Just in time for Christmas, archaeologists on Monday unveiled what may have been the home of one of Jesus' childhood neighbors.
The humble dwelling is the first dating to the era of Jesus to be discovered in Nazareth, then a hamlet of around 50 impoverished Jewish families where Jesus spent his boyhood.
Archaeologists and present-day residents of Nazareth imagined Jesus as a youngster, playing with other children in the isolated village, not far from the spot where the Archangel Gabriel revealed to Mary that she would give birth to the boy.
Today the ornate Basilica of the Annunciation marks that spot, and Nazareth is the largest Arab city in northern Israel, with about 65,000 residents. Muslims now outnumber Christians two to one in the noisy, crowded city.
The archaeological find shows how different it was 2000 years ago: There were no Christians or Muslims, the Jewish Temple stood in Jerusalem and tiny Nazareth stood near a battleground between Roman rulers and Jewish guerrillas.
The Jews of Nazareth dug camouflaged grottos to hide from Roman invaders, said archaeologist Yardena Alexandre, excavations director at the Israel Antiquities Authority. But the hamlet was so far off the beaten path that the caves were apparently not needed, she said.
Based on clay and chalk shards found at the site, the dwelling appeared to house a "simple Jewish family," Alexandre added, as workers carefully chipped away at mud with small pickaxes to reveal stone walls.
"This may well have been a place that Jesus and his contemporaries were familiar with," Alexandre said. A young Jesus may have played around the house with his cousins and friends. "It's a logical suggestion."
The discovery so close to Christmas pleased local Christians.
"They say if the people do not speak, the stones will speak," said the Rev. Jack Karam of the nearby basilica.
Archaeologist Stephen Pfann, president of the University of The Holy Land, noted: "It's the only witness that we have from that area that shows us what the walls and floors were like inside Nazareth in the first century." Pfann was not involved in the dig.
Alexandre said workers uncovered the first signs of the dwelling last summer, but it became clear only this month that it was a structure from the days of Jesus.
Alexandre's team found remains of a wall, a hideout, a courtyard and a water system that appeared to collect water from the roof and supply it to the home. The discovery was made when builders dug up the courtyard of a former convent to make room for a new Christian center, just yards from the Basilica.
It is not clear how big the dwelling is. Alexandre's team has uncovered about 900 square feet of the house, but it may have been for an extended family and could be much larger, she said.
Archaeologists also found a camouflaged entry way into a grotto, which Alexandre believes was used by Jews to hide from Roman soldiers who were battling Jewish rebels for control of the area.
The grotto could have hidden around six people for a few hours, she said.
However, Roman soldiers did not end up battling Nazareth's Jews because the hamlet had little strategic value. The Roman army was more interested in larger towns and strategic hilltop communities, she said.
Alexandre said similar camouflaged grottos were found in other ancient Jewish communities of the lower Galilee, such as the nearby biblical village of Cana, which did witness battles between Jews and Romans.
Archaeologists also found clay and chalk vessels likely used by Galilean Jews of the time. The scientists concluded a Jewish family lived there because of the chalk, which Jews used to ensure the ritual purity of the food and water kept inside the vessels.
The shards also date back to the time of Jesus, which includes the late Hellenic, early Roman period that ranges from around 100 B.C. to the first century, Alexandre said. The determination was made by comparing the findings to shards and remains typical of that period found in other parts of the Galilee, she said.
The absence of any remains of glass vessels or imported products suggested the people who lived in the dwelling were simple, but Alexandre said the remains did not indicate whether they were traders or farmers.
The only other artifacts from the time of Jesus found in the Nazareth area are ancient burial caves that provided a rough idea of the village's population at the time, Alexandre said.
Work is now taking place to clear newer ruins built above the dwelling, which will be preserved. The dwelling will become part of a new international Christian center being built close to the site and funded by a French Roman Catholic group, said Marc Hodara of the Chemin Neuf Community overseeing construction.
Alexandre said limited space and population density makes it unlikely that archaeologists can carry out further excavations in the area, leaving this dwelling to tell the story of what Jesus' boyhood home may have looked like.
