By Sarah A. Johnson
In true Indiana Jones fashion, Vanderbilt students became raiders of a lost city this summer. Eighteen Vanderbilt graduate students and one undergraduate journeyed to Israel June 12 through July 3 to participate at an archeological dig at the ancient city of Meggido. The program was sponsored through Tel Aviv University and Penn State University. Graduate students Julye Bidmead and Deborah Appler coordinated Vanderbilt’s participation in the dig.
Meggido, located in the Jezreel Valley in northern Israel, is rich in history. With a strategic location, the city flourished for more than seven millennia, serving as an area of international trade important to the Egyptians, Israelites and Canaanites and also an important battle site.
Meggido, which was the subject of James Michener’s book The Source, is also known for its link to the notion of Armageddon. The word Armageddon translates to “hill of Meggido.”
“The site of Meggido is a place where innumerable battles have occurred over the millennia,” Professor of Hebrew Bible Douglas Knight explained. Apocalyptic groups believe there will be a battle at Meggido between the forces of evil and the forces of good. “Meggido is a symbol of a battle to end all battles,” Knight said.
Plans for the excursion to Israel began when Appler and Bidmead wanted to share their love of the Meggido site with other students.
“I went on my first dig three years ago with two other Vanderbilt students,” Bidmead said. “I learned more in three weeks than I had in a year of coursework.”
Originally, Appler and Bidmead planned the trip to Meggido as a summer school course, but then decided to open it as a voluntary course. “We wanted an opportunity to get more students involved,” Appler said. Several first-time archeologists had the chance of a lifetime at Meggido. “I have always been interested in biblical archaeology, and I wanted to go with a group first to get my feet wet,” said Kathy Williams, a divinity school master’s degree candidate. “To stand on a floor and be the first person there in 3,000 years is a magical feeling.”
Before students participated at the dig site, Bidmead and Appler taught a course to familiarize students with dig procedures. During the course, participants learned the history of archeology, the site and proper dig techniques. “We wanted to really give them some hands-on experience before they went,” Bidmead said. One student even donated his backyard for the students’ preparation.
While in Meggido, students were able to study the history of the area during the early, middle and late Bronze Age and the Iron Age. Artifacts found at the site include pottery, scarabs and an altar used for sacrificial worship. The site also includes a discard pile, in which cuneiform text of the Gilgamesh myth, an ancient tale of creation, has been found. At Meggido, students divided their time between participating in the archaeological dig and attending lectures. Digging began at 5 a.m., and ended at 1 p.m. In the afternoon, students attended lectures and participated in the washing and reading of pottery. In addition to their archeological activity, students took exams and wrote papers in order to receive three hours of credit from Tel Aviv University for their participation in the dig.
While in Israel, students were housed in kibbutz, Israeli collective settlements. “They experience true Israeli living,” said Appler, a Ph.D. candidate in Hebrew Bible.
“Meggido is one of the pre-eminent spots to dig in Israel,” Knight said.
Students participating in the dig applied through Penn State’s Meggido program.
A consortium of universities associated with Meggido is being formed; Knight said he hoped Vanderbilt chose to participate in the symposium. “I would like to see several undergraduates involved in this. Through the consortium, it could be available to alumni and friends of the university.”
An anonymous donor underwrote part of the students’ travel costs in order to encourage more students to travel to Israel.
Sarah A. Johnson was an intern in the Office of Media Relations this summer; she is now an admissions counselor for Vanderbilt.
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