2023 BHC NEWSLETTER EDITION

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A CHOSEN PEOPLE

A An archaeological museum where

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s we close 2023, we are thrilled to share that it has been yet another remarkable year for the Biblical History Center, and it’s all thanks to your unwavering support. Your contributions have enabled us to achieve remarkable milestones, and we are truly grateful for your continued belief in our mission. In 2023, we served over 18,000 guests who had the opportunity (thanks to you) to immerse themselves in biblical history. Our commitment to education reached new heights, with over 6,000 students benefiting from our programs and resources.

We also provided over 24 STEAM Days, complete with educatordeveloped curriculum, outcome-based activities while keeping history engaging and accessible. Our events were a resounding success, as we welcomed over 490 attendees for our annual Roman Army Day and hosted a unique enlightening moderated event with The Chosen Executive Producers, attended by over 125 guests.

The addition of the new outdoor exhibit, “Herod’s Tomb,” and the presentation of new daily life discoveries expanded the depth of our educational offerings. Our partnerships with esteemed institutions, such as the Museum of the Bible and Emory University, have further strengthened our commitment to historical education. The launch of our refreshed YouTube Channel, BHC Podcast, a weights and measures exhibit in the Roman Marketplace, an Egyptian exhibit used for historical reference purposes and a user friendly online bookstore have broadened our reach and accessibility to the public.

The Chosen Producers Speak at Biblical History Center

by Tommy Murphy (LDN)

In recognition of our dedication, the Biblical History Center was honored with the Top 3 Religious Museum Award by USA Today. We also renewed our contract with the Israeli Antiquities Authority for another decade and successfully acquired a new artifact collection through our partnership with the Israeli Government. Your invaluable contributions have made all these achievements possible, and we are excited to continue growing and providing a deeper understanding of the ancient biblical world. We are profoundly grateful for your unwavering support, and we look forward to a future filled with even more exciting milestones in 2024.

On Thursday Sept 21st, the Biblical History Center in LaGrange hosted a question and answer session with Chris Juen and Chad Gundersen, the executive producers of the hit television series “The Chosen.” “The Chosen” is a Christian historical drama based on the life and ministry of Jesus. The acclaimed series is now streaming on Amazon Prime, Netflix, and Peacock as well as other free platforms. “We are beyond delighted to extend a warm welcome to Chris Juen and Chad Gundersen at the Biblical History Center,” said Carlos Cantu, CEO of The Biblical History Center. “Their artistic brilliance and dedication to bringing the sacred stories to the screen have left an indelible mark on the hearts of audiences everywhere.”

With heartfelt appreciation,

Throughout his career, Juen has been involved in many films working with visual effects and animation with Sony Pictures.

From The Polar Express to Spider-Man and Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs, Juen has had his hand in Hollywood visual effects for more than two decades. Gunderson got his start in film production while in college at the University of North Texas, where he co-founded 90 Day Films in 2000. The studio made numerous award-winning commercials, music videos and short films before Chad went out on his own in 2006. Chad then started Gunderson Entertainment where he worked alongside studios like 20th Century Fox, Lionsgate and Sony to produce multiple life-changing films. Gunderson said that he was inspired to bring quality filmmaking to Christian entertainment. He said he meets people all the time who are surprised at how good “The Chosen” is compared to many other examples of Christian media.

Carlos A. Cantu Chief Executive Officer Please help us close 2023 with your continued support and love.

“It’s funny that within the arts … there’s this forgiveness in the faith space for poor quality things,” Gunderson said. “It kind of grated on me. I did a lot of theater in high school and never thought of it as a career. But that’s really what God laid on my

heart, is doing all things in excellence.” Gunderson explained that a lot of Christian media isn’t done all that well, but it is accepted by believers because the creators meant well. He said he wanted to do Christian media but also make it entertaining. The show was created by Dallas Jenkins, who was inspired to create a TV show about the life of Jesus, which hadn’t been done.

