AiG’s Archaeologist Shares Dig Details, “Escape” from Israel

Over the years, the more discoveries archaeologists working in Israel have made, the more they have found the Bible’s history of events, places, and people is confirmed! Corey East, an archaeologist and an Answers in Genesis education specialist and speaker, was just on an archaeology dig in Israel.

Corey shared with me a brief recap of her trip—including her rather harrowing “escape” from the war-torn country:

I arrived in Israel with Associates for Biblical Research in order to participate in the final two weeks of excavation at the ancient site of Shiloh as an assistant square supervisor.

Directed by Dr. Scott Stripling with ABR, this dig is located about 19 miles north of Jerusalem in the West Bank. Shiloh was the first stationary location of the tabernacle of God following the conquest of Canaan for over three centuries (Joshua 18:1). The events surrounding the prophet Samuel and his calling by God as well as the capture of the ark of the covenant and the death of Eli the high priest also occurred at this site (1 Samuel 1:3, 4:3).

Under my square supervisor (Tommy Chamberlin), we accomplished the goal of my square’s excavation, lowering the level of dirt and stone above previously excavated squares that were now unsafe. We uncovered many walls from the Byzantine period as well as pottery and glass from various periods stretching back to the early Roman period.

As the assistant square supervisor, I worked hard to ensure that everything we found in the field was properly cataloged and notes were recorded in order to write our square report at the end of the dig season. I have worked in other excavations in Israel, so I felt very prepared for this exciting adventure. And after living in Jerusalem years prior, I felt like I was going back to a familiar friend. However, I would be lying if I did not admit that the final four days of this adventure were unsettling and challenging.

On June 13, the night sky over Jerusalem was beautiful and dark with what appeared to be dozens of lights arching across like fireworks, but it sounded like an explosion. It was at this moment that the Tzofar app (an app Israelis use that alerts them of missiles and other threats in their areas) alerted and the loud sirens in the city also sounded. We needed to take cover—Israel was under attack, and those weren’t fireworks, they were missiles. We jumped out of bed and ran down the hallway and down the stairs of the hotel to the lowest level that served as a bunker. Israel and Iran were at war, and we were wondering how we would get back home to the United States.

Following the missile fire in the early morning hours of June 13, all flights were canceled out of the Ben Gurion Airport. Dr. Stripling and our amazing contacts in Israel set up a plan where we would drive down to the Sinai and then across to Egypt and then fly out through Cairo. Our wonderful tour group provided us not only with a driver but also with an armed guard for when we passed through the border into Egypt.

These amazing people helped us navigate more than a dozen checkpoints in the Sinai, which could have taken us hours each to get through. But by the grace of God, we were waved on through. We really were covered by the prayers of all those back home.

I was able to return home to Kentucky and my loved ones after more than 48 hours of travel. I was overwhelmed with the peace of Christ as all of the chaos unfolded around me, and I felt enveloped by the prayers of all of my loved ones and supporters.

I want to thank Answers in Genesis for pouring into me as a young archaeologist and sponsoring me in this research, as well as all of our supporters who enabled this amazing work to continue through your prayers and financial support. Lord willing, I will return next year to continue excavations with the ABR team, but until then, continue praying for all of those affected by the chaos and the destruction.

It is my earnest prayer that believers in Israel, Iran, Gaza, and the surrounding regions stay strengthened and are encouraged as they weather this great turmoil, but I also pray for those who do not know Christ that they come to know the Prince of Peace and can find forgiveness and new life in him.

Next year in Jerusalem!

We’re thankful that Corey is safely home, but it’s a reminder to continue to pray for the perilous situation in Israel and the Middle East. What Corey got a taste of is what so many experience on a daily basis. Yes, we need to be praying.

Thanks for stopping by and thanks for praying,
Ken

This item was written with the assistance of AiG’s research team.