Digs Under Fire

Scientific inquiry shouldn't involve risk of life and limb, but in July archaeologists in Gaza (the Philistine territory of David's day) have been forced to abandon their dig.

Scientists Dig at Ashkelon's North Tell

"The 2014 field season of the Leon Levy Expedition was completely changed in a single day," blogs Dr. Tracy Hoffman. "In the middle of our fifth week of excavation (the second week of July), the conflict between Israel and Hamas flared up, and the city of Ashkelon came under fire. Suddenly, the goals of the season were not about ancient dirt and artifacts—but about the safety of the entire team...."*

To read more, click here: http://www.biblicalarchaeology.org/daily/digs-2014/excavation-interrupted/?mqsc=E3776277&utm_source=WhatCountsEmail&utm_medium=BHD+Daily%20Newsletter&utm_campaign=E4B725

Please remember to pray every day for a peaceful solution to conflicts throughout the world. While archaeologists can relocate to safe areas, residents face a harder choice: become refugees or risk death.




*Author: Tracy Hoffman, a senior member of the Leon Levy Expedition to Ashkelon’s professional staff. She holds a Ph.D. from the University of Chicago in Near Eastern Languages and Civilizations. Courtesy of Biblical Archeology Society.