The Lynn H. Wood Archaeological Museum Lecture Series continues on Wednesday, Feb. 15, at 7 p.m. in Lynn Wood Auditorium, Southern Adventist University.
Martin G. Klingbeil, D.Litt., will present “Ancient Near Eastern Passports: Two Stamp Seals from Khirbet Qeiyafa.” Admission is free.
Some of the greatest finds discovered in archaeological excavations are surprisingly small. Ancient Neat Eastern seals are only about the size of a thumbprint but they have been intricately engraved with letters and images that can tell us a lot about the socio-political, cultural, and, most interestingly, religious affiliations of their owners. These objects served as the equivalent of modern passports and authenticated not only business transactions and political treaties, but also served as important artifacts in the cultic sphere of the Ancient Near East. The lecture will provide an introduction to the interpretation of seals and focus specifically on two seals found at Khirbet Qeiyafa in area D during the 2011 season, which have not been published before.
For more information, visit southern.edu/archaeology or call 423 236-2030.