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For Immediate Release:
December 20, 2011

Media Contact:
Edith Torres
[email protected]
305-755-7862



Free Lecture at the Deering Estate at Cutler


(Miami-Dade County, FL) -- 
In partnership with the Archaeological Society of Southern Florida, the Deering Estate at Cutler presents a free lecture on the 2nd Thursday of each month. The next lecture is scheduled for Thursday, January 12th at 7:00 p.m. in the Visitor Center Auditorium at the Deering Estate. The lectures are free and open to the public.

When: Thursday, January 12, 2012 at 7:00 p.m.
Topic: "Archaeology and the Bible: The 2011 Field Season at Hazor, Israel"
Presenter: Dr. McKinney, Associate Professor of Geology at Miami Dade College

Hazor, a Canaanite site that dates before Israel and is mentioned in the Bible, was the site of the dig that Curtis McKinney Ph.D. revisited in the summer of 2011. Hazor, a literate society, based on cuneiform texts found on tablets, is actually on the site where seven cities were stacked upon each other. The crews' task was to excavate down through the layers of cities.

Each season, at Hazor, a crew of archaeologists and volunteers, sponsored by the Hebrew University and the Israel Exploration Society, have been inching closer to what they hope is the royal archives of cuneiform tablets which could contain eyewitness reports of the conquest of Israel by Joshua, Deborah, or perhaps someone else. This is one of the mysteries of the Bible which contains conflicting versions of the conquest of Israel. Finding the archives could resolve the question on the origin of the Israelites: out of Egypt (Exodus) or home grown Canaanites (No Exodus).

In the summer of 2011, the crew reached the top of the Palace Walls of King Jabin whom Joshua claims to have killed. The walls are burnt mud brick. They are crossed by stone walls of the 11th century BCE. Dr. McKinney, currently an Associate Professor of Geology at Miami Dade College, plans to return this summer as this could be the year!

About the Deering Estate at Cutler: The Deering Estate at Cutler, a Miami-Dade County Park, is located at 16701 SW 72 Avenue in Miami. This 444-acre natural and archeological preserve and historic site is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and serves as a center for education, culture and recreation. Historic house tours are offered daily at 10:30 a.m. & 3:00 p.m. with admission to the Estate. EcoAdventure Tours are also offered throughout the year for an additional fee. For more information on the Deering Estate's educational and cultural programs, please visit Deering Estate.


 

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