ISRAELITE ARTIFACTS AT UNC CHARLOTTE:

Relics of ancient faith (Charlotte Observer, requires free registration)

UNCC GETS ARTIFACTS FROM HOLY LAND TOMB
TIM FUNK
January 12, 2001


In ancient Israel, a family carves a cave-like tomb out of a rocky hillside. Inside, they lay out their dead, burn incense, share food, pour libations. The ritual pottery they use - bowls, lamps, small jugs, an incense burner - sit undisturbed for 2,800 years.


Then, almost 10 years ago, somebody finds them in the same rock-hewn tomb, south of Jerusalem, near Bethlehem.


This centuries-old story got a good, local ending Thursday when the 21 ceramic artifacts - as well-preserved as if they'd been used yesterday - were put on permanent display at UNC Charlotte.

[...]

Thomas [= benefactor Tom Phillips?] and UNCC professor James Tabor, whose focus of study is biblical archaeology, said they hope the collection from the Iron Age - the time of the prophet Isaiah - will be the beginning of what could someday grow into a biblical antiquities museum on the UNCC campus.

[...]