Current Events Articles: April 2018

Archaeologists from Bar-Ilan University excavating at Tel 'Eton in the Hebron hills noticed that piles of dirt left by burrowing mole rats contained pottery sherds, indicating the area had once been inhabited. This led to the discovery of an ancient city at the site, including a monumental structure, which the researchers say is evidence of a United Monarchy during the time of King David and Solomon. The "governor's residency," as they have dubbed it, contains abundant evidence of destruction by the Assyrians around 701 BC, including arrowheads in the courtyard, obvious signs of conflagration, and 200 intact, abandoned pottery vessels. The structure itself was built using ashlar stones and deep foundations with quality building materials, which archaeologists suggest are evidence of a complex society and strong political administration during the construction phase. In addition, the excavators discovered a foundation deposit. Radiocarbon samples from this deposit, as well as from olive pits and coal found on the floor, indicate that the Tel 'Eton residence was first built in the late 11th or 10th century BC. This is the second such monumental structure dating to the Davidic and Solomonic eras discovered in the region (with Khirbet Qeiyafa being the first).

Off-site Links:

- https://www.haaretz.com/archaeology/.premium.MAGAZINE-molerat-archaeology-supports-united-monarchy-theory-says-new-study-1.6007916
- https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/radiocarbon/article/governors-residency-at-tel-eton-the-united-monarchy-and-the-impact-of-the-oldhouse-effect-on-largescale-archaeological-reconstructions/5CE54AE6CEE838CC0D076186A2FBACE5

The traditional tomb of the prophet Nahum, housed inside an 800-year-old synagogue in Al-Qosh, Iraq, has been saved from destruction. The structure has been deserted since the 1950s when the Jewish population in the area fled Iraqi persecution, and has been deteriorating ever since due to the elements. Recently a US organization called ARCH – the Alliance for the Restoration of Cultural Heritage – sent a team of engineers to temporarily secure the crumbling building with scaffolding, ropes and support beams. They hope this will hold the synagogue together for at least three years while they raise the funds needed for the planned restoration project. The prophet Nahum was from the town of Elkosh (Na 1:7), which some have identified as Al-Qosh, Iraq. Other scholars believe Elkosh was a town near Capernaum (lit. "village of Nahum") or a village called Elkesi near Ramah or Elcesei in the West Bank. Writing in the seventh century BC, Nahum prophesied the fall of Assyria, which occurred in 612 BC at the hands of the Babylonians.

Off-site Links:

- https://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2018/03/nahums-tomb-in-iraq-restoration-begins.html
- http://patternsofevidence.com/blog/2018/04/13/prophet-nahums-tomb-peeks-above-ground/

The Egyptian Ministry of Antiquities recently announced the discovery of the remains of a Greco-Roman temple 50 km east of the Siwa Oasis at a site called Al-Salam. The front portion of the temple was uncovered, including parts of the main entrance and the enclosure wall. The temple's walls, upper lintels and corner pillars displayed common Greco-Roman images, such as the egg-and-dart pattern. Archaeologists also discovered pots, coins, the head of a male statue, as well as two limestone lions. Researchers are hoping to complete the excavation of the temple next year.

Off-site Links:

- https://news.nationalgeographic.com/2018/04/greco-roman-temple-egypt-spd/
- http://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/9/41/295033/Heritage/GrecoRoman/Remains-of-GraecoRoman-temple-discovered-near-Egyp.aspx
- http://luxortimesmagazine.blogspot.ca/2018/04/egyptian-archaeologists-discover-greaco.html

A hoard of dozens of bronze coins, as well as pottery fragments from the first century, were recently discovered in a cave where residents of Jerusalem once sought shelter during the Jewish Revolt. The cave, measuring 23 x 46 ft (7 x 14 m), had lain undisturbed for 2000 years until unearthed by Dr. Eilat Mazar in the renewed Ophel excavations south of the Temple Mount. The majority of the coins are rare, dating to the final year of the revolt (known as Year Four – 69-70 AD), and are in excellent condition, appearing to have been used very little before being hidden in the cave. They bear the symbols associated with the Jewish Feast of Tabernacles, including the four traditional plants – palm, myrtle, citron, and willow – as well as the image of a chalice. Because the cave has been undisturbed since the Second Temple era, it gives a glimpse into Jewish life during the rebellion against the Romans.

Off-site Links:

- http://www.jpost.com/Israel-News/Coins-symbolically-discovered-from-great-revolt-before-Passover-547128
- https://www.timesofisrael.com/rare-trove-of-bronze-jewish-revolt-coins-unearthed-near-temple-mount/