I’ve been thinking about starting a blog for several years now, but just hadn’t made it happen…until now.
The impetus is my upcoming trip to Israel to serve as unskilled, unpaid labor on an archaeological dig at Bethsaida. I wanted to be able to share the experience with friends from my church who asked me to keep them updated. I think that they are hoping I will discover some great treasure or major historical find. I suspect I will be lucky to find some broken pottery – it may be potsherds, but the experience will be well worth it regardless.
So, before I go, let me answer some of the FAQ’s about my trip:
1. Will I wear a fedora and carry a whip? Although I would, no doubt, look dashing (or foolish), the answer sadly is, no. I will however be wearing sunscreen and a giant sunhat!
2. How did I find out about the this excavation? Well, I subscribe to Biblical Archaeological Review, and each January they publish a special edition that lists a number of digs that are looking for volunteers for the coming year (see their site here). The one at Bethsaida most interested me for a very personal reason: On my first trip to Israel with Dr. Allen Ross from Beeson Divinity School (see his website here) we visited Bethsaida and watched a team working. I would have loved to have jumped in and helped – to be in the dirt, helping to uncover history seemed an amazing thing. How wonderful to hold a fragment of a broken pot that had been used by someone 2,000 or more years ago. To touch history and be even a tiny part of helping make it come alive…wow. So, when I saw Bethsaida on the list, I couldn’t pass it up.
3. Where is Bethsaida? Bethsaida, or et-Tell (which means, “the hill”) is on the north-east tip of the Sea of Galilee. Today it is about 1.5 miles from the lake, 2,000 years ago it was on the shore.
4. Why is Bethsaida important? Well, here’s a short history lesson: In 1987 Dr. Rami Arav (lead archaeologist on the dig) began work at et Tell, a 20 acre hill near the Sea of Galilee. Such hills often indicate that multiple layers of towns and cities had been built, one on top of the next over the centuries. He suspected that it was the sight of Biblical Bethsaida. So, the work has continued digging down into the story of the place, layer by layer:
- From 30A.D. to sometime in the 4th Century, it was a Roman city called Julias (after the wife of the Roman Emperor Augustus). It was abandoned in the 4century A.D. after a catastrophic flood.
- During the reign of Herod the Great (37B.C. – 4.A.D.) it was a fishing town called Bethsaida. This is the Bethsaida of the Bible. Jesus walked its streets and the apostles, Peter, Andrew, Philip and possible James and John, the sons of Zebedee, were all from Bethsaida – all fishermen who became “fishers of men.” [In fact, the city name means House (beth) of fishermen (saida).]
- From about 300-100B.C. it was a Greek colonial city populated with Phoenician fishermen.
- Around 1,000B.C. – 732B.C. it was likely the capital city of the Canaanite kingdom of Geshur. This was likely the city where one of King David’s wives, Maacah was from (see 2 Samuel 3:3). It was destroyed by the Assyrians in 732B.C. This is the level that the excavations will be focusing on this year.
5. What will I be doing? The short answer to that is, whatever I’m told.
6. Do I get to keep anything I find? No. All finds are carefully documented and kept for further study.
So, that is an overview of my trip. I will share more as I go, and invite you to join me vicariously on this dig to hold history in our hands.
Okay, I am late joining in, for I just learned about the blog last night. I must say I am enjoying reading and learning through the treads of the adventure you are sharing. Though I am not there with you in the physical sense, and yet I am with you since I am reading your blog and imaging you using tools and brushes to unearth treasures. Have a grad adventure with all the real and unreal dangers. And hey thank you for allowing us to be part of the story!
The life journey continues; from an inquisitive, active little girl, to a very accomplished and wonderful woman. What a wonderful experience for you. Enjoy every moment. Have fun “playing in the dirt”.
I’m so excited for you! Glad you’re blogging so I can experience your adventures vicariously!
I believe Indiana Jones wore tan pants… just saying.
Of course! And you will be pleased or disgusted to know that every set of pants in my bag is tan.
Definitely not ‘surprised’ anyway. Sounds like a great adventure!
Just remember to keep this in mind:
http://www.theonion.com/article/archaeologist-tired-of-unearthing-unspeakable-anci-1448
Charles, I can but hope for such a grand adventure. Bring on the demon ghost cats and ancient curses. I haven’t had such fun in ages! Heidi
Ok… So I’m jealous! Have a great time.
Awesome! Have a great time! Make sure you keep us updated!