Near Eastern Institute

Neolithic Ain Ghazal

Ain Ghazal is a neolithic archeaological site found in Amman, Jordan that is currently being excavated by an American-Jordanian team.  The site is around 15 hectares and is known to be the largest pre-historic settlement in the area.

History

The first settlers in Ain Ghazal arrived in the area around 7250 BC. They settled there during the Pre-pottery Neolithic Period. In a couple of centuries after its initial inhabitants, the settlement stretched to Zarqa River or ten to fifteen hectares beyond the original point.

Its prime was around 7000 BC.  It is approximated that 3000 people inhabited the area during that time.  Farming was the main livelihood in the area though archaeologists term their economy as one that is mixed.  Some of the products they farmed include wheat, barley and lentils.

Five hundred years after its prime, the populated dropped because of environmental degradation. Forests nearby degenerated because of the increasing need for wood.  Some wild animals also failed to survive this change, hence the Ain Ghazal people started domesticating animals.

What do we know about Ain Ghazal’s inhabitants?

Ain Ghazal is of interest to many archaeologists because of the many anthromorphic statues found in the settlement.  These statues represent the pagan worship culture back in those days.

What is interesting to note is that they might be one of the first people to have done community worship.  Their shift to community worship were evidenced by some archaeological findings that confirm that individual houses  had places of worship prior to the changes in their physical environment.  Subsequently, they  dug the first evidence of communal temples dated at a later period.

The Ain Ghazal people buried their dead under of their houses.  However, some human remains were found some feet away from the settlement buried together in groups.  This is early evidence that these people may have decided at some point to bury their dead away from where they live.  This system is much like the cemeteries we have today.

Why is Ain Ghazal Significant to Bible Tourists?

The people of Ain Ghazal are believed to be the ancestors of the people of Jericho. Bible readers may recall Jericho to be a very significant place in Salvation History.  In fact, Jericho is one of the most often mentioned places in the Bible for at least seventy Biblically significant events happened there.

Some of these include:

• Moses and God talking about the Promised Land.
• The Battle of Jericho described in Joshua.
• The end of King Zedekiah of Judea´s reign.
• The Parable of the Good Samaritan happened when a man was on his way to Jericho.
• The healing of a blind man.

Hence Ain Ghazal´s role in Biblical History is much more that what can be seen on the surface.

Tips for Travellers

Ain Ghazal can be better appreciated if you take the time to read books on history and anthropology.  Some of the statues found in this area are the best-preserved ones from their time.  Not only will visiting this archaeological site bring you better understanding of our ancient ancestors, it can also allow you to take a glimpse of the people whom were not recorded in the Bible but who anyway played a role in our salvation.

Seleucid Empire

Alexander the Great’s empire was succeeded by the Seleucid Empire, thus making the latter a Hellenistic Empire. It came into being in 312 BC and lasted up until 63 BC. The Seleucid Empire may have been centred in the near East, but its authority annexed Mesopotamia, Persia, central Anatolia, Pamir, the Levant, Turkmenistan, and parts of Pakistan. The impact and influence of the prior Greek rule was still eminent in the Seleucid Empire which was a key centre of Hellenistic culture. The Greek speaking Macedonians were influential people who primarily dominated the urban areas.

Alexander the Great died young and left a vast empire of partly Hellenised culture without an adult heir. Therefore the empire’s authority was obligated to a regent called Perdiccas in 323 BC. The provinces of Alexander’s Empire were divided between his generals, who thus became satraps in the Partition of Babylon in 323 BC. The Diadochi (generals) competed for total control over the parts of the empire; Ptolemy was the first general to challenge the new rule under Perdiccas whose demise followed. After this rebellion came the Partition of Triparadisus in 320 BC. Seleucus had been the Commander-In-Chief under the deceased Perdiccas in 323 BC; he had helped assassinate Perdiccas and during this partition, received Babylonia in 312 BC. Seleucus expanded his territory ruthlessly to include the eastern part of Alexander’s empire. He further went ahead into India, where he reached an agreement with Chandragupta Maurya exchanging his eastern territories for 500 war elephants. Seleucus would use the war elephants as a military asset in 302 BC at the Battle of Ipsus. Seleucus further lost some additional territories before his demise, namely: Gedrosia (south-east of the Iranian plateau), and Anchrosia (west bank of Indus River).

