The Bethsaida Archaeology project is an educational, interactive project in which faculty, students and the general public from around the world, take part and learn all the skills of archaeological excavation. Bethsaida Archaeology is housed at the University of Nebraska at Omaha. A global consortium of universities excavates Bethsaida every summer.
Bethsaida, translated as the House of the Fisherman, is nestled in northern Israel, near the Sea of Galilee and the Golan Heights. The city is a sprawling 20 acres with majestic fortifications, an enormous gate and a palace, indicating that this site served as the capital of the elusive biblical kingdom of Geshur. The kingdom was destroyed by the Assyrian King Tiglath Pileser III in 732 BCE. The conquest of Alexander the Great in 333 BCE created a new "globalization" era with economic opportunities that resulted in an impressive return of prosperity to the entire region. As part of this rising prosperity, Bethsaida was resettled as a thriving Phoenician colony. However, the conquest of the Hasmoneans in about 100 BCE put an end to this prosperity and the majority of the inhabitants abandoned the place. This drop in population lasted until Herod the Great re-settled Galilee and the Golan.
A smaller, Jewish population constructed new homes on the summit of the site and occupied and renovated the old deserted Phoenician houses. As the name Bethsaida implies, their main business was fishing. Hundreds of fishing implements were discovered at Bethsaida; they include lead and stone net weights, fishing hooks, anchors, and line sinkers. It was here that the disciples of Peter, Andrew, and Philip, the disciples of Jesus, were born and raised. A major catastrophic flood in the 4th century CE filled up the plain with silt and many of the lagoons. When fishermen at Bethsaida realized that the sea shore had retreated permanently, they left the site and moved closer to the lake.
In 1987, Israeli archaeologist Dr. Rami Arav identified the site as Bethsaida. In 1990, Dr. Arav and several colleagues from around the world joined together to form the Consortium of the Bethsaida Archaeology, which since then has been coordinated by International Studies & Programs at the University of Nebraska at Omaha. It is the consortium's mission to excavate the ancient city of Bethsaida, research the data discernible from the remains, and disseminate the conclusions to both academic and popular audiences.
Participants are welcome to join the dig and excavate history. Join us as we uncover another season of amazing finds. Summer sessions begin on May 25-June 6, June 7-June 20 and June 21-July 4. All participants will stay at the lovely Ginosar Inn, located next to the Sea of Galillee. Applications are currently being accepted. Together, we can touch the past.