The discovery at "this time, this period, is very interesting, especially as a Christian," Karam said. "For me it is a great gift."
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Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Thursday, December 17, 2009
US diplomats harassed in Pak
American diplomats are complaining of being harassed in Pakistan, fraying relations between the two countries at a critical moment when the Obama administration is demanding more help to fight the Taliban and al-Qaeda.
The US officials say that parts of the Pakistani military and intelligence services are mounting this campaign and this extends to refusal to extend approved visas for more than hundred American officials and frequent searches of US diplomatic vehicles in major cities, the New York Times reported quoting US officials.
The harassment affects military attache's, CIA officers, junior level diplomats, development experts and others. And as a result, the Times said, some key American aid programmes to Pakistan are grinding to a halt.
The delays in granting visas extensions are even affecting military programmes as scores of US helicopters being used by the Pakistan Army in its ongoing campaign against the Taliban can no longer be serviced as the specialists have not been given visas.
The paper said reimbursement to Pakistan of nearly $1 billion a year for counter-terrorism has been suspended because the last of the American embassy's five accountant had to leave the country after their visas expired.
"There’s an incredible disconnect between what they want of us and the fact we can’t get the visas," a diplomat said.
The US officials say that parts of the Pakistani military and intelligence services are mounting this campaign and this extends to refusal to extend approved visas for more than hundred American officials and frequent searches of US diplomatic vehicles in major cities, the New York Times reported quoting US officials.
The harassment affects military attache's, CIA officers, junior level diplomats, development experts and others. And as a result, the Times said, some key American aid programmes to Pakistan are grinding to a halt.
The delays in granting visas extensions are even affecting military programmes as scores of US helicopters being used by the Pakistan Army in its ongoing campaign against the Taliban can no longer be serviced as the specialists have not been given visas.
The paper said reimbursement to Pakistan of nearly $1 billion a year for counter-terrorism has been suspended because the last of the American embassy's five accountant had to leave the country after their visas expired.
"There’s an incredible disconnect between what they want of us and the fact we can’t get the visas," a diplomat said.
Strauss steadies England’s boat
Andrew Strauss and Jonathan Trott shared an unbroken 63-run second wicket stand as England made a solid start in reply to South Africa’s 418 all out on the second day of the first Test at SuperSport Park on Thursday.
England were 88 for one at the close, with Strauss on 44 not out and Trott on 18.
Off-spinner Graeme Swann took five for 110 as England’s bowlers were forced to toil under a hot sun for the second successive day. It took until after tea to work their way through stubborn resistance by South Africa’s lower order batsmen.
England were 88 for one at the close, with Strauss on 44 not out and Trott on 18.
Off-spinner Graeme Swann took five for 110 as England’s bowlers were forced to toil under a hot sun for the second successive day. It took until after tea to work their way through stubborn resistance by South Africa’s lower order batsmen.
No score is safe, says wary Dhoni
With his side scrapping home thanks to a three-run win in the first ODI, Mahendra Singh Dhoni pointed out on Thursday that even a total of 414 on board could become insufficient if the bowlers and the fielders don’t pull up their socks on time.
Reminiscing the team’s show in the first one-dayer, the Indian captain said, “Even after scoring 400-plus in the first game, if you win only by few runs, it clearly means that no score is safe anymore. A lot depends on the first 10 overs in the match and if you manage to get a couple of wickets, you can afford to relax and while batting it is crucial to get a partnership going.”
Speaking on the bowling and fielding woes that his team suffers from, the Indian skipper said, “We have not been very consistent in the bowling department. Ashish (Nehra) bowled with a lot of heart towards the end of the match in Rajkot that helped us finish on a winning note.”
“Also, in the fielding department, we never used to miss simple chances but of late we have started to drop even the regular catches, which is bit of a concern. If the fielders had dropped tough chances on the field, it is still fine but dropping simple ones can prove costly in any match,” Dhoni added.
Asked on the pitches being devoid of any support for the bowlers, Dhoni said, “There is no formula to prepare a wicket. I think when the curator prepares a bowler-friendly pitch, people criticise him and if he prepares a batsmen-friendly wicket, he faces the flak. It is harsh to criticise the curators.”
