The Ai Expedition at Khirbet el-Maqatir http://www.Maqatir.com Tall el-Hammam Excavation Project http://tallelhammam.com/ Helping Up Mission http://community.helpingupmission.org Associates for Biblical Research http://www.biblearchaeology.org Gary A. Byers [email protected] Ephesians 3:20 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us (NIV) Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us (JKV) 1 Corinthians 2:9 However, as it is written: “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him” Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have planned for you,” declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future” Abraham and Lot Khirbet el-Maqatir Between Bethel/Ai Tall el-Hammam Sodom Moses and Joshua Khirbet el-Maqatir Ai Tall el-Hammam Abel Shittim Looking East Looking West Byzantine church and monastery LB I Fortress (ca 10 dunams = 2.5 acres) Hasmonean/Roman Fortress Khirbet el-Maqatir GAB, BGW, SC Pottery Reading a-123.jpg Discovery of the Kh. el-Maqatir City Gate 1995 Ai of Joshua (Khirbet el-Maqatir) Southern Wall Tower - Khirbet el-Maqatir Western Wall – Khirbet el-Maqatir Israelite House from time of the Judges Byzantine Monastery – Khirbet el-Maqatir Byzantine Monastery – Khirbet el-Maqatir NT House Khirbet el-Maqatir NT House – Khirbet el-Maqatir Bronze Coin of Herod the Great Silver Coin of Demetrius II Nicator First-Century AD House 1st century AD coins (2011) 1) Roman Governor Porcius Festus (year 5 of Nero, AD 58/59) 2) “Year 2” of the First Jewish War (AD 67/68) 1st century AD coins (2012) 1) Earliest coin-Roman Governor Ambibulus (AD 9–12) dated “Year 39 of Augustus” (= AD 9/10). Roman Governor Ambibulus not mentioned in NT Roman Emperor Augustus mentioned in NT (see Luke 2:1) 2, 3,4) Next 3 coins-Roman Governor Valerius Gratus (AD 15–26) dated between “Years 4 and 11 of Emperor Tiberius” (= AD 17– 24). Roman Governor Gratus not mentioned in NT Roman Emperor Tiberius mentioned in NT (see Luke 3:1) 5) Next coin-Roman Governor Pontius Pilate “Year 16 of Tiberius” (= AD 29/30); Roman Governor Pontius Pilate and Roman Emperor Tiberius Caesar mentioned together in NT “In the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar—when Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea,” (= AD 28/29: Lu 3:1) This coin was minted 1 year after John began his ministry & at beginning of Jesus’ ministry (AD 28/29: Luke 3:1) 6, 7) Next 2 coins-King Herod Agrippa I’s “6th Year” (= AD 41/42): “King Herod” Agrippa (AD 37-44) mentioned in NT (Acts 25-26); grandson of Herod the Great This coin minted early in Paul’s ministry (prior to 1st missionary journey) 8, 9) Next 2 coins-Roman Governor Antonius Felix dated “Year 14 of Emperor Claudius” (= AD 54; last year of his reign). Roman Governor Antonius Felix mentioned in NT (Acts 23:23-24:27; Paul’s trial in about AD 58) Roman Emperor Claudius (AD 41–54) mentioned in NT (Acts 11:28 Agabus & the great famine; 18:2 Aquila and Priscilla) 10, 11) Next 2 coins-Roman Governor Porcius Festus – “Year 5 of Nero” (= AD 58/59). Roman Governor Porcius Festus mentioned in NT (Acts 25-26) Roman Emperor Nero not named in NT but was the “Caesar” to whom Paul appealed when appearing before Festus at Caesarea (Acts 25–26). 12) Latest coin-“Year 2” of the First Jewish Revolt (= AD 67/68) Probably represents the year KeM was destroyed by Romans/abandoned in AD 70 Not occupation again until late 4th century (monastery phase) Sling b-389.jpg rial Canaanite Infant Burial Grave Goods Y Archaeology shows us that we can trust the Bible for the PAST If we can trust the Bible for the PAST, then we can trust it for the FUTURE Since we can trust the Bible for the PAST and the FUTURE, We should trust it for the PRESENT – Learning to Live One Day at a Time Storage Jar Storage Jar KeM arial a-095.jpg A FORTIFIED SITE Gate Hasmonean wall North wall 1. SMALLER THAN GIBEON (ca. 10 acres) Byzantine church and monastery LB I Fortress (ca 10 dunams = 2.5 acres) Hasmonean Fortress Kh. El-Maqatir, view west-northwest Khirbet el-Maqatir Bronze Prutah of Herod Agrippa with Inscription Basilica Caesar LB 1 Infant Burial Grave Goods .