Category Archives: Archaeology

Churning to make butter

Posted on May 23, 2013 | 2 comments
Churning Butter

Churning Butter

When I was a kid in the rural south, churning was done in a heavy duty ceramic pot. Butter was made by moving the stick (which had a sort of paddle attached) up and down.  I did not live in Colonial times, but the churn we used looked very much like the one shown in the picture to the left. Ours was a bit taller, I think.

The practice of churning to make butter has been around for thousands of years. It is mentioned in the Wisdom Literature of the Bible.

For the churning of milk produces butter, And pressing the nose brings forth blood; So the churning of anger produces strife. (Proverbs 30:33 NAU)

The ESV consistently uses the word pressing, from the Hebrew mits, three times in that verse.

For pressing milk produces curds, pressing the nose produces blood, and pressing anger produces strife. (Proverbs 30:33 ESV)

The NET Bible probably best conveys the meaning of the text by the use of churning, punching, and stirring up.

For as the churning of milk produces butter and as punching the nose produces blood, so stirring up anger produces strife. (Proverbs 30:33 NET)

The photo below shows a pottery churn from Beersheba, now displayed in the Israel Museum. The sign associated with the churn says,

The churn, used for making butter from milk, first appeared in the Chalcolithic Period [6,500–5,500 years ago] and became an important symbol of the time. To speed up the churning process, a rope was tied to the handles, and the churn was rocked back and forth.

Chalcolithic pottery churn from Beersheba. Israel Museum. Photo by Ferrell Jenkins.

Chalcolithic pottery churn from Beersheba. Israel Museum. Photo by Ferrell Jenkins.

During a visit to Petra, Jordan, in 2008, a group of people were portraying the costumes and activity of earlier Bedouin. Many of the customs portrayed are the same as those we read about in the Bible.

In the photo below the man is rocking a churn made from an animal skin.

Bedouin churning in an animal skin at Petra. Photo by Ferrell Jenkins.

Bedouin churning butter in an animal skin at Petra. Photo by Ferrell Jenkins.

Finally, here is a photo that I made at Haran in southeastern Turkey, once the home of Abraham (Genesis 11:31 – 12:4), showing a churn made from an animal skin.

Churn made from animal skin at Haran. Photo by Ferrell Jenkins.

Churn made from animal skin at Haran. Photo by Ferrell Jenkins.

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Posted in Archaeology, Bible Lands, Bible Places, Bible Study, Culture, Israel, Jordan, Old Testament, Photography, Travel

The Bet Qama discovery

Posted on May 18, 2013 | 2 comments

Numerous discoveries are made in Israel during the process of building a house, a road, or some other construction project. It becomes necessary to call the Israel Antiquities Authority so that an emergency excavation can be conducted.

Israel has a wonderful toll road (Highway 6) running from Galilee to the Negev. During preparatory work to extend the highway to the south, a settlement covering almost 1½ acres was uncovered in the fields of Kibbutz Bet Qama (Beit Kama) a few miles north of Beersheba. Shmuel Browns, Israel guide and blogger, attended a briefing by the IAA earlier in the week. He describes the discovery:

The site seems to have consisted of a large estate that included a tower, a church, residential buildings, presumably an inn for travelers, and storerooms, a large cistern, a public building and pools surrounded by farmland. Also found was a stone with a Byzantine cross in secondary usage.

Browns think this would be a good candidate for a monastery. He has granted permission for us to share this photo that he made during the IAA briefing.

The IAA explains the Beit Qama discovery. Photo by Shmuel Browns.

The IAA reports on the Beit Qama discovery. Photo by Shmuel Browns.

Take a look at the blog post with a half dozen nice photos by Shmuel Browns here.

The Press Release by the IAA may be read here.

I see that Carl Rasmussen has posted a blog here about the 5th century synagogue that was discovered during construction work in 1993 at Sepphoris. This site is only 3½ miles north of Nazareth, the early home of Jesus.

There is still a lot to be uncovered in the Near East. See my post about “Know but mostly unknown” here.

