Author Archives: Leen Ritmeyer

Israel opens Baptismal site at Bethabara

Posted on July 14, 2011 by Leen Ritmeyer

In a previous post we mentioned that the site where Jesus was baptised was open to the public. There was indeed a ceremonial opening at the site on the 18th of January this year, only to close shortly afterwards. Now, … Continue reading →

Posted in News | Leave a comment

The mound on the mount: a possible solution to the “problem with Jerusalem”?

Posted on July 11, 2011 by Leen Ritmeyer

A downloadable pdf of an article by this name written by Israel Finkelstein, Ido Koch and Oded Lipschits is available at http://www.arts.ualberta.ca/JHS/Articles/article_159.pdf Published in The Journal of Hebrew Scriptures, Volume 11, Article 12, it attempts to provide an answer to … Continue reading →

Posted in Jerusalem, Temple Mount | 7 Comments

Mughrabi Gate bridge renovation plan stopped

Posted on June 29, 2011 by Leen Ritmeyer

In a previous post, we reported that is was decided to demolish the Mughrabi Gate bridge and replace it with a new one. That was supposed to have happened two weeks ago. We have written previously about this bridge and … Continue reading →

Posted in Jerusalem, News | Leave a comment

2,000 year old ossuary of Caiaphas’ granddaughter found

Posted on June 29, 2011 by Leen Ritmeyer

In 1990, a tomb with several ossuaries (bone boxes) was discovered in Jerusalem’s Peace Forest. One of them carried the inscription “Yehoseph son of Qafa” (Joseph son of Caiaphas). That was the name of the High Priest that condemned Jesus … Continue reading →

Posted in Jerusalem, News | Leave a comment

Ophel excavations not yet open for visitors

Posted on June 25, 2011 by Leen Ritmeyer

In a previous post we reported on the inauguration of a complex dating from the First and Second Temple periods on the Ophel. Barnea Levi Selavah, co-director of the Foundation Stone organisation, reports that the site is not yet open … Continue reading →

Posted in Jerusalem, News | 1 Comment

Summer days and nights in Jerusalem

Posted on June 25, 2011 by Leen Ritmeyer

A press release from TravelVideo.tv lists the evocative tours taking place in and around the City of David this summer. These include: The Archeological Experience at the Emek Tzurim National Park: Discovering the Past Hidden in the Dust: A unique … Continue reading →

Posted in Excavations, History, Jerusalem, News | Leave a comment

Cement on the Temple Mount

Posted on June 24, 2011 by Leen Ritmeyer

The Jan/Feb 2011 issue of Biblical Archaeology Review, published my letter, “Cement Creates Temple Mount Time Bomb”,  in which I explained how the improper use of cement in the repairs was causing some of the problems on the Temple Mount. Now BAR … Continue reading →

Posted in Jerusalem, Temple Mount | Leave a comment

The Water Gate of Jerusalem

Posted on June 22, 2011 by Leen Ritmeyer

The inauguration of a complex dating from the First and Second Temple periods on the Ophel has been widely reported, see for example here and here. In a previous post we mentioned that “The site was first excavated in the … Continue reading →

Posted in Excavations, Jerusalem, News | 8 Comments

News of Biblical Turkey

Posted on June 21, 2011 by Leen Ritmeyer

Mark Wilson sends word from Turkey that the Spring 2011 issue of the Asia Minor Report is available. You can read it here: Asia Minor Report 11 or subscribe by contacting Mark at: markwilson@sevenchurches.org. Of particular interest is his review of Wall Painting … Continue reading →

Posted in News, Products, Research | Leave a comment

How should we approach Jerusalem?

Posted on June 17, 2011 by Leen Ritmeyer

“How should we approach Jerusalem?” This is the opening question posed at the beginning of this preview of a spectacular movie about Jerusalem. Filmed in Imax 3D, the footage takes you on an aerial journey around the Land of Israel … Continue reading →

Posted in Jerusalem | 1 Comment