Freethought & Rationalism Archive

Haran · 06-29-2006, 06:51 PM

Well, I recently returned from a trip to Israel. We made our way completely around the country from Tel Aviv (ancient Jaffa) to Dan, back down to Beersheba and back up to Jerusalem (with many other stops in between). It was a fascinating and eye-opening trip (from both a historical and political perspective).

I found the Northern half of Israel to be absolutely beautiful and green with tall trees in the most northern parts. I was surprised at this for some reason. I guess I had always imagined even this portion of Israel to be rather dry and barren. I was also surprised to note the size of the mountains (or hills if you prefer) that completely surrounded the Sea of Galilee. For some reason, I had mistakenly believed that there were mostly plains around it or that the hills, at least, were much smaller than they actually are.

The southern half was, as expected, hot and pretty arid with little vegetation. It did not seem so much like a sandy desert to me as a desert of light dusty dirt. The intricately carved mountains and ravines here provided the beauty.

Another thing that surprised me was the close proximity of everything. I knew, of course, from maps that things were close. I just didn't realize how close until I was there. Standing atop the eastern side of the Mt. of Olives in Jerusalem I could actually see portions of the Dead Sea poking out from behind the barren, mountainous landscape. I could see the same from the eastern side of Bethlehem. I just didn't realize it was so close. The Sea of Galilee was definitely large, but you could see across it and from the Northern shore one could probably see the entirety of the lake (if it wasn't a hazy summer day as it was while I was there). You could see Tiberias on the southwestern shore from the northernmost parts of the lake. It just gave me a whole new perspective on the accounts in the Bible. Amazing.

In Jerusalem, I saw many incredible and famous things at the Israel Museum (including some of the Dead Sea Scrolls). I saw the silver amulets which contains the oldest biblical text currently known. The famous (or infamous) pomegranate was there in a glass case (with a new note stating that the artifact itself was authentic but the inscription was not...yeah, well...whatever...I suppose we'll all wish what we want...). It was TINY! Until this time, I had never seen any image to give me an idea of its scale. On the cover of an old BAR, it was blown up to the size of the cover (which obviously influenced my incorrect idea of its scale). It had a magnifying glass in front of it and I still could see only the traces of a letter or two.

Finally, one interesting thing that I saw is what I believe was the actual Tel Dan stele (and not a replica...am I correct on this? anyone know?). If the stele on exhibit is in fact the actual artifact then I am more convinced than ever than it is authentic (contra Biblical minimalists). Ancient pitting was obvious on the surface of the stele as well as inside its inscribed letters. In my opinion, the stele and its inscription had all the characterstics of an authentic, ancient, weathered artifact.

Fascinating stuff! The whole trip!!

Brian63 · 07-01-2006, 08:59 AM

Thanks for the description, Haran. Did you happen to take any pictures that can be posted here?

I am currently trying struggling through The Bible Unearthed, and it contains some sketches and pictures of various sites and objects, but I found your descriptions more helpful than those in relaying the topography of the area. Photographs would be immensely helpful and interesting.

Brian

Lugubert · 07-02-2006, 09:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Haran

The famous (or infamous) pomegranate was there in a glass case (with a new note stating that the artifact itself was authentic but the inscription was not...yeah, well...whatever...I suppose we'll all wish what we want...). It was TINY! Until this time, I had never seen any image to give me an idea of its scale. On the cover of an old BAR, it was blown up to the size of the cover (which obviously influenced my incorrect idea of its scale). It had a magnifying glass in front of it and I still could see only the traces of a letter or two. [...] Fascinating stuff!

Yes, fascinating post!

Like the shock I had Delhi when I saw the some 4500-year old "Dancing girl". She's a must in any book on ancient Indian art. I had never noted any measurements, but probably expected her to be somewhere between a foot or two to lifesize. She's not too easy to find on the Internet, but scroll down on this page or search it for "The Dance of Victory" which is right beside her. She's 10.8 cm!