“There are Jesus movies. There are Jesus miniseries, where it’s maybe three or four episodes. But it’s typically, kind of red letter to red letter. It’s literally open the Bible and we’re going to read it to you. We’re going to put moving pictures to that. There was really no context or creative liberty to it. So Dallas’ vision was just that,” Gunderson said. Gunderson made it clear that their intent is not to rewrite the Bible and “The Chosen” isn’t another translation. It’s a television show, he reiterated. There are many scenes in the show that are not directly Biblical. He said they are historically and biblically inspired, but they are fiction. Gunderson described the non-biblical scenes as plausible, noting they aren’t going to include scenes that wouldn’t make sense in the Bible. Gunderson said that a lot of times in Christian filmmaking, Jesus is shown as very pious, but he wasn’t always like that in the Bible. “Jesus characters are always very pious, then you read the Bible and Jesus doesn’t seem that way. He’s playing with kids and he’s doing things and he’s laughing and he gets angry all these things,” he said noting that they wanted to show a real Jesus that includes his humanity.

Though now on many commercial platforms, “The Chosen” got its start with funding from supporters in the faith community through crowdfunding. The show’s first season was released in 2019, fully funded by more than 16,000 people who contributed $11 million in record time, making the show the largest crowdfunded media project in history. “The Chosen” continues continued page 5

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cont. The Chosen Producers Speak... to receive funding from viewers and the faith-based community through The Chosen app and the “pay-it-forward” system created by the producers set up to enable viewers to fund future episodes.

TBIBHLICAALNHISKTOYRYOHEUROES! Pizza Anyone? A Glimpse into the Culinary Past with ‘The Ancestor of Pizza’ Discover the Luxurious Pompeii Fresco Featuring an Unconventional Pizza, Fruits, and Ritual Offerings

by Christy Baker It is always hard to ascertain which archaeological discoveries that have been made in any given year will really stand the test of time, make a lasting impact, and really change the way we think about the ancient world. However, this year it was easy for me to think of the discovery that stood out to me the most, and brought some whimsical fun into the study of archaeology. This past year archaeologists Alessandro Russo and Gennaro Iovino revealed a beautiful fresco in Pompeii that seems to feature… a pizza?

When one thinks of pizza, one thinks of modern things, like Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, or just teenagers in general. Many youth group functions have attempted to attract ever hungry teens by offering free pizza. It was originally thought that the pizza was invented in Naples, Italy sometime in the 19th Century, making it quite modern when one thinks of the whole of world history. However, frescos unearthed in Pompeii this year seem to be ready to challenge that assumption.

The fresco, featuring what appears to be a pizza, was found, not in the marketplace like the previously discovered Pompeii frescos which we have recreated in the Biblical History Center’s marketplace, but in a traditional but luxurious home that was covered by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in AD 79. The alleged pizza is not the only thing featured in this fresco. It also depicts fruits, nuts, and various other foods, along with a goblet of wine, presented on a large silver tray. The location of the fresco in the

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home was just outside of, and adjacent to, the kitchen shrine.

According to Gabriel Zuchtriegel, the director of the Pompeii archaeological park, this kitchen shrine would have been a place where the family makes offerings to their gods. Usually foods like fruits, nuts, and other delicacies. Zuchtriegel also said, “I think about the contrast between a modest and simple meal that reminds us of a sphere that stands between the pastoral and the sacred on one side, and the luxury of the silver trays and the refinement of the artistic and literary representations on the opposite side.” The fresco shows the juxtaposition between the simple, humble offerings that would be made in worship and reverence, to the opulent way in which the family really lived.

The “pizza” depicted in the luxuriant fresco is a bit different from its modern counterpart. There are no pepperonis or tomatoes (which is a New World plant) adorning this pizza, or even mozzarella cheese. Instead, one sees a focaccia-like bread bearing what seems to be pomegranates and dates, which is a far cry from modern pizza. Despite these discrepancies, the frescos association with pizza seems to have struck a chord with excavators and visitors alike, with one excavator casually dubbing the fresco, “the ancestor of pizza.” Even with the different toppings, it helps modern history enthusiasts relate to the ancient world when they realize the ancients that once inhabited the doomed city of Pompeii liked pizza too… just like us.

