Harding Professor Brings Dig Site to Students
By: Deedra Wilson, KARK 4 News
Updated: December 17, 2012
Harding University archaeology professor Dr. Dale Manor might remind you of Indiana Jones, with his hat, passion for the past, artifacts and real-life adventure.
"Being an archaeologist, one of the things I've always wanted to do is do a fake site," Dr. Manor says.
So that's exactly what he did.
"I was approached by the head of the honors department wanting a Bible class that would be primarily for the honor students," he says. "Rather than sit-in kind of class, it would be one that is hands-on."
Dr. Manor started making the site in 2007 when he went to Israel to collect goods and materials.
"All of the artifacts and all of the features associated with the excavation here are actually reflecting real situations in the land of Israel," Manor says.
When students sign up for Dr. Manor's class, they can really dig it.
"It is definitely the most hands-on class I've ever had," says senior Melissa Dykes. "I was just thinking, 'I really want to get up and do something,' and I thought, 'I get to go to archaeology lab later today."
Dr. Manor says textbooks are great, but sometimes it's the hands-on, everyday life experience that creates a stellar student.
The class covers subjects such as what everyday life was like in biblical times.
"Being an archaeologist, one of the things I've always wanted to do is do a fake site," Dr. Manor says.
So that's exactly what he did.
"I was approached by the head of the honors department wanting a Bible class that would be primarily for the honor students," he says. "Rather than sit-in kind of class, it would be one that is hands-on."
Dr. Manor started making the site in 2007 when he went to Israel to collect goods and materials.
"All of the artifacts and all of the features associated with the excavation here are actually reflecting real situations in the land of Israel," Manor says.
When students sign up for Dr. Manor's class, they can really dig it.
"It is definitely the most hands-on class I've ever had," says senior Melissa Dykes. "I was just thinking, 'I really want to get up and do something,' and I thought, 'I get to go to archaeology lab later today."
Dr. Manor says textbooks are great, but sometimes it's the hands-on, everyday life experience that creates a stellar student.
The class covers subjects such as what everyday life was like in biblical times.