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Posted in Archaeology, Bible Places, blog, Church History, Israel, New Testament, Photography, Travel

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The priest’s servant used a three-pronged fork

Posted on May 14, 2013 | 1 comment

When the tabernacle (the temple of the LORD, 1 Samuel 1:9; the house of the LORD, 1 Samuel 1:24) was at Shiloh, the priests became corrupt. First Samuel 2 recounts the practices of the wicked sons of Eli.

The custom of the priests with the people was that when any man offered sacrifice, the priest’s servant would come, while the meat was boiling, with a three-pronged fork in his hand, 14 and he would thrust it into the pan or kettle or cauldron or pot. All that the fork brought up the priest would take for himself. This is what they did at Shiloh to all the Israelites who came there.  (1 Samuel 2:13-14 ESV)

Three-pronged forks, like the one mentioned in this text have been found at a number of archaeological sites where sacrifices were offered by the Canaanites to their gods. The trident pictured here is from Akko (Acco), and is said to date to the 14th-13th century B.C. It appears to have had a wooden handle that would fit into it.

Trident and tongs from Akko (14th-13th Century B.C. Israel Museum. Photo by Ferrell Jenkins.

Bronze trident and tongs from Akko (14th-13th Century B.C. Israel Museum. Photo by Ferrell Jenkins.

For more information about Shiloh and the biblical events that took place there, see here.

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Posted in Archaeology, Bible Places, Bible Study, Culture, Israel, Old Testament, Photography, Travel

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Here and there in Lower Galilee

Posted on May 1, 2013 | 5 comments

This morning we set out from Tiberias to reach Khirbet Kana, the likely site of the Cana of Galilee mentioned in John 2. The site along the highway from Nazareth to Tiberias that many tourists visit is the traditional site known as Kafr Kana. Jesus attended a marriage at Cana of Galilee (John 2:1-11), and met the royal official (John 4:46-54).

Traveling as we are, and being extremely tired at night, I have neither the materials or the inclination to go into detail about the matter. Here is a view of the rocky hill located on the north side of the Bet Netofa Valley. The ancient road ran in the valley below the city.

View of Khirbet Kana from the SE. Photo by Ferrell Jenkins.

View of Khirbet Kana from the SE. Photo by Ferrell Jenkins.

This is not the sort of visit one may take lightly. It probably took us 45 minutes in from the main road, and 45 minutes out. (We should have had a Jeep-type vehicle. We spent about an hour walking up one side of the hill and down another. (I hope no one will ask directions!).

Later we made a short stop at Hannathon (Joshua 19:41), and then through Nazareth and Megiddo Junction to see again the Rolling Stone tomb on the south side of the Jezreel Valley. This tomb can no longer be photographed easily by tourists in a bus. There is no room for the bus to stop. Our little car could pull off the road, and we could get close enough to avoid the new railing that has been installed. This is what it looks like and how close the cars, buses, and trucks, come to it.

Rolling Stone tomb near Jezreel Valley. Photo by Ferrell Jenkins.

Rolling Stone tomb near Jezreel Valley. Photo by Ferrell Jenkins.

We were able to get photos similar to the one you see here.

Another brief stop allowed us to take a photo of Tell Jokneam (Joshua 12:22; 19:11; 21:34). On the way back to our home at the Ron Beach Hotel in Tiberias we visited the possible site of En Dor (En-Dor; 1 Samuel 28:7), where Saul visited the medium of En Dor. Our last stop was at the modern town of En Dor where we visited the En Dor Archaeology Museum. It is a great little museum. More about it later.

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Posted in Archaeology, Bible Places, Bible Study, Israel, New Testament, Photography, Travel

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North of the Sea of Galilee

Posted on April 30, 2013 | 4 comments

Most of our visits today were north of the Sea of Galilee. Here are some of the stop we made.

The fishing port of Tiberias, where we saw fishermen bringing in some large fish. One of the owners of the Ron Beach Hotel told us these large fish were used for fish oil.

Hazor.

Senir (Hasbani) River. One of the sources of the Jordan.

Dan. To photograph the Middle Bronze city gate (19th-18th century B.C.).

