Category Archives: Archaeology

Roman sword & menorah engraving discovered

Posted on August 9, 2011 | 1 comment

The Israel Antiquities Authority announced Monday the discovery of a Roman sword still in a scabbard and a stone with the engraving of the temple menorah.

Roman sword in scabbard. IAA photo by Clara Amit.

Roman sword in scabbard. IAA photo by Clara Amit.

During the course of work the Israel Antiquities Authority carried out in Jerusalem’s ancient drainage channel, which begins in the Siloam Pool and runs from the City of David to the archaeological garden (near the Western Wall), impressive finds were recently discovered that breathe new life into the story of the destruction of the Second Temple. The excavations are being conducted on behalf of the Israel Antiquities Authority, in cooperation with the Nature and Parks Authority and are underwritten by the City of David Foundation.

A 2,000 year old iron sword, still in its leather scabbard, was discovered in work the Israel Antiquities Authority is doing in the channel, which served as a hiding refuge for the residents of Jerusalem from the Romans at the time of the Second Temple’s destruction. In addition, parts of the belt that carried the sword were found. According to the excavation directors Eli Shukron of the Israel Antiquities Authority and Professor Ronny Reich of the University of Haifa, “It seems that the sword belonged to an infantryman of the Roman garrison stationed in Israel at the outbreak of the Great Revolt against the Romans in 66 CE. The sword’s fine state of preservation is surprising: not only its length (c. 60 cm), but also the preservation of the leather scabbard (a material that generally disintegrates quickly over time) and some of its decoration”.

A stone object adorned with a rare engraving of a menorah was found in the soil beneath the street, on the side of the drainage channel. According to Shukron and Professor Reich, “Interestingly, even though we are dealing with a depiction of the seven-branched candelabrum, only five branches appear here. The portrayal of the menorah’s base is extremely important because it clarifies what the base of the original menorah looked like, which was apparently tripod shaped”. The fact that the stone object was found at the closest proximity to the Temple Mount to date is also important. The researchers suppose a passerby who saw the menorah with his own eyes and was amazed by its beauty incised his impressions on a stone and afterwards tossed his scrawling to the side of the road, without imagining that his creation would be found 2,000 years later.

Menorah found beneath 1st century street. IAA photo by Vladimir Naykhin.

Menorah found beneath 1st century street. IAA photo by Vladimir Naykhin.

An AP report with several enlargeable photos is available here.

I think this blog was the first one to report walking through the sewer more than 15 months ago. See here.

Two words are used for sword in the Greek New Testament. The more common word is machaira which describes a short, tongue-shaped sword or dagger. The term rhomphaia, which describes a long sword, is used only in Luke 2:35 outside the book of Revelation. It is used 6 times in Revelation. Probably all but one of these finds Christ as the bearer of the sword (1:16; 2:12; 2:16; 6:8; 19:15; 19:21). The book of Revelation has a setting in the Roman Empire outside of Palestine. The use of rhomphaia seems to be the appropriate term.

In one of the news reports about the recently found sword, archaeologist Elie Shukron is quoted as saying that the sword was the type used by Roman centurions, but that it was probably taken from the Roman garrison by one of the Jewish rebels (see here). This seems much more plausible to me.

G. K. Beale comments on the sword coming out of the mouth of Jesus:

The Christians in Asia are to understand that Jesus will do battle in this manner not only against the evil nations (19:15) but also against all those among the churches who compromise their faith (2:16). The consensus is that this sword alludes to that of the Roman soldier, used in battle, further enhancing this idea. (The Book of Revelation in NIGTC, 212)

This photo was made at the RACE show (Roman Army and Chariot Experience) in the hippodrome at Jerash, Jordan. It shows the centurion wearing both swords.

Roman Centurion at Jerash with two swords. Photo by Ferrell Jenkins.

Roman Centurion at Jerash with two different swords. Photo by Ferrell Jenkins.