Airing his views on the second one-dayer, Dhoni said, “With each game it becomes important to start from scratch.”
Reminiscing the team’s show in the first one-dayer, the Indian captain said, “Even after scoring 400-plus in the first game, if you win only by few runs, it clearly means that no score is safe anymore. A lot depends on the first 10 overs in the match and if you manage to get a couple of wickets, you can afford to relax and while batting it is crucial to get a partnership going.”
Speaking on the bowling and fielding woes that his team suffers from, the Indian skipper said, “We have not been very consistent in the bowling department. Ashish (Nehra) bowled with a lot of heart towards the end of the match in Rajkot that helped us finish on a winning note.”
“Also, in the fielding department, we never used to miss simple chances but of late we have started to drop even the regular catches, which is bit of a concern. If the fielders had dropped tough chances on the field, it is still fine but dropping simple ones can prove costly in any match,” Dhoni added.
Asked on the pitches being devoid of any support for the bowlers, Dhoni said, “There is no formula to prepare a wicket. I think when the curator prepares a bowler-friendly pitch, people criticise him and if he prepares a batsmen-friendly wicket, he faces the flak. It is harsh to criticise the curators.”
Airing his views on the second one-dayer, Dhoni said, “With each game it becomes important to start from scratch.”
N-joy your Christmas Holidays
Christmas is not just happy time for the people but also for the companies because their sales are at its peak. With Company earn more profit it would love to share its wealth with their employees in terms of incentives, bonus etc.. By sharing their wealth they can make their employees happy and thus can earn more profit.
Now companies are in new trend like rather sharing the wealth in the form of money they take employees and their families on tour so that the employees get to know about each other well. Now for such trips it would be better if the companies would rent a service from one of the top firms of the industry like NYC Bus Charter. Charter bus rental NYC gives an online service on a 24 hour basis. They are using green buses, meaning that it is environment friendly. The vehicles are well maintained that it could run smoothly each time that they are being used on trips like it. They pride themselves with having an on-time service and friendly staff like other companies that are offering a service. Of course, you could hear these words from any company. If your company want to save some money then it would be better if they would get the discounted offers for groups.
US lawmakers approve jobs package
As US workers continue to struggle with double-digit unemployment, the House of Representatives narrowly approved a 154-billion-dollar spending bill aimed at creating jobs.
US President Barack Obama's Democratic allies said Wednesday's package, which the Senate will likely not act on until 2010, would aid those looking for work and states facing shortfalls and mulling public sector layoffs.
Lawmakers voted 217-212 for the bill, which includes 48.3 billion dollars in infrastructure investments from highway construction to clean water projects and public housing programs.
Obama praised the bill's passage, saying the legislation offered "some productive ideas to respond to... great need."
He thanked lawmakers for "offering new initiatives including repairing our roads and bridges, providing relief to Americans who have lost their jobs, and preventing layoffs at the state and local level."
The bill also includes provisions toughening controversial "Buy American" provisions that require the use of US-made construction materials for highways and bridges funded with money from a February economic stimulus package.
Specifically, the legislation would make it harder to waive those requirements -- a step the US Chamber of Commerce and other business associations condemned in a letter to key lawmakers.
"The result will be delayed projects, fewer projects funded, and fewer Americans put back to work," because the requirements delay construction projects, they warned.
The legislation also includes 26.7 billion dollars to help cash-strapped US states retain key public sector workers like teachers, firefighters, and police officers.
The legislation includes six-month extensions of unemployment benefits, which had been due to expire at the end of December, as well as a stopgap health insurance program that chiefly benefits the unemployed.
Democrats tapped leftover funds from a titanic financial sector bailout package to pay for about half of the new legislation.
But Republicans charged that the spending plan would add billions of dollars to programs funded under a nearly 800-billion-dollar economic stimulus plan passed in February, even though much of that money has not yet been spent.
They also said the unused Wall Street bailout monies should go to paying down the soaring US national debt.
