Under the research leadership of Dr. Carolina Aznar (Archaeology/Theology), 16 volunteers—from Spain, the U.S., Ecuador and Chile—are at work on “The Southern Plain of Akko Project” in Israel this July. Joining SLU Madrid students at the field school are students from the University of Haifa, Fordham University, Universidad CEU-San Pablo, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Universidad de Sevilla, Seminario de Córdoba, Universidad Internacional SEK-Ecuador, and Universidad Internacional SEK-Chile.

 

Aznar has a number of research questions to answer, especially related to the Phoenicians and the Israelites, working with materials from the 10th to 8th centuries BCE—the time of King David, King Solomon, and King Ahab as well as the Prophets Eliah, Elisha, and Amos. The plan is to expand the area opened last summer.

 

As the only Spanish excavation in Israel, Aznar’s work represents cutting-edge research to deepen our knowledge of the biblical world. Her field school teaches students the history of the region, provides experiential learning of archaeological methods and techniques, and offer opportunities to develop interfaith and intercultural sensitivities.