HT: Bible Places Blog; Joseph Lauer.

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Tomb of Philip found at Hierapolis?

Posted on July 28, 2011 | 2 comments

Italian professor Francesco D’Andria announced the discovery of the tomb of the Apostle Philip at Hierapolis. See more, with a photo, here.

The structure at Hierapolis known as the Martyrium of Philip dates to the 5th century A.D. It is located in the distance above the theater.

Hierapolis. The Martyrium of Philip is in the distance beyond the theater. Photo by Ferrell Jenkins.

The Martyrium of Philip is in the distance beyond the theater. Photo by F. Jenkins.

Early tradition associates Philip with the city, but scholars differ over whether it was Philip the apostle (Matthew 10:3) or Philip the evangelist (Acts 21:8). The brief reports of the discovery by Prof. D’Andria does not provide enough information for us to be able to draw a conclusion. The question of which Philip is addressed by Mark Wilson in Biblical Turkey and Fant and Reddish in A Guide to Biblical Sites in Greece and Turkey. I will leave it for the moment.

This new discovery will more likely reflect the 5th century Byzantine tradition about Philip.

Hierapolis is mentioned only once in the New Testament, as one of the cities of the Lycus River Valley.

For I bear him witness that he has worked hard for you and for those in Laodicea and in Hierapolis. (Colossians 4:13 ESV)

Hierapolis is also known as the home of Papias (about A.D. 60 to 130) who was a disciple of the apostle John and a companion of Polycarp. Fragments of his writings about the apostles survive in Irenaeus and Eusebius.

We have commented on Hierapolis several times over the years. See here. Use the Search box to locate the other posts if you have additional interest in the city.

HT: Doy Moyer

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

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Two-horned altar found at Tel es-Safi/Gath

Posted on July 25, 2011 | Leave a comment

Prof. Aren Maeir says, “The news is out! A large stone altar in Area D” at Tel es-Safi/Gath. The unusual altar measures 50 x 50 x 100 cm. For ametric [new word] Americans that is 19.69 x 19.69 x 39.37 inches.

Read more at the Tell es-Safi/Gath blog here.

Prof. Aren Maeir with the two-horned altar at Gath. Photo courtesty of A. Maeir.

Prof. Aren Maeir with the two-horned altar at Gath. Photo courtesty of A. Maeir.

The info below is a brief summary of the brief summary from Maeir’s post. There are several high-resolution photos, including the one we have used here, with his post.

Maeir says this is the earliest altar found from Philistia. Remember that Gath is one of the cities of ancient Philistia (1 Samuel 6:17). The altar, made of one block of stone, is one of the largest found in Israel after the one at Beersheba (made of many pieces), and another found out of context at Ekron.

Perhaps the most interesting thing about this altar is that it has two horns instead of four. Maeir says,

This is VERY interesting, since this may very well confirm a theory put forward by our team member Louise Hitchcock that there is a connection between the Minoan/Cypriote “Horns of Consecration” and the horned altars – perhaps brought by the Philistines.

The dimensions of the altar are identical in proportion to the altar in the biblical tabernacle (1 x 1 x 2 cubit) (Exodus 30:2).

The back part of the altar may have been built into a structure behind it.

There is no evidence of burning on the altar.

Read more at the Tell es-Safi/Gath blog here. Other photos at the Foundation Stone web site here. Maeir will be on the LandMinds radio show Wednesday.

HT: Joseph I. Lauer

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Excavations at Shechem

Posted on July 24, 2011 | 1 comment

Dutch and Palestinian archaeologists are working at Tel Balata, the site of biblical Shechem, under the auspices of the Palestinian Department of Antiquities. The Associated Press report in Ha’aretz provides a brief summary of archaeological work at the site over the past century. Fox News reports on the excavation here.

We wrote about a visit to Shechem, with a summary of the biblical history of the site, here.

Other significant posts are listed for your convenience.

