Research Articles: All posts tagged 'maqatir'

Maqatir Monastery Money 2/15/2019 - by Scott Stripling DMin

A coin inscribed with “King Agrippa” was recently found by an Israeli boy on a school trip. This is the same Agrippa who had the Apostle James murdered and who jailed the Apostle Peter.

This fascinating story was recently featured in a news report filed by the Christian News Network with an interview with ABR’s Director of Excavations, Dr. Scott Stripling, and ABR’s Director, Scott Lanser.

Dr. Stripling pointed out that the Agrippa coin that was discovered was the same type of Agrippa coin discovered by ABR’s archaeologists at Khirbet el-Maqatir (the site ABR believes is the Conquest city of Ai). Dr. Stripling wrote about the Agrippa coin discovered at Maqatir in an article for ABR’s Bible and Spade magazine entitled, Maqatir Monastery Money, which we share here as our bonus article for the month of February.

Digging for Truth-Episode 13: Finding the Lost City of Ai (Part Two) 7/9/2018 - by Bryant G. Wood PhD

For decades, scholars have claimed that the archaeological record shows that the account found in Joshua 7-8 is not historical. Join co-host Henry Smith and Dr. Bryant Wood, Director of Excavations at Khirbet el-Maqatir (1995-2013). See how the archaeological evidence matches the Biblical account (Part Two).

Digging for Truth-Episode 12: Finding the Lost City of Ai (Part One) 7/2/2018 - by Bryant G. Wood PhD

For decades, scholars have claimed that the archaeological record shows that the account found in Joshua 7-8 is not historical. Join co-host Henry Smith and Dr. Bryant Wood, Director of Excavations at Khirbet el-Maqatir (1995-2013). See how the archaeological evidence matches the Biblical account (Part One).

Digging for Truth-Episode Six: New Testament Discoveries at Khirbet el-Maqatir 5/3/2018 - by Henry B Smith Jr MA MAR

In Episode Six, join Dr. Scott Stripling as he takes the audience through the NT period discoveries at Khirbet el-Maqatir, Israel. Possibly the city of Ephraim in John 11:53-54, join us as we discuss the massive tower, coins, ritual purity stoneware, and 8 human skeletons who perished at the hands of the Romans in AD 69.

The Old Testament and the Ancient Near East: Profits and Losses 3/22/2017 - by Eugene H Merrill PhD

Since the onset of "scientific" Middle Eastern archaeology in the mid-19th century and the deciphering of ancient languages and texts, biblical scholarship has come to understand the indispensable relevance of ancient Near East (ANE) studies to the historical, cultural, and religious background of the Scriptures, in particular of the Old Testament...

Biblical Archaeology Meets the Hatfields and McCoys 2/9/2017 - by Scott Stripling DMin

Five years ago I came up with the idea of a traveling museum exhibit on the excavations at Khirbet el-Maqatir. I saw it as a great way to educate the public about our excavation, recruit volunteers, and buttress the reliability of the biblical text.

Shepherd, Potter, Spy—and the Star Namer 1/30/2017 - by Peggy Consolver

Peggy Miracle Consolver, an ABR supporter and dig volunteer, has published a book and study guide partially inspired by ABR’s research and her participation in the ABR excavations at Khirbet el-Maqatir, Israel. Read about her experiences, her book, and why she is returning to Israel to dig with ABR at Shiloh!

The Grand Finale at Khirbet el-Maqatir 1/8/2017 - by Scott Stripling DMin

Happy New Year from Jerusalem! Upon our arrival in Israel, we organized our office and met with our volunteers for orientation...

Khirbet el-Maqatir Spring 2016 Season: Radio Interview 7/5/2016 - by Scott Stripling DMin

Dr. Scott Stripling joins host Gordon Govier on "The Book and the Spade" radio program in this two-part interview about the 2016 season at Khirbet el-Maqatir.

