Our third day brought an amazing opportunity. On the south-west outskirts of the settlement, was a round structure. Apparently, circular structures are either little-known, or nonexistent in Ancient Israel. Here was an opportunity to excavate an anomaly.
The circular structure was approximately 13' (+/-) in diameter, with rectangular stones framing it. There is a sill with a channel carved into the center, the likes that have been seen in funeral tombs.
The circular structure
The sill
Dallin digging out the circular structure
Another friend
Dirty Work
Slightly less dirty...hmmm.
AN ANCIENT QUARRY
One of the areas of import, was a deep quarry. The photos of the quarry can't do it justice. At approximately 60' under the ground, it is an ominous room. The work ethic of those who created and drew from this quarry is beyond impressive.
We began our workday with a beautiful breakfast in the basement of the hotel. Breakfasts are always a beautiful thing! There are a wide array of good foods to select from. I've rarely eaten as well at home in the United States. Additionally, there are buns and apples as well as bread and peanut butter that can be wrapped into a few napkins for later dig-snacks. Breakfast in Israel is always a beautiful thing! We stopped at a small market, which had some of the funniest items. My daughter Emma was in Japan, and here in this market in Lachish was one of her favorite Japanese snacks. Seeing pocky chocolate sticks in Hebrew packaging was a funny juxtaposition of cultures. Here were Americans, in Israel, having a Japanese snack. Pocky - A popular Japanese snack. We arrived at the dig site and were given our assignment to uncover a section of the Idumean temple wall. It was assumed at the time this was in-fact a temple, and not...
Some of the members of our group attempted to visit the Garden Tomb . If you're not familiar with this place, it is very sacred. The members of our group were unable to attend, due to the place closing, but after a short argument, were allowed to come back the following day and help clean the grounds. While this might not seem like a good compromise, to be able to spend the quiet hours of the morning, preparing it for the spiritual experiences awaiting those who were to come, was indeed a special experience. The experience was so unique, and the work was a blessing. The Garden Tomb in the morning hours A familiar sacred symbol
The final day came to dig. It simply wasn't enough. We were to get a taste of things to come...then have to go home. The exhaustion began to take its toll, but the party remained in good spirits. Leaving no niche un-dug! A VAULT DUG One member of the team decided to dig a wedge down into the circular structure. I'm not sure it pleased the Archaeologists, but he put his plan into place and went for it. Soon a triangular niche was discovered, then an opening. What was it??? What it was, we would never know. A MYSTERY SOLVED During the last hours of our dig, I looked into a side niche and found the tail end of another mortar round. Some lucky grenadier had, at some point, center-punched the circular structure, bringing down the roof, and blowing who knows what into the outer niches. We simply did not have time to complete the excavation of the circular structure, before it was time to go. While I appreciate the marksmanship,...
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