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Phase 2 of the Ophel Excavation Reopens

Phase 2 of the Ophel Excavation Reopens

Four months after phase 2A of the Ophel Excavation concluded Dr. Eilat Mazar and her staff went back to the field on April 22 for Phase 2B. In this continuation of the second phase, Dr. Mazar will continue to reveal more of the massive First Temple period structures along the eastern part of the Ophel area.

The workers on the dig are comprised of Israeli students and workers along with 14 students or alumni of Herbert W. Armstrong College sent to Jerusalem from Edmond, Oklahoma to participate in the excavation.

To follow the events on the ground in Jerusalem and watch as Dr. Mazar uncovers the fascinating history of Jerusalem, check back at KeytoDavidsCity.com for regular updates, pictures and videos as the excavation progresses.

17 Comments

  1. susan garcia says:

    Great can’t hardly wait to start digging and learning again, along with KDC and crew of Dr. Mazar. Thank you for the opportunity to come along.

  2. David R Negron says:

    Yeah! So exciting to hear you’re headed back to continue with the excavation! May God give you strength and a merry heart as you uncover the wonders of the past!

  3. Madeleine says:

    Great news. Can hardly wait to see what will be ‘dug-up’.
    Have a wonderful and safe summer.

  4. Gab says:

    So excited for all the new diggers and the returning diggers. Really excited to hear about this phase! Keep up the great work.

  5. Jos says:

    I have one question: it is true or fake the reports “Makor Rishon” newspaper: “Is the State Hiding a Major Bible Era Find?”

    The article said was identified by Binyamin Tropper, of the Kfar Etzion Field School into a cave in the area of southern Jerusalem, he identified “a proto-aeolic capital” connected to a column.

    Because if it’s true, is a great discovery.

    • Brent Nagtegaal says:

      You are right in saying that this would be a truly remarakble discovery. However, we aren’t in a position to comment on the veracity of the claim just yet. Hopefully, more clarity comes to the discovery in the near future.

      • Jos says:

        Thank you for your answer.
        I hope that you will make big discoveries towards Ophel and that the datings will not make way any more for the doubt.
        Concerning the pillar, seen the location geographical, I imagine that we can easily make the link with Salomon’s swimming pools which had to go back up by pipes to the Temple Mount by leaving from the South.
        Salomon’s famous pipes who could give evidence of the help of the phoenician and allow if we can go back up the track to understand better or were Salomon’s various palaces as well as temple.

  6. Ruth Woods says:

    Excited about Dig, praying for success and that God will direct them to make more discoveries this summer’s session of the dig.

  7. jbfriesen says:

    Congratulations to all the students and alumni who have the opportunity to participate in this phase of the dig. We look forward to the updates! 🙂

  8. Chrysolite says:

    I am glad that Dr. Mazar will resume the Ophel Excavation together with our A.C. students. I am excited with the outcome.

  9. Patricia Charron says:

    What an awesome opportunity these students have to be chosen to go to Jerusalem and partcipate in the Dig. Have a great summer.

  10. Harley says:

    I’m re-reading Dr. Mazar’s book “Discovering the Solomonic Wall in Jerusalem” right now. It’s exciting to know there are yet more chapters of this history to be laid down, layer-by-layer, very soon. All the best on the next phase!

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