Khirbet el-Maqatir Spring 2016 Season: Touring Report June 12-June 17 6/24/2016 - by Don McNeeley

Whew!!! We finished the three weeks of excavations and even added an additional day. As was previously noted in our weekly reports, the dig season revealed many great features and artifacts that assist in understanding the society of the various occupational levels at Khirbet el-Maqatir. Everything from the walls revealed, the pottery re-constructed, the objects photographed, and even the color of the soil excavated provide clues to help reconstruct the biblical past. But, now it is time to branch out from Maqatir and get that bigger picture of the Bible that only comes from visiting the places we read about in Scripture. But where to start?

Confessions of an Armchair Archaeologist 5/5/2016 - by Vanessa Morton

In memory of Vanessa Morton, ABR supporter, author and archaeology enthusiast, who went home to be with Christ on May 3, 2016.

Archaeology 101: With Dr. Scott Stripling 2/19/2016 - by Scott Stripling DMin

Logos Bible Software has added Archaeology 101 video material to its product offerings. The video features Dr. Scott Stripling, ABR Director of Excavations at Khirbet el-Maqatir, Israel.

"New Evidence from Underground" radio interview 2/2/2016 - by Rick Lanser MDiv

Are the stories of the Bible history, or mythology? The science of archaeology can help to provide the answer. On January 30, 2016, Kevin Conover of the Educate for Life radio program interviewed Dr. Scott Stripling and Dr. Bryant Wood of ABR.

Digging at Khirbet el-Maqatir 2015: Week Three 6/19/2015 - by Brian N Peterson PhD

The 2015 summer dig season is now in the books! We had an amazing three weeks of discoveries, sightseeing, lectures, and Christian fellowship.

Digging at Khirbet el-Maqatir 2015: Week Two 6/10/2015 - by Suzanne Lattimer

The second week of our dig at Khirbet el-Maqatir has ended. Our early morning alarms have been turned off, and we are ready to relax for the weekend!

Digging at Khirbet el-Maqatir 2015: Week One 6/7/2015 - by Bryant G. Wood PhD

2015 marks the 20th anniversary of the beginning of the Khirbet el-Maqatir dig and also the 13th season of excavations at the site. We had some extra work to do at the beginning of the week in order to clean up the destruction caused by vandals following our 2014 spring season. The beautifully-preserved walls of a first-century town, which we worked hard to uncover from 2011 to 2014, sadly were demolished. After a few days of hard work, we are now excavating in all areas...

2014 Excavations at Kh. el-Maqatir: A Proposed New Location for Ai and Ephraim 3/9/2015 - by Scott Stripling DMin

ABR's ongoing excavation at Khirbet el-Maqatir in 2014 brought to light some exciting new finds.

The Winter 2014 Dig at Khirbet el-Maqatir 1/5/2015 - by Scott Stripling DMin

For the fifth year, Dig Director Dr. Scott Stripling led a team of diggers to Israel to continue excavations at Khirbet el-Maqatir.

Excavating at Joshua's Ai: Podcast 6/25/2014 - by Ted Wright MA

Ted W. Wright serves as the Executive Director of CrossExamined.org, a Christian apologetics ministry. Ted has an M.A. in Christian apologetics with a concentration in philosophy from Southern Evangelical Seminary. Ted joined the excavation team at Khirbet el-Maqatir during the 2014 season.

The 2014 Season at Khirbet el-Maqatir 6/23/2014 - by Scott Stripling DMin

Listen to this two-part radio interview with Dr. Scott Stripling about the 2014 excavation season at Khirbet el-Maqatir.

Digging Up Joshua's Ai: Week Two of the 2014 Season 6/11/2014 - by Gary Byers MA

The 12th season of excavations at Khirbet el-Maqatir is now complete.

Digging Up Joshua's Ai: Week One of the 2014 Season 5/24/2014 - by Gary Byers MA

Week one of the 12th season of excavations at Khirbet el-Maqatir is over. It is Saturday and we didn’t have to get up at 3:45AM, eat breakfast at 4:15 and be on the bus at 5:00! But the first 5 days of digging were worth it, producing some AMAZING results.

