By Petra van der Zande.
"Archeology is a science
in which progress can be measured by the advances made backward into the
past." James B. Pritchard.
For years, scholars and
archeologists presumed Et-Tell (about 15 km North East of Jerusalem) to be the
city of Ai. However, because no evidence was found to correlate this place with
the Bible, secular scholars concluded the Bible was wrong and Joshua 7 and 8
were just a folk story.
The
Associates for Biblical Research (ABR) didn't
agree with this thesis. Committed to explore the ancient biblical world through
archaeology, the archeological findings of this ministry frequently provide
direct support for Scriptural accounts. When the Bible comes alive, study of
the Scriptures is more interesting and meaningful.
A.B.R. sponsors and supports excavations
in areas of which secular scholars claim that archeology does not line up with
the Biblical accounts. The reason ABR digs at this particular site (Ai) is
because they believe that not Et-Tell, but Khirbet el-Maqatir (KeM) is the site
of Old Testament Ai as we find in Joshua 7 and 8.
Khirbet el-Maqatir, covering
about 10 acres, is a series of low ruin piles above bedrock.
(An acre is the amount of land that could be plouged in one day with a yoke of oxen.)
It is located east of road
no. 60, near Deir Dibwan, in Samaria (the West Bank).
Tell or Khirbet
"Tell" (or
"tall" in Arabic) is an artificial mound consisting of layers
of human occupation."Khirbet"
(Arabic) means a low ruin.
It is always a joy to welcome
Mrs. Janet and Dr. Eugene Merrill to Jerusalem Baptist Church. By their
presence we know it is 'dig-time' again. As the excavation is only for two
weeks at a time, this year I was determined to learn more about their exciting
discoveries.
Dr. Eugene H. Merrill, served as Square Supervisor at the KeM excavations
since 1996. The Distinguished Professor of O.T. studies at Dallas Theoogical
Seminary published many articles and books. He is one of the most well-known
and exceptional OT scholars in the Church today.
Mrs. Janet Merrill, with an MA in Jewish Studies, has accompanied her
husband on many a KeM excavation. She volunteers as a ceramic typologist.
Even though I didn't go to
the excavation itself, I had the privilege to see the post-dig discoveries,
meet some of the professional staff and the volunteers.
On Thursday, May 29, 2014, I had
the privilege to interview Dr. Bryant Wood, the Archeological Director Emeritus
of the Khirbet el-Maqatir Excavations at Yad haShmonah, where the group stayed.
Dr. Bryant G. Wood, Archeological Director Emeritus of the Khirbet
el-Maqatir Excavations and Dig ceramic typologist. He founded the KeM
excavations in 1995 and directed the Dig through 2013. He earned many University
degrees and participated in numerous digs in the area. Dr. Wood is a specialist
in Canaanite pottery of the Late Bronze Age.
Finishing up the second week of the two-week dig, Dr.
Wood told me about the second Egyptian Scarab they found the previous week. Pottery
finds are always subject to interpretation, critique and argumentation. Scarabs
however, are rare and can be closely dated. This find was dated around 1600
B.C., the time of the beginning of the fortress mentioned in the book of
Joshua. The other scarab, found during last year's dig, was dated about 200
years later- the end period of the fortress. Both finds were like book ends of an
important Biblical period. The latest scarab may have been used by the last king of Ai, before
the Israelites destroyed the city. The longitudinally drilled hole meant it was
most likely worn as a necklace or attached to a ring.
Scarab (from the French word scarabée
= ‘beetle')Through their inscriptions
and typology, these popular Egyptian amulets are an important source of
information for archeologist and historians of the Ancient world.
Scarabs are favorite finds
for archeologists, because, like coins, they can be dated rather accurately.In Ancient Egypt amulets in the form of scarab beetles
were popular. They revered the dung beetle which they related to the sun god. From the middle Bronze Age, other ancient peoples of
the Mediterranean and the Middle East imported scarabs from Egypt and also
produced scarabs in Egyptian or local styles, especially in the Levant.
Due to the archeological and biblical
significance of the scarab, Christianity Today named it the #1 biblical
archeology discovery of 2013.
This 12th season (2014)
focused on an area of the 2nd Temple period town (between 2 BC – 69
AD), after which the town ceased to exist. They uncovered a building and part
of a remarkably well preserved street, marking it as one of the best preserved
towns of the period.
Leen Ritmeyer (archeological architect) plotted the outline of the
city for future excavations. Being a
fortified town, they reasoned that Ai would have had a large tower, which was
found on the north side. According to Amichai Mazar, a well-known local
archeologist, this was the largest tower of this time period ever to have been
found in Israel.
The ABR team works closely
with the Israel Antiquity Authorities (IAA) who provide the dig permit and if
needed, specialists, e.g. for dating the scarab. The IAA will publish an
article about this year's scarab, while Dr. Wood will write about about last year's
find.
 |
| The team of 2014 |
Each (independent) dig is
funded by the volunteers who make up the work force. They pay for the dig
equipment, the lodgings, travel, etc. Because each excavating season funds
itself it is not necessary to raise lots of funds.
