Day 2

At #ASOR25…

The “mound on the mount” refers to a theory by archaeologists Israel Finkelstein and others that the main ancient settlement of Jerusalem was located on a distinct, five-hectare mound on the Temple Mount itself, not in the City of David ridge. Behind this theory is the size of major Canaanite cities and the placement the temple within the city itself. Canaanite cities are from the late Bronze period. However, Aharon Tavger says we should look to Iron I parallels (Mt. Gerazim and Bethel) where the sacred site is outside and a bit of a distance from thet city itself. The distance between the “city of David” and the location of Solomon’s temple fits this pattern.

A fresh description of Herod’s harbor at Caesarea includes explanation taking into account the overall morphology of the harbor itself; the form and function of the structure at the south end of the harbor known as Procumatia or breaker of the waves; and, with extreme eddy effect on form and function, the free-standing edifices at the harbor’s entrance to the north. Fascinating with good images.

In the afternoon I took in a workshop titled: What is this? Museum directors presented items in their collections about which there is uncertainty as to the item itself and its authenticity (is it a fake?). Of the nine items presented, the group was able to identify one item and movie significant insight into others…. And the session was fun!

Also attended a session on pseudo-archaeology, its origins and implications. PA continues to be a significant problem.

Since I renewed my membership for another year while at the conference, I was “awarded” a ribbon for my name tag. Appropriate? Probably.