Biblical Archaeological Institute
Encyclopedia
Rhineland
Historically, the Rhinelands refers to a loosely-defined region embracing the land on either bank of the River Rhine in central Europe....
.
It constitutes an institute of the “Protestant University of Wuppertal” as well as an associated institute of the University of Wuppertal
University of Wuppertal
The University of Wuppertal is a German scientific institution, located in Wuppertal, North Rhine-Westphalia.The university, the full German name of which is Bergische Universität Wuppertal , was formed in 1972 and is located in the city of Wuppertal, within the state of North Rhine-Westphalia,...
and holds the right to award doctorates at both universities.
The necessary financial endowment
Financial endowment
A financial endowment is a transfer of money or property donated to an institution. The total value of an institution's investments is often referred to as the institution's endowment and is typically organized as a public charity, private foundation, or trust....
is provided by the “Friends of the BAI” (e.V.).
Scientific aims
Since 1999 four main objectives of research are being pursued. These comprehend:- Excavation projects (especially in the Eastern Mediterranean)
- The application of modern methods in Archaeology - i.e. GeophysicsGeophysicsGeophysics is the physics of the Earth and its environment in space; also the study of the Earth using quantitative physical methods. The term geophysics sometimes refers only to the geological applications: Earth's shape; its gravitational and magnetic fields; its internal structure and...
(geoelectrics and tomographyTomographyTomography refers to imaging by sections or sectioning, through the use of any kind of penetrating wave. A device used in tomography is called a tomograph, while the image produced is a tomogram. The method is used in radiology, archaeology, biology, geophysics, oceanography, materials science,...
; geomagnetics; georadar) and terrestrial research (PhotogrammetryPhotogrammetryPhotogrammetry is the practice of determining the geometric properties of objects from photographic images. Photogrammetry is as old as modern photography and can be dated to the mid-nineteenth century....
) - Archaeometry (chemical and mineralogical pottery analysis; experimental firing of pottery); the main interest is to write a history of pottery production in the investigation area; since 2008 also research work on ancient glass and faience industry
- Experimental archaeologyExperimental archaeologyExperimental archaeology employs a number of different methods, techniques, analyses, and approaches in order to generate and test hypotheses, based upon archaeological source material, like ancient structures or artifacts. It should not be confused with primitive technology which is not concerned...
(Production of pottery replicas in historically correct manufacturing methods)
Different projects
The Biblical Archaeological Institute has conducted excavations and geophysical research in ItalyItaly
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
, Greece
Greece
Greece , officially the Hellenic Republic , and historically Hellas or the Republic of Greece in English, is a country in southeastern Europe....
, Israel
Israel
The State of Israel is a parliamentary republic located in the Middle East, along the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea...
and the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan
Jordan
Jordan , officially the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan , Al-Mamlaka al-Urduniyya al-Hashemiyya) is a kingdom on the East Bank of the River Jordan. The country borders Saudi Arabia to the east and south-east, Iraq to the north-east, Syria to the north and the West Bank and Israel to the west, sharing...
.
- Villa Hadriana (Italy) 2002–2004
- Geophysical prospection in OlympiaOlympia, GreeceOlympia , a sanctuary of ancient Greece in Elis, is known for having been the site of the Olympic Games in classical times, comparable in importance to the Pythian Games held in Delphi. Both games were held every Olympiad , the Olympic Games dating back possibly further than 776 BC...
(Greece) 2001 - Esch-Schallaf (Jordan) 1998–1999
- Ba'ja I, close to PetraPetraPetra is a historical and archaeological city in the Jordanian governorate of Ma'an that is famous for its rock cut architecture and water conduits system. Established sometime around the 6th century BC as the capital city of the Nabataeans, it is a symbol of Jordan as well as its most visited...
(Jordan) 1999 - Sal (Jordan) 1999–2000
The Gadara Region ProjectGadara Region ProjectIn the Wādī al-‘Arab, one can find traces of human activities and settlement places from all periods. The surveys and excavations, which have applied the latest archaeological technologies and methods, show that the Wadi al-'Arab was inhabited from the Palaeolithic period to modern times...
and the Tall Zira'a
Since 2001 the institute's research focuses on the exploration of the Gadara region. The largest site in the area is the Tall Zira'aTall Zira'a
The Tall Zira'a is one of the most promising talls of Palestine. Surveys and geophysical investigations showed the site’s great potential for excavations...
which comprises over 5000 years of settlement history.