  • The Temple of Baal-Berith at Shechem here.
  • The Entrance to the Temple of Baal-Berith here.
  • The Sacred Standing Stone at Shechem here.

The photo below was made in December, 2009. The site of Shechem is in the foreground. Mount Gerizim is in the distance. Notice how the apartment buildings are crowded around the archaeological park. The site was in fairly good condition at the time, but there were no signs marking the ruins.

View of Mount Gerizim from Shechem. Photo by Ferrell Jenkins.

View of Mount Gerizim from Shechem. Photo by Ferrell Jenkins in 2009.

Below is a photo I made in 1973. Notice that there are more trees on Mount Gerizim, and fewer buildings around Tel Balata.

View of Mount Gerizim from Shechem. Photo by Ferrell Jenkins in 1973.

View of Mount Gerizim from Shechem. Photo by Ferrell Jenkins in 1973.

This next photo was made from atop Mount Gerizim in 1982. Ancient Shechem is located near the center of the photo below the line of trees. The location of Jacob’s Well is just out of the photo on the right.

A view of Shechem from Mount Gerizim in 1982. Photo by Ferrell Jenkins.

A view of Shechem from Mount Gerizim in 1982. Photo by Ferrell Jenkins.

Shechem has never been a very popular stop for tourists. Many will stop to see Jacob’s well without knowing that this important biblical site is just blocks away. We are delighted to know that archaeological work is going on in the West Bank Palestinian territory.

HT: Joseph Lauer, Brooks Cochran.

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Unique golden bell found in Jerusalem drain

Posted on July 22, 2011 | 3 comments

Arutz Sheva (Israel National News.com) reports that archaeologists have “discovered a rare gold bell with a small hook at its end.”

The directors of the excavation on behalf of the Antiquities Authority, archaeologists Eli Shukron and Professor Ronny Reich of Haifa University, said after the finding, “The bell looked as if it was sewn on the garment worn by a man of high authority in Jerusalem at the end of the Second Temple period.

“The bell was exposed in the city’s main drainage channel of that period, between the layers of dirt that had been piled on the floor of the channel,” they continued. “This drainage channel was built and hewn west to the Western Wall of the Temple Mount and drained the rainfall in the different parts of the city, through the City of David and the Shiloah Pool to the Kidron valley.”

The excavation area, above the drain, is located in the main street of Jerusalem which rose from the Shiloah Pool in the City of David. In this street an interchange was built through which people entered the Temple Mount. The remains of this interchange are what is known today as Robinson’s Arch. Archaeologists believe that the eminent man walked the streets of Jerusalem in the area of Robinson’s Arch and lost the golden bell which fell off his outfit into the drain beneath the street.

The full news report may be read here.

Golden bell found in Jerusalem drain. Photo: ynet.co.il.

Golden bell found in Jerusalem drain. Photo: IAA.

The best I can tell from the description of the location is that it is near the area of Robinson’s Arch. We saw workmen at the northern end of the drainage channel about which we have reported earlier (here) during our visit to the area in May. I understand that eventually the channel will be open all the way from the A.D. 70 street below Robinson’s Arch to the Pool of Siloam. I have lightened the area under the grill so you can see the workman’s arm.

Opening in A.D. 70 street below Robinson's Arch. Photo by Ferrell Jenkins.

Opening in A.D. 70 street below Robinson's Arch. Photo by Ferrell Jenkins.

I note in the news report that the archaeologists did not rule out the possibility that this bell might have belonged to one of the high priests. Actually, one can not rule out much of anything with so little information. My first thought almost simultaneously was the bells on the garments of the high priest and a woman’s jewelry. Note the earlier discovery of jewelry here.

The adornment of the priestly garment is described in Exodus.