Beit Ussishkin Museum at Dan. The museum is mostly about the flora and fauna of the region, but there are a few pieces from the Dan excavations.

Hermon Stream Nature Reserve (or Banias River). To see the waterfall.

Omrit. Site of possible Herodian temple to Augustus. The road is horrible, and there is still a long walk to visit the site. It is really not prepared or intended for the casual visitor. Someday it should be.

Abel-beth-maacah (or Abel of Beth-maacah). A city called “a mother in Israel” (2 Samuel 20:19). We had a view of Mount Hermon with a small amount of snow still on the top.

Abel-beth-maacah and Mount Hermon. View toward east. Photo by Ferrell Jenkins.

Abel-beth-maacah and Mount Hermon. View toward east. Photo by Ferrell Jenkins.

Metula. This Israeli town is on the border with Lebanon. We looked over into Lebanon.

Hula Lake/Agamon Lake. This is the restoration of a portion of Hula Lake that had been drained in the mid-20th century. Birds from Asia and Europe travel through the Great Rift and their way to Africa and back. This lake is a favorite stopping place for many of them.

It was a hot day, but an enjoyable one.

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Posted in Archaeology, Bible Lands, Bible Places, Bible Study, Israel, New Testament, Old Testament, Photography, Travel

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A miscellany of sites on Monday

Posted on April 29, 2013 | 4 comments

There are numerous small museum scattered across Israel. I had read about the Beit Sturman Museum at En Harod and had wanted to visit it. The Israel Museum Guide describes the museum in these terms:

Beit Sturman Museum is one of the biggest archaeological museums of the country. Rich collection of flora and fauna of the region. History of Jewish settlements in Israel valley. The museum is named in honour of one of the founders of kibbutz – Haim Sturman.

What really caught my attention was when I read that the Museum had a large collection of Roman milestones that were found in the Jezreel Valley.

Only seven milestones are visible in the photo below but there are dozens of others in the courtyard of the Museum. Many of them are broken, and very few of them have any visible inscription. I thought I recognized TR on one of them. I think this would indicate a milestone erected during the reign of the Emperor Trajan in the early 2nd century A.D.

Roman Milestones at Beit Sturman Museum, En Harod, Israel. Photo by Ferrell Jenkins.

A few of the Roman Milestones displayed at the Beit Sturman Museum, En Harod, Israel. Photo by Ferrell Jenkins.

The museum has a display of flora and fauna of the Jezreel Valley, several cases of pottery from sites in the area, and a display of agricultural practices including the first bale of cotton grown in Israel. That brought back a lot of childhood memories of when I picked cotton and went to the gin with my father or grandfather in North Alabama.

Earlier we tried to visit the Spring of Harod, the place where Gideon gathered the 300 men to fight the Midianites (Judges 7:1-8). This site was closed when my group were scheduled to visit a few days ago. We thought, at the time, that there might be some flooding in the area. However, it was still closed today. Dan and I tried to enter through a hotel or guest house, but they refused us entry. When we asked why the park was closed they just said “bureaucracy.” I suggested it might be a form of “sequestration.”

We also visited Tell Shalim, thought to be the site of Salim in the duo Aenon near to Salim, where John the Baptist baptized after Bethany Beyond the Jordan (John 3:23; 1:28). This is a place that would be impossible for a tour bus to go. It is about 8 miles south of Beth-shan, near the Jordan River.

There were a few other stops. We were disappointed when we were unable to get to the Roman Road at Golani Junction. A new road has been built east from the McDonald’s with a metal rail and a ditch that I didn’t think I would want to try to cross. Some individual travelers will be disappointed in this change.

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Posted in Archaeology, Bible Lands, Bible Places, Bible Study, Israel, New Testament, Old Testament, Photography, Travel

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Saturday and Sunday around Jerusalem

Posted on April 28, 2013 | 2 comments

We have had two busy days. Yesterday we made arrangements to visit the so-called Solomon’s Pools south of Jerusalem, and a few other places in the Bethlehem area. The last time I was at the site was probably in the 70s. This is the sort of place that it would not be advisable to take a large tour group in a bus. Later I plan to show you some of the photos that I made and explain about the sites.

