Edmond archeological exhibit showcasing Biblical history of the Levant

The Armstrong Auditorium in Edmond is now the home to an archeological exhibit about life in ancient Israel.

The Coca-Cola Southwest Beverages Porch spoke with Brent Nagtegaal from the Armstrong Institute of Biblical Archeology about the exhibit, and what guests can learn from its contents.

Q: What can guests see when they come to the Armstrong Auditorium?

A: "We have 48 artifacts that date back to the period of King David and King Solomon from the Bible, that goes back 3000 years. This is a world-premiere exhibit. 12 of the artifacts we have here have never before been seen by the public anywhere in the world, and so we are bringing them directly from excavations in Israel, Jerusalem, excavations we've had a part in, and then bringing them here for local Oklahomans to enjoy. I think if people are interested in Bible history, archeology, this exhibit tells a wonderful story of some of the Bible's most famous biblical figures put together with the Bible and archeology coming together."

Q: Some of these things have never been seen before, and they're right here in Edmond, Oklahoma. How did you get them here?

A: "This is our third exhibit over the past decade, and so that relationship with Israel has been built, as far as showcasing their artifacts. We send students to excavate in Jerusalem every single summer, we're sending a dozen here in a couple of months, we sent a dozen last summer, and it's this relationship with the Hebrew University of Jerusalem that allows us to bring these artifacts here. I will say it is crazy important that people come and see this ... A third of our visitors come from out of state. These are the people that know archeology, know [the] Bible, and they hear about these discoveries being here in Oklahoma, and they're like, 'I have to get there.'"

Q: Over 12,000 people have come to see this free exhibit here, what have their reactions been like when they come here?

A: "Most people that come here are not going to get to Israel, and so to bring Israel to them and the Bible to them, to make the Bible come alive is very important for them, they bring their families here. We'd have school groups come through here as well, and people spend, generally, about an hour to get through all the different artifacts, the text boards [and] the videos. We have virtual reality that you can transport yourself to the ancient City of David, as it stands today, with all the ruins, and so this is a real family event that people can come out and capture the Bible in its reality through archeology."

Q: Will guests be able to hear from any archaeologists?

A: "Professor Uzi Liebner, he works for the Hebrew University in Jerusalem, the premier academic institution in the Middle East, he is the director of the Ophel excavations. These are excavations that take place right next to the Temple Mount in Jerusalem. So the most important, arguably the most important, location on Earth. He excavates there with our students, and he's coming to give a lecture about pilgrimage, or how people traveled up to Jerusalem during the time of Jesus, that's his specialty. He's a world expert for that time, so next Wednesday, at 1:20 p.m., people can come here. Hear from the world's foremost expert on the period of Jesus in Jerusalem, another amazing opportunity. While they're here, they can take in the exhibit."