Week 3 has been, by far, the most interesting week of digging the Team has had. It's a shame our Canadian friends had to leave us just as things got interesting! Some of the team has struggled this week with Illness and the heat but we've come through and we're stronger for it.
In a previous post I unveiled to you, dear reader, that my square uncovered a flat stone surface that is being dated (for now) in the late Roman Period. For the past three days our task has been to clear out the bulk of stones on the other side of our space to see what that yields. Our hard work, our blood, sweat, and tears finally paid off today. We uncovered three significant finds today!
The first two were uncovered by yours truly. My first find is a stone (basalt) bowl that could've been used for grinding things or possibly for holding incense or another religious ritual perhaps.
The second thing I found was another stone bowl. However, this stone bowl is not round but is square around the perimeter while having a round, shallow center. The initial analysis is that it too is a grinding stone but myself and Team Destruction leader, Darryl, don't really believe it's a grinding stone because it looks too nice to be a grinding stone.
The third, and most impressive, find of the day belongs to Darryl. In the last 5 minutes of the dig he unearthed a bronze incense holder! The significance of this find is unquestionable for several reasons. First, we've been wondering if we uncovered the floor of a temple of some sort. Second, at the end of our square we discovered that the wall is resting on bedrock which put a damper on the temple theory. So, finding three objects of potential religious significance on the Roman floor has given the temple theory a new life! It has renewed my energy for the dig and I'm eager to get back up the hill to see what we find next!
Tomorrow we leave for Jerusalem! We get on the bus at 7am and will leave the city at 4pm. I'm SUPER excited about getting to see and touch the Old City, to climb the Mount of Olives, to see Gethsemane and walk the path to the site of the crucifixion. On Saturday 12 of us will be going to Ceasarea Maritima, a city built on the coast by Herod the Great. We should be able to see the Jewish synagogue and Herod's palace, I believe. It should be another great time!
Here's tonight's embarrassing picture of the day. This one happened today at the dig. I call this picture "Dr. Gimbal 'resting' at the site". If you wish for further explanation please direct your comments to Dr. Jim Gimbel at gimbel@csp.edu.
Here's to you, America!
In Christ,
Jake
In a previous post I unveiled to you, dear reader, that my square uncovered a flat stone surface that is being dated (for now) in the late Roman Period. For the past three days our task has been to clear out the bulk of stones on the other side of our space to see what that yields. Our hard work, our blood, sweat, and tears finally paid off today. We uncovered three significant finds today!
The first two were uncovered by yours truly. My first find is a stone (basalt) bowl that could've been used for grinding things or possibly for holding incense or another religious ritual perhaps.
The second thing I found was another stone bowl. However, this stone bowl is not round but is square around the perimeter while having a round, shallow center. The initial analysis is that it too is a grinding stone but myself and Team Destruction leader, Darryl, don't really believe it's a grinding stone because it looks too nice to be a grinding stone. The third, and most impressive, find of the day belongs to Darryl. In the last 5 minutes of the dig he unearthed a bronze incense holder! The significance of this find is unquestionable for several reasons. First, we've been wondering if we uncovered the floor of a temple of some sort. Second, at the end of our square we discovered that the wall is resting on bedrock which put a damper on the temple theory. So, finding three objects of potential religious significance on the Roman floor has given the temple theory a new life! It has renewed my energy for the dig and I'm eager to get back up the hill to see what we find next!
Tomorrow we leave for Jerusalem! We get on the bus at 7am and will leave the city at 4pm. I'm SUPER excited about getting to see and touch the Old City, to climb the Mount of Olives, to see Gethsemane and walk the path to the site of the crucifixion. On Saturday 12 of us will be going to Ceasarea Maritima, a city built on the coast by Herod the Great. We should be able to see the Jewish synagogue and Herod's palace, I believe. It should be another great time!
Here's tonight's embarrassing picture of the day. This one happened today at the dig. I call this picture "Dr. Gimbal 'resting' at the site". If you wish for further explanation please direct your comments to Dr. Jim Gimbel at gimbel@csp.edu.
(He was stung three times by a scorpion on the thigh)
(Oh, and by the way...he's doing just fine)
(Oh, and by the way...he's doing just fine)
Here's to you, America!
In Christ,
Jake
Congrats!!! Simply amazing. I love all the pictures but the one of Dr. Gimble is hillarious, haha. You get to go to Jerusalem! Make sure to take lots of pictures!
Hey great pictures today! Three finds that is awesome! You should explain to those of us who are more ignorant about archeology why finding bedrock would assist in debunking the temple theory and are the religious artifacts that you found stronger proof for that theory than the bedrock is against it? Great embarassing picture of the day... although I do feel for Dr. Gimble... I'm sure he didn't enjoy that much. Have a great time tomorrow :)
It sounds like you are having a great time. Blessings on your pilgrimage to Zion. May it be truly a spiritual experience.
Soooooo Exciting! Wow! Can't wait to hear MORE, MORE, MORE! ...And the finds may keep the dig "alive" ! ???
Your 5 year old nephew, Dorian, is here as I type this. He wants me to ask you if you've found any old TRANSFORMERS...like the kind from WAY BACK when you and his Daddy were kids!
Let us know!
tears? really?! interesting.... :)
ps. great finds!