Summer Plans: Tel Rehov!

This summer, I’ll be digging for three weeks at Tel Rehov, one of the largest tels in the Holy Land, just south of the Sea of Galilee. Here is some information about the tel and recent excavations which I have taken from the tel’s web site:

The first eight seasons of excavations, from 1997-2007, revealed successive occupational layers from the Late Bronze Age and Iron Age I (12th – 11th centuries BCE). Large and well-preserved buildings from three occupation layers were dated to the 10th – 9th centuries BCE (the time of the United Monarchy of David and Solomon and the Divided Monarchy under Omri and Ahab). Two of these cities suffered a destruction. Remains of the 8th century BCE city that was violently destroyed by the Assyrians in 732 BCE include an 8 m-wide mudbrick wall around the acropolis. Evidence of Assyrian slaughter was found in the destroyed 8th century BCE houses.

The finds included abundant restorable pottery vessels, unique pottery cult stands, clay figurines, seals, ivories and other objects from the Iron Age II city. After the first five seasons, Tel Rehov has became a major site for studying the Iron Age II in Israel, set squarely in the forefront of the debate over the chronology and nature of this period.

And here are a few pictures:

Obviously, I can’t wait! Please pray for monetary provision (I may have a good chance at a scholarship), and that through this experience, I will experience challenge, growth, and direction, both spiritually and in the area of career and study plans.