Free Lecture "

Thursday, 5/10/2012

7:00 pm
Topic: "Archaeology and the Bible: The 2011 Field Season at Hazor, Israel"
Presenter: Curtis McKinney
Visitor Center Auditorium
FREE & open to the public. 

Hazor, a Canaanite site that dates before Israel and is mentioned in the Bible, was the site of the dig that Curtis McKinney Ph.D. revisited in the summer of 2011. Hazor, a literate society, based on cuneiform texts found on tablets, is actually on the site where seven cities were stacked upon each other. The crews’ task was to excavate down through the layers of cities.

Each season at Hazor a crew of archaeologists and volunteers, sponsored by the Hebrew University and the Israel Exploration Society, have been inching (actually centimetering which doesn't sound as good) closer to what they hope is the royal archives of cuneiform tablets which could contain eyewitness reports of the conquest of Israel by Joshua? Deborah? or someone else?. This is one of the mysteries of the Bible which contains conflicting versions of the conquest of Israel. Finding the Archives could resolve the question on the origin of the Israelites: out of Egypt (Exodus) or home grown Canaanites (No Exodus).

In the Summer of 2011 the crew reached the top of the Palace Walls of King Jabin whom Joshua claims to have killed. The walls are burnt mud brick. They are crossed by stone walls of the 11th century BCE. Picture enclosed. Dr. McKinney, currently an Associate Professor of Geology at Miami Dade College, plans to return this summer as this could be the year!

In partnership with the Archaeological Society of Southern Florida, a non-profit, volunteer organization which acts as a support mechanism for the office of the Miami-Dade County Archaeologist, the Deering Estate at Cutler presents a monthly lecture highlighting unique and interesting connections to our past. This serves as a focal point for local archaeology enthusiasts and professionals in the field, and helps to promote knowledge and appreciation of native archaeological and historical sites in the South Florida area.