Shiloh Excavations 2018
You can read all about the fantastic discoveries found at various archaeological digs throughout Israel, Jordan, Turkey, Egypt, and beyond. However, there is absolutely no comparison for actually digging into the ancient dirt of Israel with your bare (gloved) hands and discovering real artifacts, made by real people, living in Israel’s Promised Land! My experiences at ancient Biblical Shiloh, the city of Jerusalem and other holy sites in Israel, enjoyed with my new found ABR Team of archeologists and volunteer friends, was none other than life changing! -Steve A.
This was something I'd been wanting to do for years. My expectations were high, and I was not disappointed!! -Ronnie & Missy
Digging an archaeological site has always been on my bucket list but thought I would never qualify. When I found out you only needed a heart for archaeology and have the opportunity to dig at the site where Joshua and the Israelites spent almost 400 years was a dream come true. Walking up the hill every morning in the misty fog put an aire in the feeling of being in the presence with them. And then to hold 3500 year old pottery in your hand that one of them possibly had made was just surreal and overwhelming! But finding 2600 pieces of pottery could not have been better in AF29 square! Don and Gary were more than supportive, patient and enthusiastic. Their knowledge was superior! -Connie S.
Great trip. -Nestor M.
I was not overly interested in archaeology. This experience has opened up another world for me. -Neno S.
The work at Shiloh was work. It was hard work. It was uncomfortable, hot and afternoons were windy. getting up in the wee morning hours was arduous and I finally got used to the hours about two days before I went home. I loved every second of it. I am hooked and budgeting and working to do what I need to in order to volunteer next season. -Brent
In my travels in Europe, the Far East and in the USA, I have attended many packaged tours. The post dig tour was more comprehensive and agenda-packed than any other I can recall. Dr. Stripling was totally unselfish in answering many, many questions. It takes a particular patience to be able to facilitate and lead such a group. -Rick C.
The new wet sifting station was amazing! Kudos to Steve. I'm sure it was costly, but worth it! -Anonymous
I love this organization and all the people who run it! This was an amazing experience, and I’ll definitely be back next year. -Katie
Fantastic experience digging where OT saints walked hundreds of years ago! -Stephen W.
Date: May 20 - June 16, 2018
Location: Shiloh, Israel
The Israelite Tabernacle at Shiloh by Dr. Scott Stripling
Photo Gallery of the 2018 Shiloh Excavations on the ABR Facebook Page
Archaeological Claims about Shiloh
Israeli Archaeologist Israel Finkelstein excavated at Shiloh and has made several claims that are not in accord with the biblical narrative. ABR's excavations at Shiloh will seek to explore those claims, which include:
1. Finkelstein claims that the cultic center had to be on the top of the tell because this was the Canaanite tradition. In his view, if there were Israelites at Shiloh, they did not arrive until the 13th century B.C. or later. Biblical chronology based on 1 Kings 6:1 and other texts places the Conquest at the end of the 15th century BC. The ABR excavation at Shiloh has the potential to evaluate these arguments. For example, if remains of the tabernacle and associated buildings are found in a clear Late Bronze (LB) [1485-1173 B.C.] context, it would be an obvious synchronism between the archaeological data and the biblical text.
2. Finkelstein did not excavate the summit of the tel because he presupposed that there was only shallow soil above bedrock. However, there is a large building on the summit, possibly from the Crusader era, that may protect and preserve remains from the tabernacle or its associated buildings. The ABR excavation looks to excavate this building down to bedrock in order to explore this possibility.
3. Finkelstein asserts that the massive LB bone deposit in Area D was entirely from the site's Canaanite's inhabitants. In this, he presupposes a late date for the Conquest (around 1230 B.C.). According to 1 Kings 6:1, Judges 11:26, and Joshua 18:1, the Israelites arrived at Shiloh about 1400 B.C. They immediately erected the tabernacle in order to practice the biblical sacrificial system. The bones in the deposit are almost entirely from animals prescribed for Israelite sacrifice. The ABR excavation at Shiloh will reexamine the evidence from the bone deposit and see how it compares to the biblical text.
4. In public lectures, Finkelstein has made statements which differ his own Final Publication at Shiloh. He now seeks to minimize the Iron II (980-587 B.C.) or 1st Temple Period occupation at Shiloh. This contradicts 1 Kings 11:29 and 14:2-4, and Jeremiah 7:12-14, 29:6-9, and 41:5. The ABR excavation at Shiloh has the potential to reveal Iron II remains, illustrating the reliability of the biblical text during this era.
Why not Join ABR as a volunteer to help evaluate these assertions and experience Israel like never before? »
Find out "What A Dig Needs." Join us for our next season in Israel: www.DigShiloh.org
