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Archaeological Dig Report
Excavating the Tell es-Safi (Gath) Archaeological Site
 
 
John Stringer spoke about his fascinating experiences excavating at the archaeological site of Tell es-Safi (biblical Gath), the home of Goliath and of David, in the Elah Valley.  
 
The site sits inland in a triangle between Tel Aviv and Jerusalem in the foothills of Judea. It is significant as being one of the main cities of the Philistine Pentapolis and the excavations are concerned with understanding the Philistine culture in the late Bronze Age ca. 1100 BC transitioning into the Iron Age, the era of King David and Solomon.
 
 
John believes the Philistines (the “Plst” of Egyptian cartouches) were actually a coordinated and organised Mycenaean colonisation, first of the Nile delta and then up the Cannanite coast where they settled (“The Way of the Philistines”).
 
A Philistine Warrior
 
John explained about the animals found on site, showed photos of how a site looked, how it was organised, and showed physical examples of tools used, the kind of attire necessary plus other practical components of an archaeological dig including what kind of food is eaten, accommodation etc.
 
He also mentioned that working the site occurred from very early in the morning to around midday as extremely hot temperatures made it too challenging to continue on site later in the day.
 
John on site early morning
 
He then went into detail about the kinds of things found including bones, obsidian blades, worked stones, clay bricks, and pottery. He explained that archaeology also looks for things that are not there such as pork bones which, if absent, suggests a Jewish context.
 
John completed his Masters research at Victoria in classical studies focussing on aspects of Philistine material culture and  in particular on their art.  He drew commonalities and similarities with Mycenaean art including the use of distinctive florals and bird motifs, female goddesses and particular graphic elements, weaponry, clothing and other cultural patterns described by the Egyptians (Ramses III) and the Bible (1 and 2 Samuel).
 
 
We thanked John for his intriguing insight into the dig and club members took the opportunity to look up close at the array of materials, clothing and artefacts he had brought along with him.
 
NZCT
Card from the New Zealand Conservation Trust
 
 
 
President Jenny shared this message to us from the Trust:
 
“The New Zealand Conservation Trust would like to thank the Rotary Club of Papanui for the generous donation towards the repair work on the Kiwi Nocturnal House.
 
Safety and care of the Kiwi is always our main focus.
 
The renovation of the roof will ensure that their environment is maintained to a high level.
 
Kind regards
 
New Zealand Conservation Trust Trustees.”
 
To view more details about the Trust’s activities click here.
 
Doing Good
Snippets
 
Girls Just Want To Have Fun
 
Deryn, Lois & Liz at the Hamburg Convention
 
Liz & Lois at a Women in Rotary Event
 
 
Reality Bites Get Together Reminder
 
 
See you there this Friday the 7th at 10:00 am !
 
Upcoming Events you are welcome to attend
 
Papanui Bush Tree Planting and area Tidy up
Papanui Bush
Jun 05, 2019 9:00 AM
 
Mayor Lianne Dalziel will speak
The Papanui
Jun 06, 2019
5:55 PM – 7:45 PM
 
Coffee Morning at Reality Bites Cafe (10am)
Reality Bites Cafe
Jun 07, 2019 10:00 AM
 
Preparing meal at Ronald McDonald House
Ronald McDonald House
Jun 10, 2019
4:30 PM – 7:30 PM
 
Project Pipeline Presentation
The Papanui
Jun 13, 2019
5:55 PM – 7:30 PM
 
View entire list
Meeting Responsibilities
Duty Roster 6th June 2019
 
Reception
Thompson, Brian
 
Speakers Host
Haworth, Geoff
 
Vote of Thanks
Mitchell, Keith
 
Visitors Host
Skiba, Larry
 
Sergeant
Thomson, Rob
 
Meeting Set Up
McMurtrie, Denis
 
Room Tidy Up
Allen, John
 
Duty Roster 13 June 2019
 
Reception
Hudson, Jim
 
Vote of Thanks
McQueen, Philippa
 
Visitors Host
Thomson, Evan
 
Sergeant
Archbold, Doug
 
Meeting Setup
McMurtrie, Denis
 
Room Tidyup
Wright, Max
 
Duty Roster 20th June 2019
 
Reception
Hilson, Euan
 
Speakers Host
Hudson, Jim
 
Vote of Thanks
Van Beek, Verdi
 
Visitors Host
Thomson, Rob
 
Sergeant
Murnane, Jonny
 
Meeting Setup
McMurtrie, Denis
 
Room Tidyup
McNee, Ken
 
Club Chat from Rotary Papanui
E: papanuirotary@gmail.com W: www.papanuirotary.org.nz
Apologies to rcpapologies@gmail.com      Chat Items to paice@xtra.co.nz
 
Centurions  $100 Payments to Riccarton Rotary Charitable Trust
Account number 03 1355 0516692 03.
In details area add your club name, initial and surname plus RI number.