While week 1 was great, good things continued to happen in week 2. The report on our first week’s 24 excavated coins came back and there were 2 minted by each of these 3 Roman governors mentioned in the New Testament: Pontius Pilate under Emperor Tiberius (Mt 27), Antonius Felix under Claudius (Acts 24) and Festus under Nero (Acts 25). There was also 1 King Herod Agrippa coin (Mt 26).
This week, we found another 28 coins, most apparently kept in a couple of glass bottles inside our 1st century house, excavated by Dr. Brian Peterson. While we were not able to be totally certain about the wall line found last week beneath that house, it does appear to be the eastern extension of the city of Ai captured by Joshua.
Dr. Scott Stripling also found the 3rd arch in the Byzantine church of our monastery. The style of our 3 arches might be a new transitional form between the early 1 and later 3 apse churches.
Dr. Gene Merrill and I began excavating wall lines of 1 or 2 Israelite houses from the time of the Judges. As known from many other sites, when the Israelites settled down in the Promised Land they apparently did so in extended family groups, often creating their own new small villages in the midst of ruined Canaanite cities. An initial look at the pottery suggests our houses might be among the earliest.
Additionally, archaeological architect Leen Ritmeyer and geologist David McQueen joined us this week, and both offered wonderful insights into the nature of finds on our site.
I have never left KeM so excited and encouraged. Dr. Wood will publish a full report about this season later, but I just wanted to give you a quick preview. Next year will be very exciting. Maybe you can join us.
Gary A. Byers
Administrative Director
For a Picture Slide Show of the 2012 Excavation Season, Visit the ABR FaceBook Page.