S9 (Fall) Week 3, Day 3 — Our Lovely Temperate Weather Continued...

Our lovely temperate weather continued, so very different from the heat of the summer. We begin just as the sun rises over the Golan Heights. The most stunning view these days is the abundance of the squills in the sunshine. I don't remember these from the past. Groups continue to come, an indication of the growing interest in the excavation. Vatican TV interviewed Motti and me about the church and its association with St. Peter. We remain hopeful that these encounters will strengthen their support of our work. Another large group of Christians from around the world walked a kilometer into the site to visit the ongoing excavations. More coins were found today, but the very interesting items were a fragment from a "discus lamp" which dates to the 2nd century CE, and a complete lamp from the Islamic period. What was remarkable about the Islamic period lamp is that we found its twin this summer, which likely indicates they were made from the same mold. Motti also showed me a fascinating item that could be easily overlooked. In the plaster on the wall leading from the atrium to the basilica, there can be seen pawprints of a cat left in the plaster from over 1500 years ago. Remarkable! In all three areas we are digging down into the Roman period, which is the aim for these two weeks. In the evening we had our first chance to wash and read pottery. A good time was had by all.