Photo: University of Pikeville

For the first time in the institution’s history, the University of Pikeville sent a team to participate in an archaeological excavation of an ancient site in Israel. Three UPIKE students – Abigail Leavitt, Laura Keeton, and Sylvia Griffith – and UPIKE Alumni Association President Tommy Chamberlain traveled to Shiloh this summer. Located north of Jerusalem, Shiloh’s history dates to the Middle Bronze Age (circa 1700 BC). The site is most famous as the location of the Biblical tabernacle for over 300 years and for having played a role in the lives of biblical figures such as Samuel, Joshua, Hannah and Eli. In addition to digging, UPIKE students spent time sifting, sweeping, analyzing, cataloging, and recording newly-discovered artifacts. The team contributed largely to revealing the fortification wall that surrounds the site. According to Chamberlain, the wall dates to the time before the Israelites came to the land.