Next Meeting:

REVELATION AND ARCHAEOLOGY AT SARDIS
An Exploration with Dr. Nicholas Cahill

Wednesday October 21, 6:30pm
Upper House
365 E. Campus Mall
Madison WI 53715

Sardis, an ancient capital that became a historic Christian city, has been under excavation for more than three decades, most recently directed by UW-Madison professor Nick Cahill.
Sardis is a World Heritage Site, known in the Bible as one of the seven cities of Revelation.
But before that it was the capital of Lydia, a legendary ancient empire where coinage was first invented.

Professor Cahill specializes in the archaeology of Greece, the Near East, and especially Anatolia.
His work focuses on cultural relationships between the Mediterranean and Near East during the Iron Age, as well as Greek and Near Eastern urbanism and household archaeology.
He has excavated at Sardis since 1979 and has served as the expedition's director since 2008.
Professor Cahill earned his B.A. from the University of Michigan and his M.A. and Ph.D. from the University of California, Berkeley.
He is Professor of Greek and Roman Art and Archaeology at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

MAP DIRECTIONS TO UPPER HOUSE:

Recent Meetings:

"Biblical Sites in Turkey"

Door Creek Church pastor Jamie Thompson reported on his 2025 visit to biblical sites in Turkey, sites mentioned in particular in the books of Acts of the Apostles and the Revelation of John. He shared from a pastor/Christian perspective on:

• How my trip to Turkey deepened my love and appreciation for both the historical church and the global church.
• How my trip to Turkey helped my understanding of the culture and context of Scripture.
• Renewal through retrieval. How our present faith is strengthened by reflecting on treasures from church history.
• Why everyone who can should go to the Biblical sites in Turkey.

"Abraham, David and the Ark of the Covenant"

New evidence on how Jerusalem became a holy city was presented by MBAS Secretary Gordon Govier. An enigmatic news release early in 2025 sparked an investigation that opened the door to the amazing discoveries that have been made in Jerusalem's ancient City of David during the first quarter of the 21st century. This event was presented in conjunction with International Archaeology Day, October 18, 2025, sponsored by the Archaeological Institute of America.

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For information on MBAS or to join the email list to be notified of future MBAS events, contact MBAS secretary Gordon Govier.

MBAS has been active in Madison for more than a half-century. Professor Menahem Mansoor began MBAS in 1967, out of a desire to offer the public an opportunity to learn more about the development and significance of Biblical Archaeology. The Purpose of MBAS is to promote the knowledge of, and an interest in, Biblical Archaeology in the Madison area and throughout the state of Wisconsin.

Activities include lectures, field trips, and movies. MBAS also encourages its members to volunteer at archaeological excavations in Israel and adjacent countries. Members of the Society have participated in excavations in Israel and Jordan since 1976. MBAS membership is open to anyone who is interested in Biblical Archaeology. MBAS is a non-profit 501(c)3 organization, and contributions are tax deductible.

To find out about recent topics and guest lecturers, check the 1997-2023 MBAS MEETINGS ARCHIVE. For further information on MBAS activities or to contact MBAS, contact MBAS secretary Gordon Govier.

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