The Byzantine Church at Khirbet el-Maqatir: Does Its Structure Resemble the Temple? 4/30/2014 - by Leen Ritmeyer PhD

On February 8, 2014, a symposium was held at Houston Baptist University in conjunction with the new archaeological exhibit, " Khirbet el-Maqatir: History of a Biblical Site." In this video, Dr. Leen Ritmeyer presents, "Does the Byzantine Church at Khirbet el-Maqatir Reflect the Sacred Architecture of the Temple in Jerusalem?"

Ai and Old Testament Chronology: Who Cares? 4/9/2014 - by Eugene H Merrill PhD

On February 8, 2014, a symposium was held at Houston Baptist University in conjunction with the new archaeological exhibit, " Khirbet el-Maqatir: History of a Biblical Site." In this video, Dr. Eugene Merrill presents, "Ai and Old Testament Chronology: Who Cares?"

Ritual Purity at Khirbet el-Maqatir's First Century Village and The First Jewish Revolt against Rome 4/3/2014 - by Scott Stripling DMin

On February 8, 2014, a symposium was held at Houston Baptist University in conjunction with the new archaeological exhibit, " Khirbet el-Maqatir: History of a Biblical Site." Dr. Scott Stripling presents: "Ritual Purity at Khirbet el-Maqatir's First Century Village and First Jewish Revolt against Rome"

Khirbet el-Maqatir: A Fortress in the Highlands of Canaan and Proposed New Site for Joshua's Ai 3/3/2014 - by Bryant G. Wood PhD

On February 8, 2014, a symposium was held at Houston Baptist University in conjunction with the new archaeological exhibit, " Khirbet el-Maqatir: History of a Biblical Site." Dr. Bryant Wood presented the evidence from eleven seasons of excavations at Khirbet el-Maqatir. No other site meets all the criteria necessary to be the Ai of Joshua 7-8.

Interview on WFIL with Henry Smith 1/27/2014 - by Henry B. Smith Jr. MA

Mark Daniels of WFIL in Philadelphia interviews ABR Director of Development, Henry Smith.

Joshua's Ai Exhibit At Houston Baptist University Interview with Scott Stripling 1/27/2014 - by Scott Stripling DMin

The exhibit, “Khirbet el-Maqatir: History of a Biblical Site,” will feature a Symposium and Conference that will take place on Saturday February 8, 2014.

2013 Winter Dig at Khirbet el-Maqatir 1/16/2014 - by Scott Stripling DMin

To understand the Winter 2013 excavation at Khirbet el-Maqatir, we have to go back to the last day of the summer 2013 dig.

Is It Time to Throw Away Your Bible? A Roundtable Discussion: "Joshua and the Battle of Ai" 11/22/2013 - by ABR Staff

We presently live in a culture of great skepticism and confusion. Many scholars, scientists, historians and forces within culture believe the Bible is an outdated, irrelevant book, filled with fables, stories, and mythological constructs that are not based on reality. Members of the ABR staff gathered together in a roundtable discussion to talk about some of the criticisms presently being leveled against the Bible. In this 11 part series (on a 2 DVD set), find out why you can trust the Bible.

Victory at Ai: Archaeology and Joshua 7-8 on DVD 7/3/2013 - by Henry B. Smith Jr. MA

"Ai is simply an embarrassment to every view of the conquest that takes the biblical and archaeological evidence seriously." This is what Bible critics have been saying for decades about the Israelite battle at Ai in Joshua 7-8...

Follow up Report on the 2013 Season at Khirbet el-Maqatir 7/1/2013 - by Bryant G. Wood PhD

Thank you for praying for our 11th season of excavations at Khirbet el-Maqatir May 20–31. God gave us safety, with only one noteworthy accident (a broken rib), wonderful volunteers and many significant discoveries. I reported a year ago that our 2012 season was the best yet, apart from the finding of the gate in our first season. But the 2013 season eclipsed the 2012 season in terms of the importance of the finds.

In Search of Joshua’s Ai: 11th Season of Excavations at Khirbet el-Maqatir Now Complete 6/6/2013 - by Gary Byers MA

The 11th season of excavations at Khirbet el-Maqatir is now in the books. The first week was pretty amazing so that would make the second week almost spectacular!