Alday Chiropractic Alpha Delta Kappa / BETA IOTA LaGrange Chapter Amber Hood Bebe Reed Bethany Whitaker Billy Wynn Bob and Woody Markert Brenda Harris Brenda J. Or Richard C. Titus Brenda Schweitzer Brian Scott Or Kathleen A. Dickson Callaway Foundation Carl Paepcke Carol Fisher Carolyn Bishop Claudia Lorenzo Craig M. & Sarah Mason Craig Warman Dan & Patty Ward Dana & Judy Majors Dana Eisfelde Dante Myers Dennis B & Joy Lanning Deon Lotter Diane Otto Diane Rogers Doris Campbell Douglas F. Latimer, Jr. Dr & Mrs Toby Morgan Dr Patrick C. & Sondra F. Bowie Dr. Rickey Luke Dr. Sue Duttera F Hall Reynolds Fredda Townsend G. Paul and Cynthia S. Phillips Greg & Delia Tufaro Holly Nichols James & Carol Taylor James & Teresa Corby James H. and Sally E. Dowland Jazmin Burke

Jean & Jerry Lorentz Jennifer & James Emery and Family Jennifer Williamson Jimmie Goode Jo Ann D. Walker John & Sheryl Bailey John Friesen John Lay John R. Crede Joseph Beall Juliette Hallman Kara Huddleston Kathy Mayo Kelly Torline Kenneth Coe Kenneth G. Or Judith V. Van Dine Kittie Messer LaDonna D. Or G. Kent Morris Larry L. Kieft Laura & Blair Harlin Laura R. Jennings Laura Willis Lauranne Buchanan Lela Davis Linda Kuykendall Linda Stringer Lynne Smith Mac & Sherri Davis Madonna & Glenn Franklin Malinda Langley Mallory Agency, LaGrange Maria Evans Mark Greek Mark Traylor Mary Carol Hitchcock Mary Willkom Matt & Melissa Williams Melanie Farmer Michael Marlin Mickey Griffin Mike Connell Mrs. Jean Hinson Natalie Olmi

Neal Mock Pat & Linda Thompson PaTricia Stephens Patsy Green Penny Michalko Purvis & Lynn Harper R.D. Clements Rae Solomon Ray Johnson Richard & Janice Ingram Richard Evans Rick & Doris Patterson Ricky & Catherine Morris Robert & Bonnie Register Robert & Mary Dickson Robert and Janice Bearden Robert H. Case Rose Bivens Sam Lin Samuel McCachern Sandra Lynne & Brady Lee Sandra Smith Sara Clark Sarah Peterson Sequita Freeman Sharyn Edmisten Sherry C. Hart Sherry Stockton Shirley Lazenby Stacey Sprowl Steven Strait & Marla Hodgell-Strait Susan Ross Teresa Atchison Thomas Blackwell Todd Nielsen Trina Bibbs Vince & Lesley Carlos Virginia Pena Walter Blankenship Wayne & Barbara Harms William & Claudia Kennedy William & Susan Martin William Kelly William Michael Weems

Biblically Historical: A decade of historical discoveries . The Biblical History Center in LaGrange has reason to celebrate as the Israeli Antiquities Authority has agreed to extend their agreement to display ancient artifacts for an additional 10 years.

Over the past six months, the Biblical History Center has been diligently working with the Israeli Government, specifically the Israeli Antiquities Authority, to secure an extension of their artifact collection agreement. Executive Director Carlos Cantu expressed their gratitude, saying, “We’re extremely grateful and happy to report that the IAA has allowed these precious artifacts to remain in LaGrange, Georgia for another 10 years with an additional partnership in the works.”

The Biblical History Center is home to a remarkable collection of over 250 artifacts and various exhibits, all designed to help people gain a deeper understanding of the ancient biblical world, its history, and culture. By utilizing archaeological discoveries and historical context, these ancient treasures come to life. This extension ensures that the Biblical History Center will continue to be one of only four destinations in the world with the largest collection, alongside the renowned Louvre in Paris, France.

Christy Barker, Director of Education & Curation, expressed her excitement about the future, stating, “We can’t wait to see what’s in store for the next decade for our organization.” In 2020, the Biblical History Center received national recognition for its unique work in exposing the ancient world and continues to educate thousands of visitors each year in LaGrange. The museum staff acknowledges that this renewal would not have been possible without the support of local tourism partners and the LaGrange community.

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dozens of times in the Bible. Jesus often used shepherd imagery to teach valuable lessons and referred to Himself as The Good Shepherd. You’ll see examples of how shepherds lived, how they protected their sheep from danger and why this imagery was so relatable to people of the time.

3. “HE STRETCHES OUT THE HEAVENS LIKE A CANOPY AND SPREADS THEM OUT LIKE A TENT TO LIVE IN” (ISAIAH 40:22).

Embark on a Journey to the Holy Land in LaGrange’s Hidden Gem Tucked away on a back road is one of LaGrange’s hidden gems, Biblical History Center. Behind its unassuming exterior lies one of the world’s greatest collections of artifacts from the Holy Land.

