MaryAnn Bernal's Blog, page 314
February 22, 2014
Silver hoop earrings found among ancient treasure in Biblical city
http://www.foxnews.com/science/2014/02/21/silver-hoop-earrings-found-among-ancient-treasure-in-biblical-city/
By Owen JarusDigging HistoryPublished February 21, 2014
LiveScience
The jug with treasure was found just to the north of a "massive structure," as the researchers call it, which may be a tower overlooking a valley. (Robert Mullins/Azusa Pacific University) A jug containing silver earrings and ingots has been discovered at the ancient biblical city of Abel Beth Maacah in Israel.
Found to the north of a massive structure that may be a tower, the jug and its treasure appear to date back to about 3,200 years ago, long before minted coins were invented, archaeologists said. Curiously, they found no sign that the treasure was hidden, and no one appears to have gone back for it, they added.
"We found it in a small jug leaning against a wall, apparently on a dirt floor," said researchers Robert Mullins, Nava Panitz-Cohen and Ruhama Bonfil in an email to Live Science. "It didn't seem to have been deliberately hidden in a niche or any other hidey-hole."
Panitz-Cohen and Mullins are co-directors of an excavation at the ancient city in Israel that found the treasure last summer, and Bonfil is the excavation surveyor and researcher. They published their initial findings recently in the journal Strata. [See Photos of Biblical City and Silver Treasure
]
Why the treasure was not retrieved, and apparently not even hidden, is a mystery. "Perhaps the family needed to leave their home suddenly and hoped to return to retrieve this jug and its contents, but were unable to," the researchers said. Afterward, "this area was covered by accumulating debris and earth over the centuries, [and] no one knew that the treasure was there," they added.
The "massive structure," as the researchers called it in their journal article, may be a tower that overlooked the Huleh Valley. At some point, the structure fell out of use, and the area to the north of it was used for homes. The treasure may date to that time.
The site, now called Tell Abil el-Qameh,was first identified as Abel Beth Maacah in the 19th century based on its location and historical accounts, although little excavation has been done there until now.
Silver treasureWhen the treasure was discovered, the silver was bunched together in what looked like a big ball. After conservator Mimi Lavi, of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem's Institute of Archaeology, cleaned the ancient silver, the team saw that it consisted of five hoop earrings.
They also found an enigmatic silver object that looks like a twisted knot, as well as several ingots or scrap pieces of silver that would have been used for monetary transactions. At the time, the treasure was abandoned, minted coins had not been invented and the pieces of silver would have been used for trade.
The earrings could have been worn by men as well as women, the researchers noted. "We know from ancient iconography and from burials that men also wore jewelry, so it is possible that these were not just female ornaments," the researchers said.
A period of collapseThe period around 3,200 years ago was a time when many cities were destroyed and some civilizations collapsed. Ancient records indicate an enigmatic group called the "Sea People" descended on the Middle East, leading to chaos in the region, although they do not appear to have settled in the area of Abel Beth Maacah.
Archaeologists are unsure how these events affected Abel Beth Maacah or if they have any bearing on the silver treasure. [Photos: The 7 Ancient Wonders of the World
"It seems most likely that Canaanites were 'in charge' or at least were the main inhabitants" of Abel Beth Maacah, the researchers said. If the city did suffer any destruction, it could have been abandoned for a time and perhaps repopulated by returning Canaanites or by Israelite tribes.
"Hopefully, next season, we will be closer to some answers," the researchers said of their forthcoming dig at the site.
Biblical cityThe city was used for a long period of time after the silver treasure was abandoned and is mentioned several times in the Hebrew Bible.
According to scripture, a Benjaminite named Sheba ben Bichri, who was rebelling against King David, took refuge in the city. A man named Joab pursued him there and laid siege. A "wise woman," as the text calls her, protested this action, saying Abel Beth Maacah is part of Israel.
"We are the peaceful and faithful in Israel. You are trying to destroy a city that is a mother in Israel. Why do you want to swallow up the Lord's inheritance?" (From 2 Samuel 20:14-22, New International Version)
The siege ended when the city's inhabitants killed the rebel and threw his head from the wall. Some scholars believe that King David would have lived about 3,000 years ago, roughly two centuries after the silver treasure was abandoned. While the biblical story doesn't shed light on why the treasure was abandoned, it illustrates the importance of the city in the time to come.
Mullins is also a professor at Azusa Pacific University, and Panitz-Cohen and Bonfil are with the Hebrew University of Jerusalem's Institute of Archaeology.