Earlier this month, official figures showed the unemployment rate fell in November to 10.0 per cent from 10.2 percent, a 23-year high.
US President Barack Obama's Democratic allies said Wednesday's package, which the Senate will likely not act on until 2010, would aid those looking for work and states facing shortfalls and mulling public sector layoffs.
Lawmakers voted 217-212 for the bill, which includes 48.3 billion dollars in infrastructure investments from highway construction to clean water projects and public housing programs.
Obama praised the bill's passage, saying the legislation offered "some productive ideas to respond to... great need."
He thanked lawmakers for "offering new initiatives including repairing our roads and bridges, providing relief to Americans who have lost their jobs, and preventing layoffs at the state and local level."
The bill also includes provisions toughening controversial "Buy American" provisions that require the use of US-made construction materials for highways and bridges funded with money from a February economic stimulus package.
Specifically, the legislation would make it harder to waive those requirements -- a step the US Chamber of Commerce and other business associations condemned in a letter to key lawmakers.
"The result will be delayed projects, fewer projects funded, and fewer Americans put back to work," because the requirements delay construction projects, they warned.
The legislation also includes 26.7 billion dollars to help cash-strapped US states retain key public sector workers like teachers, firefighters, and police officers.
The legislation includes six-month extensions of unemployment benefits, which had been due to expire at the end of December, as well as a stopgap health insurance program that chiefly benefits the unemployed.
Democrats tapped leftover funds from a titanic financial sector bailout package to pay for about half of the new legislation.
But Republicans charged that the spending plan would add billions of dollars to programs funded under a nearly 800-billion-dollar economic stimulus plan passed in February, even though much of that money has not yet been spent.
They also said the unused Wall Street bailout monies should go to paying down the soaring US national debt.
Earlier this month, official figures showed the unemployment rate fell in November to 10.0 per cent from 10.2 percent, a 23-year high.
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Chinese on a global treasure hunting mission
Chinese art experts are on a global "treasure hunting" mission, seeking to reclaim stolen antiquities "plundered" by foreign powers.
A delegation of Chinese cultural experts has swept through American institutions and museum for the past two weeks, in a bid to regain items once ensconced at the Old Summer Palace in Beijing, which was one of the world’s most richly appointed imperial residences until British and French troops plundered it in 1860.
China’s "treasure hunting team" descended on the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York last week and fired off questions about the provenance of objects on display.
Taking a close look at a collection of jade pieces, the delegation sought documentation to show that the pieces had been acquired legally, the New York Times reported.
"China is like an adolescent who took too many steroids," said Liu Kang, a professor of Chinese studies at Duke University.
"It has suddenly become big, but it finds it hard to coordinate and control its body. To the West, it can look like a monster," he was quoted as saying by the Times. The destruction of the Old Summer Palace remains a crucial event epitomizing China’s fall from greatness.
The communist regime, emboldened by newfound wealth, is on a noisy campaign to reclaim relics that disappeared during its so-called century of humiliation, the period between 1842 and 1945 when foreign powers subjugated China through military incursions and onerous treaties.
A delegation of Chinese cultural experts has swept through American institutions and museum for the past two weeks, in a bid to regain items once ensconced at the Old Summer Palace in Beijing, which was one of the world’s most richly appointed imperial residences until British and French troops plundered it in 1860.
China’s "treasure hunting team" descended on the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York last week and fired off questions about the provenance of objects on display.
Taking a close look at a collection of jade pieces, the delegation sought documentation to show that the pieces had been acquired legally, the New York Times reported.
"China is like an adolescent who took too many steroids," said Liu Kang, a professor of Chinese studies at Duke University.
"It has suddenly become big, but it finds it hard to coordinate and control its body. To the West, it can look like a monster," he was quoted as saying by the Times. The destruction of the Old Summer Palace remains a crucial event epitomizing China’s fall from greatness.
The communist regime, emboldened by newfound wealth, is on a noisy campaign to reclaim relics that disappeared during its so-called century of humiliation, the period between 1842 and 1945 when foreign powers subjugated China through military incursions and onerous treaties.
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