Biblical History Center boasts over 250 antiquities that date back thousands of years, from the Bronze Age through the Byzantine Period. Yes, you heard right – one of the biggest and best collections in the world, on par with museums in Paris and New York, lives in LaGrange, Georgia. As a condition of receiving the long-term collection of ancient artifacts from the Israel Antiquities Authority, the center had to meet strict standards for climate and humidity control, as well as engineering a building that was tornado, fire and earthquake proof.

(So you should feel very safe inside as you enjoy these treasures!)

In addition to the impressive gallery, Biblical History Center features an archaeological replica garden with fullscale structures found in the daily life of Biblical figures.

The area is divided into four to represent the life of a shepherd, the life of a farmer, life in a village and a Roman theater and market.

Have you heard that saying, “Walk a mile in my shoes,” if you really want to know someone? That’s exactly what Biblical History Center is like. The one-two combination

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of the ancient artifacts gallery and the garden transports visitors back in time. You’ll leave with a great sense of what life was like for people in the Middle East in both Old Testament and New Testament times.

Here Are 7 Ways The Biblical History Center Brings The Bible To Life:

1. “THY WORD IS A LAMP UNTO MY FEET, A LIGHT UNTO MY PATH” (PSALM 119:105).

In Judaism, the oil lamp is not only a physical source of light but also a spiritual symbol for the wise. Biblical History Center has a great collection of oil lamps that you can picture someone using. Some of them date anywhere from 1500 B.C. to 600 B.C. You can tell because they are saucer and clamshell-shaped.

2. “I AM THE GOOD SHEPHERD. THE GOOD SHEPHERD LAYS DOWN HIS LIFE FOR HIS SHEEP” (JOHN 10:14).

From Genesis to Revelation, shepherds are mentioned

Back in Old Testament days, the women were the tent makers in their family of nomadic herders. They started as girls learning how to weave tents from goats’ hair or wool. They also were the ones who set up the tents. You’ll appreciate their strength even more when you sit under one of these well-constructed tents. And you’ll have more appreciation for how strong Jael must have been. In the Book of Judges, we hear about how Jael famously drove a tent peg into Sisera’s temple as he slept.

Bonus: You’ll even be able to touch a piece of coarse horsehair clothing that John The Baptist might have worn.

One word: ouch.

4. “SINCE THEY COULD NOT GET HIM TO JESUS BECAUSE OF THE CROWD, THEY MADE AN OPENING IN THE ROOF ABOVE JESUS BY DIGGING THROUGH IT AND THEN LOWERED THE MAT….” (MARK 2:4).

from rock just outside the village where the family lived.

Because they were expensive, families usually shared the same tomb, sometimes for generations. We get a sense of what that was like at Biblical History Center. Also you’ll see a 4,000-pound stone rolled away from the replica of Jesus’ tomb.

7. “THEY KNEW HIM IN THE BREAKING OF THE BREAD” (LUKE 24:35).

Inside the museum, there are two rooms that offer examples of first century dining, especially foods that would have been at a Passover meal and the Last Supper. One is a replica of a room discovered at Pompeii and the other recreates a room from the ancient city of Herculaneum. In both, you’ll experience a four-course meal with 15 different food items. What we learn is how eating was really about togetherness. It’s an intimate setting. They reclined at table and shared not only their time but sometimes every last morsel they had.

Did you know that bread is mentioned at least 490 times in the Bible? In Exodus 12:34, we learn that the Israelites had to rush out of Egypt with no time to let their dough rise: “So the people picked up their bread dough before it had risen and carried it on their shoulders in bowls, wrapped up in their clothes.” And we know how symbolic bread becomes. Jesus refers to Himself as The Bread of Life.

If you ever wondered how easy it would be to remove a roof to get in to see Jesus, Biblical History Center gives a couple of examples of Jewish homes in Bible times.

Roofs were usually constructed from beams covered with branches and a thick layer of mud plaster. Large rollers were used to keep the roofs flat and waterproof during the rainy season.

5. “THEN THEY LED HIM AWAY TO CRUCIFY HIM” (MATTHEW 27:31).

Anytime, but especially when you visit during Lent, seeing three life-size crosses really has an impact. It’s easy to imagine being there at the Place of the Skull as Jesus suffered and died.

6. “THEY FOUND THE STONE ROLLED AWAY FROM THE TOMB” (LUKE 24:2).

