1. October 16 – "Exploring Biblical Lands" 

2. October 23 – "Archaeological Dating Methods" (this is the presentation for which I'll bring my artifacts)

3. October 30 – "The Origins of Ancient Writing"

4. November 6 – "Digging Deeper: Applying Archaeology to the Biblical Record"

5. November 13 – "Searching for the Exodus from Egypt"

What kinds of artifacts have been found in Israel that relate to biblical stories? When was writing developed in the ancient world, and why do we still use some of the same letters in our alphabet that the Canaanites did? Can archaeology be used to prove the Bible is true? What do scholars do when the Bible is at tension with what is found in the ground? Was the Exodus from Egypt a historical event? Come find out!

Archaeologists have been digging in Israel and the surrounding areas for about 200 years now, producing all kinds of fascinating remains from the past. Join biblical scholar and archaeologist Nate Ramsayer as he guides members of Shir Tikvah through a tour of the region. Over the course of five weeks, Nate will discuss how sites are identified and excavated, the methods of dating archaeologists use, how ancient cuneiform and alphabetic languages developed over time, and examine some of the most important discoveries that link the modern land of Israel with the biblical stories. You'll even get a chance to see a few small artifacts from Israel that are up to 5,000 years old! Questions welcome. So grab your fedora and come learn how we piece together the puzzle of the ancient world!

Bio: 

Nate Ramsayer is a freelance biblical studies instructor, giving guest lectures at churches, synagogues, senior communities, schools, and universities around the country. He holds an M.A. degree in Hebrew Bible and the ancient Near East from Brandeis University. He is also an active archaeologist who has excavated at seven sites around the world, focusing mainly in Israel during the Bronze and Iron Ages. Nate’s scholarly research interests include: biblical composition and manuscript history, ancient Near Eastern myths, and exploring points at which the archaeological record confirms/is at tension with the narrative found in the Bible. He has also worked extensively in the field of the Dead Sea Scrolls, presenting papers, giving lectures, working with museum exhibits, and even researching at the Qumran caves where the scrolls were found.

Nate is also professional singer, whose videos you can find on You Tube.