The Discovery of the Lost Fortress of Ai
Presenter: Bryant Wood, Director of Research at Associates for Biblical Research (ABR)
Date: Wednesday, March 20, 7 PM
Location: Lynn Wood Auditorium
Southern Adventist University
Synopsis: The location of Joshua's Ai has been a matter of mystery and controversy since the beginnings of archaeological research in Israel. Scholars have concluded that the location of Joshua's Ai is at et-Tell. They have also used this conclusion to discredit the Biblical account of Joshua 7-8 because there is no evidence of occupation at et-Tell during the time of Joshua.
Since 1995, Bryant G. Wood, Director of Research for ABR, has uncovered important archaeological finds, including Khirbet el-Maqatir, just .6 miles (1 km) west of et-Tell.
The discoveries include a city gate and wall system, large amounts of pottery from the time of Joshua, evidence of destruction by fire, ancient coins, a house dating to the first century AD, and a Byzantine Monastery. This area is located 9 miles north of Jerusalem.
These discoveries provide evidence for a tentative identification of Khirbet el-Maqatir as the Biblical city of Ai.
The Lynn H. Wood Archaeological Museum Lecture Series is free and open to the public. For more information call 423.236.2030 or visit the Institute of Archaeology.