Seleucus’ successors were challenged by the constant wars of Ptolemy II and Celtic rulers; various provinces also gained their own independence under other authorities. The Seleucids authority in the region had faded, their control was lost with the advent of the Third Syrian War between Seleucus II and Ptolemy III of Egypt.

The Revival of the Seleucid Empire came at about 223-191 BC when Antiochus III the Great, Seleucus II’s younger son, took the throne in the year 223 BC. Antiochus may have suffered a humiliating defeat in the Fourth Syrian War and the Battle of Raphia (217 BC), but he proved himself to be the second greatest ruler of the Seleucid Empire after Seleucus I himself. His honour came in after he restored the Seleucid Empire’s glory.

Antiochus’ glory was however short-lived when he was defeated by the Romans at the Battle of Thermopylae-191 BC and the Battle of Magnesia-190 BC. He was even coerced into a treaty with the Romans forcing him to give up all European territories; set within the treaty was a hefty indemnity to be paid. In 187 BC Antiochus ventured into a mission 

to the east in a bid to obtain money to pay the indemnity; and it was during this expedition that he faced his death.

Antiochus was succeeded by two of his sons in succession who were curbed with many challenges in the throne from their enemies. They both met their deaths as a result of power struggles. Following the death of the last of the 2 sons was a period of civil strife and instability. All operational Seleucid authority collapsed, and numerous foreign claimants contested control of what was left of the Seleucid Empire which was in the brink of utmost destruction due to the persistent civil war.

The collapse of the Seleucid Empire was realised by the Romans when they gained overall control of Syria which was annexed into the Roman Empire and the Romans gained authority over the now extinct Seleucid kingdom.

Black Obelisk of Nimrud

The Black Obelisk was found in northern Iraq, a remnant of ancient Kahlu (Nimrud) under the reign of Shalmaneser III which lasted in the period between 858 BC and 824 BC. It is a black limestone sculpture reinforced by bas (a bas-relief sculpture) which belongs to the Neo-Assyrian age. The Black Obelisk was articulately constructed as a public monument at a time when there was a waging civil war in 825 BCE.

It is attributed not only for exhibiting the earliest prehistoric depiction of an Israelite; but also as being the most complete Assyrian obelisk ever discovered. For that historical implication and utmost significance, various special people from all walks of life and regions go to visit the Black Obelisk as well as make special tribute offerings.

The physical dimensions of the Black Obelisk were intricately assembled into an exquisite yet symbolical sculpture that is well documented in the history books. It has a height of approximately 6.5 feet (197.85 cm), and a width of just about 1.5 feet (45.08 cm). There are twenty reliefs on the obelisk with 5 reliefs on each side. The reliefs convey honour and deference to the Assyrian king; they signify five different kings that were subjugated during their reigns. The kings are in a descending order: 1) Sua of Gilzanu (north-western region of Iran); 2) ‘Jehu of Bit Omri’ (also known as Jehu of the House of Omri); 3) an unidentified ruler of Musri (likely Egypt); 4) Marduk-apil-usur of Suhi (Syria, middle Euphrates, and Iraq); and 5) Qalparunda of Patin (Antakya region ofTurkey). Each backdrop is in four panels that occur all around the monument, with a corresponding description above them in cuneiform script.

There is in the Bible importance and some connotation to the Black Obelisk. The relief signifying King Jehu (a biblical king of Israel) also includes the earliest surviving picture of an Israelite. The picture illustrates how King Jehu either sent or conveyed his tribute at about the period in 841 BCE. King Jehu dissolved the associations of Israel with Judah and Phoenicia and became an Assyrian subject. Just above the scene is a cuneiform caption translated to:

“THE TRIBUTE OF JEHU, SON OF OMRI: I have accepted from him gold, silver, golden tumblers, golden buckets, a golden bowl, golden vase with a pointed base, tin, a staff for a king and spears.”

There are memos of the annals of Shalmaneser III which have been inscribed in a long cuneiform at the top and bottom of the reliefs. The inscriptions are a thirty-one year catalogue of the military operations headed by the king and his commander-in-chief led every year till the end of the reign 31 years later. It is also evident that some of the features are a strong indication that the work may have been assigned by Dayyan-Assur, the commander-in-chief.

Discovery of the Black Obelisk is thanks to Sir Henry Layard (an archaeologist) who found this memorial sculpture of prehistoric times. The Black Obelisk is presently in display at the British Museum where it is preserved and cared for. There is also a mock-up model of the Black Obelisk at the Oriental Institute in Chicago, Illinois.

