Bones Tell a Tale of Yore: Deciphering the Secrets of Crucifixion
VIEW EVENT DETAILSLuncheon Presentation by Israel Hershkovitz, Head, Dan David Laboratory for the Search and Study of Modern Humans, Tel Aviv University
Registration at 12.15pm
Luncheon at 12.30pm
Close at 2pm
Cicero described crucifixion as ‘the most cruel and atrocious punishment”. Josephus in his book War of the Jews wrote this is “the most wretched death”. Hard evidence detailing how Romans crucified people is extremely rare. No written historical document on the practice exists. The only physical evidence is the 2000 year old remains of Jehohanan, a Jewish victim of crucifixion found in Jerusalem. The remains, stored at Tel Aviv University, is key to understanding crucifixion. A description of Jehohanan’s death is also helpful towards imagining Jesus’ suffering since both were crucified by the Romans in the same century and not far from the walls of Jerusalem. Professor Israel Herschkovitz will examine the origins of crucifixion, what happened on the afternoon of Friday, April 7 (14 Nisan) near the walls of Jerusalem around the year 30 AD and why it was “the most cruel and atrocious punishment”.
Prof. Israel Hershkovitz is full professor at the Sackler Medical School, Head of the Dan David Laboratory for the Search and Study of Modern Humans and Head of the Tassia and Joseph Meychan Chair for the History and Philosophy of Medicine at Tel Aviv University. His major research interests are human evolution and biohistory, and for many years he actively took part in excavating important archaeological sites throughout Israel and studying the human bones uncovered. He has published more than 200 scientific papers and made eight documentary movies including on National Geographic, Discovery and History Channel, on various topics. Prof. Hershkovitz studied at Hebrew University and Tel Aviv University.