Dr. Yigael Yadin, the man who eleven years ago this week commanded the armed forces of the reborn State of Israel as they fought for independence, today told a press conference here how major archaeological excavations which he has directed since 1955 have provided startling evidence that confirms the military greatness of Israel’s first and mightiest commander, the Biblical Joshua, some 3,300 years ago.
At the office of the United Jewish Appeal. Dr. Yadin told reporters how the James A. de Rothschild-Hebrew University archaeological expedition at Hazor, which he heads, has uncovered the remains of 21 successive cities at that northern Galilee site, along with evidence of Joshua’s prowess as a man of war. The excavations at Hazor, carried on-since 1955, have resulted in many major finds and are throwing new light on many aspects of the material and spiritual cultures of the Holy Land.
At the same time that he reported on his findings in ancient Israel, Dr. Yadin, who is visiting this country in behalf of the United Jewish Appeal, told reporters of some modern Israeli problems. He declared that vast funds are urgently needed to speed the housing and absorption of 30,000 immigrants who have come to Israel in recent months. While in the United States, where he arrived last week, Dr. Yadin will undertake some 20 speaking engagements for the UJA. At the same time he will lecture on Hazor and other aspects of Biblical archaeology at Princeton, Harvard, Chicago and Yale Universities.
JTA has documented Jewish history in real-time for over a century. Keep our journalism strong by joining us in supporting independent, award-winning reporting.
The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
