Ancient Judaism and Christian Origins

El Araj Excavation Project 2022 Digs Deeper

August 11, 2022

With Nyack’s own Dr. R. Steven Notley serving as academic director, the El Araj Excavation Project (EAEP) story in Israel continues to be a page-turner.

Breaking news is that Dr. Notley along with his colleague Dr. Mordechai Aviam of Kinneret College in Israel and other archeologists have uncovered a large Greek inscription during excavations of what is being called the “Church of the Apostles,” a Byzantine period basilica at el Araj/Beit haBek believed to be built over the home of Apostle Peter and Apostle Andrew.

Others who participated in the dig this summer were Nyack’s Eastman Library Reference and Instruction Librarian, Mrs. Sunya Notley and Associate Professor of New Testament and Second Temple Literature, Jeffrey P. García.

“We have just returned from the sixth season of the dig in Israel. There have been some exciting discoveries … perhaps the most exciting throughout my time at the dig. I have been with US team since Season 1 and this is pretty cool,” comments Dr. García.

NYACK EL ARAJ TEAM 2

Nyack El Araj Team: (l-r) Juan Arias, Sunya Notley, Christina Freitas, Dr. Jeffrey García , Dr. Steve Notley, Zachary Wong

The excavation is sponsored by the Center for the Study of Ancient Judaism and Christian Origins (CSAJCO), the Museum of the Bible, the Lanier Theological Library Foundation, and HaDavar Yeshiva (HK). This year Nyack volunteers also included Juan Arias (AJCO ’18) and his wife; Christine Rosa de Freitas (NC ’18); and photographer. Zachary Wong and his family.

What could be better than for Nyack faculty, staff, students and alumni to have been a part of this history-making venture from the very start?

Read more about it!

PHOTO CREDIT: Zachary Wong

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