Economy of Galilee in the time of Jesus

Neil Godfrey looks at the great wealth and large estates in the time of Jesus and writes that the presence of large estates in Lower Galilee is crucial for understanding the society in the early decades of the first century because their existence implies exploitation and dispossession of the small farmers and laborers. If they did not exist then we can infer “most peasants still lived on their own land and controlled their own economic destiny.”

First century Iudaea Province (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

In the discussions on the economy of Galilee in the time of Jesus, the presence or absence of large land-estates must play a significant role. Based on a reading of the parables attributed to Jesus, one could conclude that there were many estates of significantly large size and that they contributed to the economic conditions of Galilee causing loss of land and a growing rural proletariat. (From the abstract to “Did Large Estates Exist in Lower Galilee in the First Half of the First Century CE?” by David A. Fiensy, published in Journal for the Study of the Historical Jesus 10 (2012) 133-153)

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Canaanite cult ritual stone unearthed

Kenneth Gilmore 29 augustus 14:59 Via the Jewish Press website: "An archaeological discovery in the Tel Rechesh excavations at the Tabor River Reserve in northern Israel: a joint archaeological expedition, which included researchers from the University of Tenri, Japan, and the Institute of Archaeology of Galilee Kinneret Academic College, have unearthed a Canaanite cult ritual stone. The excavations in this area have been going on for six years now. The same excavations also revealed large parts of a Jewish farmhouse dating back to the Second Temple. Researchers were able to establish that this was a place of Jewish dwellers based on typical stone tools, oil lamps and coins minted in the city of Tiberias. “The diggers received a big surprise,” said Chairman of the Institute of Archaeology of Galilee Kinneret Academic College Dr. Mrdechai Avi’am. “In the ruins of the second floor of the farmhouse, they discovered a Canaanite cult statue, similar to a statue that stood in the sanctuary of a temple which is yet to be located.” The Second Jewish Temple. Model in the Israel Museum. (Photo credit: Wikipedia) Read more at: http://www.jewishpress.com/news/breaking-news/canaanite-altar-discovered-in-northern-israel/2013/08/28/ Canaanite Altar Discovered in Northern Israel Jewish Press Staff www.jewishpress.com Researchers were able to establish that this was later a place of Jewish dwellers.

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Top Ten Discoveries in Biblical Archaeology in 2012

Each year several dozen institutional archaeological excavations and multiple more salvage excavations take place in the lands of the Bible. Some excavations draw attention because of the exciting dimensions of their discoveries. Many more compile important information from less dynamic discoveries that help us better understand the biblical world in its social context.

Black Obelisk of Shalmaneser III, erected in 825 BC. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Fr Stephen Smuts, a Priest (TAC) / EMS Chaplain in Cape Town, South Africa, listed some of the most exciting discoveries announced in the past year, taken from the news digests of ARTIFAX magazine, and reported on The Book & The Spade radio program.

> Top Ten Discoveries in Biblical Archaeology in 2012

1. Huqoq Synagogue Mosaic depicting Samson tying the tails of foxes together and also shows two faces around an inscription. This synagogue dates several centuries after the time of Christ and is expected to provide new information about the development of synagogues in the Galilee.
2. Cult Shrines from Khirbet Qeiyafa  

   

   English: Jugs in Situ, Khirbet Qeiyafa, archaeology site excavation, Israel ca. 2009 עברית: קנקן אשר נמצא באתרו בחפירה בח'ירבת קייאפה, ליד בית שמש בישראל בחפירה באתר אוגוסט 2009 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

3. First Temple Period Reservoir
4. Bethlehem Bullah
5. Jerusalem Seal  “Belonging to Matanyahu Ben Ho,”
6. An Egyptian scarab found in Jerusalem
7. The Kiryat Gat Hoard
8. The Neo Hittite sculpture at Tel Tayinat  recording events of the reign of Suppiluliuma, who probably faced Shalmaneser III in 858 BC.
9. 3400-year old wheat from Hazor in 14 clay jugs
10. Akko’s Hellenistic Harbor

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