Digging in Zippori

Yesterday, today and tomorrow’s activity involved investigating a first century water system. We are concluding a dig on a cistern in order to determine the flow of water.

Cistern Archaeology Project at Beginning

The town of Tsippori originated in the fourth century BC (or maybe before) on a high hilltop which offered both protection and a great view. The name Tsippori means “Bird,” perhaps, as the Talmud suggests, because it was "perched on the top of a mountain, like a bird.” (Megillah, 6, 81)

Looking across Galilee, as a Bird

The city was very strong, and for this reason it became a regional capital. According to Josephus, Tsippori was called the "glory of the entire Galilee."

Mosaic walkways in the market in Zippori

When Herod's son, Herod Antipas was made tetrarch, he made Sippori the capital of all of Galilee, and began a huge building project.

Mosaic floors from homes in Sepphoris

It might have been at this time the cistern where we are working was created as a resigour along the aqueduct from water sources around the Nazareth Mountains.

Information sign for the Cistern

The population was mixed, but mostly gentiles.

Mosaics from homes in Tsippori

The city is laid out in a typical Roman pattern with wide north-south and east-west cardios. There is a large shopping complex where the main roads cross.

Walking on the old Roman Cardio

The homes in Sepphoris were quite ornate and featured mosaic floors.

Mosaic Mona Lisa of the Galilee

A small Jewish area is located near the top of the hill,

Jewish Neighborhood in Zippori

It features mikvah pools, which tell of its Jewish character.

Looking at a Mikvah Pool

The Sanhedrin met here for a time after the destruction of the Temple.

Bird's Eye View of Jewish Neighborhood, Mount Carmel in background

Rabbi Yehuda Hanassi transferred the seat of the Sanhedrin from Bet She'arim to Tsippori, and around 220 CE he completed the Mishna in the city.

Synagogue Mosaic

The Synagogue of the city saw several renovations over the years. The mosaic floor of the fifth century Synagogue is enclosed with a multimedia presentation. It contains scenes from Bible stories, priestly offerings and a zodiac diagram.

Cistern Project this evening, compare for progress

Our work on the water cistern has made huge strides in the past few days.

Tour Group from Georgia that helped us dig

We have found pottery, old nails, roof tiles, some Roman glass, and old coins.

One of the coins found at Tsippori

The archaeological dig was productive and enjoyable.

The Place of the Angelic Announcement

Today we changed jobs and moved to a new location in Israel. Part of our dig team is now working at a first century water project in Sippori (more about this tomorrow). We are staying in Nazareth.

A view of the altar and old house at the Church of the Annunciation

Sipori and Nazareth are three to four miles apart. It is thought that Joseph walked from his home in Nazareth to work on a government building project in Sippori. Mark 6:3 and Matthew 13:55 list Joseph as a carpenter (τέκτων, a craftsman, or workman).

The Church of the Annunciation in Nazaretth

All four gospels list Nazareth as the place where Jesus grew up. This is the city where Joseph and Mary lived at the time they were engaged to be married. They lived in this city until the time Jesus became active in ministry and moved to Capernaum.

Our hotel in Nazareth

Nazareth was the village where Matthew and Luke report an angel came to Mary with the announcement that she would have a child given by God. The angel also came to Joseph and told him not to divorce his espoused wife for the baby was from God.

The second floor of the Church of the Annunciation

The Church of the Annunciation, which was built in Nazareth in the fifth century, celebrates the announcements of the Angel to both Mary and Joseph to tell them of the miraculous birth.

The altar with an old house where Mary lived

The Church of the Annunciation contains what is reputed to be the home of Mary within the building.

The place of worship at the Church of the Annunciation

The house sits behind the altar on the first floor of the church, The house, built in ancient times, is impressive to see within the modern church building. One room can be visibly seen with a staircase leading up to a second leve. The house can also be viewed from the second floor of the church where there is a circular opening with a railing around it in middle of the chapel. There was a mass on the second floor, and the choir could be heard during my visit to the chapel on the first floor.

The Church of St. Joseph in Nazareth

The Church of St. Joseph sits behind the Church of the Annunciation, and is said to contain ruins of Joseph’s Carpenter shop. Indeed there is a shop with seven steps down, to what is reputed to be a carpenter’s shop.

A picture in the church of St. Joseph

This is the place where Jesus spent his childhood. He was raised as a normal child and probably served in an apprenticeship to his father.

The archeological ruins under the Church of St. Joseph

The first several years of Jesus’ career were spent as a carpenter, possibly in Sippori.

Explaining the Carpenter Shop

There are ruins of what is reported to e the carpentry shop of Joseph in the basement of Joseph’s church. The diagram shows the seven steps down to the shop, the mosaics in the shop and other features. Because of the original rock surface left around the house, one can almost imagine the boy Jesus, playing and working at the site.