In Search of Joshua’s Ai: 11th Season of Excavations at Khirbet el-Maqatir 5/26/2013 - by Gary Byers MA

We have just finished our first week of excavation at Khirbet el-Maqatir 9 miles north of Jerusalem in Israel’s West Bank. Dr. Bryant Wood and a team of 41 are staying at the Yad HaShmonah dig headquarters, while other friends have joined the group almost every day.

Testing the Factuality of the Conquest of Ai Narrative in the Book of Joshua: Part Four 3/28/2013 - by Peter Briggs

The problem addressed in this article is the arbitration among the three alternative views of the conquest of Ai narrative summarized in Part One. This is accomplished by testing the correspondence between the narrative in question and the material time-space context it purports to represent. Part Four is the conclusion of this series.

Testing the Factuality of the Conquest of Ai Narrative in the Book of Joshua: Part Three 3/13/2013 - by Peter Briggs

The problem addressed in this article is the arbitration among the three alternative views of the conquest of Ai narrative summarized in Part One. This is accomplished by testing the correspondence between the narrative in question and the material time-space context it purports to represent. Part Three...

Testing the Factuality of the Conquest of Ai Narrative in the Book of Joshua: Part Two 3/5/2013 - by Peter Briggs

The problem addressed in this article is the arbitration among the three alternative views of the conquest of Ai narrative summarized in Part One. This is accomplished by testing the correspondence between the narrative in question and the material time-space context it purports to represent. Part Two...

Testing the Factuality of the Conquest of Ai Narrative in the Book of Joshua: Part One 2/27/2013 - by Peter Briggs

According to the theory of true narratives, if the conquest of Ai narrative is factual, then it must necessarily correspond to the material time-space context to which it purports to be connected and which it purports to represent. From careful exegesis of the text of the conquest of Ai narrative in the 7 and 8 chapters of the Book of Joshua, a 14 parameter criterial screen is derived to assess the correspondence between the narrative and the three candidate sites for Joshua’s Ai that emerge from past research. Through the analysis summarized in this paper, Khirbet el-Maqatir is demonstrated to be the site of the fortress of Ai, and the conquest of Ai narrative is demonstrated to meet the criteria for being a true narrative.

Dig Diary From Khirbet el-Maqatir: Winter 2012 Part 5 2/14/2013 - by Dee Alberty

For the third year, ABR Associate Dr. Scott Stripling led a team of diggers to Israel to excavate the Byzantine monastery at Khirbet el-Maqatir. Joining Scott and his team was Dee Alberty from Baton Rouge, LA. Dee shares her experiences in Part 5 of this diary.

Dig Diary From Khirbet el-Maqatir: Winter 2012 Part 4 2/5/2013 - by Dee Alberty

For the third year, ABR Associate Dr. Scott Stripling led a team of diggers to Israel to excavate the Byzantine monastery at Khirbet el-Maqatir. Joining Scott and his team was Dee Alberty from Baton Rouge, LA. Dee shares her experiences in Part 4 of this diary.

Dig Diary from Khirbet el-Maqatir: Winter 2012 Part 3 1/29/2013 - by Dee Alberty

For the third year, ABR Associate Dr. Scott Stripling led a team of diggers to Israel to excavate the Byzantine monastery at Khirbet el-Maqatir. Joining Scott and his team was Dee Alberty from Baton Rouge, LA. Dee shares her experiences in Part 3 of this diary.

Dig Diary from Khirbet el-Maqatir: Winter 2012 Part 2 1/27/2013 - by Dee Alberty

For the third year, ABR Associate Dr. Scott Stripling led a team of diggers to Israel to excavate the Byzantine monastery at Khirbet el-Maqatir. Joining Scott and his team was Dee Alberty from Baton Rouge, LA. Dee shares her experiences in Part 2 of this diary.

Dig Diary from Khirbet el-Maqatir: Winter 2012 Part 1 1/15/2013 - by Dee Alberty

For the third year, ABR Associate Dr. Scott Stripling led a team of diggers to Israel to excavate the Byzantine monastery at Khirbet el-Maqatir. Joining Scott and his team was Dee Alberty from Baton Rouge, LA. Dee shares her experiences in this diary.

