Next Travel Seminar
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archaeology
ASOR President’s Statement in Defense of Iranian Heritage
ASOR statement on protection of Iran’s cultural heritage; ASOR President’s statement to protect damage to cultural heritage; Iran cultural heritage
Source: ASOR President’s Statement in Defense of Iranian Heritage –
I support the statements of both societies (AIA and ASOR) of which I am a member.
Sabbatical … Off Again
For the second time this year, hopes for a sabbatical to work on the final report about the NIP have yielded to the needs of students. A second faculty search has failed, and so I will be in the classroom this spring teaching about the Bible, interpretation, and the story of Jesus, rather than publishing archaeological research about early Christianity. Although I am disappointed, my students always come first. I am sprinting to be ready for classes beginning 13 January. Archaeological remains were in the ground for centuries. The final report will come in less time.
The Byzantine Period
My final session at #ASOR2019 looked at archaeology in the Late Antique period. A careful study of signatures on mosaics showed a shift from the Roman period when most work was done in domestic circumstances to the Late Antique period when most work was done in churches and synagogues. In the later case signatures are less for advertising and instead show that the mosaicists became valued members of the community. A second study of red slip shows shifts in usage that are helpful for dating (e.g., the rise of PRS). Lastly, a paper shows construction inspired by Hadrian was significant following his visit to the east is 129/130 and imitated Hadrian’s methodology in reconstructing Antioch and Apamea following the earthquake of 115. Builders were not just inspired by Hadrian’s visit but also by his own methods.