Riverside, Calif., March, 2001-- If you subscribe to Biblical Archaeology Review (BAR) and received your March/April 2001 issue recently, you might have noticed the report on Tall al 'Umayri, part of the Madaba Plains Project (MPP).

The Madaba Plains Project is a multi-disciplinary archaeological consortium centered in Jordan, founded by LSU President Lawrence T. Geraty, who continues to serve as its Board Chair. Dr. Warren Trenchard, professor of religion at La Sierra University, has been administrative director of the project since 2000.

The 'Umayri dig is sponsored by La Sierra University, in consortium with Canadian University College, Walla Walla College; in affiliation with Andrews University; in cooperation with the Jordanian Department of Antiquities, and the American Center of Oriental Research (where Geraty has served as vice president since 1982).

The BAR article was written by Larry G. Herr, professor of religious studies at Canadian University College, and Douglas R. Clark, professor of Old Testament and archaeology at Walla Walla College. The article had color photos, maps, and sidebar articles. "Excavating the Tribe of Reuben" discusses the possibility that the area southwest of Amman, Jordan, was the settlement site of the tribe of Reuben, descendants of Jacob's oldest son.

On page 41 in one of the color photos, one can see Dr. Geraty posing in a four-room house that's being excavated at 'Umayri. (The photo is not posted on BAR's website.)

The MPP's 2002 dig at Tall al-'Umayri will take place in June of 2002, with Dr. Geraty directing. Academic credit is available but not required of volunteer/amateur archaeologists. Information on this year's MPP dig at nearby Hisban, now directed from Andrews University, is available at the link below.

The BAR article, "Excavating the Tribe of Reuben," is available at the first link pasted below; the MPP information, including a slide show, is available by clicking the second link. These links will take you away from these La Sierra University pages.

BAR article:
   http://www.biblicalarchaeology.org/barma01/reuben1.html
MPP information:
   http://www.wwc.edu/academics/departments/theology/mpp/index.htm
2001 archaeology dig at Hisban, Jordan:
   http://www.biblicalarchaeology.org/digs-c.html#15