The statue is just the type of artifact archaeologists hoped to recover before further building in a teeming neighborhood makes such treasures impossible to find.

Source: Statue Being Pulled From a Gritty Patch of Cairo Could Be of Ramses – The New York Times

Ramses is sometimes identified as the pharaoh of the Exodus, but his date is too late for standard Biblical chronology. The carving seems amazing.

Source: BiblePlaces Blog: The Edicule of the Holy Sepulcher Unwrapped

This long overdue project is supposed to be finished by Easter . . . a great improvement for those who visit the site. Whether it is the exact site of the burial of Jesus is, of course, uncertain. It proximity is highly likely.

I guess I’m giving up silence for Lent.

Source: Perspective | I’ve worn ash on my head on ESPN for 16 years. This year was different.

We should keep asking such questions . . .

And six other questions about Lent you were too embarrassed to ask.

Source: Why do people fast for Lent? – Vox

It is rare that Christian practice gets a fair and respectful treatment in the secular press. I commend Vox, one of my regular reads. If you have a friend who is curious about Lent, send this link. Read it yourself, and you might learn something new.

Have archaeologists proven the ancient tale of mass suicide in the Judaean desert or twisted science for political end?

Source: Decoding the ancient tale of mass suicide in the Judaean desert | Aeon Essays

A good overview of the excavations of Masada, the politics involved, and the problems with Josephus’ account of the end of the Zealot holdouts. I have always been suspicious of the story. Judge for yourselves!