Journal: Bibliotheca Sacra
Volume: BSAC 87:348 (Oct 1930)
Article: Excavations And Explorations In Bible Lands
Author: Melvin Grove Kyle

BSac 87:348 (Oct 1930) p. 382

Excavations And Explorations In Bible Lands

Pittsburg-Xenia Seminary In Co-Operation With The American School Of Oriental Research 1930 Campaign

Melvin Grove Kyle

Introduction

It is interesting to find oneself in the footpaths of history. That may be trite enough as a saying, but the experience is vividly realistic. The experience has been ours at Tell Beit Mirsim. Robinson, the great pioneer of Palestinian research in modern times and the father of scientific archaeology in Bible lands, passed up this way from the Sinai peninsula toward Jerusalem and central and northern Palestine. He established quite friendly relations with the great sheikh of all the region from the borders of Egypt to a point midway between Hebron and Jerusalem and crossing the land from sea to sea, Abd er-Rahman. The explorer speaks of him in most favorable terms, sharply in contrast to the reputation which he gives to Abu Ghosh, the bandit robber chieftain of the north. Thus the pathway of history through this land is marked; now our feet have been following that path. It is not simply that we are working in the same region; it is far beyond that. Abd er-Rahman had two sons, they were of the “sons of the giants,” big towering sons of the desert. Sons of one of these are of the present generation. One of them received us at a feast this year. The Mukhtar of this district invited us to his great sprawling tent on the mountain top. We reclined there on his comfortable couches for some hours in the cool breezes and feasted upon the “fat of the land.” Now this Mukhtar still in command of the tribe is a grandson of Abd er-Rahman. In appearance, he is every inch a prince who, dressed in the vogue and well groomed, would attract

BSac 87:348 (Oct 1930) p. 383

attention anywhere by his appearance of nobility. With our footsteps in this pathway it is easier to bring ourselves, in imagination, to associate with Othniel and with Caleb and with Joshua and far beyond them with Abraham himself.

Preparation

An archaeological expedition does not just happen; to be successful there must be preparation—preparation with a capital P.

The organization for this expedition has been affected by the general tendency of institutions toward centralization of agencies; Xenia Seminary, for two seasons past engaged in these excavations, united with Pittsburg Seminary and the work of excavation is continued under the patronage of Pittsburg-Xenia Seminary in co-operation with the American School. Then this co-operation with the American School of Oriental Research has also undergone some change: the director of field operations in this archaeological work, Dr. W. F. Albright, was formerly also the director ...