“Magdala in Context”  is the theme of an international workshop which has taken place in the Holy Land from the sixth to the eighth of June. The meeting began with a visit to  archeological sites at Magdala, Capernaum and Hippos, and ended in Jerusalem in the presence of professors from the Studium Biblicum Francescanum.  These were three days of mettings between archeological experts from Italy as well as from Haifa and Jerusalem, with the cooperation of the Spanish Biblical and Archeological Institute ‘Casa de Santiago.’  Several members of the Association of Spanish Biblicists, specializing in contextual exegesis, analysed the archeological discoveries in question in terms of the social anthropology of the New Testament.  In his presentation, Friar Stefano de Luca explained that that archaeological excavation required a multidisciplinary approach.Father STEFANO DE LUCA ofmDirector of the Magdala ProjectAnd so as far as the University of Salamanca is concerned, we are developing a collaboration aimed at understanding the social context in which Magdala, Mary of Magdala and the activity of Jesus can be better understood. For Professor Santiago Guijarro Oporto, this contribution is invaluable in helping us to understand the context, in which what has been found at Magdala, should be placed.Professor SANTIAGO GUIJARRO OPORTOPontifical University of SalamancaBefore archeologists can carry out their work they need – they now realize –  collaboration.  But we biblicists also need to study the findings of the archeologists, and of their conclusions. And so we have found a way in which to work together in these excavations at Magdala, which we find to be extremely interesting. Digs were carried out for the Custody of the Holy Land, in 1971, by the Franciscans V. Corbo and Stanislaw Loffreda of the Studium Biblicum Franciscanum. In 30 years, excavations have unearthed a vast amount of urban fabric, with its buildings, paved streets, and a large colonaded square.   In 2008 thermal pools were discovered, and these included much precious ceramic pottery, perfume phials, jewelry and instruments for applying make up.  At the moment the aim of the Magdala Project is to investiagte Complex C, which includes a now celebrated mosiac featuring a boat and thermal objects.  According to Father de Lucca, remains at Magdala are revealing an important city, which was by no means small.  Jesus would have to have passed by here in walking between Nazareth and Capernaum along the Via Maris.Father STEFANO DE LUCADirector of the Magdala ProjectThis is the only port to have been investigated archeologically on the shores of the Sea of Galilee ... and there were many port cities here, but none has been subject to excavations, and therefore none is known.  This is the first port to be dated from archeological and geological points of view, and it allows a calculation of the water level in the time of Jesus.A professor, archeologist and student of the life of Mary Magdelene, says that she and the city have a special relationship.Professor CARMEN BERNABE’ UBIETAUniversity of  Deusto - Bilbao  ... the new discoveries will help us tounderstand this character, and the character of this biblical personality, well, and this is very interesting ... Padre José Luis Albares ended the meeting by underlying a need to persue a joint project by biblicists as well as hermeneutic scholars at the University of Salamanca and experts involved in the archeological work that is developing at Magdala.  

“Magdala in Context”  is the theme of an international workshop which has taken place in the Holy Land from the sixth to the eighth of June. The meeting began with a visit to  archeological...leggi tutto