In the late afternoon we went down into the Shephelah to visit Khirbet Qeiyafa, the fortress overlooking the Elah Valley. I did not see many changes since my last visit in 2012.

This morning we visited the Israel Museum. I was just there last week, but enjoyed the time making some additional photos that I had overlooked before. Dan also visited the Herod the Great exhibit.

In the afternoon we drove north to Shiloh, the place where the tabernacle rested after the children of Israel entered the promised land (Joshua 18). A new viewing tower has been built, but is not yet ready for visitors. A young lady at the ticket booth/shop said they hope to have it open this month.

The old and new viewing towers at Shiloh. Photo by Ferrell Jenkins.

The old and new viewing towers at Shiloh. Photo by Ferrell Jenkins.

I thought the 27 NIS (about $8) was high for the condition of the site. A few of the older signs are visible, but no new ones. A small brochure was the only help the visitor has. Maybe this will improve with time.

We also visited Taybeh, a possible candidate for the site of Ephraim. This is the place to which Jesus retired prior to his crucifixion (John 11:54).

Jesus therefore no longer walked openly among the Jews, but went from there to the region near the wilderness, to a town called Ephraim, and there he stayed with the disciples. (John 11:54 ESV)

From Taybeh on the edge of the wilderness we continued to the Jordan Valley, then back up to Jerusalem.

The weather. Those who were with me last Sunday in Jerusalem, when it was chilly and rainy, will find it difficult to believe that it was 99 degrees here today with bright sunshine. Last week I had the heat on in the room. Tonight I have on the air.

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Posted in Archaeology, Bible Places, Bible Study, Israel, New Testament, Old Testament, Photography, Travel

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A morning with Shmuel Browns

Posted on April 26, 2013 | 3 comments

Shmuel Browns is an Israel Tour Guide. While he can handle any tours in Israel, he seems to specialize in taking care of individuals or small groups. Shmuel and I had not met till today, but we have come to know each other through our blogs and occasional correspondence. We decided to meet in person.

This morning Shmuel picked up Dan and me at the hotel. Last evening we had discussed where we might go to make some good photos. Several places were discussed, but we decided on the Herodion. Shmuel has developed a one day (or less) program to take a person/group to the Herodion, and then to see the Herod the Great exhibit at the Israel Museum.

I had been to the Herodion several times but had never spent much time in the lower Herodion. I was impressed with the things Shmuel showed us there. In the photo below he is explaining about a large Mikve (ritual bath) that was part of the complex built by Herod the Great.

Shmuel Browns, Israel Guide, at Lower Herodion. Photo by Ferrell Jenkins.

Shmuel Browns, Israel Tour Guide, at the Lower Herodion, Photo: Ferrell Jenkins.

On the way to the Herodion we stopped on the north side of the Mar Elias Monastery. The Greet Orthodox Monastery overlooks Bethlehem and the Herodion. Tradition has it that it is here where Elijah rested when he was fleeing from Jezebel (1 Kings 19:2ff.). It is also associated with more recent historical characters with the name Elias.

Across the road (north) is the ruin of the Kathisma (seat), an octagonal Byzantine church building discovered in 1992. A large stone in the center of the church is said to be where Mary rested on her way to Bethlehem (Luke 2:4-5). (Perhaps more about that later.) In the same area there is an old Olive grove. I enjoyed the beauty of this scene and thought you might also.

Olive trees near the Kathisma church. Photo by Ferrell Jenkins.

Olive trees near the Kathisma church. Photo by Ferrell Jenkins.

Shmuel has a nice web site with some great photographs. He also sells prints of his photos. Read all about it at Israel Tours | Israel Tour Guide.

From time to time I have someone who tells me they will have a free day or two while traveling in Israel on business. They want to know what they can see, or who could guide them. You need a guide in Jerusalem if you have never been there before. Shmuel would be a good man to call. All contact info is on his web page. I did not inquire about the costs, but you can check that when you contact him.

