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Patience and persistence are important for any archaeological dig, but one expedition in Israel is demanding an extra measure of long-suffering endurance.
The challenge is excavating a large, rock-hewn water tunnel at Tel Gezer that is believed to have been carved out by Canaanites between 1800 and 1500 B.C. — around the time of Abraham. Tons of debris must be removed from the ancient tunnel before the real work can even begin.
“The significance for this project is to help us answer several key questions,” said Dan Warner, associate professor of Old Testament and archaeology at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. “Questions like how did the ancient Canaanites know where to sink their tunnel to gain access to the water below? How did they know the tunnel would lead to a cavern containing the water? Where does the water come from and exactly how did the system function, just to name a few.”
via Baptist Press – Abraham-era water tunnel is target of dig – News with a Christian Perspective.
Awesome…
And, let me say again, I really want to go on a dig…
Joel Landon Watts is a Masters of Theological Studies student with a focus in Mimetic Criticism of the Gospel of Mark. His interests include exploring the role of mimesis in human civilization, specifically in the study of religion and media, as well as science fiction and the way in which it has allowed mythology to be explored in light of scientific ideals of the past century. Currently, he is a TA for Old Testament at United Theological Seminary under Dr. Vivian Johnson, Associate Professor of Old Testament. His first book, Rhetorical Strategies of the Evangelist: Mimetic Criticism of the Gospel of Mark, is expected to be published by Wipf and Stock early next year. He is currently co-editing a book on moving from Fear to Faith (Energion, 2013).
very interesting. Thanks Joel.
Thanks, Doug!
Joel.
I will be digging at Tel-Gezer again this summer. If you want to join us I can get you in under the Consortium school rate. Ashland is a member.
John, could you email me some details? That sounds great!
j w a t t s (at) s u d d e n l i n k . n e t