| בית ציידה Bethsaida 2009 Season |
The plaza in front of the outer city gate
is located outside of the gate, but it is certainly not in the margin of the city. This was the center of
the commercial life of the city and the place were merchants traveling along the
international trade routes would come to exchange goods and ideas. Dr.
Arav (Rami) wants to
know more about it. This is also the area were we will look for the tomb of
Philip the son of Herod the Great.
Josephus said that he was buried in a costly
burial but he did not specify where. Maybe it's in this area.
Rami will try to answer the mystery that has haunted him for more than
10 years and it is, how did King David (or
people in his period) enter the city in the 10th
century BCE? He has some clues, he's on the right track, but he
hasn't decoded it yet. Hopefully this year he'll be able to find out.
Area A west, located west of the gate, is perhaps the center of the first
century CE settlement. Last year two coins of Herod the Great,
lots of other Roman coins, a Roman pick axe (invented by the Roman military and
called a Dolabra ) & many other items were found. Perhaps the most amazing find was a beautiful pottery chalice,
with white flowers painted on black glazed background. It was dubbed the "The
Holy Grail". The foot was missing; perhaps it will surface this year.
Area C, the residential area, continues to yield surprises.
Three years ago a most spectacular silver coin was discovered; of
Antiochus VII known
also as Sidates (137 BCE). Also an amazing wine cellar with all the jars still in
there. Last year a nice Egyptian figurine of the Egyptian god Bes was discovered.
Rami wants to know more about this interesting quarter.
Orna Cohen continued her conservation efforts over the last winter. This week (the 2nd weekend of May) Chip Bouzard from Wartburg College will arrive with a group of eager volunteers to assist Orna in this continuing project. See the conservation page for additional information.
Link to all the pictures I took this season - CLICK HERE
Webmaster - Shai Schwartz, Kibbutz Ginosar, Israel, contact - shai_14980@yahoo.com
Chat group - http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Bethsaida/
Human interest - http://www.communitycorrespondent.com/kptm/, search for Judith Schwartz