Haran · 07-02-2006, 03:28 PM

Thanks. Yeah, it was a fascinating trip. It has helped me to be able to visualize the Biblical accounts in my head so much better. It made things much more real than they had seemed before.

I'd like to post some pictures. Ha! I've got at least 200 of them, however, so I'll see what I can do. I'm pretty busy, however, so it may be quite a while before I can get them posted. When/if I have the chance, I'll recall this thread and post a link to them.

06-29-2006, 06:51 PM	#1
Haran Banned Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Dallas, Tx Posts: 1,490	Israel Trip and Tel Dan stele Well, I recently returned from a trip to Israel. We made our way completely around the country from Tel Aviv (ancient Jaffa) to Dan, back down to Beersheba and back up to Jerusalem (with many other stops in between). It was a fascinating and eye-opening trip (from both a historical and political perspective). I found the Northern half of Israel to be absolutely beautiful and green with tall trees in the most northern parts. I was surprised at this for some reason. I guess I had always imagined even this portion of Israel to be rather dry and barren. I was also surprised to note the size of the mountains (or hills if you prefer) that completely surrounded the Sea of Galilee. For some reason, I had mistakenly believed that there were mostly plains around it or that the hills, at least, were much smaller than they actually are. The southern half was, as expected, hot and pretty arid with little vegetation. It did not seem so much like a sandy desert to me as a desert of light dusty dirt. The intricately carved mountains and ravines here provided the beauty. Another thing that surprised me was the close proximity of everything. I knew, of course, from maps that things were close. I just didn't realize how close until I was there. Standing atop the eastern side of the Mt. of Olives in Jerusalem I could actually see portions of the Dead Sea poking out from behind the barren, mountainous landscape. I could see the same from the eastern side of Bethlehem. I just didn't realize it was so close. The Sea of Galilee was definitely large, but you could see across it and from the Northern shore one could probably see the entirety of the lake (if it wasn't a hazy summer day as it was while I was there). You could see Tiberias on the southwestern shore from the northernmost parts of the lake. It just gave me a whole new perspective on the accounts in the Bible. Amazing. In Jerusalem, I saw many incredible and famous things at the Israel Museum (including some of the Dead Sea Scrolls). I saw the silver amulets which contains the oldest biblical text currently known. The famous (or infamous) pomegranate was there in a glass case (with a new note stating that the artifact itself was authentic but the inscription was not...yeah, well...whatever...I suppose we'll all wish what we want...). It was TINY! Until this time, I had never seen any image to give me an idea of its scale. On the cover of an old BAR, it was blown up to the size of the cover (which obviously influenced my incorrect idea of its scale). It had a magnifying glass in front of it and I still could see only the traces of a letter or two. Finally, one interesting thing that I saw is what I believe was the actual Tel Dan stele (and not a replica...am I correct on this? anyone know?). If the stele on exhibit is in fact the actual artifact then I am more convinced than ever than it is authentic (contra Biblical minimalists). Ancient pitting was obvious on the surface of the stele as well as inside its inscribed letters. In my opinion, the stele and its inscription had all the characterstics of an authentic, ancient, weathered artifact. Fascinating stuff! The whole trip!!

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07-01-2006, 08:59 AM	#2
Brian63 Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: My own little fantasy world Posts: 8,911	Thanks for the description, Haran. Did you happen to take any pictures that can be posted here? I am currently trying struggling through The Bible Unearthed, and it contains some sketches and pictures of various sites and objects, but I found your descriptions more helpful than those in relaying the topography of the area. Photographs would be immensely helpful and interesting. Brian

07-02-2006, 03:28 PM	#4
Haran Banned Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Dallas, Tx Posts: 1,490	Thanks. Yeah, it was a fascinating trip. It has helped me to be able to visualize the Biblical accounts in my head so much better. It made things much more real than they had seemed before. I'd like to post some pictures. Ha! I've got at least 200 of them, however, so I'll see what I can do. I'm pretty busy, however, so it may be quite a while before I can get them posted. When/if I have the chance, I'll recall this thread and post a link to them.

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