So, yesterday (Wednesday) Yossi presented the finds to Eilat Mazar (City of David), Nava Panitz-Cohen (Tel Batash/Timna), and Sam Wolf (Gezer). This time we were smart enough to videotape and photograph the session. Unfortunately, due to the funeral for archaeologist Avraham Biran (1909 - 2008) the presentation was a little shorter than it was the week before - no powerpoint presentation, epigraphy, or petrography. But the discussions on the pottery shards was brilliant, and Nava’s scholarship and experience were a wonder to behold. We will post some of the video excerpts on this site in the near future. For those following the nuances of the 10th Century debates it’s a real treasure (in Hebrew).
Shana Tova,
David Willner

Tags: Qeiyafa, Elah Fortress, Mivtsar HaElah

So the cloud is abuzz with tantalizing tidbits of information regarding the Elah Ostracon. At the private presentation of the 2008 finds, to some of Israel’s leading archaeologists, the biggest surprise was the consensus on the dating of the site. The ostracon has been sent for analysis, and as we all saw in Hagai’s preliminary assessment, could very well take a considerable amount of time before something definitive is ready for publication. This is a potentially very exciting find, and everyone involved is being very cautious to ensure that the proper academic and professional standards are adhered to. We will try and make as much information known about it as soon as we can...
With best wishes for a Happy New Year - Shana Tova
David Willner
Foundation Stone