Archaeologist Shimon Gibson describes the vision for the Mount Zion excavation site near Jerusalem in this video. The dig is a multi-year effort in the ancient city, and UNC Charlotte is the only American university licensed to carry out such excavations in Jerusalem.
This summer’s effort again received substantial media coverage, including in the Charlotte Observer, Raleigh News & Observer, WLOS TV in Asheville and other outlets.
Work at the Mount Zion site will continue for several years, and the goal is to develop an interactive attraction for the three million yearly visitors to Jerusalem.
“Archaeology is the material remains of the human past. And this particular period, of all the periods in Western history, is that intersection of ancient Judaism and the birth of Christianity. We’re at ground zero,” said James Tabor, professor of religious studies and co-director of the dig with Gibson.
The excavation work takes place during the summer, and the artifacts unearthed are studied and catalogued during the rest of the year. UNC Charlotte students and volunteers from around the world help with the dig.