When excavating an area that
is thousands of years old, one can never be 100% sure. However, the
requirements and descriptions needed to match with the city of Ai are all there.
Topographically it fits the Biblical text and also the archeological
requirements: the town was fortified and occupied during the time of the
Israelite conquest.
Dr. Wood's conclusions were
confirmed by last week's pottery and scarab finds. Both scarabs tie into
Egyptian history and provide scholars with beginning and end dates of the
period of the Israelite conquest and burning of the fortress as described in
the Bible.
Many coins were found of
different periods. E.g. Alexander Jannaeus' coins (used until 1 AD), coins with
inscriptions of NT figures, governors, (e.g. Pilate), Herod the great, etc.
Also coins of the three Jewish revolt periods and Byzantine period were found
spread over the site.
The following distinct phases
were found at the site:
1.
MB2C (1650-1550 BC) – the Egyptian scarab which probably belonged to the
Hyksos. The first scarab was
produced locally, in Canaan.
2.
1550 BC – dating of the second scarab, produced in Egypt and imported
to Canaan during the reign of Thutmose III.
3.
The 200 year of occupation of the Fortress (1600-1406 BC) ended with
the Israelite conquest (1406 BC).
4.
People lived here during Iron Age I, the period of the Judges
(1200-1000 BC).
5.
Hasmonean dynasty: 140-37 BC
6.
First century AD - 69 AD
7.
Byzantine period: 4th century monastery
The Hyksos or
Hycsos ("ruler(s) of the foreign countries") were important
Canaanite populations who took over the
eastern Nile Delta. According to traditional accounts they ruled Egypt for 108
years, until Thutmose III regained control over Egypt.
Thutmose III (considered to have been a
military genius) made 16 raids in 20 years. The active expansionist ruler (also
called Egypt's greatest conqueror or "the Napoleon of
Egypt") captured 350 cities and conquered much of the Near East from the Euphrates to Nubia. Thanks to his scribe and army commander, much information of the account of his
campaigns were kept. In 1480 BC he campaigned in Canaan and took control of the
area.
When Dr. Wood began
excavating the site in 1995, until 2000 no armed guards were necessary. The
Intifada (Arab uprising) forced the excavations to a standstill. Between 2001 and
2008 it was too dangerous to continue, and the dig was only resumed in 2009.
At present, the IDF must give
clearance for the team to excavate and there is always an armed guard present
at the site. Thankfully, the team never encountered any problems. They have
good relationships with the local people; Palestinian workers help at the dig,
and a local family who lives close to the site (near the edge, where the church
is located) stores their tools.
The last three years there is
an additional winter dig during the December Christmas holiday. During the first
two seasons the team worked on the monastery and church. In 2013 the team
arrived just after the big snow storm. Despite the difficulties and unexpected
challenges they decided to go ahead. Wading through the snow the team reached the
entrance to the cave which had been discovered on the last day of the previous
season. Steps hewn out in the bedrock were cleared of snow. Once inside the
cave the team was able to do their work.
Records of the KeM excavation:
- · The 12th season (May
2014) had 60 people excavating Khirbet el-Maqatir (Ai) - the largest group in
Israel.
- · The amount of coins found at the
site (last year 205, and then another 112 during the 1st week of the
12th season).
- · The largest Hellenistic tower was
found at KeM.
- · KeM excavations near the record
for the most stone ware found (used during the 1st century AD for
purification rituals).
- · Excavating in the snow has never
happened before (according to the IAA).
"This [typology] superficially
straightforward task has proved one of the most time consuming and contentious
aspects of archaeological research." Doran and Hodson.
Reading pottery (typology)
Typology is classification
according to their physical characteristics into classes, or types. Most archaeological
typologies organize artifacts into types, but also large structures like
buildings, field monuments, fortifications or roads, are equally possible. A
typology helps to manage a large mass of archaeological data. Archaeologists spend a great deal
of time defining ceramic 'types'. Each type distinguishes one group of pottery (whether whole vessels or potsherds) from all other groups of pottery, such that each type was produced in a singel time and place. Ideally, identification is possible with the naked eye by looking at the pottery fragments.
In archaeology, lithic
analysis is the analysis of stone tools and other chipped stone artifacts using
basic scientific techniques.
In closing:
ABR's spectacular finds show
the Bible is right. In the future they hope to find more evidence to prove that
archeology does line up with the Bible and that the Biblical text is correct.
Source:
Further reading:
http://www.biblearchaeology.org/page/Is-the-Bible-Wrong-About-the-City-of-Ai-in-Joshua-7-8.aspx
EXHIBIT: Khirbet
el-Maqatir: History of a Biblical Site.
The Houston Baptist
University’s Dunham Bible Museum hosts the exhibit from January 21-December 19,
2014. The Civil Administration for Judea
and Samaria has approved the loan of these artifacts. Starting from Genesis 12-13 and moving forward
in time toward Maqatir's magnificent monastery, 4,000 years of history will be
on display. Special attention will be given to the Late Bronze Age fortress (the
Ai of Joshua 7-8) and the Early Roman/New Testament village (perhaps Ephraim of
John 11:54).
The first stop is at the same place where departing passengers were dropped off, on level 2; take exit 23. 