ABR Discovers a Baptistry in the Khirbet el-Maqatir Monastery 1/4/2013 - by Scott Stripling DMin

Dr. Scott Stripling discusses the discovery of a baptistry in the Khirbet el-Maqatir monastery. Early Christians would have been baptized in this facility by immersion. December 2012.

The Maqatir Expedition: A Diary of the 2011 Season 12/19/2012 - by Don McNeeley

For me the physical start of what I am calling the Maqatir Expedition began on 20 May with a departure from Norfolk International Airport in Virginia; first to Philadelphia to catch an international flight to Tel Avi, Israel, then spending two weeks excavating, and finally flying home on 4 June. In reality, the expedition started a few months earlier when I began to consider participating in the Associates for Biblical Research (ABR) sponsored excavation at Khirbet el-Maqatir.

The Battle Continues: Won't You Join Us? 12/14/2012 - by Henry B. Smith Jr. MA

In June 2008, the Lord graciously reopened the doors for The Associates for Biblical Research to once again begin excavating at Khirbet el-Maqatir, Israel. This site has credible archaeological and geographical evidence to be correlated with the city of Ai, found in the momentous, redemptive-historical events of Joshua 7-8. A team of ABR staff and volunteers has traveled to Israel in 2009 through 2012 to perform further excavations at our site.

Conquest Confusion at Yale 11/20/2012 - by Bryant G. Wood PhD

We recently received an email from a visitor concerning the Conquest of Canaan. He sent us an excerpt from an undergraduate course at Yale, outlining the standard liberal view on the chronology and historicity of the book of Joshua. Dr. Bryant Wood responds.

The Search for Ai: Audio Presentation 8/17/2012 - by Bryant G. Wood PhD

In March of 2012, Dr. Bryant Wood visited the campus of Detroit Baptist Theological Seminary. During that time, he presented ABR's research to the DBTS faculty. This audio presentation concerns ABR's work at Khirbet el-Maqatir and the City of Ai from Joshua 7 and 8.

Outstanding Finds Made at Khirbet el-Maqatir: May 28–June 8, 2012 7/17/2012 - by Bryant G. Wood PhD

The tenth excavation season of the ABR-sponsored dig at Khirbet el-Maqatir was conducted from May 28 to June 8, 2012, under the direction of the author.[1] The following report provides readers with the most up to date information from our excavations in Israel as we continue to uncover evidence related to the events of Joshua chapters 7-8.

Khirbet el-Maqatir: Week Two 2012 6/14/2012 - by Gary Byers MA

At our final debriefing on Friday evening June 8th, Dig Director Dr. Bryant Wood, noted that this was probably the most productive season in our 10-year excavation at Khirbet el-Maqatir (KeM) in relation to illuminating all 4 occupation periods at our site – Late Bronze 1 (time of Joshua), Iron Age 1 (period of the Judges), Early Roman (New Testament time) and the Byzantine period (5th century AD).

Khirbet el-Maqatir: Week One 2012 6/4/2012 - by Gary Byers MA

With our dig team of almost 40 people, this may have been our most productive and interesting week in 10 years of our excavation. With 15 squares open we have found stuff from the time of Joshua (15th century BC) to the Byzantines (5th century AD).

Excavations at Khirbet el-Maqatir: 1995 to 2000 and 2009 to 2011 4/4/2012 - by Bryant G. Wood PhD

"A Border Fortress in the Highlands of Canaan and a Proposed New Location for the Ai of Joshua 7–8."

ABR Associate Scott Stripling Appears on the Michael Fernandez Show 3/19/2012 - by Scott Stripling DMin

Dr. Scott Stripling is interviewed by Michael Fernandez in this video.