By Owen JarusDigging HistoryPublished February 21, 2014
LiveScience
The jug with treasure was found just to the north of a "massive structure," as the researchers call it, which may be a tower overlooking a valley. (Robert Mullins/Azusa Pacific University) A jug containing silver earrings and ingots has been discovered at the ancient biblical city of Abel Beth Maacah in Israel.Found to the north of a massive structure that may be a tower, the jug and its treasure appear to date back to about 3,200 years ago, long before minted coins were invented, archaeologists said. Curiously, they found no sign that the treasure was hidden, and no one appears to have gone back for it, they added.
"We found it in a small jug leaning against a wall, apparently on a dirt floor," said researchers Robert Mullins, Nava Panitz-Cohen and Ruhama Bonfil in an email to Live Science. "It didn't seem to have been deliberately hidden in a niche or any other hidey-hole."
Panitz-Cohen and Mullins are co-directors of an excavation at the ancient city in Israel that found the treasure last summer, and Bonfil is the excavation surveyor and researcher. They published their initial findings recently in the journal Strata. [See Photos of Biblical City and Silver Treasure
]
Why the treasure was not retrieved, and apparently not even hidden, is a mystery. "Perhaps the family needed to leave their home suddenly and hoped to return to retrieve this jug and its contents, but were unable to," the researchers said. Afterward, "this area was covered by accumulating debris and earth over the centuries, [and] no one knew that the treasure was there," they added.
The "massive structure," as the researchers called it in their journal article, may be a tower that overlooked the Huleh Valley. At some point, the structure fell out of use, and the area to the north of it was used for homes. The treasure may date to that time.
The site, now called Tell Abil el-Qameh,was first identified as Abel Beth Maacah in the 19th century based on its location and historical accounts, although little excavation has been done there until now.
Silver treasureWhen the treasure was discovered, the silver was bunched together in what looked like a big ball. After conservator Mimi Lavi, of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem's Institute of Archaeology, cleaned the ancient silver, the team saw that it consisted of five hoop earrings.
They also found an enigmatic silver object that looks like a twisted knot, as well as several ingots or scrap pieces of silver that would have been used for monetary transactions. At the time, the treasure was abandoned, minted coins had not been invented and the pieces of silver would have been used for trade.
The earrings could have been worn by men as well as women, the researchers noted. "We know from ancient iconography and from burials that men also wore jewelry, so it is possible that these were not just female ornaments," the researchers said.
A period of collapseThe period around 3,200 years ago was a time when many cities were destroyed and some civilizations collapsed. Ancient records indicate an enigmatic group called the "Sea People" descended on the Middle East, leading to chaos in the region, although they do not appear to have settled in the area of Abel Beth Maacah.
Archaeologists are unsure how these events affected Abel Beth Maacah or if they have any bearing on the silver treasure. [Photos: The 7 Ancient Wonders of the World
"It seems most likely that Canaanites were 'in charge' or at least were the main inhabitants" of Abel Beth Maacah, the researchers said. If the city did suffer any destruction, it could have been abandoned for a time and perhaps repopulated by returning Canaanites or by Israelite tribes.
"Hopefully, next season, we will be closer to some answers," the researchers said of their forthcoming dig at the site.
Biblical cityThe city was used for a long period of time after the silver treasure was abandoned and is mentioned several times in the Hebrew Bible.
According to scripture, a Benjaminite named Sheba ben Bichri, who was rebelling against King David, took refuge in the city. A man named Joab pursued him there and laid siege. A "wise woman," as the text calls her, protested this action, saying Abel Beth Maacah is part of Israel.
"We are the peaceful and faithful in Israel. You are trying to destroy a city that is a mother in Israel. Why do you want to swallow up the Lord's inheritance?" (From 2 Samuel 20:14-22, New International Version)
The siege ended when the city's inhabitants killed the rebel and threw his head from the wall. Some scholars believe that King David would have lived about 3,000 years ago, roughly two centuries after the silver treasure was abandoned. While the biblical story doesn't shed light on why the treasure was abandoned, it illustrates the importance of the city in the time to come.
Mullins is also a professor at Azusa Pacific University, and Panitz-Cohen and Bonfil are with the Hebrew University of Jerusalem's Institute of Archaeology.
'Viking apocalypse' due to bring world's end tomorrow ... maybe - we're still here!
http://www.foxnews.com/science/2014/02/21/viking-apocalypse-due-to-bring-world-end-tomorrowmaybe/By Rob QuinnPublished February 21, 2014
Newser Viking apocalypse—or British weather? Experts from the Jorvik Viking Center, which is currently running its annual Viking festival in northern England, claim that the end of times as predicted in Norse mythology will be upon us tomorrow, when gods including Thor, Odin, and Loki will fight an epic battle causing the world to sink beneath the sea.
