UPIKE team excavates ancient site in Israel
0Staff Report
For the first time in the institution’s history, the University of Pikeville sent a team to participate in an archaeological excavation of an ancient site in Israel. Three UPIKE students – Abigail Leavitt, Laura Keeton and Sylvia Griffith – and UPIKE Alumni Association President Tommy Chamberlin traveled to Shiloh this summer.
Located north of Jerusalem, Shiloh’s history dates to the Middle Bronze Age (circa 1700 BC). The site is most famous as the location of the Biblical tabernacle for over 300 years and for having played a role in the lives of biblical figures such as Samuel, Joshua, Hannah and Eli.
Chamberlin represented the university at Shiloh last year and found a large percentage of pieces from an ancient pithos (large storage jar) from the Middle Bronze period.
“I take great pride that our university helps participate in the excavation of a famous site mentioned in the Bible,” he said. “For our students to literally have the chance to dig history from thousands of years ago is an amazing opportunity.”
In addition to digging, UPIKE students spent time sifting, sweeping, analyzing, cataloging and recording newly-discovered artifacts. The team contributed largely to revealing the fortification wall that surrounds the site. According to Chamberlin, the wall dates to the time before the Israelites came to the land and would have been used by the Israelites during the tabernacle period.
Leavitt has traveled to Israel on multiple occasions. After many years of dedicated archaeological work, she now serves as one of the head staff members of the excavation. As a history major, she plans to pursue graduate studies in archaeology. As a follow-up to last year’s university-sponsored artifact exhibit, “Khirbet el-Maqatir – A Journey Through Biblical History,” this fall “The World of Jesus” exhibit will feature dozens of artifacts dating from the 1st century. Chamberlin and Leavitt are available to church, school and community groups for presentation of artifacts from “The World of Jesus.” For more information, contact exhibit@upike.edu or 606-422-5952.