| Show uncover site of ancient city of biblical interest additions to present day knowledge of early palestine and its inhabitants have been made by the haverford nav Hav erford college arche archaeological archeological expeditions ions tiong during daring five of the last six years extensive field work has produced brilliant results under the direction of prof eliba grant who heads the department of biblical literature at flav erford the findings of 0 the fifth expedition which went into the field last spring are now being classified plans are being made for a sixth expedition in 1031 1931 the Hav haverford erford excavations are located at aln ain which Is in the lower hill country about twenty miles west of jerusalem overlooking the mediterranean this mound ruin is the site of ancient beth a city which flourished between 1800 and GOO COO B C the city lay on important trade routes between egypt palestine and syria professor grants first expedition discovered three bronze age cemeteries which yielded one of the largest known treasures of canaanite burial deposits digging to depths of 1 20 0 feet below the surmounting wheat fields doctor grants parties have unearthed four successive levels representing distinct epochs in the cites history conquest by invaders pillaging and destruction by fire are written in the archeo logic record after the ruin of the first city at ain walls and roof beams of buildings were pushed in on the lower floors the demolished structures were leveled orf oft ty by the new builders and another city was erected on the ruins of 0 the old this process occurred over again and again until four or perhaps live five successive cities had been built destroyed and rebuilt remains of temples palaces dwellings shops shop a and industrial pro properties property all testify to the existence of both as a prosperous city of early palestine the wealth of personal belongings found including vases flasks flacks bowls tools weapons and jewelry revealed an industrious population which thrived some years ago the relation of beth to the biblical record of ancient pales tine Is a fascinating study nearby was the birthplace of samson who may time have trod its streets of egypt Is believed to have been one of the destroyers of the city the principal temple of beth perhaps was laid in ruins at the time of the exile the tangible result of these expeditions has been the formation of a palestine museum at haverford Hav erford college containing an ab abundance un dance of valuable material several reports elaborating in detail on the field discoveries have wen been published by doctor grant |
