COLOSSAE
A site with potential future discoveries for New Testament studies is Colossae
Many groups to Turkey don’t even bother to visit, since the ancient mound is virtually untouched, and only scattered remains can be seen on the ground. (BTW My groups always visit Colossae)
Tutku Tours is sponsoring a webinar on Sunday, February 27 entitled “Colossae, Colossians, and Archaeology: Digging for Answers at a Biblical Site,” with Mark Wilson moderating.
Here are the webinar times in US Eastern:
10:00-10:45: “Latest Archaeological Surveys in Colossae,” by Baris Yener, Pamukkale University
10:50-11:35: “How the Excavation of Colossae Could Help Illuminate Paul’s Letter to the Colossians,” by Clint Arnold, Biola University
11:40-12:00: Response: ”Archaeology and Interpreting Colossians,” by Anna Enberg, Lund University
12:00-12:30: Questions and Conversation
To join, go to the Zoom website and enter Meeting ID: 629 730 8579; passcode: tutku
The site of Colossae is located on the southern edge of the Lycus Valley near larger and more significant sites such as Laodecia, 8 mi. [13 km.] to the west, and Hierapolis, 13 mi. [21.5 km.] to the northwest. It is approximately 112 mi. [180 km.] due east of Ephesus.
Paul wrote two letters to Colossae, namely Colossians and Philemon. Paul evidently never visited the city (Col 1:9; 2:1), but rather his colleague Epaphras brought the gospel message to the three cities of the Lycus Valley, that is to Colossae, to Laodicea, and to Hierapolis. However, Paul hoped to visit the city, for he requested Philemon to prepare a lodging for him in anticipation of a visit (Phil 1:23).
The mound (Turkish: hüyük) of Colossae has not been excavated. It was said to have been a large city in the fifth century B.C. but for some reason, it seems to have lost some of its importance by the first century A.D. The reason for this is unclear, for its position on the major road running from east to west, from Pisidian Antioch to Laodicea, and from there to the Aegean Sea remained unchanged. Possibly the new, northwest to southeast route, connecting Pergamum to Laodicea and Laodicea to Attalia (Antalya) via Cibyra and Termessos, which bypassed Colossae, reduced its importance.
HolyLandPhotos' Blog 