Has Bethsaida-Julias Been Found?The debate continues. I assume it is also moving into the peer-review literature, although I have not checked.
While our efforts at el-Araj are young, we have been struck by how closely the archaeological finds at el-Araj follow the contours of history recorded by those who walked the streets of Bethsaida-Julias in the Roman and Byzantine periods. No one on our team has suggested that the matter is settled with finality, but we are of the opinion that in light of this season’s discoveries, el-Araj must now be considered the leading candidate for the location of Bethsaida-Julias.
See Also: Bethsaida Controversy
By Mordechai Aviam
Senior Lecturer
Institute for Galilean Archaeology
Kinneret College, Israel
R. Steven Notley
Distinguished Professor of New Testament and Christian Origins
Nyack College
New York City, New
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