Digging Up Joshua's Ai: The 2009–2010 Seasons at Khirbet el-Maqatir 3/9/2012 - by Bryant G. Wood PhD

After a hiatus of nine years due to political unrest in Israel, the Associates for Biblical Research resumed excavations at Kh. el-Maqatir for a seventh season May 22–June 5, 2009, and an eighth season May 24–June 4, 2010, under the direction of the author. In 2009, 23 volunteers from the US and Canada, plus a number of local residents participated. In 2010, 38 volunteers from the US, Australia and Israel made up the dig team. The site is located in the West Bank 9 mi (15 km) north of Jerusalem. Finds continue to support the identification of the site as the Ai of Joshua 7–8.

Join ABR on the Dig in Israel 1/30/2012 - by Henry B. Smith Jr. MA

The location of Joshua's Ai has been a matter of mystery and controversy since the beginnings of archaeological research in Israel. Scholars have concluded that the location of Joshua’s Ai is at et-Tell. They have also used this conclusion to discredit the Biblical account of Joshua 7-8 because there is no evidence of occupation at et-Tell during the time of Joshua. We believe they are incorrect, not the Bible.

The Search for Joshua's Ai: Digging in Israel with ABR 10/18/2011 - by Henry B. Smith Jr. MA

"Ai is simply an embarrassment to every view of the conquest that takes the biblical and archaeological evidence seriously." Or at least, that is what many of the critics say...

WBPH TV 60 Interview with ABR's Henry Smith 9/22/2011 - by Henry B. Smith Jr. MA

ABR Director of Development Henry Smith, appears as a guest on WBPH TV-60 on August 20, 2010.

The Search for Joshua’s Ai at Khirbet el-Maqatir 2011 7/18/2011 - by Gary Byers MA

The 9th season of the Associates for Biblical Research’s (ABR) excavation at Khirbet el-Maqatir was held in May and June, 2011. All 9 seasons have been sponsored by ABR and under the direction of Dr. Bryant Wood. Located 9 miles north of Jerusalem in Israel’s West Bank, we call this dig “The Search for Joshua’s Ai at Khirbet el-Maqatir”.

The Search for Joshua’s Ai at Khirbet el-Maqatir, 2011: Days Seven to Ten 6/6/2011 - by Gary Byers MA

On Friday June 3, we finished the 9th season of ABR’s Excavation at Khirbet el-Maqatir. Before the day was over, we had been treated to a second breakfast by the Palestinian family who has stored our tools for the last 3 dig seasons, we hosted a visit by the Master’s College IBEX study tour group, we filmed 3 YouTube videos and wrapped up our excavation.

The Search for Joshua’s Ai at Khirbet el-Maqatir, 2011: Day Six 5/30/2011 - by Gary Byers MA

We have now started our second week at Khirbet el-Maqatir. Much to Dr. Bryant Wood’s chagrin, we have not made much progress on the Late Bronze 1 fortress (the Ai of Joshua).

The Search for Joshua’s Ai at Khirbet el-Maqatir, 2011: Days Three to Five 5/28/2011 - by Gary Byers MA

I got lost in a flurry of activity this week and have missed a couple days of reporting. Today is Saturday and a bunch of us went to the Shabbat service with Jewish believers in Jesus here at Yad HaShmonah. Earlier this morning we actually experienced the latter (spring) rains frequently mentioned in the Scriptures. This one, a short but hard downpour about 9 AM, was a really later latter (spring) rain for this country. But, in all honestly, it brought no significant relief from the heat – 96 degrees yesterday!

The Search for Joshua’s Ai at Khirbet el-Maqatir, 2011: Day Two 5/24/2011 - by Gary Byers MA

For the first day of the dig, we were pretty pleased at how well we got things going. Today, we got into our squares in earnest. While pottery, tools, weapons and jewelry are interesting, my favorite find in archaeology is architecture. Walls and floors make me a happy archaeologist, and today I was really feeling it!

The Search for Joshua’s Ai at Khirbet el-Maqatir: Season 9-Day One 5/23/2011 - by Gary Byers MA

At 4:30 this morning, I believe we had the best early breakfast ready and waiting for us in the 9 years I have been digging at Khirbet el-Maqatir and staying at Yad Hashmona!

