Pittsburgh Theological Seminary will host archaeologist Amahai Mazar Mon., April 23, 2012 at 7:30 p.m. as he examines the role of beekeeping within ancient Israel and its significance to understanding the use of honey and wax production there and in the surrounding regions. Mazar is the Eleazar Sukenik Chair in the Archaeology of Israel at The Hebrew University of Jerusalem.
Mazar’s excavations at Tel Rehov in northern Israel have revealed the only apiaries known so far from excavations in the ancient Near East. Though beehives and bee keeping places are seen in several Egyptian depictions and are mentioned in texts from various parts of the ancient Near East, archaeologists had recovered no traces of such an industry until now. The Tel Rehov apiaries were discovered inside a large and densely built city of the 10th to 9th centuries BCE.
Since 1997 Mazar has directed the Tel Rehov excavations. His previous excavations include Tell Qasile, Tel Batash, and Tel Beth Shean. Mazar has produced eight volumes of archaeological reports on his excavations, and he is the author of Archaeology of the Land of the Bible as well as numerous scholarly articles. In 2009, Mazar received the prestigious Israel Prize for research in archaeology. Currently, he serves as co-editor of the Israel Exploration Journal.
Additionally, the Kelso Museum will be open from 5:00 to 7:15 p.m. and after the lecture.
Pittsburgh Theological Seminary is a graduate professional institution of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A). Founded in 1794, the Seminary is located in Pittsburgh, Pa. and approximately 310 students are enrolled yearly in the degree programs. The Seminary prepares leaders who proclaim with great joy God’s message of good news in both word and deed. PTS is rooted in the Reformed history of faithfulness to Scripture and commitment to the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
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