“You shall make on its hem pomegranates of blue and purple and scarlet material, all around on its hem, and bells of gold between them all around:  a golden bell and a pomegranate, a golden bell and a pomegranate, all around on the hem of the robe. (Exodus 28:33-34 NAU)

Jim Davila, at Paleojudaica, comments wisely on the suggestion that this bell might have belonged to a priest or a man of high authority:

Well, maybe. On the one hand it is true that the only references to golden bells in the Hebrew Bible are to bells on the vestments of the high priest (Exodus 28:33-34; 39:25-26). On the other hand, first, the only other mention of bells (a different Hebrew word) refers to horses’ trappings (Zechariah 14:20). Presumably, bells were used in many other contexts, so our sample of cultural allusions is limited. But, you say, what about golden bells? Well, second, Isaiah 3:16-18 refers to bangles that the rich women of Jerusalem wore on their ankles and which “tinkled” or made some kind of bangle noise. These ladies clearly had lots of jewelery and finery (cf. also vv. 19-23), so it seems entirely likely that they sometimes wore bells as jewelry and that some of those bells might well have been made of gold. And we know that Second-Temple-era ladies in Jerusalem had very nice gold earrings. So this bell need not have come from “a man of high authority.”

The Christian Standard Bible translation of Isaiah 3:16 is vivid:

The LORD also says: Because the daughters of Zion are haughty, walking with heads held high and seductive eyes, going along with prancing steps, jingling their ankle bracelets, (Isaiah 3:16 CSB)

HT: Joseph Lauer

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

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Wall of Jerusalem breached by the Romans

Posted on July 19, 2011 | 1 comment

Prof. Aren Maeir, director of the Tel es-Safi/Gath archaeological excavation, explains why some of his team is not working today.

Today, part of the team was not working in the field, since it is the Jewish fast day of the 17th of Tammuz, which commemorates the breaching of the walls of Jerusalem by the Romans, prior to the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 CE (and according to some traditions, during the Babylonian siege of Jerusalem in 586 BCE as well). Others though were in the field and had a very good day.

Titus, Roman commander at the time of the destruction of Jerusalem, was later Emperor (A.D. 79-81). Bust in British Museum. Photo by Ferrell Jenkins.

Titus, Roman commander at the time of the destruction of Jerusalem, was later Emperor (A.D. 79-81). Bust in British Museum. Photo by Ferrell Jenkins.

Whatever the exact day of the event, the siege and destruction of Jerusalem by the Romans was a traumatic event. Christians, and perhaps others, understand it as a judgment upon the corrupt nation at that time (Matthew 24, Mark 13, Luke 21). I use judgment in the sense of repeated judgments upon cities and nations as we see it used in the Old Testament prophets. We believe that Jesus predicted the destruction of the city of Jerusalem about 40 years prior the the actual destruction by the Romans.

But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that its desolation has come near. (Luke 21:20 ESV)

There is much archaeological evidence in Jerusalem of the Roman occupation of the city and of the destruction in A.D. 70. In the excavations conducted in the Jewish Quarter of Jerusalem following 1967, archaeologists uncovered evidence of the destruction and burning of the city. The Herodian Mansion and the Burnt House are two places that are especially interesting to Bible students who visit the Old City. Here is a photo of the exhibit at the Burnt House. The Burnt House is known to be the priestly House of Kathros.

The Burnt House in the Jewish Quarter of Jerusalem. Photo by Ferrell Jenkins.

The Burnt House in the Jewish Quarter of Jerusalem. Photo by Ferrell Jenkins.

In this photo you see furniture, stone vessels, and clear evidence of the burning of the building in A.D. 70. A larger image, suitable for use in teaching, is available by clicking on the photo.

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Weaving exhibit at the Hecht Museum

Posted on July 18, 2011 | 1 comment

Jim Joyner shares some photos of an exhibit at the Hecht Museum, University of Haifa, in Haifa, Israel. These photos show a reconstructed primitive vertical loom.

Weaving Loom with weights from Yodefat. Hecht Museum, Haifa. Photo by J. Joyner.