The Search for Joshua’s Ai at Khirbet el-Maqatir: Season 9-Set Up Day 5/22/2011 - by Gary Byers MA

Tomorrow we begin the first day of excavation at Khirbet el-Maqatir, 10 miles north of Jerusalem in Israel’s West Bank. Directed by Dr. Bryant Wood, this is the dig’s 9th season, all sponsored by the Associates for Biblical Research.

Finding the Lost City of Ai: Joshua 7-8 with Dr. Bryant Wood (Part Eight) 2/22/2011 - by Bryant G. Wood PhD

Dr. Bryant Wood answers questions after his presentation on Joshua's Ai and ABR's excavations at Khirbet el-Maqatir, Israel.

Finding the Lost City of Ai: Joshua 7-8 with Dr. Bryant Wood (Part Seven) 2/13/2011 - by Bryant G. Wood PhD

Dr. Bryant Wood walks the audience through the archaeological evidence pertaining to the Conquest of the Biblical city of Ai, discussing the scholarly debate, the evidence he has encovered, and the case for Khirbet el-Maqatir as the Ai of Joshua.

Finding the Lost City of Ai: Joshua 7-8 with Dr. Bryant Wood (Part Six) 2/7/2011 - by Bryant G. Wood PhD

Dr. Bryant Wood walks the audience through the archaeological evidence pertaining to the Conquest of the Biblical city of Ai, discussing the scholarly debate, the evidence he has encovered, and the case for Khirbet el-Maqatir as the Ai of Joshua.

Finding the Lost City of Ai: Joshua 7-8 with Dr. Bryant Wood (Part Five) 2/1/2011 - by Bryant G. Wood PhD

Dr. Bryant Wood walks the audience through the archaeological evidence pertaining to the Conquest of the Biblical city of Ai, discussing the scholarly debate, the evidence he has encovered, and the case for Khirbet el-Maqatir as the Ai of Joshua.

Finding the Lost City of Ai: Joshua 7-8 with Dr. Bryant Wood (Part Four) 1/21/2011 - by Bryant G. Wood PhD

Dr. Bryant Wood walks the audience through the archaeological evidence pertaining to the Conquest of the Biblical city of Ai, discussing the scholarly debate, the evidence he has encovered, and the case for Khirbet el-Maqatir as the Ai of Joshua.

Finding the Lost City of Ai: Joshua 7-8 with Dr. Bryant Wood (Part Three) 12/8/2010 - by Bryant G. Wood PhD

Dr. Bryant Wood walks the audience through the archaeological evidence pertaining to the Conquest of the Biblical city of Ai, discussing the scholarly debate, the evidence he has encovered, and the case for Khirbet el-Maqatir as the Ai of Joshua.

Finding the Lost City of Ai: Joshua 7-8 with Dr. Bryant Wood (Part Two) 11/29/2010 - by Bryant G. Wood PhD

Dr. Bryant Wood walks the audience through the archaeological evidence pertaining to the Conquest of the Biblical city of Ai, discussing the scholarly debate, the evidence he has encovered, and the case for Khirbet el-Maqatir as the Ai of Joshua.

Finding the Lost City of Ai: Joshua 7-8 with Dr. Bryant Wood (Part One) 11/1/2010 - by Bryant G. Wood PhD

Dr. Bryant Wood walks the audience through the archaeological evidence pertaining to the Conquest of the Biblical city of Ai, discussing the scholarly debate, the evidence he has encovered, and the case for Khirbet el-Maqatir as the Ai of Joshua.

Search for and Discovery of Joshua's Ai 6/24/2010 - by Henry B. Smith Jr. MA

Please watch this four minute video created by ABR Volunteer Roy Crase from the 2010 Season at Khirbet el-Maqatir...

ABR Excavation Timelapse 6/9/2010 - by Henry B. Smith Jr. MA

Here are moving pictures from the 2010 season of The Search for Joshua's Ai at Khirbet el-Maqatir. This video and accompanying music were produced by Nathan Lundquist. Many thanks to Nathan and his wife Whitney for this excellent video and for helping ABR on the Dig.

