{"id":4419,"date":"2016-08-01T10:00:00","date_gmt":"2016-08-01T07:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/themuseumguy.weblorenz.com\/?p=4419"},"modified":"2026-06-03T17:59:03","modified_gmt":"2026-06-03T14:59:03","slug":"interview-with-prof-aren-maeir-of-bar-ilan-university-on-tell-es-safi-excavation-2016","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/themuseumguy.co.il\/he\/post\/interview-with-prof-aren-maeir-of-bar-ilan-university-on-tell-es-safi-excavation-2016\/","title":{"rendered":"Interview with Prof. Aren\u00a0Maeir of Bar Ilan University on Tell es-Safi Excavation (2016)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

I have had the privilege to visit the Tell es-Safi excavation for two days this summer (July 12&14, 2016). Even better than the visit itself was the opportunity to interview a few archaeologists, each responsible for either this or other sites. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a Jewish Educator, it really interested me to learn about their perspectives on the importance of archaeology in general, and specifically towards Biblical studies. What we learn from archaeology? For the teachers among us – not limited to classroom teachers, but a parent, spouse or friend, planning a museum visit – what can we do differently, with this knowledge in hand? Even if we can\u2019t actually be on the site, ourselves?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Before I get on with the interviews, I\u2019d like to share a personal thought. I am developing Jewish Programs in Museums. For the high school level, this includes lessons in class, which culminate in a museum visit, with a focus on archaeological artifacts which relate to a Jewish idea, be it a biblical story (Assyria, Babylon, etc) or a concept (Art, Wisdom, Destruction, etc.). For adults, it means visiting a museum with text in hand. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

When I tell people that I\u2019m going to visit, say, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, they often respond in wonder \u201cWhat is there to see in the Met, which has any<\/em> Biblical significance?\u201d Most of us just go straight to the overwhelming amount of art galleries, and perhaps walk through the Greek and Roman art, without contemplating the significance they might have to the encounter of Judaism with those cultures. Those statues are decorative, otherwise the hallway to the big pond with the coins would be boring. Perhaps if your kids are reading Percy Jackson (Rick Riordan\u2019s five-part series, 2005-2009), there might be something closer to home about Greek art. It amazes me that people don\u2019t realize the wealth the museum has to offer in terms of archaeology of the ancient world, that that there would be any Biblical significance there. I just found out, for example, that the Ancient Egyptian collection at the Met is the largest in the world, after Cairo (if what their plaque says is accurate). The few hours I\u2019ve spent there were not enough to even scratch the surface, and I can\u2019t wait to go again. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Image: Temple of Dendur (ca. 15 BCE) at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. <\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

It is here that I wonder: What can we as parents, teachers and friends, share with those who would hear us? How can we show – not just what has been found<\/em> – but what has been found out<\/em>, how it impacts our understanding, and how it connects us to a broader scheme of things? After all, if we are not part of this grand story of unfolding history, then what is the point?Please join me, as we hear from three different archaeologists. I\u2019ve decided against grouping their answers based on the questions, and am giving the stage to each one separately, so you may enjoy the entire interview. These articles will be followed up with the edited video footage, but that will have to be no earlier than October 2016. However, I will be providing some pictures, and if you get to the end of the article – an exciting youtube link awaits you. Let\u2019s begin.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I recommend checking out the other interviews from this experience, including: Prof. Jill Katz, and Prof. Daniel Warner<\/p>\n\n\n\n

(Disclaimer: Some of the information about the professors is taken from Wikipedia, even if slightly modified)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interview with Professor Aren Maeir<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Professor at <\/em>Bar Ilan University<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Director, The Tell es-Safi\/Gath Archaeological Project (<\/em>gath.wordpress.com<\/em><\/a>)<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Director, Minerva Center for the Relations between Israel and Aram in Biblical Times (<\/em>aramisrael.org<\/em><\/a>)<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Co-editor, Israel Exploration Journal<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

In addition to Tell es-Safi, Professor Maeir has participated in, and directed, numerous archaeological excavations in Israel, including at the following sites: Jerusalem, Hazor, Yoqneam, Tell Qasile, Beth-Shean.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n

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