Archaeology weekend offers family adventures, insights into ancient Galilee

  Archaeology+Religion  

RIVERSIDE, Calif. – Dig for artifacts, make mosaics, spin yarn, mix ancient cosmetics, take photos in Bedouin attire – these and other adventures in early Middle Eastern life will be offered during La Sierra University’s 11th Annual Archaeology Discovery Weekend.

<p>Children dig for buried artifacts&nbsp;in a&nbsp;simulated excavation&nbsp;during last year's Archaeology Discovery Weekend&nbsp;(Photo: Jason Watkins)</p>

Children dig for buried artifacts in a simulated excavation during last year's Archaeology Discovery Weekend (Photo: Jason Watkins)

<p>An image of a mosaic from a&nbsp;fifth century synagogue excavated&nbsp;in the ancient village of Huqoq in Israel's Galilee. (Photo: courtesy of Jodi Magness)</p>

An image of a mosaic from a fifth century synagogue excavated in the ancient village of Huqoq in Israel's Galilee. (Photo: courtesy of Jodi Magness)

<p>An ancient synagogue in Capernaum near the Sea of Galilee.</p>

An ancient synagogue in Capernaum near the Sea of Galilee.

<p>An ancient synagogue in Capernaum near the Sea of Galilee.</p>

An ancient synagogue in Capernaum near the Sea of Galilee.

<p>An ancient synagogue in Capernaum near the Sea of Galilee.</p>

An ancient synagogue in Capernaum near the Sea of Galilee.

The event, organized by La Sierra’s Center for Near Eastern Archaeology will be held on Saturday, Nov. 16 and Sunday, Nov. 17 with activities curated under the theme “Ancient Synagogues and Churches in the Galilee.” Illustrated presentations will be given by noted international archaeologists and scholars on intriguing archaeological finds, architecture and the religious significance of ancient synagogues and churches in the Sea of Galilee region of Israel. Speakers will include Jodi Magness, a distinguished professor in Early Judaism at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill and site director of the Huqoq excavation of a fifth century, mosaic-paved synagogue in Israel’s Galilee. A sought-after public speaker, Magness is interviewed in episodes of “The Story of God” documentary series hosted by Academy Award winner Morgan Freeman. Her slide-illustrated presentation for archaeology weekend will reveal latest discoveries during last summer’s excavations at Huqoq.

Additional lectures will be given by Professor Mordecai Aviam at Kinneret College on the Sea of Galilee in Israel; Associate Professor of Art History Charles Stewart of the University of St. Thomas in Houston, Texas; Associate Professor of Religion Sharon Mattila of UNC Pembroke; Professor of Religion James R. Strange of Samford University in Birmingham, Ala.; and Professor of Religion Byron McCane of Centre College, Danville, Ky. 

A genuine goat hair Bedouin hospitality tent offering ethnic refreshments will be available portions of both days and a Middle Eastern banquet featuring Galilean cultural cuisine will be held Saturday evening. Sunday’s activities will include a simulated archaeological excavation for kids ages 6 - 12 and their parents, a Bedouin-attire photo booth, a 3D video demo, a mosaic-making workshop, and hands-on labs in pottery dating, forensic facial reconstruction, yarn spinning, ancient makeup mixing, 3D laser scanning, pottery puzzles and more. 

For registration information and a schedule of events visit https://lasierra.edu/cnea/discovery-weekend/. Archaeology Discovery Weekend is an annual mid-November event of the Center for Near Eastern Archaeology at La Sierra University. General admission is free with registration fees for some events. Information is also available at archaeology@lasierra.edu and 951-785-2632. La Sierra University is located at 4500 Riverwalk Parkway, Riverside.

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