The Jewish tradition was to bury family members within a day of dying. That meant preparations for death had to be made well in advance. For this reason, tombs were hewn BIBLICAL HISTORY CENTER NEWSLETTER |

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Embracing Faith Fully Testimony by LaDonna Morris

Hey y’all. My name is LaDonna. I am a docent and a board member for the Biblical History Center. I have been hanging around since late 2009, early 2010. I love Jesus and I love to study biblical history and I love being a part of the BHC! I have a husband of almost 45 years. I have 2 daughters and 2 wonderful son-in-laws and 5 magnificent grandchildren. I taught school for 27 years which was long enough, thank you. Now I spend my time volunteering at various ministries such as FOCUS food ministry, working with L10:27 ministry to children in Pine Mountain and volunteering, working, and serving on the board of the Biblical History Center in LaGrange which is one of my favorite things to do besides being with my grandkids!

Now we’ll drop back in time and I’ll tell you how I came to know and love Jesus. I grew up moving around a lot because my father was in the Navy. We went to churches as we moved around. I don’t remember hearing any salvation messages. Either there weren’t any or I wasn’t listening. I hope the latter is true. I don’t remember any “religious” experiences growing up.

Church wasn’t meaningful to me so I quit going when I was around 15 or so. I was pretty rebellious. I somehow managed to be an honor graduate from Harris Co High School. Then I headed off for GA Southern College in 1972. I took a Philosophy course my sophomore year which was taught by an atheist who convinced me there was no god, no after life, no heaven or hell, just the natural world.

After I graduated I moved to Athens where I met my future husband, Kent, at a keg party. He eventually took me home to Stone Mountain to go to a party so I stayed at his house and met his parents. His mom was a very strong believer. I thought she was a nut, a religious fanatic. She asked me if I believed in God and I told her I did not. She said she was going to pray for me. I said, oh, ok, whatever.

Kent and I married and she prayed. Every now and then she would tell me that I should just try God, talk to Him and ask Him to show Himself to me. Well, I didn’t. Until I was delivering our first daughter.

I had a long and difficult labors. After patting and shaking her they carried her out blue and we thought she was dead. Kent started praying. Later on we found out she was alive and the doc would talk to us later.

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So later he said her brain was swollen, she breathed in amniotic fluid and meconium and went into stress from a lack of oxygen. She had seizures and abnormal brain masses according to an EEG and there was a possibility of brain damage. We were devastated but prepared to love her with all our hearts anyway.

REVIEWS FROM OUR GUESTS

Kent left to get food and I then decided to try God. Ok God, if you are really there, and you get involved in the lives of people, then heal my daughter is how I approached Him. And He did. I had the same feeling that John Wesley describes, I felt “strangely warmed”. A peace washed over me and I knew she was going to be okay. Kent and I agreed that we were going to raise her in church and teach her and whatever other children we had about God. And we did.

Bekah graduated salutatorian of her high school class, she was an honor graduate of her nursing school and she now works part time at a crisis pregnancy center saving babies!

So as a new believer I wanted to know and understand everything about Jesus and His word. I knew nothing. I’d read the OT and the NT and I couldn’t connect the dots. Seemed like 2 different Gods to me.

He led me to an advertisement for Jews for Jesus and I thought well who would know more about how the 2 Testaments connect together than a religious Jew who has accepted the Jewish Messiah, Jesus. So I started ordering books and materials from them and some other ministries. I was learning about the Jewish roots of the Christian faith.

I discovered the OT is full of pictures of Jesus. He’s there in every book.

You realize that Jesus never quoted the NT, right? And neither did any of the NT authors. The early church in Acts and so forth only had the OT. It was pretty important to them and it should be pretty important to us.

It’s all about Jesus. He’s the fulfillment of all the OT messianic prophecies.

In fact, the entire plan of salvation is laid out by God in the OT in the Feasts of the Lord in Leviticus. And that is all I have to say about that. Not really, I have ALOT more to say about that but not here and now.

I am a Bible nerd. I love studying it and learning new hidden things in the scriptures. Now you may say, we don’t need to know about Passover and First Fruits and netzers and such to be saved. That is very true. But the thing is, you get to! It adds so much richness to the study of His word and to following Jesus. May you find Him in every book of the Bible!

