There’s always something new to see in Israel. This is one of those things that I’ve driven (or rode) past dozens of times over the years, but never was aware that it existed. Well, I knew in theory that there are warm, salty springs that contribute to the salinity of the Dead Sea, but I didn’t realize that there are a couple that are not built over and are accessible today. This spring is hot, smelly, and shallow, but it’s also good for your skin and it’s free.
As a grad student in biblical history, I recognized the reference value of Biblical Archaeology Review and began a subscription and collecting back issues. It took me about a decade to get them all (the 70s are rare), but I finally succeeded. I had them all bound (not cheap), and then they came out with all the issues on CD. The advantages of having the articles on computer are obvious, but the printed editions with their large, beautiful pictures still are useful. Now I see a nearly complete set of the first 20 years for sale. The listing, as received from my ABEBooks want list is:
Biblical Archaeology Review (ISSN 0098-9444), Shanks, Hershel (Editor) Biblical Archaeological Society, Hard Cover & Paperback, A set of 17 bound volumes and 14 loose-leaf bi-monthly issues from 1975 to 1995 (vv1-17,20 are bound). Issues 18:1, 4 issues are missing.
Bookseller: International ALERT Academy, Big Sandy, TX
Price: US$ 266.00View or Order this Book:
http://www.abebooks.com/servlet/ListingDetails?bi=662079020&cm_la=want
I paid much more than that just to have my issues bound. Some issues cost me $10 each. Of course if you’re going to be moving back and forth across the ocean, the CD is preferable!
- Tagged Resources
Some years ago I selected a few dozen of my favorite photos, especially related to the New Testament, for the rotating photo on the Jerusalem Perspective website. I am friends with the editor and we help each other on various projects from time to time. One of the things they did that I didn’t expect was to put them all on one page, easy to view and download. I usually am loathe to give away so many so easily, especially of my favorite shots. The effect of the page, though, is impressive in my opinion: lots of colorful places of the Bible. You can enjoy it here.
The Gath blog has been mentioned here before, but it’s worth mentioning again because they are doing a great job of keeping it updated, and with things that you don’t always see. Last summer the so-called “Goliath inscription” was in the news and they have a very nice high-resolution photo of it.
The “bottom line” of the post shows the significance of the discovery:
1) the inscription demonstrates that ca. the 10th/9th cent. BCE, names very similar to Goliath were in use at Philistine Gath. This does provide some cultural background for the David/Goliath story; 2) that already early in Iron IIA, the Philistines adopted the Semitic writing systems.
The recent posts have a good variety of helpful, large photos of an archaeological excavation. Good for teaching, especially if you haven’t been on a dig to take the photos yourself!
- Tagged Discoveries
Those who know Amihai Mazar won’t be surprised that the website for his current excavation project, Tel Rehov, is one of the best. After working across the valley at Beth Shean, Mazar turned his attention to Tel Rehov and now believes he can end the 10th century debate based on his work there.
The website is first-rate, with numerous photographs, diagrams, and excavation summaries available. In addition, nearly 10 full-text articles are posted from major journals and books. Some of these may tend to be on the more technical side, like OxCal Bayesian computations for the Iron IB-IIA boundary and the Iron IIA destruction events. But it’s free! 🙂 There are also some nice high-resolution photographs of last year’s excavation, for those looking for some good pictures to teach about archaeology.
My first experience excavating was under Mazar at Beth Shean. It was a great week, and I ended up marrying the girl in the square next to mine! 🙂
Yitzhak Sapir has a new blog and notes a story in Ynet on the planned restoration and protection of Moresheth Gath (Tell Goded). The hometown of the prophet Micah has been subject to four-wheelers who stray from the marked trails and the Jewish National Fund and Israel Antiquities Authority have decided to act. See Sapir’s post for some photos and a short bibliography about the site.
The picture at right is of Moresheth Gath. I chose this particular shot to accomplish a second purpose at the same time: to illustrate some of the challenges of shooting from an airplane. I took this picture a month ago.
