So I started my third and final week at Tell es-Safi. I am looking forward to getting home, but I also sort of wish I could stay for the final week, just to see things through and finish what I started. With my luck, someone will find the most amazing things in the area I worked after I leave. But oh well, that’s how it goes. I did go to the Dead Sea yesterday and it was one of the most amazing things that I’ve ever done. After dropping down to the lowest place on the planet while still on the land (the surface of the Sea is around 1300ft. below sea level), it was as if we were descending into a valley on a far away and barren planet. It is lifeless and dry and HOT!! It’s as if the sun rays have just a little extra distance to build up force before they hit you…it’s instant sunburn! But where we went is at a little oasis on the Dead Sea called En Gedi. It is full of palm trees and is quite lush considering. It is at the spot where a major wadi (seasonal stream) flows into the Sea. There is where we went to the beach. I had to leave my Crocs on because the ground next to the Sea is absolutely burning hot…even when wet. So I walked in. The Dead Sea looks like water; acts like water; feels like water…at first. Then you touch it with your hands and realize that you may have just walked into a chemistry set where they are growing crystals, because it feels kind of slimy and huge salt crystals grow and cling to the shore and rocks in the water. As you get to your waist you begin to feel the “water” pushing up on your legs and then all of a sudden you sort of push off into the water and your legs don’t just gradually float up to the top – they shoot up! And you’re floating just like that. Very freaky, so all you can do is laugh out loud. After floating around in the soup I noticed some people walking down the shore. As I got closer I realized they were slathering the famous Dead Sea black mud all over them and I had to do the same. So I went and did it. It was all very much fun. After that we went back home and washed pottery. All in all it was a good weekend and more restful than the previous when I trudged all over the Old City of Jerusalem.

Today I moved to a new square as the people working in it left and they needed me to blast through the layer to get to the layer they wanted to get to (see above). While blasting I found a rather large piece of iron; then another. After checking a little more, it turned out to be a huge piece of iron in a platter shape. So they called in Aren to take the official pictures and pictures with me. As all three squares approach the appropriate levels, we are starting to find more contextualized finds that may actually advance the understanding of the work being done there.

We aren’t working tomorrow because of a Jewish fast day mourning the destruction of the Temple in 70AD, but we are taking a field trip to Jerusalem which should be fun. I think I will get to do Hezekiah’s Tunnel again. On Wednesday, we are planning on going to Ashkelon (another Philistine city) to go to the beach. That should be fun and then I can say that I swam in the Mediterranean Sea as well.

Also I forgot to mention something else besides me and my wife's anniversary.  Last week my mom broke her hip hanging up curtains by herself (not smart for a 67 yr. old) and needed surgery to repair her hip.  The surgery went fine and she is doing well, but for those you are inclined; I would appreciate your prayers for my mother for a speedy healing and recovery.

 So until next time.......