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MEMBERSHIP BENEFIT TIERS BETHLEHEM- $100/YEAR • 10% off Special Events tickets JERICHO- $250/YEAR • 10% off Special Events tickets OR • Bring twelve people and get two free**

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nterested in joining hands with us to continue providing amazing experiences with visitors of all ages? Becoming a member today is the best way to help support our mission: To help people encounter the ancient biblical world, its history and culture.

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We Need You! Donations, in addition to memberships, sustain our operating budget which enables us to continue to provide amazing experiences for our guests. Becoming a member and donating is as easy as filling out the enclosed envelope or utilizing our website at BiblicalHistoryCenter.com

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CAPERNAUM- $500/YEAR • 10% off Special Events tickets OR • Bring ten people and get two free** • Name listed in Summer Newsletter as Capernaum Member

Prefer to support Biblical History Center through meeting specific needs? These items would greatly impact the visitor experience and are areas of giving In-Kind opportunities.

• Repair Time Tunnel Ceiling: $7,500 • Classroom Exhibit Glass Case Enclosure: $4,700 • Repaint Museum Interior: $4,000 • Additional VR Jerusalem Tour Goggles: $2,500 • Artifact Gallery Expansion Furniture: $2,000 • Meal Room Updates: $1,200

Nahal Omer Textiles and Walls from Babylon, Roman Conquests found at Mt. Zion.

In September, S.T.E.A.M Day delved into the ancient world of textiles. A remarkable discovery, initially reported in January 2023 by the Israeli news outlet, Times of Israel, created immense excitement for the year ahead. The stage for this revelation was set in Israel’s Arava region, a parched landscape south of the Dead Sea basin within the Negev Desert. Nahal Omer, a site in this arid expanse, proved to be a treasure trove for the Israel Silk Road Project. This arid environment served as a natural preservative, yielding a remarkable collection of ancient textiles. These fabric remnants trace a potential route along what could be Israel’s own Silk Road, marking a groundbreaking find. While numerous Silk Road trade routes originate from China and traverse Asia, the Israeli discovery is a unique testament to this ancient network’s scope.

JERUSALEM- $1,500/YEAR • 10% off Special Events tickets • Bring four people and get one free** • Name listed in Summer Newsletter as Jerusalem Member • Commemorative gift • Enjoy a private celebration with other Jerusalem Level Members at Biblical History Center. Celebration will feature a tour in the Garden and Biblical Meal* CORNERSTONE- $2,500-$4,999 PER YEAR FOR THREE YEARS • 10% off Special Events tickets • Bring four people and get one free** • Name listed in Summer Newsletter as Cornerstone Member • Commemorative Gift • Enjoy a private catered celebration in the LaGrange C ommunity with other Cornerstone and Capstone Level Members.*

* Dates secured in January to give maximum travel notice ** A pplies to general admission and cannot be combined with special event discounts

Ancient Textile Unearths Silk Road Mysteries

by Emily Pritchett

NAZARETH- $1,000/YEAR • 10% off Special Events tickets OR • Bring four people and get one free** • Name listed in Summer Newsletter as Nazareth Member

CAPSTONE- $5,000 OR ABOVE PER YEAR FOR THREE YEARS • 10% off Special Events tickets • Bring four people and get one free** • Name listed in Summer Newsletter as Capstone Member • Commemorative Gift • Enjoy a private catered celebration in the LaGrange C ommunity with other Cornerstone and Capstone Level Members.*

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In 2018, archaeologists from the United States and Kazakhstan unveiled Ilyn Balik, an ancient city along the Silk Road. This discovery was significant as it uncovered a thriving Christian community in a predominantly Muslim region, with graves marked by crosses and inscriptions in Syriac. These findings challenged prevailing historical narratives.

Join our program today!

Email: Carlos@BiblicalHistoryCenter.com

The textiles found at Nahal Omer, primarily cotton and silk, were luxury items accessible only to the affluent. These fabrics featured designs influenced by India and China, reflecting the vast trade network’s diversity. The collection encompassed clothing, hygiene products, leather items, belts, socks, shoe soles, and combs. Radiocarbon dating placed these garments between the seventh and eighth centuries CE, coinciding with the Early Middle Ages and the spread of Christianity and Islam.

This ongoing excavation in its inaugural season promises to set high standards for future seasons, offering tantalizing glimpses into Israel’s role in the Silk Road. The desert, it seems, still holds many secrets waiting to be unearthed by inquisitive scholars.

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