Weaving Loom with weights from Yodefat. Hecht Museum, Haifa. Photo by J. Joyner.

Yodefat (Jotapata, and various spellings) was the home of Josephus, commander of the Jewish forces in Galilee. The loom weights and whorls were excavated at Yodefat and Gamla. Most of the weights are made of clay, but a few are made of clay and lead.

Loom weights from Yodefat and Gamla. Hecht Museum, Haifa. Photo: J. Joyner.

Loom weights from Yodefat and Gamla. Hecht Museum, Haifa. Photo: J. Joyner.

Yodefat was one of the first towns to feel the terror of the Roman army in A.D. 66 when they entered Galilee. The map below from BibleAtlas.org marks the site of (Khirbet) Cana (not traditional Kerf Cana). Note Jotapata a few miles west of Cana.

Note location of Jotapata and (Khirbet) Cana. Map by BibleAtlas.org.

Note location of Jotapata and (Khirbet) Cana. Map by BibleAtlas.org.

For those who might have an interest in following up on the site of Jotapata (Yodefat, Yodfat), I suggest you begin at Bible Walks here. References to the account by Josephus in the Jewish Wars are also given.

Thanks, Jim.

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Weaving in Bible times

Posted on July 15, 2011 | 2 comments

In describing the work of spinning we quoted from the lavishly illustrated Life in Biblical Israel by King and Stager. Another good book dealing with this sort of material is Daily Life in Biblical Times by Oded Borowski. Borowski’s book is much smaller and has no photos. There are a few black and white diagrams.

Here is how Borowski explains weaving.

The term weaving refers to the production of fabric by interlacing two sets of yarn so that they cross each other at a right angle.… The large numbers of loom weights, spindle whorls, and other weaving tools in domestic contexts indicate that weaving was a major occupation among the Israelites. (page 31)

He says that two kinds of looms were in use. One was horizontal; the other was the upright warp-weighted loom. The large number of loom-weights that have been uncovered in excavations indicate that this was the more common method of weaving.

Weaving was considered a woman’s job. Note the description of the Worthy Woman (or Capable Wife, as some designate her) in Proverbs 31. In the previous post we wrote of the work of spinning.

She stretches out her hands to the distaff, And her hands grasp the spindle. (Proverbs 31:19 NAU)

The same chapter also describes the materials she uses in her work of spinning and weaving.

She looks for wool and flax And works with her hands in delight. (Proverbs 31:13 NAU)

Demonstration of weaving at Nazareth Village. Photo by Ferrell Jenkins.

Demonstration of weaving at Nazareth Village. Photo by Ferrell Jenkins.

A display in the Istanbul Archaeology Museum shows loom weights and spinning tools uncovered at Gezer. I think these would be from the excavations conducted by Clermont-Ganneau between 1870-1873 or that conducted by Macalister between 1902 and 1905 when the Ottoman Empire ruled the land. Many artifacts from that period are in the Istanbul museum.

Tools Used in Weaving. From Gezer. Istanbul Arch. Museum. Photo by Ferrell Jenkins.

Tools Used in Weaving. From Gezer. Istanbul Arch. Museum. Photo by Ferrell Jenkins.

The priestly garments were woven (Exodus 28:39). We recall that Jesus had a undergarment (chiton, tunic) that was seamless, woven in one piece.

Then the soldiers, when they had crucified Jesus, took His outer garments and made four parts, a part to every soldier and also the tunic; now the tunic was seamless, woven in one piece. (John 19:23 NAU)

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Posted in Archaeology, Bible Lands, Bible Study, Culture, Israel, Old Testament

The distaff and the spindle

Posted on July 13, 2011 | 4 comments

Most of the clothing in use during Bible times was made from flax or wool. The “worthy woman” or “capable wife” of Proverbs 31:13 “looks for wool and flax And works with her hands in delight.” The raw product must be spun in preparation for weaving.

