BAR Highlights: 10/24/07

More recent archaeological news from Biblical Archaeology Review:

Head of IAA Slammed for Temple Mount Work
A committee of Israel’s parliament, the Knesset, has accused Israel Antiquities Authority director Shuka Dorfman of bypassing government regulations when he allowed Muslims authorities to dig a 500-yard-long trench on the Temple Mount without taking due care that ancient remains not be damaged. Related stories can be found at http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3462904,00.html and http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/124012.

First Temple Era Finds Identified
Archaeologists have for the first time examined an undisturbed layer dating to the First Temple period. Among the items recovered are ceramic tableware and animal bone. A report from the Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs provides additional photos.

Cyrene Goes Green
The ancient Libyan site hopes to attract tourists by becoming an environment-friendly location.

Diamond Anniversary
Scholars convene in Canada to mark the 60th anniversary of the discovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls.

Wall of Fame
French excavators have uncovered an 11,000-year-old wall painting northeast of Aleppo, Syria. Though it is the oldest such work known, some liken it to the work of modernist painter Paul Klee.