Archaeology, Pilgrimage, and Biblical Languages Program are dedicated to fostering a dialogue between intellectual tradition and all areas of study and contemporary culture through scholarly research, publications, and ongoing programs for faculty, students, and the general public.
Certificate programs are offered through Northwind Institute.
Degree programs are offered through Northwind Seminary:
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Archaeology
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Biblical Studies
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Christian Pilgrimage
Dr. Carl Savage,
is the Associate Dean for Doctoral Studies and Professor of Archaeology &
Biblical Studies for the Seminary and serves
as the Center Director.
He has assembled a highly qualified faculty who serve as Visiting Faculty for the Seminary.
Dr. Carl Savage,
is the Associate Dean for
Doctoral Studies and
Professor of Archaeology &
Biblical Studies and serves
as the Center Director.
Dr. Stefania Peluso,
serves as Program Faculty.
She collaborates with the
Museum of the Custody of
the Holy Land for the study
of an assemblage of medieval
pottery and glass and for the
displaying of some materials
in the new Terra Sancta Museum.
Josephus Flavius’ Military Camp found at Kela Valley - 2022
The camp of Josephus’ force was discovered at the convergence of Kela Valley and the Jordan River by a team from the Bethsaida Excavations Project of the University of Nebraska at
Omaha (UNO).
At the urgence of Dr. Carl Savage (Northwind Seminary) who had noted for many years the presence of a stone enclosure across the Jordan River from the tell of Bethsaida, Dr. Rami Arav chief archaeologist led the team that also included Ann Haverkost (UNO), Hanan Shafir (project photographer), and Itai Savage (Princeton University) to the location that was a perfect hiding place for Josephus’ Jewish fighters, who revolted against the Romans.
The location matches the description that Josephus makes in his writings. Josephus relates that at the onset of the Jewish revolt against the Romans, (66 CE) he had a skirmish in the Bethsaida plain with forces commanded by Sulla, who led King Herod Agrippa II’s mercenaries. Sulla built a fortified camp at the junction of the roads leading to Gamla and Seleucia with the intent to cut off supplies from Galilee to those rebellious towns. In response, Josephus came with a force of about 5000 soldiers and divided them into two camps: two thousand were camped near Bethsaida and the rest in a ravine, hidden from the Sulla’s base.
Josephus lured the mercenaries out of their fortified camp, and then signaled his forces to emerge from his two positions, thus springing the ambush. Unfortunately, Josephus’ horse fell in the swampy terrain and he was injured and had to be evacuated. His forces were dispirited and returned to their camps. The next day Sulla attacked those camps, but reinforcements sent by boat from the city of Tiberias led Sulla to withdraw to his fortified camp. However, Josephus’ forces then dispersed and Sulla continued blockading the rebels until the Roman legionnaires conquered Gamla a year later.
The exploration conducted by the team additionally found a settlement that dated from the Iron Age,
that was later occupied during the Hellenistic and Roman periods. Behind this settlement were several walled enclosures that were perfect for a military encampment.