1067-1068 Qumran Reality Check

Archaeologist Jodi Magness of UNC-Chapel Hill has become the reality check for Qumran archaeology, the go-to person for clear thinking on whether or not the latest Qumran theories are grounded in reality or fantasy. So much so that she eventually had to write the book on "The Archaeology of Qumran." Since we have several new Qumran archaeology theories that we've discussed on the program recently, those of Magen/Peleg and of James Tabor, it was time to check in with Jodi. She always speaks with great clarity and vigor and is a refreshing interview. She's also the only archaeologist I've heard who used the phrase "well, duh" during an archaeology lecture.

Also on program 1067 we briefly discuss the passing of archaeologist Yizhar Hirschfeld, who died suddenly this month following an illness. Hirschfeld has been excavating most recently at Tiberias.

I noticed recently that the Tiberias excavation was selling replicas of a valuable coin they had discovered in the dig. So I sent some money and received the coin in the mail just a few weeks ago, along with a note "With my best wishes," signed by professor Hirschfeld. So it was quite a shock to learn of his passing.

Hirschfeld had his own view on Qumran, which few other archaeologists supported. Fortunately he had been good about publishing his excavations, unlike some archaeologists.

1066-The Essene Latrines

For the past 50 years archaeologists have been debating whether or not the inhabitants of Qumran were the Essenes who were described by some ancient writers. Fr. Roland DeVaux, the excavator of Qumran, theorized that the Essenes lived a monastery-like existence in settlement along the NW shore of the Dead Sea. Critics suggested that De Vaux's cloistered background shaped his diagnosis. For that and other reasons, alternative theories have been offered. But for most Dead Sea Scroll scholars the evidence still favored an Essene settlement at Qumran.

Earlier this year the Biblical Archaeology Review printed an article about the latest theory by archaeologist Yitzhak Magen, suggesting that Qumran was in fact a commercial pottery production facility.

Now archaeologist James Tabor is offering strong new evidence that indeed the Qumran settlement seems to have been inhabited by a population with unusual toilet habits, as those that have been associated with the Essenes.

Also on this program, an update on "The Armageddon Church." Ambitious plans to develop the archaeological discovery of one of the oldest Christian houses of worship, for the benefit of Christian pilgrims, have been postponed due to budget problems within the Israel Antiquities Authority.

The former home of a well-known model of first century Jerusalem, at the Holyland Hotel, is now the scene of an exciting archaeological discovery. It's the grave yard of a 4,000-year old Canaanite community. The community was located just a few miles from ancient Jerusalem. At around that time, 4,000 years ago, Abraham is believed to have attempted the sacrifice of his son Isaac on Mt. Moriah, the traditional site of which is today the Dome of the Rock. The Jerusalem model was relocated to an area near the Israel Museum, earlier this year.

1064-1065 Bible Archaeology

Not all of our Book & The Spade listeners are on the same page. Biblical Archaeology can be a complicated subject. But it's an important subject. There are a variety of books about Biblical Archaeology and one of the best introductions to the subject may be the new book by retired Wheaton College archaeology professors Al Hoerth and John McRay. It's called Bible Archaeology, An Exploration of the History and Culture of Early Civilizations, published by Baker Books. It is beautifully illustrated and written from an archaeological perspective, rather than a Biblical perspective.


I've bumped into Al Hoerth once or twice in the Holyland when our visits coincided. This is his first time as a guest on THE BOOK & THE SPADE.

1063 Kathisma Church

Today Jerusalem and Bethlehem are part of one large urban area. In actuality they are several miles apart. In between the two cities are several interesting archaeological and historical sites. One is the Ramat Rachel excavation, that we've discussed recently. Archaeologists believe Ramat Rachel was the palace of the later Judean kings. Another is the Kathisma church, a Byzantine construction that was dedicated to Mary, the mother of Jesus. There's an article on this interesting church in the latest issue of the Biblical Archaeology Review. We took the occasion to talk with editor Hershel Shanks about the church as well as other recent events related to Biblical Archaeology.