She stretches out her hands to the distaff, And her hands grasp the spindle. (Proverbs 31:19 NAU)

King and Stager describe the process of spinning:

Spinning is done by means of the distaff and spindle. The distaff (a large stick) holds on its cleft end the unspun flax or wool from which the thread is drawn. The hand-held spindle, which is used to this day, is the rotating rod or shaft on which the fibers are twisted to form thread and are then wound. The spindle may be weighted by pierced, circular objects known as spindle whorls, which have been recovered in large quantity at practically every excavation of Palestine. (Life in Biblical Israel, 152)

The following photo shows a young woman spinning wool at Nazareth Village.

Spinning dyed wool in preparation for weaving on the loom. Photo by Ferrell Jenkins.

Spinning dyed wool in preparation for weaving on the loom. Photo by Ferrell Jenkins.

Have you ever heard someone speak of the distaff or the “distaff side” in reference to a woman or women? Maybe not, unless you were born in the first half of the last century. I checked the Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary of 1913 for the use of the word distaff. At that time the first definition was “the staff for holding a bunch of flax, tow, or wool, from which the thread is drawn in spinning by hand.” The dictionary also points out that the term was “used as a symbol of the holder of a distaff; hence, a woman; women, collectively.”

Moving back to 1828, Webster states that the term distaff was also used “figuratively, a woman, or the female sex.”

Some more recent dictionaries give the figurative meaning but some of these say the use is archaic.

Women who were skilled in this work prepared materials for the tabernacle during the wilderness wandering.

All the skilled women spun with their hands, and brought what they had spun, in blue and purple and scarlet material and in fine linen. All the women whose heart stirred with a skill spun the goats’ hair. (Exodus 35:25-26 NAU)

Here is a basket of wool waiting to be spun.

Basket of wool ready to be spun. Nazareth Village. Photo by Ferrell Jenkins.

Basket of wool ready to be spun. Nazareth Village. Photo by Ferrell Jenkins.

Perhaps latter we will say a few things about weaving.

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Posted in Archaeology, Bible Places, Culture, Israel, New Testament, Old Testament, Photography

There is a time to dig

Posted on July 12, 2011 | Leave a comment

Most of the archaeological excavations in Israel take place during the summer months. There are several reasons why this is true: (1) college professors are in charge of the digs; (2) college students (slaves), who are out of school, pay to participate in the dig; (3) the dig will not be interrupted by rain. Of course, there are exceptions in certain parts of the country (around the Sea of Galilee, the Negev, etc.).

Numerous sites are excavated during June, July, or August. In previous times scholars waited until the annual professional meetings (November) to hear a report on the findings of the summer dig. Others waited a few more months for an article to appear in Biblical Archaeology Review. Now some information is reported daily by the director or others associated with the dig.

One of the most informative web sites is about the dig at Tel es-Safi/Gath. Prof. Aren Maeir does an excellent job of posting info and good photos of the dig as it progresses. You may follow these reports here.

Prof. Maeir was interviewed by telephone last evening on Fox News. Listen to the interview, which includes some photos, here. Aren describes the Philistines as a “sophisticated culture.”

This photo, which was made in May, shows Philistine soldiers holding the sign to the National Park of Tel es-Safi. Gath was the home of Goliath (1 Samuel 17:23).

Entrance to National Park at Tel es-Safi/Gath. Photo by Ferrell Jenkins.

Philistine soldiers welcome visitors to Tel es-Safi/Gath. Photo by Ferrell Jenkins.

The Tel Burna Excavation Project, under the direction of Itzhaq Shai and Joe Uziel, also does a good job of keeping us informed with photos and brief reports. The short season there is complete. Take a look here. The directors think “that the site is the best candidate for Biblical Libnah.” The Assyrians fought against Libnah after they left Lachish (2 Kings 19:8). Tel Burna is the site often pointed out by guides as Moresheth Gath, the home of the prophet Micah (Micah 1:14).

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