Famed Israeli Archaeologist Eilat Mazar Passes Away
One of Israel’s leading archaeologists and a dear friend of CBN, 64-year-old Dr. Eilat Mazar died on May 25th.
For years, Mazar served as an archaeology professor at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem’s Institute of Archaeology. Mazar began her archaeological career as a young girl and followed in the footsteps of her father and her grandfather, Benjamin Mazar who excavated the Land of Israel during the British Mandate period. Eilat Mazar specialized in the Phoenician culture of Israel’s northern coastal plain and directed excavations in the City of David and the Temple Mount’s southern wall.
During her tenure, Mazar discovered the possible remnants of King David’s palace in the City of David and a portion of an ancient city wall presumed to be built by King Solomon in the area known as the Ophel.
In 2013, Mazar unearthed a trove of gold coins and a rare Byzantine medallion with a menorah (candelabra) etched into it. Most recently, Mazar made headlines when she unearthed clay seals “Belonging to Hezekiah, (son of) Ahaz, King of Judah” and later, seals that may have belonged to Isaiah the Prophet.
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CBN News interviewed Mazar many times about her discoveries. She often drew a clear connection between her archaeological finds and the Biblical record. She also appeared in CBN Documentaries' recent film, “Written in Stone: The House of David.”
Mazar is survived by a daughter and three sons.
Here are some of the stories CBN News did with Mazar along with a link to the CBN Documentary "Written in Stone: House of David" where Mazar appeared as an expert.
The Bible Confirmed: The War that Catapulted Archaeology in Jerusalem
What Ancient Seal Reveals About Jerusalem's History
About The Author
In a time where the world's attention is riveted on events in the Middle East, CBN viewers have come to appreciate Chris Mitchell's timely reports from this explosive region of the world. Chris brings a Biblical and prophetic perspective to these daily news events that shape our world.
He first began reporting on the Middle East in the mid-1990s. Chris repeatedly traveled there to report on the religious and political issues facing Israel and the surrounding Arab states. One of his more significant reports focused on the emigration of persecuted Christians from the Middle East.
In the past, Chris' reporting has been distinguished by award-winning coverage of revival movements and other spiritual issues. In addition to the Brownsville revival in Pensacola, Florida, he also covered an outbreak of revival in Missouri. His report on the "holy laughter" revivals in Toronto and London was named CBN's "Focus Story of the Year" in 1994.
That same year, Chris also earned a "Short Story of the Year" award for his examination of religious coverage in network news. He has reported on such movements as the Promise Keepers and the annual "Prayer and Fasting" campaign led by the late Campus Crusade founder, Dr. Bill Bright.
In addition to his reports for The 700 Club, Chris is a regular contributor to Christian World News, a weekly 30-minute newscast that airs nationally in multiple markets.
Before joining CBN News in 1992, Chris worked for three years as a researcher, producer, and reporter for the Features/Testimonies department of The 700 Club.
A native of the Boston area, Chris earned a B.A. in History at the University of New Hampshire in 1975. In 1987, he graduated with honors from Regent University, earning an M.A. in Communication. While a student at Regent (then CBN University), he anchored Newsight, a student-produced Christian news program.
After almost a decade with CBN News, Chris' goal is to provide in his stories the Biblical "understanding of the times" described in I Chronicles 12:32.
