Digging at Tel Dor

The archaeologists in charge of the Tel Dor excavation are looking for volunteers to excavate at Tel Dor next summer. An archaeological dig needs people who are willing to work and provide the support needed to carry out the project. You do not need to have experience in archaeological work to volunteer. People of both sexes and of all ages are welcome. Recently, I received a letter from the archaeologists leading the excavation inviting people to apply to dig at Tel Dor. I am posting the letter below and inviting you to consider this request. They need your help.

Dear Madam/Sir,

The exquisite gemstone of Alexander the great that captured your attention is only the tip of the iceberg, so to speak, of one of the largest, long-lasting and high-profile archaeological projects in Israel. If you care about the archaeology of biblical times (Israelites, Phoenicians and Sea People), the Classical periods, and the cultural heritage of Israel and the Mediterranean; and if you are interested in forging a bond between Israel and the international community - please take a moment to look at the attached file. Like almost cultural projects around the globe, we need your help to endure.

We would be grateful if you could pass this message to any other interested parties.

Sincerely,

Dr. Ilan Sharon,
Institute of Archaeology, Hebrew University Jerusalem
Mt. Scopus, Jerusalem 91905
Tel. 972-2-2881304

Dr. Ayelet Gilboa
Chair, Dept. of Archaeology,
University of Haifa, Mount Carmel
Haifa 31905, Israel
Tel: 972-4-8240234, 972-4-8240531

Tel Dor website: http://dor.huji.ac.il/
Email: dor-proj@mscc.huji.ac.il

If you want to read more about the gemstone carved with the head portrait of Alexander the Great, click here and here.

Claude Mariottini
Professor of Old Testament
Northern Baptist Seminary


Tags: Archaeology, Tel Dor

Alexander the Great: The Sexy Conqueror

Image: The carved head of Alexander the Great




In a previous post, I wrote about the gemstone carved with the head portrait of Alexander the Great. According to archaeologists, the gemstone is about 2,300 old, probably carved after the Alexander’s death in 323 B.C.

The gemstone was found at a large building from the Hellenistic period located at Tel Dor, “an archaeological site that once was a major port on Israel's Mediterranean coast.”

Discovery News has a good article on the gemstone engraved with the image of Alexander the Great. The article emphasizes the “young, resolute, sexy Alexander the Great.”

According to the article, the village of Dor “was indeed known to Alexander the Great, who passed through there in 332 B.C. on his way to Egypt. The people of Dor submitted to Alexander without resistance and remained a center of Greek culture in Israel for about two centuries, until it was conquered by Alexander Jannaeus, King of Judea, in 100 B.C.”

The article says that the image presents “A compelling evidence of exquisite Hellenistic minor art, the carving shows a head in left profile, with rather sexy features: wavy locks of hair, wide, deep-set eyes with an intense stare, high brows and fine-cut neck.”

You can read the article here.

Claude Mariottini
Professor of Old Testament
Northern Baptist Seminary



Tags: Alexander the Great, Archaeology, Tel Dor

A Miniature Carving of Alexander the Great

Photo: Courtesy Tel Dor Excavation Delegation

Israel National News is reporting that a miniature carving of Alexander the Great was discovered in the excavations at Tel Dor. The following is an excerpt from the article:

Excavations in Tel Dor have turned up a rare and unexpected work of Hellenistic art: a precious stone bearing the miniature carved likeness of Alexander the Great. Archaeologists are calling it an important find, indicating the great skill of the artist.

The Tel Dor dig, under the guidance and direction of Dr. Ayelet Gilboa of Haifa University and Dr. Ilan Sharon of Jerusalem's Hebrew University, has just ended its summer excavation season. For more than 30 years, scientists have been excavating in Tel Dor, identified as the site of the Biblical town of Dor. The town's location, on Israel's Mediterranean Sea coast some 30 kilometers south of Haifa, made it an important international port in ancient times.

Historically, Alexander himself passed through Dor in 332 BCE, during his voyage to Egypt. It appears that the city fell to him without resistance. Since that time until its conquest by the Hasmonean Jewish King Alexander Yannai around 100 BCE, Dor served as a stronghold of non-Jewish Hellenists in the Land of Israel.

Read the news report in its entirety by visiting the web page of Israel National News.

Claude Mariottini
Professor of Old Testament
Northern Baptist Seminary


Tags: Alexander the Great, Archaeology, Tel Dor