-	Peter Richardson architecture
-	[Home] [Archaeology and Architecture] [Bookmarks] [Consultant] [Guide] [Cana]
-	Office telephone: (416) 978-7149 Email: prchrdsn@chass.utoronto.ca
-	-

Cana	Site Architect, Khirbet Cana Archaeological Expedition
LOCATION	Cana lies on the northern edge of the Bet Netofa Valley, a few kilometers north of Sepphoris and Nazareth. Yodefat, site of the first major battle between the Roman forces under Vespasian and Titus and the Jewish revolutionary forces commanded by Josephus, lies two kilometers up the wadi from Cana. Cana, an unfortified city,,did not put up any resistance to Vespasian and so was bypassed, apparently, in the fateful events of 67 CE.
DESCRIPTION	Excavations began in the 1998 season (see website below), and demonstrated the importance of the archaeological work at Cana for an understanding of the history of Galilee from the Iron Age through to the Crusader Period, and even beyond. Perhaps its primary importance will be for the Byzantine Period, when major structures--still to be identified--were constructed. It will also shed important light on the early Roman period (the period of the New Testament), especially on the social structures, cultural influences, urban developments, agricultual basis, and the nature of small-town Jewish life in the period. Cana is mentioned in the Gospel of John as a place where Jesus was known; indeed, Nathanael--one of the twelve--came from Cana (John 21:2), and it may not be incidental that it was Nathanael who asked rhetorically whether any good thing could come out of Nazareth (John 1:46-51). John reports that Jesus turned water (which had been stored in large stoneware jugs) into wine (John 2:1-11). This association with the life of Jesus led to Cana being on the pilgrimage itinerary, though a later and more conveniently-located site (Kfar Cana) also became associated with the site of the historical Cana. It is this latter site that is visited by tour groups to the Holy Land. The architectural work for the expedition involves survey work, drawings, and the revisualization of both major and residential structures found in the dig. Eventually it will result in three dimensional visualiztions that will be available through the website. Since the excavations only began in 1998, it is still too soon to say exactly what range of buildings will be uncovered or how the urban design of the town should be reconstructed. It is already clear, however, after two seasons of excavation that the early Roman and Byzantine remains will be very strongly represented on the site. For the earlier period, housing, water installations, and tombs are clearly evident; for the later period, housing and religious structures, probably the monastery referred to in the literary sources along with a pilgrimmage cave, dominate the site. The archaeolgoical expeditiion to Khirbet Cana is sponsored by the University of Puget Sound, and is directed by Douglas Edwards. The field directors are Jack Olive and Gary Lindstrom. Volunteers are welcome for this year's dig (see website below).
CANA 2000	The Cana excavation season in 2000 will run from 11 July to 16 August. Full details will be available on the Cana website at http://www.ups.edu/religion/cana/canahome.htm Accommodations (relatively luxurious accommodations) are at Kibbutz HaSolelim near Sepphoris and a short drive or bus ride from Nazareth. Rooms are air-conditioned, with TV, sink, bathroom and frig. The kibbutz has tennis and basketball courts and a swimming pool. Volunteers are accepted with or without prior archaeological experience; all volunteers receive a crash course in the fundamentals of archaeology. Volunteers must be high school graduates, 18 years or older (with no upper limit!) and in good enough health to be able to work in a hot and sometimes strenuous environment. The day begins with a light breakfast, before starting to work at 5.15 a.m. Second breakfast is at 8.30 a.m., with a fruit break at about 10.30 a.m. Work ends at about 12.30 with the large meal of the day at the kibbutz. The afternoon is spent on various tasks (computer entry, completion of log books, pottery readings, and so on). There is usually time for a swim in the pool. Dinner is served at 6.00 p.m., with a lecture three to four times a week following at 7.00 or 7.30 p.m. The dig week is Monday to Friday; weekends are either free or have an organized tour of nearby sites. Students can get credit for academic work connected with the dig through the University of Puget Sound. Canadian students may discuss with Peter Richardson the possibility of getting credit from the University of Toronto.
FOR MORE INFO	For information on the 1998 and 1999 dig results, especially on the general nature of the site, finds to date, and expectations for the future, together with personnel, see http://www.nexfind.com