Their confident prediction is based on Norse folklore that Ragnarok will happen after three freezing winters with no summers in between, which USA Today notes is a "subjective call" after two lousy summers in northern Europe.
The organizers—who have a countdown to doomsday on their website—say they're pretty sure the god Heimdallr blew the mystical Gjallerhorn on Nov. 15 as "a portent of doom," marking the start of a 100-day countdown to the Norse apocalypse, reports the Independent
"Ragnarok is the ultimate landmark in Viking mythology, when the gods fall and die, so this really is an event that should not be underestimated," the festival's director says.
Two human survivors will remain to populate the world, but if your name isn't Liv or Livtrasir and you don't dwell in the underworld, you're out of luck.
Prehistoric forest uncovered by storms in Cardigan Bay - in pictures
http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/gallery/2014/feb/21/prehistoric-forest-uncovered-by-storms-in-cardigan-bay-in-picturesThe skeletal trees of Borth forest – last alive 4,500 years ago and linked to lost kingdom of Cantre’r Gwaelod – appear at shorelinetheguardian.com, Friday 21 February 2014 07.48 EST 
A prehistoric forest, an eerie landscape including the trunks of hundreds of oaks that died more than 4,500 years ago, has been revealed by the ferocious storms which stripped thousands of tons of sand from beaches in Cardigan Bay.
The forest of Borth once stretched for miles on boggy land between Borth and Ynyslas, before climate change and rising sea levels buried it under layers of peat, sand and saltwater.
Scientists have identified pine, alder, oak and birch among the stumps which are occasionally exposed in very stormy winters, such as in 2010, when a stretch of tree remains was revealed conveniently opposite the visitor centre.
The skeletal trees are said to have given rise to the local legend of a lost kingdom, Cantre’r Gwaelod, drowned beneath the waves. The trees stopped growing between 4,500 and 6,000 years ago, as the water level rose and a thick blanket of peat formed.
This year a great swath of the lost forest has been revealed. Last month archaeologists also found a timber walkway nearby, exposed by the storms. It was discovered by Ross Cook and Deanna Groom, from the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Wales, who went beach walking in the wake of the storms to check for any new finds. It was made from short lengths of coppiced branches, held in place with upright posts.
It has been dated to between 3,100 and 4,000 years old, built as the local people found ways to cope with living in an increasingly waterlogged environment.
Two years ago human and animal footprints were found preserved in the hardened top layer of peat, along with scatterings of burnt stones from ancient hearths.
Two years ago human and animal footprints were found preserved in the hardened top layer of peat, along with scatterings of burnt stones from ancient hearths.
A £13m coastal defence system to protect the modern village was opened in 2012, but as the recent exposure of the spectacular prehistoric landscape proves, the coast is still being scoured bare by storms and flood tides. Photographs: Keith Morris/LNP
A prehistoric forest, an eerie landscape including the trunks of hundreds of oaks that died more than 4,500 years ago, has been revealed by the ferocious storms which stripped thousands of tons of sand from beaches in Cardigan Bay.The forest of Borth once stretched for miles on boggy land between Borth and Ynyslas, before climate change and rising sea levels buried it under layers of peat, sand and saltwater.
Scientists have identified pine, alder, oak and birch among the stumps which are occasionally exposed in very stormy winters, such as in 2010, when a stretch of tree remains was revealed conveniently opposite the visitor centre.The skeletal trees are said to have given rise to the local legend of a lost kingdom, Cantre’r Gwaelod, drowned beneath the waves. The trees stopped growing between 4,500 and 6,000 years ago, as the water level rose and a thick blanket of peat formed.
This year a great swath of the lost forest has been revealed. Last month archaeologists also found a timber walkway nearby, exposed by the storms. It was discovered by Ross Cook and Deanna Groom, from the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Wales, who went beach walking in the wake of the storms to check for any new finds. It was made from short lengths of coppiced branches, held in place with upright posts.It has been dated to between 3,100 and 4,000 years old, built as the local people found ways to cope with living in an increasingly waterlogged environment.Two years ago human and animal footprints were found preserved in the hardened top layer of peat, along with scatterings of burnt stones from ancient hearths.Two years ago human and animal footprints were found preserved in the hardened top layer of peat, along with scatterings of burnt stones from ancient hearths.A £13m coastal defence system to protect the modern village was opened in 2012, but as the recent exposure of the spectacular prehistoric landscape proves, the coast is still being scoured bare by storms and flood tides. Photographs: Keith Morris/LNP
BEARDED SCRUTINY: EPISODE 59 - ALL THE BOYS LOVE MANDY LANE
BEARDED SCRUTINY: EPISODE 59 - ALL THE BOYS LOVE MANDY LANE: SHOW SYNOPSIS: This week the team tries to make sense of the much-hyped, All The Boys Love Mandy Lane. When they're done with that...