At this place in 2001 a survey was conducted. In 2003 started the first excavation of a long term project which is scheduled until 2020.
Since 2004 the German Protestant Institute of Archaeology Amman
Amman
Amman is the capital of Jordan. It is the country's political, cultural and commercial centre and one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world. The Greater Amman area has a population of 2,842,629 as of 2010. The population of Amman is expected to jump from 2.8 million to almost...
is a partner of the project. Since 2006 the corresponding institute in Jerusalem participates likewise.
The currently running excavation seasons are accomplished by a regional survey covering the greater Wadi al-'Arab area since 2009.
On the Tall Zira'a settlements from over more than five millennia are being excavated. Furthermore, the agricultural potential as well as flora and fauna, geology, hydrology, trade relations (roads, infrastructure) and the strategically importance of the Wadi al-Arab are being explored.
25 sqkm of the greater Wadi al-'Arab area (south of the ancient city of Gadara) were under research since 2009. In this area exist more than 100 sites which date from prehistory to the Islamic period.
With the help of archaeometrical methods the artefacts
Artifact (archaeology)
An artifact or artefact is "something made or given shape by man, such as a tool or a work of art, esp an object of archaeological interest"...
from the Tall Zira'a are being examined concerning their respective materials. Thereby, the research concentrates on pottery, glass and faience
Faience
Faience or faïence is the conventional name in English for fine tin-glazed pottery on a delicate pale buff earthenware body, originally associated with Faenza in northern Italy. The invention of a white pottery glaze suitable for painted decoration, by the addition of an oxide of tin to the slip...
to gain insight into the possible location of production sites and the technological knowledge.
The research described above goes hand in hand with experimental archaeology
Experimental archaeology
Experimental archaeology employs a number of different methods, techniques, analyses, and approaches in order to generate and test hypotheses, based upon archaeological source material, like ancient structures or artifacts. It should not be confused with primitive technology which is not concerned...
, applying old techniques e. g. of constructing a potters oven and firing the products.
The geophysical prospection of the Tall Zira'a used geoelectrical mapping, two-dimensional tomography and three-dimensional tomographical techniques to
- plan archaeological excavations in advance as exact as possible and devise appropriate methods of excavation,
- acquire knowledge concerning unexcavated areas and
- protect areas for future excavations.
Director
Dieter Vieweger
Dieter Vieweger, a German Biblical scholar and Prehistorian Archaeologist, was born in Chemnitz, East Germany in 1958.He studied Theology and Prehistoric Archaeology in Leipzig and Frankfurt on Main...
who was appointed in 1999. Since November 2005 he is also the Director of the German Protestant Institute of Archaeology in Jerusalem and Amman
Amman
Amman is the capital of Jordan. It is the country's political, cultural and commercial centre and one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world. The Greater Amman area has a population of 2,842,629 as of 2010. The population of Amman is expected to jump from 2.8 million to almost...
. He is professor at the Protestant University of Wuppertal as well as at the Witten/Herdecke University
Witten/Herdecke University
Witten/Herdecke University is a private university in Witten, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. Unlike most other German universities, it is a private enterprise with about 1100 students and 400 employees...
.
Location University of Wuppertal (Bergische Universität Wuppertal)
On 13 July 2003 the move-in of the BAI in the facilities of the Bergische Universität, Campus Freudenberg was ceremonially solemnized. The stuff of the BAI is mainly concerned with the archaeological research of the finds from the Tall Zira´a.The BAI on the Campus Freudenberg of the Bergische Universität Wuppertal can easily be reached by car via A 1, A 46 and L 418. Public transport is being provided from Wuppertal central station by Bus "E".
The institute is located on the 3rd floor of building FD.
External links
- Homepage Biblical Archaeological Institute Wuppertal
- Homepage of Gadara Region ProjectGadara Region ProjectIn the Wādī al-‘Arab, one can find traces of human activities and settlement places from all periods. The surveys and excavations, which have applied the latest archaeological technologies and methods, show that the Wadi al-'Arab was inhabited from the Palaeolithic period to modern times...
and Tall Zira'aTall Zira'aThe Tall Zira'a is one of the most promising talls of Palestine. Surveys and geophysical investigations showed the site’s great potential for excavations...