A team of 134 archaeological experts was evacuated through Egypt after getting stranded in Israel on the final day of their multi-month-long excavation at Shiloh in the West Bank, The Jerusalem Post learned from Associates for Biblical Research on Monday.
The team, led by excavation director Scott Stripling, who resides in Houston, Texas, had been excavating the ancient site since 2017, but had to leave due to the escalating security situation, particularly concerning a potential attack from Iranian forces.
The situation at the dig site became increasingly dangerous when alarms were raised just after 3:30 a.m. on the final morning of the excavation, signaling an imminent threat.
However, the early warning wasn’t entirely unexpected, as the team typically started their days before 4 a.m., ensuring they completed the bulk of their work in the cooler early hours of the day.
Despite the heightened danger, Stripling initially chose to continue the routine, maintaining the mental well-being of his team in the face of uncertainty.
However, with the security situation deteriorating rapidly, Stripling and his team had to make urgent plans for evacuation. By the time of the alarms, about 75 of the original 135 volunteers had already left Israel, but a remaining group of around 65 people was still on-site.
Given the closure of Tel Aviv’s airport, Stripling and his team turned to alternative routes. With the assistance of Net Tours (Near East Tourist Agency), a partner company with offices in both Egypt and Jordan, the evacuation was organized.
The evacuation was carefully coordinated, with the first group of about 30 people leaving over the weekend. They traveled by bus for approximately four hours to the Egyptian border, crossing into Egypt in about two hours
From there, they were met by another Net bus, which took them on an 11-hour drive to Cairo, reaching their destination by 9 p.m. the same evening. The group was able to catch flights out of Cairo, which remained operational, while other airports in the region were closed or experiencing limited service.
The second group followed the same route and successfully made their way to Cairo. The final group left Saturday morning, completing the journey to Cairo that evening. They were treated to a special tour of the pyramids and the Egyptian Museum the following day as a way to turn the exhausting evacuation journey into a positive experience. The tour served as a respite after the team had been in a conflict zone for over a week.
Stripling had been overseeing the excavation at Shiloh since 2017, with a mission to uncover and preserve the history of the ancient site, especially evidence related to the Tabernacle period.
The work this season involved the use of modern scientific techniques to add new depth to the findings from past excavations. Despite the challenges posed by the conflict, Stripling emphasized the importance of the excavation, underscoring that their research had the potential to significantly contribute to understanding ancient history.
AS THE excavation drew to a close, Stripling and his team were prepared to complete their work, including conservation of the walls and finishing final measurements. But with rising tensions and security risks, the evacuation process became unavoidable.
A deep personal meaning in this excavation
For many team members, including Haskel Greenfield, an archaeology professor and director of Jewish studies at the University of Manitoba, the Shiloh excavation held deep personal meaning.
Greenfield, who specializes in analyzing animal remains to understand ancient diets, found himself in a difficult position as tensions escalated. Greenfield chose to stay behind at the hotel as a precaution, while Stripling made the decision to continue working at the site for as long as safety protocols allowed.
Greenfield explained the emotional toll: “Shiloh is very dear to my heart,” he said. “My daughter is named Channah, and it gives the excavation a personal, symbolic connection for me.” Despite the growing danger, he remained focused on his work, opting to stay put to complete his research.
The excavation at Shiloh holds significant religious and historical importance. Both Stripling and Greenfield emphasized how deeply the site resonates with archaeologists who are working to connect ancient findings with biblical historical accounts.
Stripling described the excavation as not only an academic pursuit but as part of a deeper mission to preserve history and ensure that future generations understand their connection to the past.
Although the excavation was abruptly halted, Stripling and Greenfield are both committed to continuing their work once the security situation stabilizes. Stripling plans to return to Shiloh as soon as possible to complete critical follow-up work, including testing radiocarbon samples. Greenfield, who stayed back, told the Post, “This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to work at such an important site, and I’ll be back as soon as I can.”
Despite the challenges, the excavation team remains resolute in its commitment to uncovering the past. Stripling stated, “Archaeology doesn’t stop because of a war. We’ve faced adversity before, and we will continue to work through it. The past is waiting to be uncovered, and we’ll make sure that happens.”
In the face of escalating tensions, the team’s resilience has been a testament to their dedication to understanding the ancient history of Shiloh, its cultural significance, and its impact on the present day.
As Greenfield put it, “To be part of an excavation like this is one of those lifetime dreams. And we will see it through.”