the tomb is from the Fifth Dynasty period; it has an entrance that leads to an L-shaped shrine with a purification basin that bears Hetpet's name. The paintings that adorn the walls are wonderfully preserved and include scenes of Hetpet hunting and fishing, as well as scenes of people making metal and dancing. According to biblical chronology, Hetpet would have lived several hundred years before Abraham.

Off-site Links:

- http://luxortimesmagazine.blogspot.ca/2018/02/egypt-uncovered-4500-years-old-tomb-of.html
- http://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/9/40/289277/Heritage/Ancient-Egypt/BREAKING-yearold-tomb-of-Fifth-Dynasty-prominent-w.aspx
- https://news.nationalgeographic.com/2018/01/egypt-tomb-woman-priestess-hetpet-archaeology/

Maqatir Exhibit Set to Open at Southwestern Baptist University posted by Bryan Windle

Southwestern Baptist University is hosting the exhibit, "Khirbet el-Maqatir: A Journey Through the Bible" beginning on Feb. 24, 2018. The exhibit will be unveiled at a biblical archaeology conference held on that date, where ABR's Dr. Scott Stripling will be making two presentations and giving tours. The exhibit includes 50 artifacts from the excavations at Khirbet el-Maqatir, the likely site of the biblical city of Ai, as well as artifacts from the David A. Dorsey Museum of Biblical Archaeology and replicas of important inscriptions related to the Bible. Dr. Stripling will be lecturing on "The Problem of Ai: Solved After 40 years of Excavation in the West Bank" and "Mass Murder at Maqatir." More information can be found at the link below.

Off-site Link:
- https://sbuniv.edu/academics/colleges/events/biblical-archaeology.php

1500-Year-Old Pools and First Temple-Era Artifacts Discovered Near Jerusalem posted by Bryan Windle

After five years of archaeological excavations, officials in Israel opened a nature park to the public at Ein Hanniya near Jerusalem and revealed for the first time artifacts that had been unearthed. A column capital similar to ones used in royal structures from the First Temple era was discovered, indicating the site may have been a royal estate in ancient times. A rare silver Greek drachma which was minted between 420 and 390 BC was also on display. The most impressive find was the system of Byzantine-era pools, which were built in an ancient church complex that once stood there. The pools, as well as coins, pottery and mosaic pieces, indicate the site reached its height of activity between the fourth and sixth centuries BC. Researchers believe that early Christian commentators identified Ein Hanniya as the site of the baptism of the Ethiopian eunuch (Acts 8:26-40).

Off-site Links:

- https://www.timesofisrael.com/first-temple-era-relics-of-possible-royal-estate-found-in-jerusalem-hills/
- https://nypost.com/2018/02/01/mysterious-pool-found-near-ancient-jerusalem-church/
- http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-5341263/Byzantine-era-pools-fountain-uncovered-Israel.html

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