Some finishing up...

Unfortunately for curiousity seekers and against all odds, there didn't appear to be a wooden coffin, just a wood board lining the bottom of the tomb. But the fact that it survived for over a thousand years is curious in itself. As of recent my squad of "street people" and I finished our square covering a section of the main street leading from the city center to the church. Our next stop will be some 12 meters south to open another square over what should be more street, but it also may cover new structures. Unfortunately right now Tractor Man (the backhoe driver) is plowing out some rubble left in the area so we haven't been able to start yet. This square will put us well on the fringe of the site, but is important as we learn more about the church's interaction with the city.

Kibbutz life is good. The happiest members are definately the "communal" dogs. They are well taken care of but also get to roam free about the kibbutz, like a giant dog park. They hang out in packs, frolick on the beach, consume human treats (and occationally steal them). Our group favorite is "Pookah", a long haired all-black dog with a dainty walk (she's also known as "Duchess"). She follows the team all over, from 4am on the way to the dig in the morning, to 8pm when we're passing around birthday cake (for Pookah too). Another popular dog is one that runs into the lake and picks up rocks, bringing them inland or tossing them. He also fetches them.

Right now Pookah is darting around on the beach. I'm sitting under a date tree, and unfortunately the dates are falling around me. Windy and warm, another very pretty day.