Khirbet el-MaqatirIsrael • May 19-June 6, 2010 |
  Dig Scholarship Winner EssaysEvery summer, people of all ages and from all walks of life volunteer to participate on archaeological digs throughout Israel, Jordan and other parts of the Mediterranean world. Read the dig experiences of three such volunteers, all of whom were selected as 2008 BAS Dig Scholarship winners. Read Dig Scholarship Winner Essays Find a Dig Poster
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 The Mystery of Joshua’s Ai Solved?The location of the city of Ai mentioned in Joshua 7-8 has long been a matter of mystery and controversy. Excavations at Khirbet el-Maqatir have uncovered topography, fortifications and pottery that strongly suggest this site as a candidate for the site of the enigmatic city that the Biblical narrative recounts as having been conquered by Joshua’s army.
Biblical Archaeology: From the Ground Down How does a dig team work? What do archaeologists look for at a dig? In this documentary DVD, learn how excavators work and what we can learn from archaeology. More information. Traditionally, most archaeologists locate Joshua’s Ai at et-Tell, located 1 kilometer east of Khirbet el-Maqatir. However, at et-Tell there is no indication of occupation at the time of Joshua, a fact that has led scholars to doubt the historicity of the account of the capture of Ai, and that of the conquest in general.
Previous excavations at this site have revealed a city gate and wall complex, in addition to Late Bronze Age I pottery and possible infant burials. This season, dig director Dr. Bryant Wood aims to continue excavations of the city’s walls and gate.
Volunteers will stay in air conditioned rooms at Yad Hashmonah, the Christian/Messianic Jewish moshav, located about 8 miles west of the Old City of Jerusalem.
Dr. Bryant Wood Dr. Bryant Wood earned a M.A. degree in Biblical History from the University of Michigan in 1974, and a Ph.D. degree in Syro-Palestinian archaeology from the University of Toronto in 1985. He was visiting professor in the Department of Near Eastern Studies at the University of Toronto in 1989-1990. His extensive archaeological field work includes serving as co-director of a survey of three reservoir areas in northern Jordan (1978); as an area supervisor for the Wadi Tumilat Project excavation at Tell el-Maskhuta, Egypt (1979, 1981, and 1983); as a volunteer at the Ben Gurion University of the Negev excavation at Haruvit in the northern Sinai (1981); as a member of the Wadi Tumilat Project survey of the Wadi Tumilat, Egypt (1983); as a field archaeologist for the Associates for Biblical Research excavation at Khirbet Nisya, Israel (1985, 1987, 1990, 1991, 1993 and 1994); and as director of the Khirbet el-Maqatir excavation, Israel (1995-present) for the Associates for Biblical Research.
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Dig DirectorsGeographic Location10 miles north of Jerusalem Dates of OccupationLate Bronze Age I Dates of the DigMay 19-June 6, 2010 Minimum StayAny Application DueMarch 30, 2010 (flexible) Cost$3,499.00 (includes airfare and is subject to change) Academic Credit/Cost per Credit/InstitutionNo Accommodationsair conditioned rooms at Yad Hashmonah, the Christian/Messianic Jewish moshav ContactHenry B. Smith, Jr. Open for toursNo |
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