Researching Ai 5/14/2010 - by Bryant G. Wood PhD

After the Israelites defeated Jericho in the southern Jordan Valley, they then attacked the fortress of Ai in the highlands (Jos 7–8). Both of these sites have produced archaeological findings that have seemed to be in conflict with the Bible. Scholars have been quick to point out that these discrepancies lead to the conclusion that there was no Conquest as described in the book of Joshua. But is the problem with the Bible or with the interpretations of the archaeologists?

ABR’s 2009 Excavation at Khirbet el-Maqatir: The Infant Jar Burial 2/9/2010 - by Bryant G. Wood PhD

Infant jar burials beneath the floors of domestic houses are a relatively common find at archaeological sites in Israel. They are mostly from the Middle Bronze period, less common in Late Bronze I and unknown in Late Bronze II. The infant jar burial excavated by the ABR team during the 2009 season at Kh. el-Maqatir, although similar to other known examples, is unique in that Kh. el-Maqatir is a fortress and not an urban center...

The ABR Excavation at Khirbet el-Maqatir: Review of Past Work and Report on the 2009 Season 7/17/2009 - by Bryant G. Wood PhD

After a hiatus of nine years, ABR has resumed work at Kh. el-Maqatir, a promising candidate for Joshua’s Ai (Joshua 7–8). The site is located approximately 9 mi north of Jerusalem and 0.6 mi west of et-Tell, the site most scholars identify as Joshua’s Ai. There is a major problem identifying et-Tell as Joshua’s Ai, however, as the site was unoccupied at the time of the Israelite Conquest of Canaan...

Update from Khirbet el-Maqatir Week Two 6/7/2009 - by Bryant G. Wood PhD

Dr. Bryant Wood describes some of the work from the second week of the 2009 season at Khirbet el-Maqatir...

Update from Khirbet el-Maqatir Week One 5/29/2009 - by Bryant G. Wood PhD

Dr. Bryant Wood describes some of the work from the first week at Khirbet el-Maqatir...

The Search for Joshua's Ai 4/28/2009 - by Bryant G. Wood PhD

The sites of Joshua’s Ai, Beth Aven and Bethel, are chronologically and geographically linked by Josh 7:2 and related passages. Joshua’s Ai is commonly thought to be located at et-Tell and Bethel at Beitin. Assuming these two identifications to be correct, no viable location for Beth Aven has been suggested. A detailed review of the geographical and archaeological data pertaining to et-Tell and Beitin reveals that et-Tell does not meet the biblical requirements for Joshua’s Ai, and Beitin does not meet the biblical and extrabiblical requirements for Bethel. Based on present evidence, the only combination that meets the complex matrix of biblical and extrabiblical requirements for the three sites is to locate Bethel at el-Bira, Beth Aven at Beitin, and Joshua’s Ai at the newly excavated site of Khirbet el-Maqatir...

The Rise and Fall of the 13th Century Exodus-Conquest Theory 4/17/2008 - by Bryant G. Wood PhD

The 13th century exodus-conquest theory was formulated by William F. Albright in the 1930s, based largely on Palestinian archaeological evidence, and promoted by him throughout his career. In spite of the fact that the theory runs counter to Scripture, a number of evangelicals continue to hold to this view...

From Ramesses to Shiloh: Archaeological Discoveries Bearing on the Exodus-Judges Period 4/2/2008 - by Bryant G. Wood PhD

Attempts to correlate the findings of archaeology with the biblical record for the period under review have seemingly met with insurmountable ob­stacles. Much of the scholarly community today has despaired of making any valid connections and has dismissed biblical history prior to the king­dom period as nothing more than myth and legend...

Beth Aven: A Scholarly Conundrum 4/1/2008 - by Bryant G. Wood PhD

Scholars have been unable to come up with a viable site for Beth Aven. The reason is clear. Since the inception of historical-geographical research in Palestine, Bethel and Ai have been incorrectly located, thus obscuring the location of Beth Aven...

Let the Evidence Speak 3/28/2007 - by Bryant G. Wood PhD

As one schooled in the scientific method, it disturbs me that, in addition to the say-so of esteemed authority figures, many times opinions are driven by preconceived notions, received knowledge, arguments from silence or majority opinion...