Two Tusculum University students and a recent graduate are building on their classroom studies and biblical knowledge by participating for three weeks in an archaeological excavation in Israel.
David Bowlin and Hughston Burnheimer, who are seniors, and Eirik Dahlgren, who graduated in May, will assist with excavation of walls at Tel Lachish in search of Iran Age fortifications. Burnheimer and Dahlgren arrived Saturday, July 1, and joined Bowlin, who was touring the Holy Land with other students as well as Dr. Scott Hummel, Tusculum’s president; Starr Hummel, the university’s first lady; and Dr. Greg Nelson, chair of the Board of Trustees.
“I’m excited,” said Burnheimer, who is pursuing a major in history with a concentration in museum studies. “I never thought I would have an opportunity like this. I’ve dreamed about visiting the Holy Land as a Christian and a Catholic, and now I get to do that and participate in an archaeological dig for three weeks. That’s amazing.”
Tel Lachish is the site where the ruins of the ancient Canaanite and Judean cities of Lachish are located. Because it was the second largest city in ancient Judea, second only to Jerusalem, and because it has not been occupied since 150 BC, it is one of the best preserved sites in Israel. Dr. Yosef “Yossi” Garfinkel, a professor of archaeology at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem, said Lachish was a flourishing Canaanite city in the second millennium BC, with three temples and the main center for the development of the alphabet script.
Dr. Garfinkel discussed the importance of Lachish in and its connections to biblical history in November at Tusculum. During that visit, Dr. Hummel presented the opportunity for students to join in the excavation.
In the early stages of their work, Bowlin, Burnheimer and Dahlgren have already earned praise from Dr. Garfinkel as great students who are doing well at Tel Lachish.
Here is a summary of the students:
David Bowlin
A senior seeking a degree in communication, Bowlin also serves as young adult director at First Christian Church in Greeneville. He is
enthused about having the opportunity to excavate in Israel for these three weeks.
“There are tons of things happening in the archaeological world that are benefiting and bringing evidence toward the veracity of the Bible and what it has to say,” Bowlin said. “Just to be part of that, see what excavation looks like there and some of the processes engulfed in that and learn from the people there excites me.”
It is nice to learn about things from the past, but it is also important that it tells something about truth, Bowlin said. He likes the prospect of learning a lot during the excavation, becoming part of the culture and discovering more about Israel. He said this will be a once-in-a-lifetime experience because he has never been out of the United States for an extended period. He is also going to earn three hours of credit from The Hebrew University, which will be transferable to Tusculum.
Looking at the excavation and the tour of Israel, Bowlin said it will strengthen his faith.
“I’ve seen the places where these Bible stories come from, so when I read something about Jesus in Jerusalem, I’ll be able to picture that to an extent,” he said. “That’s going to be very helpful to me. I also think I will probably learn a lot about the archaeological world as a whole, which will give me a better understanding of some of the evidence we have discovered that support the truth of Scripture.”
Hughston Burnheimer
From an academic standpoint, Burnheimer will benefit from participating in the excavation and then having a role in the processing and accession work with anything that is uncovered. That will bring to life all he has learned in his classes at Tusculum. This activity will serve as the internship he needs to complete for his bachelor’s degree and be a résumé-builder. He notes that having this opportunity highlights the value of a Tusculum education.
Burheimer will also be able to rub elbows with people who have been performing excavations for a long time. He said he will be able to build connections that will help him achieve his career goals. He is thrilled he will be able to work closely with Dr. Garfinkel during these three weeks because the professor is a major leader in this line of work in the Holy Land.
But the trip will also enhance the spiritual side of Burheimer’s life. The day he and Dahlgren, a fellow Catholic, arrived in Israel, they attended Mass in Jerusalem and Burnheimer was able to serve as a lector for one of the readings.
“I am in awe of the fact that what we are digging up is literally biblical in age,” Burnheimer said. “I still haven’t fully processed it. The Old Testament in the Bible mentions the walls being built on this site. That is physical evidence that that is what the Bible says. Being able to take part in its discovery is something I haven’t been able to grasp yet how amazing this is.”
Eirik Dahlgren
Dahlgren graduated in May with bachelor’s degrees in history and museum studies. He is looking forward to the hands-on opportunity to work with the artifacts at Tel Lachish, and like Burnheimer, he sees carryover to his career. If he applies for a job at a museum, he can reference on his résumé that he worked on an archaeological dig with someone who has been featured in a magazine about that work.
He also anticipates learning about the mechanics of running the excavation and the specific historical and archaeological context of the site. That will build on knowledge and experience he gained from volunteering for three summers at the Gray Fossil Site in Northeast Tennessee when he was a high school student as well as what he learned during his studies at Tusculum. That will help him to be well prepared for this project.
“I have a pretty good understanding of what the excavation will entail,” Dahlgren said. “It will involve a lot of sitting or kneeling in the ground shaving away dirt inches at a time and presenting anything that I find to those overseeing the project. What we are looking for are effectively worked objects, such as pottery.”
Spiritually, his life will be enriched on this trip because of Tel-Lachish’s biblical ties. In addition, he will have time for side ventures during the days when the trio will not be digging to see the Church of the Holy Sepulchre and other locations in Israel that have biblical connections.
Perspective from Dr. Hummel
Dr. Hummel said the work these Pioneers are performing will be meaningful for them and the university.
“David, Hughston and Eirik are excellent academically, and their intellectual curiosity and desire to learn more will yield great results from this trip,” he said. “This excavation work highlights a core component of a Tusculum education – active and experiential learning – and deepens and provides greater context to their faith. We are thrilled they have seized this opportunity and are eager to hear their stories when they return.”
More information about the university is available at www.tusculum.edu.
