smoaksignal.com
  • Home
  • Macayla & Battens
  • Photos
    • Macalaneous
    • Camp New Hope
    • Us
    • Adoption
    • Washington D.C.
    • Siblings
    • Hilton Head 2013
    • Israel 2015
  • Links & Resources

Tel Gezer Discoveries & Mysteries

6/8/2015

3 Comments

 
Picture
My trip to Israel is coming to a close and it appears there will be several mysteries left to solve. We have been digging in an ancient tunnel and the experts are trying to determine its nature and purpose. It is awesome to be part of such a project as it is one of the most important archaeological digs in Israel at this time. I'm looking forward to what will be discovered in the coming years, but here's what I've been up to for three weeks...

The tunnel goes down at an angle into the earth for about half of a football field, so far. It may go further. Somehow, it connects to a large cavern behind it that extends further back. The tunnel is arched and about two stories high one story wide. The steps are worn and pigeons have made their nests throughout. Like bats, they suddenly fly out when you descend the tunnel.

We are currently cleaning out dirt, mud, and rock from the bottom to try to find the end of the steps. We are doing the digging by hand, but fortunately a hoist helps bring up large bags of the debris for us where they are then transferred to a crane that lifts them out.
Picture
Walking down the steps to access the opening of the tunnel.
Picture
Looking down the tunnel from the top. The white sandbags are used to even out the steps.
PictureBrushes, picks, and dust pans help clean away the debris and reveal ancient finds.
We've also gotten to do some more careful archaeology within another structure on the site. That was something I enjoyed. We collected pottery and bones, and we looked for ancient walls. The process reminds me of police work. There is a chain of custody and careful marking and photography of the finds. Of course, in such an ancient land you quickly find that ancient pottery litters the ground like seashells litter the beach.

The ancient city of Gezer, mentioned multiple times in the Old Testament, was an important city along a major trade route. The Canaanites who lived there were impressive builders and were obviously difficult to oust from their perch, that is until Egypt. Tel Gezer (what it's called today) is no longer occupied, but it has many remains that are visible.
Picture
A structure that is adjacent to the tunnel and our team dug this area and discovered some cool things.
Picture
Solomon's Gate at Gezer (1 Kings 9:16-19). Built after Egypt defeated the Canaanites at Gezer.
Picture
Canaanite standing stones. Possibly a place of worship. The stones are lined up from North to South.
Picture
"Canaanite Tower"
The best part of Tel Gezer is the folks I've gotten to know here. God has used them over the last three weeks in my life. We've had fun. We've worked hard, then worked hard some more. We've shared jokes and testimonies. Some have encouraged me more than they know in my walk and ministry with Christ. Unfortunately, not everyone was available for the shot below. I'm thankful for God blessing me with this journey and the opportunity to work alongside these awesome folks.
Picture
Photo by Gary Meyers
Picture
Photo by Rex Butler
3 Comments
Mark LeGrand
6/8/2015 04:59:54 am

Very cool!

Reply
Betty Pickens
6/8/2015 07:42:38 am

I am so glad you had this opportunity. Hope someday you can take your entire family and do it again. So Blessed

Reply
Irv
6/9/2015 01:41:25 am

Great Opportunity! Glad you could go and looking forward to you sharing will all of us back here at Southside about your fantastic adventure.

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    Author

    Jeff Smoak

    Archives

    February 2018
    July 2017
    June 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    May 2016
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012
    March 2012
    February 2012
    January 2012
    December 2011
    November 2011
    August 2011
    June 2011
    May 2011

    Old Blog

    Category

    All
    Adoption
    Anxiety
    Battens
    Christians
    Death Of A Child
    Discipleship
    Parenting
    Special Needs

    RSS Feed

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.
  • Home
  • Macayla & Battens
  • Photos
    • Macalaneous
    • Camp New Hope
    • Us
    • Adoption
    • Washington D.C.
    • Siblings
    • Hilton Head 2013
    • Israel 2015
  • Links & Resources