History Trivia - King Charles VIII of France enters Naples to claim the city's throne.
February 22
1071 Battle of Cassel: Robert I the Frisian defeated Arnulf III who was killed in the battle. Robert became count of Flanders and ruled until 1093.
1276 Innocent V was crowned Roman Catholic pope. He is noted for his commentaries on the Pauline epistles (Letters of St. Paul - 13 New Testament books).
1495 King Charles VIII of France entered Naples to claim the city's throne.
1071 Battle of Cassel: Robert I the Frisian defeated Arnulf III who was killed in the battle. Robert became count of Flanders and ruled until 1093.
1276 Innocent V was crowned Roman Catholic pope. He is noted for his commentaries on the Pauline epistles (Letters of St. Paul - 13 New Testament books).
1495 King Charles VIII of France entered Naples to claim the city's throne.
Congratulations Mary Ann Bernal - Authorsdb #1
http://www.authorsdb.com/authors-directory/1446-mary-ann-bernal
Author DetailsPen NameMary Ann BernalWebsitehttp://www.maryannbernal.comBloghttp://maryannbernal.blogspot.com/Twitter@BritonandDaneFacebook PageLike My PageGoodReadsBecome a FanLinkedInConnect With MeGoogle+Add Me To Your CircleBioMary Ann Bernal, author of The Briton and the Dane novels, is an avid history buff whose area of interest focuses on Ninth Century Anglo-Saxon Britain during the Viking Age. While pursuing a degree in business administration, she managed to fit creative writing classes and workshops into her busy schedule to learn the craft, but it would take decades before her “Erik the Viking” novel was ultimately published.Mary Ann is also a passionate supporter of the United States military, having been involved with letter writing campaigns and other support programs since Operation Desert Storm. She has appeared on The Morning Blend television show hosted by KMTV, the CBS television affiliate in Omaha, and was interviewed by the Omaha World-Herald for her volunteer work. She has also been a featured author on Triangle Variety Radio, The Phil Naessens Show, and The Writers Showcase -
http://thewritersshow.wordpress.com/2...
http://www.philnaessens.com/apps/blog...
and has been interviewed extensively by American and European bloggers -
http://greenwizard62.blogspot.com/sea...
Mary Ann is a New York “expat,” and currently resides in Omaha, Nebraska.Where I LiveOmaha, NebraskaPublisherWhispering Legends PressPublisher Websitehttp://maryannbernal.wix.com/whisperinglegendsShout OutAuthor interviews: http://adventuresofceciliaspark.blogs...
Author interviews: http://greenwizard62.blogspot.com/201...
Newspaper Book reviewer: http://www.examiner.com/article/conco...
Radio DJ: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/triangle...
Radio DJ: http://www.philnaessens.com/apps/blog...
February 21, 2014
Phil Naessens: Book Review: The Briton and The Dane: Timeline by Mary Ann Bernal
Book Review: The Briton and The Dane: Timeline by Mary Ann Bernal
Book Review: The Briton and The Dane: Timeline by Mary Ann Bernal
Posted by pnaessensshow on February 21, 2014 at 10:20 AM 
As a history buff I’m a fan of well written and researched historical fiction. I don’t mean to put anyone down but there are some authors passing off works claiming to be historical fiction who don’t have a clue as to what they are talk about.
This is not the case with The Briton and The Dane: Timeline by author Mary Ann Bernal.
The Briton and The Dane: Timeline is the fifth novel of a series of The Briton and The Dane historical and is in the same vein as the other four novels with a twist; the book begins in the year 2066 and goes back to the 9th century that allows us to understand and better know characters that have appeared in the other The Briton and The Dane series.
Bernal is an excellent researcher and storyteller and I enjoyed the walk through the history. What makes this so good is that I could picture the various adventures happening as if it were right before my very eyes.
I give this one four stars out of five.