Statue of Joseph and Jesus

The churches were not crowded with people when we visited, but the streets were full of people and pigeons.

A plaza in Nazareth with the church in view

The ancient village is now a city which is crowded by people, but within the Church of the Annunciation and the Church of St. Joseph the narrative of this place where Jesus grew from a young boy to a man can still be seen and understood.

Working in a Cave

Yesterday we began our dig at Gezer, a major archeological site going back to the Bronze Age and earlier.

Canaanite area at Tel Gezer. Canaanite house under tarp, Gate to left, the tower is to the right of the bridge.

We are working in an area which that was developed during the Canaanite period.

The water project is the large hole in front

Dr. Warner, who has been working at Gezer for more than a dozen summers walked us around the site pointing out different areas. He pointed out various features of the site. One area was the Canaanite Gate with its massive entrance and mud bricks.

The Canaanite Gate at Gezer

Another area he highlighted was a massive tower for the protection of the city. The base of the tower is at least 45’ by 55’ in area. The tower probably stood 40’ tall with an additional mud brick structure above that.

The remains of the huge tower at Gezer

During a 150 year period of peace, the Canaanite cities launched aggressive building programs. City walls became massive, with large gates and watchtowers. Other projects were also undertaken.

Canaanite Tower from above

One of these was the huge water project.

The inside of the tunnel with hand carved arches above

The hand carved tunnel goes 180 feet under the ground, and then laterally.  

The team cleaning the steps of the Tunnel

My project the first two days is to clean steps. After 4,000 years without maid service, needless to say, they are a bit dirty. The pigeons and bats who live in the cave also leave reminders of their presence.

Safety features included the ladder and the hand rope

As we cleaned the steps, we learned that various critters live in the cave. We heard the singing of pigeons, who fluttered in and out of the cave. We met some of their offspring.

Young pigeons waiting for food

The singing of the doves was accompanied by music from the bats who roosted overhead. We cleaned out high quality fertilizer, which was a byproduct of both the doves and the bats.

Bats hanging in a ceiling creavice

We also met millipedes, slugs, various kinds of beetles and rolly-pollies.

The visitor with a hundred feet

There is a Canaanite period house which was built between the city walls and the water project, which retains (after 4,000) walls which remain standing almost the original height

The Canaanite House

The city also contains a Solomonic era gate,

The city gate with water drainage in the middle

And an 8th century BC house.

Typical four room Semetic House of the 8th Century

We have a team of about 25 people working in two areas at Gezer and one area at Tel Hadid.

A Hike to the Monastery

Yesterday was Shabbat in Israel, and at Neve Shalom it was a time for settling in. Most of the team arrived yesterday, and is still recovering from jet lag. After a good night’s sleep, most of the team went to the crowded city of Jerusalem. Because I was there last week, I stayed at the hotel and took a hike to Latrun Monastery.

A view of the Monastery from Neve Shalom

The hike began with a downhill walk from Neve Shalom into the Ayalon Valley. The Trappist Monks earn an income by raising grapes and olives.

There are many grape vineyards around Latrun Monastery

I crossed through the vineyards on the way to the church.

The Burma Road was the back road that saved Jerusalem

As I was crossing the valley, I walked along the Burma Road. This road was cut from Latrun to Jerusalem in 1949, in order to provide supplies to the Jewish population of the “International city of Jerusalem” when Jordan cut off all access, in order to drive the Israelis out of the city. The road was being used by dirt bikes during my morning hike.

Olive Orchards maintained by the Trappist Monks

I climbed out of the valley to ruins which sit on top of the hill. I was told this was an old fortress built by the Ottoman Turks. It is listed on Google Maps as a Crusader Fortress.

Window (or door) in the ruins on top of Latrun Hill

The place is probably both, as the protective hill at Latrun has been a battle site throughout the history of the area. This is where the sun stood still for Joshua.

Looking toward Jerusalem from Latrun Hill. Highway 1 is below

There are records of battles fought by King Saul and the Maccabees in this area. There were battles in 1949, 1967 and at other times.

Painting in process of the Monastery

I met an artist on top of the hill who was painting the Latrun Church.

Arts & Crafts at Latrun Monastery

I walked down to the church, and found an arts and crafts festival which was crowded with people. This was because it was Shabbat.

The Church gardens at Latrun

I then went into the church, which is surrounded by gardens.

The church in process of restoration at Latrun

The church is in the process of restoration. There are no pews, but the building is very beautiful.

Two donkeys in the church yard

I met some donkeys along the way.

The road home with Neve Shalom in the background

Then I returned across the valley and up the hill to Neve Shalom.