Ancient Refuge in the Holy Land: Unearthing a Rebel Hideout

Nearly 2,000 years ago, Judea--part of the vast, mighty Roman empire--was a place of constant turmoil, religious and political dissent, and growing Jewish nationalism. Several decades after the Great Temple's destruction in Jerusalem (in A.D. 70), Jewish zealots led by Shimon Bar-Kokhba made an heroic but unsuccessful last stand against Rome's army, ultimately sparking widespread Roman retaliation. A small group of Jews sought refuge in remote, inhospitable caves rising from sheer cliffs near the arid Dead Sea region, as archaeologist Yigael Yadin discovered in 1960 from a revealing series of letters written by Babatha, a female Jewish refugee, found in one of these rubble-filled caves featuring tunnels extending hundreds of yards back. This NOVA documentary looks at the four-decades-later efforts of archaeologist Richard Freund to continue the exploration and interpretation of evidence relating to early Jewish life in this rebel hideout using new technologies such as ground-penetrating radar to pinpoint areas most likely to yield artifacts, such as a comb, coins, and a child's sandal. Freund believes some plates and bowls found by Yadin might actually come from the Temple in Jerusalem, raising interesting questions about the relationship between Judaism and Roman paganism. Following Freund's energetic efforts to convince skeptical colleagues of his theory (though he admits conclusive proof may have to wait for future scholars), this is a fascinating look at a rich topic. Recommended. Aud: C, P. (S. Rees)