I enjoyed The Briton and The Dane: Timeline and I think you will too! It’s an easy, fun read and it’s suitable for all ages. To get your copy of The Briton and The Dane: Timeline please click the link at the bottom of the page.
http://www.amazon.com/The-Briton-Dane-Mary-Bernal-ebook/product-reviews/B00I4WFUOW/ref=dp_top_cm_cr_acr_txt?ie=UTF8&showViewpoints=1
DISCLAIMER: I was given a complimentary copy of The Briton and The Dane: Timeline by the author for review purposes only. This copy wasn’t given to me as payment for a favorable review and the only monies I received were compensation for producing a podcast and youtube video at the request of Mrs. Bernal.
Book Review: The Briton and The Dane: Timeline by Mary Ann Bernal
As a history buff I’m a fan of well written and researched historical fiction. I don’t mean to put anyone down but there are some authors passing off works claiming to be historical fiction who don’t have a clue as to what they are talk about.
This is not the case with The Briton and The Dane: Timeline by author Mary Ann Bernal.
The Briton and The Dane: Timeline is the fifth novel of a series of The Briton and The Dane historical and is in the same vein as the other four novels with a twist; the book begins in the year 2066 and goes back to the 9th century that allows us to understand and better know characters that have appeared in the other The Briton and The Dane series.
Bernal is an excellent researcher and storyteller and I enjoyed the walk through the history. What makes this so good is that I could picture the various adventures happening as if it were right before my very eyes.
I give this one four stars out of five.
I enjoyed The Briton and The Dane: Timeline and I think you will too! It’s an easy, fun read and it’s suitable for all ages. To get your copy of The Briton and The Dane: Timeline please click the link at the bottom of the page.
http://www.amazon.com/The-Briton-Dane-Mary-Bernal-ebook/product-reviews/B00I4WFUOW/ref=dp_top_cm_cr_acr_txt?ie=UTF8&showViewpoints=1
DISCLAIMER: I was given a complimentary copy of The Briton and The Dane: Timeline by the author for review purposes only. This copy wasn’t given to me as payment for a favorable review and the only monies I received were compensation for producing a podcast and youtube video at the request of Mrs. Bernal.
The Phil Naessens Show 2014 NBA Trade Deadline Recap Plus Spurs and Thunder News
http://phillipnaessens.wordpress.com/2014/02/21/the-phil-naessens-show-2014-nba-trade-deadline-recap-plus-spurs-and-thunder-news/
On this edition of the Phil Naessens Show J.R. Wilco joins Phil to discuss the San Antonio Spurs trading Nado de Colo for Austin Daye and gives us an injury update on Tony Parker. Zeb Benbrook joins Phil to discuss all the NBA Trade Deadline moves and J.A. Sherman joins Phil to discuss Kevin Durant’s new nickname and give Phil his weekly Kiwi test and much more NBA talk.
On this edition of the Phil Naessens Show J.R. Wilco joins Phil to discuss the San Antonio Spurs trading Nado de Colo for Austin Daye and gives us an injury update on Tony Parker. Zeb Benbrook joins Phil to discuss all the NBA Trade Deadline moves and J.A. Sherman joins Phil to discuss Kevin Durant’s new nickname and give Phil his weekly Kiwi test and much more NBA talk.
History Trivia - Thomas Becket canonized
February 21
1173 Thomas Becket was canonized. The Archbishop of Canterbury, one-time friend and opponent to King Henry II of England, had been murdered less than three years earlier, and the swift canonization by Pope Alexander III was a clear message of rebuke to the king.
1431 Public trial of Joan of Arc began.
1437 King James I of Scotland was murdered in the Dominican Friary at Perth, which sparked a civil war.
1173 Thomas Becket was canonized. The Archbishop of Canterbury, one-time friend and opponent to King Henry II of England, had been murdered less than three years earlier, and the swift canonization by Pope Alexander III was a clear message of rebuke to the king.
1431 Public trial of Joan of Arc began.
1437 King James I of Scotland was murdered in the Dominican Friary at Perth, which sparked a civil war.
February 20, 2014
Ngaire Elder: Billie Jones' Snakes Soar From Stormy Sydney Skies...
Ngaire Elder: Billie Jones' Snakes Soar From Stormy Sydney Skies...: Billie Jones is a writer from Australia who enjoys imaging herself wrestling killer crocodiles and swimming with great white sharks. She th...
Billie Jones has done it again. She's written another great spoof with a strong, female lead character who's vain, shallow, contradictory, smart and absolutely hilarious.
Billie Jones has done it again. She's written another great spoof with a strong, female lead character who's vain, shallow, contradictory, smart and absolutely hilarious.