We had a great morning. Thanks, Shmuel.

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The Burnt House destroyed in A.D. 70

Posted on April 24, 2013 | 2 comments

Our tour group visited several places in and near Jerusalem today. We began Jaffa Gate and the Tower of David (actually built by Herod the Great). We moved on through the Jewish Quarter to the Wohl Archaeological Museum. For general information about the Jewish Quarter see the informative web site dedicated to the area, here. Information about the Museum, where you may see the ruins of six houses built on the slope between the Upper City of Jerusalem and the Temple Mount, is available here. These houses indicate that some of the wealthiest residents of Jerusalem lived in them – perhaps the priestly class. These houses were destroyed in the Roman destruction of Jerusalem in A.D. 70. Photos are not allowed in the Museum.

Then we went to the Burnt House – a house belonging to the Katros Family, a priestly family that made incense for the temple. This house also burned when Jerusalem was destroyed. The photo below shows the basement area of the house. An informative video describing what life might have been like in the months leading up to the destruction is shown.

Basement of the Burnt House destroyed by the Romans in A.D. 70. Photo by Ferrell Jenkins.

Basement of the Burnt House destroyed by the Romans in A.D. 70. Photo by Ferrell Jenkins.

The furnishings here also indicate wealth. Notice the stone jars and table. The area on the right side shows evidence that the house was burned.

A small display case displays a collections of small items found in the Burnt House. One of the very interesting items is a weight bearing the inscription “bar katros.”

Inscription mentioning the Kathros family. Photo by Ferrell Jenkins.

Inscription mentioning the Katros family. Photo by Ferrell Jenkins.

The Katros family is mentioned in the Talmud as a priestly family that abused their position.

After visiting the Western Wall and the excavations south of the Temple Mount, we went to the Ramat Rachel Hotel for lunch. We only had time to drive by the Herodion before making our way to the Garden Tomb for our appointment.

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Posted in Archaeology, Bible Places, Bible Study, Family, Israel, New Testament, Photography, Travel

Temple Mount, Pools, Jericho, Jordan River

Posted on April 23, 2013 | 4 comments

Today was a great day for travel in and around Jerusalem. We started the day by visiting the Temple Mount. This is a place filled with Bible history relating to Abraham, David, Solomon, Jesus, and Peter (as well as all of the apostle). It is a place destroyed by the Babylonians (586 B.C.) and the Romans (A.D. 70).

The site has been under Islamic control since the 7th century.

We visited the Pools of Bethesda (John 5) and the Pool of Siloam (John 9).

Yesterday, by the time we visited Masada, Qumran, and Jericho, it was too late to visit the baptismal site on the Jordan River, a site known as Qasr el-Yahud. This site on the Israel side is across from the Jordanian site identified as Bethany beyond the Jordan (John 1:28).

We stopped in Jericho for lunch at the Temptations Restaurant. The restaurant is located on the south end of Tell es-Sultan, identified with Biblical Jericho (Joshua 3-6).

The restaurant has lots of parking space for tour buses and good food. That’s a good combination in the tourist industry. As I was leaving I noticed a sign with the wording “View of Jericho”, and thought I should check it out. It took a climb of 11 flights of stairs to reach the roof. It was worth it for the view which was exceptionally good in all directions.

The view to the north is of Tel es-Sultan. See below. You may notice some wires (cables) across the photo. These are for the cable car that goes up to the traditional Mount of Temptation (Matthew 4).

Jericho (Tell es-Sultan) from the south. Photo by Ferrell Jenkins.

Jericho (Tell es-Sultan) from the south. Photo by Ferrell Jenkins.

Afterwards we visited the Jordan River. On the way back to Jerusalem we stopped by the St. George Monastery in the wilderness of Judea. The monastery building appear to hang on the side of a cliff overlooking the Wadi Qilt. Quite a sight.

We stopped at the Inn of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37) which now houses many mosaic floors from Jewish synagogues, Samaritan Synagogues, and Byzantine Churches, as well as a few other interesting artifacts.

It was a great day.

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