It is probably one of the most historically and biblically significant limestone sculpture; and from its unique structure and rich background, it’s easy to see why.

Video of the Black Obelisk among other Assyrian treasures at the British Museum:

Welcome to the Near Eastern Institute

The Near Eastern Institute is responsible for managing the “big three” certifications for Near Eastern studies:

1. Certified Assyriologist
2. Certified Biblical Archaeologist
3. Certified Egyptologist

Each certification is supported by a self-paced course that includes reading, online assignments, interactions with other students and a final paper. The courses are divided into 12 weekly assignments; however, you are encouraged to work at your own pace which allows you the most flexibility in completing your certification whether it be over the course of just 12 weeks or up to a year if desired-the choice is yours.

Learn about Egyptology, Assyriology, and Biblical Archaeology. It’s easy to get certified so go ahead, get certified and prove your knowledge!

Certified Egyptologist

Imagine yourself living among the ancient Egyptians while completing your Certified Egyptologist studies. Enhance your knowledge of Egyptology, the land of the Nile and its many archaeological treasures. Learn about hieroglyphics and the customs of ancient Egypt. Get certified, prove your knowledge. Earn your certification proving your distinguished level of knowledge in the field of Egyptology.

 

Course Cost: $199 plus S&H

 

Course Description:

• This Certified Egyptologist course is focused primarily on ancient Egypt and the influence of Egypt throughout the Near East. It covers Egypt from prehistoric times through the various kingdoms, intermediate periods and Greco-Roman rule.
• All course materials including books are included in the cost of Near Eastern Institute certifications. Internet connectivity is required for the posting of written assignments and interacting with other students online.
• Upon successful completion of the certification requirements below, you will receive your credentials as a Certified Egyptologist.

Certification Requirements for Certified Egyptologist:

• Completion of 12 Egyptology reading assignments
• Successful completion of 12 written assignments posted online
• Participation and comments with other students
• Final paper on a subject chosen from a list of possible topics

Certified Biblical Archaeologist

Enrich your understanding of Biblical Archaeology during your self-paced study as the people, places and events of the Bible are illuminated through archaeology. Earn your certification proving your distinguished level of knowledge in the field of Biblical Archaeology. This Certified Biblical Archaeologist course includes your choice of either Old Testament or New Testament archaeology.

Course Cost: $199 plus S&H

Course Description:

• The Old Testament Archaeology course concentrates on archaeology throughout the Near East from prehistoric Mesopotamia and the age of the Patriarchs through the Exile and eventual Roman rule.
• The New Testament Archaeology course covers the archaeology of the Roman era and focuses on the ministry of Jesus, the church and related sites throughout the Near East and Mediterranean.
• All course materials including books are included in the cost of Near Eastern Institute certifications. Internet connectivity is required for the posting of written assignments and interacting with other students online.
• Upon successful completion of the certification requirements below, you will receive your credentials as a Certified Biblical Archaeologist.

Certification Requirements for Certified Biblical Archaeologist:

• Completion of 12 Biblical Archaeology reading assignments
• Successful completion of 12 written assignments posted online
• Participation and comments with other students
• Final paper on a subject chosen from a list of possible topics

Certified Assyriologist

Learn about the ancient civilizations of Mesopotamia during your self-paced Certified Assyriologist studies covering the Sumerians, Assyrians and Babylonians. Many archaeological sites, discovered artifacts and cuneiform tablets come together to paint the portrait of life in ancient Assyria. Get certified, prove your knowledge. Earn your certification in the field of Assyriology while learning about the many contributions made by ancient Mesopotamians in the fields of science, math, astronomy and medicine.

Course Cost: $199 plus S&H

Course Description:

• This Certified Assyriologist course is centered on the people, places, events and customs of ancient Assyria and includes the history of Sumer, Assyria and Babylon.
• All course materials including books are included in the cost of Near Eastern Institute certifications. Internet connectivity is required for the posting of written assignments and interacting with other students online.
• Upon successful completion of the certification requirements below, you will receive your credentials as a Certified Assyriologist.

Certification Requirements for Certified Assyriologist:

• Completion of 12 Assyriology reading assignments
• Successful completion of 12 written assignments posted online
• Participation and comments with other students
• Final paper on a subject chosen from a list of possible topics